Hey, Boston folks, where should I buy a bike?

[rhu]

Since my new job's just three miles from my house
I plan to buy a bike for the commute.
I'm thus soliciting your thoughts, my friends:
What kind of bike? Where would you go to shop?

Comments

[rikchik.livejournal.com]

I have a hybrid bike I like a lot.
It's handy for my 2-mile ride to work,
But I can also take it through the dirt
If people on the path are four abreast.
I bought it maybe ten, twelve years ago
At a bike shop not far from Porter Square.
I'd say that any local shop is good -
You'll probably be going back for gear.

[cramerica.livejournal.com]

Ya I got a great hybrid from the same Porter Square shop. Very helpful staff IIRC.

[toonhead-npl.livejournal.com]

Yup, I'd also say a hybrid if you're doing city streets. I got mine from International Bike in Boston but they have a store in Newton as well.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

There's actually a couple of bike shops in what I would consider the Porter Square area. I'd recommend Ace Wheelworks, which is on Elm; take a left out of the Porter Square parking lot and go about a block & a half. The staff is very knowledgeable and will not try to sell you more bike than you need.

And yes, I echo the sentiment on getting a hybrid. I'd also recommend getting paniers and/or a basket and/or a rack in back with bungee cords and/or a pull behind cart.

[abbasegal.livejournal.com]

The only place for bikes that I do know,
is the school of bikes in Cambridge, where one learns
of all there is to know 'bout bikes, to fix
to buy, to choose what sort befits you best.
They also sell so with an empty hand
you need not leave. On Broadway they are found.

[autotruezone.livejournal.com]

I'm a frequent bike commuter. I've had good results at Harris Cyclery, in West Newton, and at Belmont Wheelworks (which is owned by the same people as Ace Wheelworks mentioned above).

Hybrids are good. There are a lot of good commuter bikes coming out these days as well. I recently got one of these, and like having a chain guard which means I no longer need to tie up my pants leg to keep it clean. You'll almost certainly want a rear rack and panniers (bags that attach to the rack), since backpacks tend to make your back sweaty. I recommend fenders as well, since they can help keep your clothes clean and dry if the road is at all wet or muddy.

I would also suggest you read John Allen's Bicycling Street Smarts, available free online. MassBike also offers cycling skills courses.

[42itous.livejournal.com]

I'm also a fan of Ace Wheelworks (I go to the one in Porter Sq, but I think there's one closer to you), but I expect it's not terribly important where you buy your bike. I nth the vote for a hybrid -- you'll need those fat tires for the Boston-area potholes. And definitely get some kind of basket or bags, you'll be grateful for it in the summer. The lower your center of gravity, the easier the bike is to handle (and therefore the safer); plus you get rid of the most waste heat from your back, but only if you're not wearing a backpack.