Commuting - Attn: Lurkers. Join Us!

Currently Active Users
156 (72 members & 84 guests)

84 guests? I think this cycle commuting thing might be catching on. Whether it's $4 gasoline, or perhaps they shut down your normal freeway route to work (http://www.sacbee.com/i5/), or you're looking to get in shape for the summer, or you want to stick it to the House of Faud: welcome to bike commuting.

So, tell us a little about yourselves.

Just did :) A bit about me can be found here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=425448

lurk, lurk...

I'll bite...I started biking to work last month for Bike to Work Month here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and like many others have become addicted! I love the increased exercise I'm getting, reduced stress on days that I ride, and overall "combatting global warming" good feeling. My name's Matt and I live in El Cerrito, CA (East Bay, just north of Berkeley) with my wife. My commute is only 6 miles one-way and I can't believe it's taken me this long (I've been living in El Cerrito for nearly 4 years) to start doing it!

I ride a yellow 2000 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS that I enjoy riding, but of course am now looking for ways to make it a bit lighter and comfortable for my commute, as I hardly ever take it off road (I haven't gotten into mountain biking like I thought I would when I first got it). I don't think I'll ever get rid of it (it is my first adult bike, after all), but I'm definitely getting the itch to get an additional road or commuter bike that will go faster one of these days when I get a healthy chunk of change. In the meantime, I plan on upgrading components when I need to (first step is to upgrade my stem for a more comfortable riding position) and keeping my Hardrock as a workhorse and the occasional fire trail ride. Needless to say, I've already found many helpful opinions on bikes, components, bike conversions, etc. on this very forum.

Also just upgraded to clipless pedals this weekend and love 'em! Haven't fallen yet after a ride into Berkeley on Saturday and this morning's commute...hopefully that trend will continue. ;-)

....I ride a yellow 2000 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS that I enjoy riding, but of course am now looking for ways to make it a bit lighter and comfortable for my commute, as I hardly ever take it off road (I haven't gotten into mountain biking like I thought I would when I first got it). I don't think I'll ever get rid of it (it is my first adult bike, after all), but I'm definitely getting the itch to get an additional road or commuter bike that will go faster one of these days when I get a healthy chunk of change. In the meantime, I plan on upgrading components when I need to (first step is to upgrade my stem for a more comfortable riding position) and keeping my Hardrock as a workhorse and the occasional fire trail ride. Needless to say, I've already found many helpful opinions on bikes, components, bike conversions, etc. on this very forum.

Also just upgraded to clipless pedals this weekend and love 'em! Haven't fallen yet after a ride into Berkeley on Saturday and this morning's commute...hopefully that trend will continue. ;-)

Dude! That is the EXACT same bike I bought when I started back into riding years ago. I bought it for the same reasons you did and had the same experience--I never took it offroad. I used it for the first 2 years of my commuting here.

When I started commuting I already had a rack and clipless pedals, so those upgrades were taken care of. Thus my first upgrade for commuting was to get rid of those knobby tired and go to slicks. Since you almost never ride offroad anyway you won't miss 'em, and it's a pretty cheap upgrade you'll really appreciate. Added bonus: if you're pretty good at changing a tire--and if you're going to commute a lot, you should make sure you are--you can easily put the knobbies back on if you're going offroad with friends.

I no longer use that HR for commuting. Last summer I bought a Fuji Touring at Performance Bike. It's a cheap bike and it's a pretty good commuter. It's no lightweight either, but compared to the HR it doesn't weigh anything at all. ;) The HR is now my recreational bike--I removed the rack and hooked up a hitch so I can take The Kid for rides in her trailer.

Have fun commuting out there!

Maybe they're skeert...

We also give out free relationship advice... just ask that one dude in the other thread and his law student g/f.

Dude! That is the EXACT same bike I bought when I started back into riding years ago. I bought it for the same reasons you did and had the same experience--I never took it offroad. I used it for the first 2 years of my commuting here.

When I started commuting I already had a rack and clipless pedals, so those upgrades were taken care of. Thus my first upgrade for commuting was to get rid of those knobby tired and go to slicks. Since you almost never ride offroad anyway you won't miss 'em, and it's a pretty cheap upgrade you'll really appreciate. Added bonus: if you're pretty good at changing a tire--and if you're going to commute a lot, you should make sure you are--you can easily put the knobbies back on if you're going offroad with friends.

