Best bike for commuting in a hilly city?

Hi all,

I recently began riding and am now planning on making it my primary mode of transportation.
I learned on a cruiser bike because I was staying in a pretty flat area then, and now I'm back home where it's hillier.

I am still a beginner and plan on biking about 10 miles per day.
I'm 5 '2" and a female.

What type of bike is best for such commuting and for someone who is only used to a cruiser?

Thanks!

1. Looks like a cruiser – but has gears to conquer hills – a hybrid. See links below. You’ll need one with a short frame size, probably either the 13" or 15" frame size. See your local bike shop for a proper fit.

   Great bikes. I’ve had mine now for a bit over 2 years. Worst problem has been a flat tire. I have no car – this is my main form of transport. Very reliable.

2. It’s really up to your preference and budget. If you’re used to an upright position and like they cruiser, I think then next step may be a hybrid or a commuter bike, that looks like a mountain bike but has narrower tires that are smoother. This will give you gearing for climbing hills, along with straight bars. If you like the "drop" handlebars found on the traditional "10-speed", then a road bike may suite your needs. You can get one with two or three front sprockets. There’s also a "compact" crankset option that has two up front, but gives you about the same unique gear combinations as having three…

   Anyhow… that’s for fit. As far as budget… look to spend around $500 minimum for a decent bike and check out Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc. to start. I’m a fan off lesser known brands like Felt and Jamis b/c I think your dollar goes farther. It’s all preference. Fit is the most important thing.

   Finally… material… steel will last forever. Aluminum is lighter, but harder to repair. Carbon is lightest, most expensive and pretty much impossible to repair if it’s damaged. Luckily it’s pretty hard to damage IMO. I’ve been riding carbon bikes for 10 years and have yet to have any kind of failure…

   Good luck and keep riding!

3. Get a hybrid bike with gears and 700c wheels. Check the local bike shops for a hybrid path / trail bike. You want to get the correct size frame. The Forge Athena is about as cheap as you can go and still have a good quality bike. A bike without shocks is more efficient on hills.

   ‘http://www.forgebikes.com/athenavroad.asp’

   ‘http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/hybrid/7000wsd/’

4. I would go with a hybrid, it will give you a more up right position that i think you would prefer
   i don’t know your budget but here are some good ones

   ‘http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=52915&eid=6066&menuItemId=14883
   ‘http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/transend.dx.w/5689/36580/
   ‘http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/city.storm/3884/36268/
   ‘http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/commuter/10_commuter4.html

   just make sure to get the right size…

   have fun

5. bleh

   The bike for you is a hybrid. It gives you the upright sitting position. but has road type gearing, wide smooth tires, and a light frame. It will provide you a fast, smooth, safe ride on all the terrain that you should come into contact with. It can also be ridden on streets, paths, sand, gravel, dirt, even light trails.

   It has the bonus of being a bike for long distance and great workouts.e sure to learn how to properly pedal the bike. You need to learn how to spin. If you do not know, ask in the forum! It makes riding distance, at speed, possible.

   Soccerref

6. CHECK THIS OUT
   Diamondback Response Sport Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
   * Hardtail 26-inch mountain bike with aluminum all-mountain frame
   * Spinner Edge 120mm suspension fork; 8-speed trigger shifters
   * SRAM ISO-Flow crank set with replaceable chain rings; WTB Pure V sport saddle
   * Hayes mechanical disc brakes with 6-inch rotors; double-wall rims
   * Available in 14-, 16-, 18-, 20, or 22-inch frames; comes in white or dirty blue color