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A Commuter Bike
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 2014-04-23 9:35 PM |
 265   Denver, Colorado |  Subject: A Commuter BikeHi guys, ETA: this isn't 100% tri or tri-talk but the foot traffic is higher here... I've been looking Into getting a commuter. I race on a FUJI altimara 2.0 with clip on aero bars. My commute can be anywhere between 15-20 miles depending on the route. Today I got caught in the rain and I hate sloshing around in my "fancy" carbon bike - I know it's meant to be ridden, but I really want to take good care of things. What do you do if you commute to work? I'd like my morning miles to be as useful as possible and have the ability to "train hard" during the commute on a new bike if I get one. I've considered: Buying a bike with frame similar to the alt from fuji An old road bike 80-90ish from craigslist A super old bike with drop tube shifters (maybe pickup some groceries too) A track bike like the Windsor The Hour or MOTOBECANE fixed gear How about it BT, what's your commuter / fun bike or would you just keep riding the carbon bike? Edited by Brian W 2014-04-23 9:36 PM |
| 2014-04-23 11:49 PM in reply to: Brian W |
Expert 2355 Madison, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike Do all my commuting on a fixed gear. Its awesome probably some of my favorite riding. |
| 2014-04-24 12:58 AM in reply to: #4986076 |
Veteran 493 Cloverdale, BC | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike My ride to work is about 26 miles each way. I ride a cyclocross bike with disc brakes, road tires, full fenders, panniers, and of course clip-on aerobars. |
| 2014-04-24 4:14 AM in reply to: Brian W |
Champion 9407 Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike My commuter is an early 80's Peugeot built up as a fixie. In addition to the fun of riding a fixie, an old frame is perfect for a commuter as you will typically have lots of clearance for bigger tires and fenders as well as bosses for racks and fenders. Shane |
| 2014-04-24 7:08 AM in reply to: Brian W |
Member 1748  Exton, PA | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike I ride my road bike as a commuter, basically because it was low end road bike (AL) that's 10 years old. Save my tri bike for rides and races. If I didn't have the road bike, I would probably pick up and old steel road bike for commuting. Been thinking about buying an older steel bike anyway just because of the n+1 factor and still have room in my garage. |
| 2014-04-24 7:12 AM in reply to: mike761 |
| Master 1946 Memphis, TN | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike I'm in the same boat. I'm looking at a cross bike or an older steel framed road bike from the 90's. Something I can put paniers on to carry all my stuff and keep from wearing a backpack. I'd use it to commute to work and get groceries and stuff. |
| 2014-04-24 10:14 AM in reply to: Jtiger |
Regular 866 Central Coast, CA | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike I ride a Trek FX as my commuter bike (average commute: 4.5 miles). It's a nice fast hybrid style bike (mountain bike style handlebars, high pressure road tires) and I like having the extra control of the handlebars when in traffic. When I was first getting interested in triathlons a couple years back I bought it to use mainly as a commuter and also to do my first triathlon. |
| 2014-04-24 10:36 AM in reply to: MOlsen |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike I also ride an older low-end aluminum road bike as my commuter. I have tried everything, including hybrid, steel 10-speed, etc. For that distance (similar to my commute) you're putting on a lot of miles and you'll be happier with a setup that is more similar to your racing bike. I got tired of the aches and pains riding an more upright or heavier bike and also it felt strange to switch to the race bike. I have added a rack and also have a clip-on rear fender. If I was more dedicated to commuting I might go with fenders on both wheels. |
| 2014-04-24 2:11 PM in reply to: 0 |
Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike Everyone in Vancouver has a winter/rain bike. You can ride here all year around, but it rains in the winter, a lot. Most people's winter bikes are aluminum or steel, are often 9 speed (though lately more ten speed) and have good fenders. Also, heavier tires and winter wheels. Disc brakes are a good option too. My winter bike gets really grimy and dirty and I don't keep it as clean as I should. I commute to the velodrome on this year round and train on this all winter. My commute to work is only about 3.5km, so my commuter bike is less for training. Here's my commuter. Edited by jeng 2014-04-24 2:13 PM (raleigh.jpg) Attachments ---------------- raleigh.jpg (99KB - 0 downloads) |
| 2014-04-25 9:42 PM in reply to: 0 |
| 265 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike So I found this gem on CL and the guy practically gave it away (he about 20-25 other bikes in the garage). It's not a fixed gear, but a single speed [Specialized Tricross Singlecross]. I would have loved something with disc breaks but this bike is a fantastic addition to the arsenal and will definitely bring many fun miles-after my first short ride on it tonight I think this will make me a better overall rider as you really have to work on the hills with only 1 gear. Great fun and I recally enjoyed the simplicity of single speed. n+1 Edited by Brian W 2014-04-25 9:43 PM (image.jpg) Attachments ---------------- image.jpg (97KB - 0 downloads) |
| 2014-04-28 5:30 AM in reply to: Brian W |
Pro 5011 Twin Cities | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike My all-weather/commuter/travel/general exploring bike is a Tommaso Bestia cyclocross bike. I got it one season old for $500. New ones aren't much more. I actually enjoy riding it quite a bit. I don't need a ton of gears, but I like to have some, so I personally wouldn't want to use my SS. |
| 2014-04-28 6:45 AM in reply to: 0 |
| 225 | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike I have a surly crosscheck with a rear rack. Its heavy as hell but serves its purpose. Apparently the only pic I have is mid build  Edited by bigevilgrape 2014-04-28 6:52 AM |
| 2014-04-28 7:26 AM in reply to: bigevilgrape |
Champion 9407 Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike Originally posted by bigevilgrape I have a surly crosscheck with a rear rack. Its heavy as hell but serves its purpose. Nice - I was looking at a Surly frame but then I had an old Peugeot frame given to me that I used for my commuter:  Shane |
| 2014-04-28 7:45 AM in reply to: Brian W |
Expert 1111 Albuquerque, NM | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike My VooDoo Dambala converted to 1x10, with some cross tires:  I'm hoping to start commuting on it this year. |
| 2014-04-28 8:05 AM in reply to: Brian W |
| 631 | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike If I was going to build a bad weather commuter. I would proably go with a cross frame that allows fenders and rack and panniers. I would also go with the disc brakes, I think you could get by with mechanicals. For gearing I would use a Sturmey Archer (I think a 5 speed would be enough) with either bar end shifters or if I could make either Kelly Take offs or Retro-Shift shifters work I would go that route but the bar end would be the easy solution. |
| 2014-04-28 9:11 AM in reply to: Sidney Porter |
Expert 1484 | Subject: RE: A Commuter Bike I have an older Redline CX bike with disc brakes for sloppy rides. Fenders are key and a CX bike is fun to ride. picked up a 1x11 XC MTB in December and that's seeing some commute use too. There's a trail system out of our area and two different MTB parks I can ride between home and work. I've shown up to work pretty muddy a few times. Luckily we have showers and a locker room. |
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