Commuting - Potential Commuter Bike?

After trying my commute by bike I'm hooked.

I'm looking at racks to carry my cargo, but I don't relish 'uglifying' my recently purchased Felt F90 (a beautiful machine for an entry level bike).

I'm looking at a 70's vintage Fuji Touring Edition III that I've come across for approx $125. It has some light surface rust on the fork, but otherwise appears to be in good condition. I've really become comfortable with the transition to a road bike and this seems to be pretty good material for a commuter with its rear rack braze-ons and its cantilever brakes although I can't say I'm crazy about the downtube shifters.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this model/vintage.

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Mike

After trying my commute by bike I'm hooked.

I'm looking at racks to carry my cargo, but I don't relish 'uglifying' my recently purchased Felt F90 (a beautiful machine for an entry level bike).

I'm looking at a 70's vintage Fuji Touring Edition III that I've come across for approx $125. It has some light surface rust on the fork, but otherwise appears to be in good condition. I've really become comfortable with the transition to a road bike and this seems to be pretty good material for a commuter with its rear rack braze-ons and its cantilever brakes although I can't say I'm crazy about the downtube shifters.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this model/vintage.

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Mike

I don't have direct experience with a Fuji that old but where can you go wrong? Especially for a commuting bike. You could probably leave this one unlocked anywhere on the planet and nobody would take it :)

You can upgrade to barend shifters or to STI. You would probably need a lot of stuff to upgrade which will make it an much more expensive bike but if you do a little at a time, your wife, assuming you have one, will never notice ;) You could go with these (http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/shifters_derailleurs/17089.html) or these (http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/shifters_derailleurs/17068.html). Friction shifters are probably a better option since you won't have to change as much.

You can upgrade to barend shifters or to STI. You would probably need a lot of stuff to upgrade which will make it an much more expensive bike but if you do a little at a time, your wife, assuming you have one, will never notice ;) You could go with these (http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/shifters_derailleurs/17089.html) or these (http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/shifters_derailleurs/17068.html). Friction shifters are probably a better option since you won't have to change as much.

I am considering both of the shifting options you pointed out, although I may use them in a configuration more like this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=443600&postcount=4) (I never really ride on the drops).

I'm also considering using Kelly Take Offs (http://www.kellybike.com/2nd_xtra_takeoff.html).

Either of these scenario's include replacing the brake levers as well.

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Mike

Hi,
how much do you weigh? I have a Fuji Touring 4, and at 250
I am just too heavy for it. I also slowly spent a few hundred bucks
getting it set up the way I like bikes to be. It adds up fast.

If you are under 200, it could be a great bike for you. A good 27 inch tire for commuting is the Conti TT 2000. See if you can't find some used bar end shifters for it.

I love commuting too. Starts the day out right.

Late, Thanks for the warning. I am under 180lbs, so my guess is that I shouldn't be concerned.

I am using a early 1980s model Fuji -- can't recall the model name. It's heavy but very smooth and fast. I hate the down tube shifters. I think I am going to crash while I am fiddling with them! :D Maybe I will get used to them in 4 or 5 years. I remember using them all the time in the day, but I don't think they bothered me back then.

Small world- I recently started commuting and my road bike is as you described. I don't like reaching down in the morning either, pitch black. My mountain bike with slicks is same vintage and is 15 minutes slower each way, never mind more work... not sure if I should be happy with the extra workout or upgrade to a hybrid of some kind... not sure if the investment would be worth it either(?) woe is me :)

Bought the bike... I'm very happy with it thus far, but I do need to revise the shifter situation...

Uglify?!

After mounting his u-bar clamp thingy, my 11-year-old son proudly stepped back and announced, "I think more gear makes it look cooler."

Enjoy it. Call around and ask the local bike shops if they have any
used bar end shifters lying around. That's what I did.

Uglify?!

After mounting his u-bar clamp thingy, my 11-year-old son proudly stepped back and announced, "I think more gear makes it look cooler."

No offense to your son, but 11-year-olds in general aren't known for thier acute senses of style.

you'll get used to the downtube shifters in a couple weeks...

i mean c'mon now, even you say you used to use them... what have you gotten worse at biking over the years???

i mean no disrespect, but i just hear all the time, the people just "can't" use downtube shifters anymore, and personally i think it is BS...