What Bike Is Right For You?
By Sarah Rufca Nielsen July 9, 2015 Published in the July 2015 issue of Houstonia Magazine
For the Style-Conscious Commuter: Linus Roadster Sport, $599
Practicality meets style with a steel frame in six stylish shades. The Roadster has three speeds (plenty for the average city ride) plus a rear rack for storage, and fenders to help keep your outfit looking fly when you arrive at the office. Where to Find It: Ham Cycles, 2309 Dunlavy St. in Montrose, 713-522-8330, hamcycles.com
For the Night Rider: PureFix Zulu, $399
Have a need for fixie speed after sundown? PureFix's line of glow-in-the-dark bikes can help extend your ride safely with a sleek white body that glows green for an hour or more after dark. Where to Find It: Through Blue Line Bike Lab, 3302 White Oak Dr. in the Heights; 740 Telephone Rd. in the East End, bluelinebikelab.com
For the Techie: Benelli Classica electric bicycle, $2,100
Leave it to the Italians to design a motorized bike that's as beautiful as a Vespa. Modeled after bike/motorcycle hybrids produced in the 1920s, the Classica's battery placement allows room for rear storage and improved balance when cruising up to 20 mph. Bonus: you can charge your phone while you ride. Where to Find It: Revolution E-Bikes, 1544 Westheimer Rd. in Montrose, 713-523-2453, revolutionebikes.com
For the Road Warrior: Cannondale CAAD10 105 5, $1,549.99-$1,680
Whether training for the MS-150 or just trying to improve your time on a zip through town, you’ll find this road bike lightweight and comfortable, yet strong enough to keep you planted in your seat while navigating Houston's delightfully pothole-rich roads. Where to Find It: Planetary Cycles, 8715 B West Loop South in Meyerland, 713-668-2300, planetarycycles.com
For the Relaxed Rider: Electra Townie 3i $569.99
You’re just spinning your wheels around town, so why contort yourself? Pick a no-hassle, sit-up-straight bike like the Electra, with a patented “flat foot technology” allowing riders to reach the ground easily. Where to Find It: Bicycle World, multiple locations, visitbicycleworld.com
For the Budget-Conscious: Critical Cycles Fixed Gear/Single-Speed Bike $219.99
They’re not just for hipsters anymore. Fixies are affordable, sturdy and easy to maintain, making them a great entry point for urban biking. Instead of always pedaling nonstop, fixie-style, you can also cruise by setting the flip-flop hub to work as a single-speed. Oh, and they come in fun candy colors, too. Where to Find It: criticalcycles.com
For the Trail Hunter: Specialized Epic Expert Carbon World Cup 29, $6,900
A light, fast and responsive bike, the Epic employs "Brain Shock" technology designed to read terrain and respond appropriately—it’s stiffer on smooth trails, with suspension kicking in when you hit the bumps. Where to Find It: West End Bicycles, 5427 Blossom in Rice Military, 713-861-2271, westendbikes.com
Not all two-wheelers are created equal, and when looking for the one for you, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the terminology: aero, cyclocross, damping, swingarm. We asked the experts—bike shop workers across Houstonia—which rides were best for casual cruisers, speed racers and everything in between.