I no longer use that HR for commuting. Last summer I bought a Fuji Touring at Performance Bike. It's a cheap bike and it's a pretty good commuter. It's no lightweight either, but compared to the HR it doesn't weigh anything at all. ;) The HR is now my recreational bike--I removed the rack and hooked up a hitch so I can take The Kid for rides in her trailer.

Have fun commuting out there!

Haha, what a coincidence! Yeah, I forgot to mention that I obtained some Continental Gorilla semi-slicks a few years ago for the pavement and they definitely make a difference compared to the default knobbies (Specialized All Condition, I believe). I've used them a LOT more than I have the knobbies. I'm actually considering buying a new set of rims from a co-worker to put the knobbies on so I can simply switch out the wheels if I ever want to do a trail ride. Up until now whenever I've wanted to switch tires I have to go through the whole "deinflate tube/get tire off rim/fit tire and tube on rim/reinflate tube" process, which becomes a PITA after a few times.

We also give out free relationship advice... just ask that one dude in the other thread and his law student g/f.

Yeah, that thread might be enough to scare the newbies off....

Just did :) A bit about me can be found here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=425448

Ooh, Portland. Nice! I was just wearing my River City Cycles shop jersey the other day. Love that town.

I'll bite...I started biking to work last month for Bike to Work Month here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and like many others have become addicted!

That brings up a fun question - how many people started bike commuting because of bike to work week? I started commuting during last year's, and haven't stopped. Anybody else?

We also give out free relationship advice... just ask that one dude in the other thread and his law student g/f.

Yeah, and don't forget the medical advice.

OK. I'll bite too. I have ridden bikes for some time but never commuted. I started commuting last week because it seemed like it would be fun and a way to get exercise without spending too much time away from my wife. So far, I love it.

My bike is a RANS Fusion crank forward bike. The "semi-recumbent" geometry makes puting my feet down at stops a snap. It also means no butt, wrist, or neck pain. Very relaxing and therapeutic.

I am the President of a small insurance company and am not trying to save the planet. I'm just trying to enjoy life a little more. My employees think I am nuts, but several are intrigued by my commuting by bicycle. At 59 years of age and carrying plenty of extra weight, I'm not out to impress anyone.

The commute is 15 miles round trip which takes me only about a 1/2 hour longer than driving, and leaves my evenings free with my wife.

This is a LOT of fun

Hey I just joined. I started thinking about commuting after I read about Bike to Work week. I've yet to start, since I haven't ridden for a few years. I'm 17, so I'd still be commuting to high school at 7:30am and back home often late around 8pm. I'm going to use the summer to get back into shape before I try the (gasp!) 4.5 mile commute, haha.

The only other downside I can think of is I play alto sax in band, and that might prove slightly difficult to transport back and forth...No I don't have money for an xtracycle, haha.

Also, I'd be riding a Mongoose Wired something or other department store bike I got around 13 or 14. This may not be so easy.

Okay, I'll bite too. Usually lurk here.

Been biking to work since August 2004. Pretty much every day except hard rain in am, ice on trail, or travel for work. 17 miles round trip on capital crescent trail from Bethesda MD to downtown DC every day.

I like commuting -- fresh air, exercise, low stress, etc.

Only downside for me is that I've put on 60 pounds since I took up biking into work in 2004. I know the weight gain and the biking are unrelated as a matter of logic, math, and science but . . . if my rear rim cracks under the strain, I might take my time getting it fixed so that I can lose the weight.

i joined i joined

haha 3rd post

Yeah, I'm a lurker too.

I've been bike riding for about 8 years but never really commuted until recently. I have a 40 mile round trip so I try to bike commute 2 full times each week. One day I ride to and from but then I'll drive the next day and ride home so I can ride back in the morning then drive home. I'm trying to incorporate biking more in my daily routines as well since most of the places I drive to from home are <5 miles away. The biggest hurdle has been to keep the bike handy and not stowed away. The fact that Memphis is ranked as one of the least bike-friendly cities doesn't help either.

I just joined yesterday. I am a daily commuter and avid recreational biker. I ride a 1987 Cannondale road bike that still works great.
I'm commuting because I like to.

Brian

I just joined yesterday. I am a daily commuter and avid recreational biker. I ride a 1987 Cannondale road bike that still works great.
I'm commuting because I like to.

Brian

Best reason ever.

Greetings all!
Actually, I quit lurking last week, I just hadn't posted yet (work has been insane lately, haven't had much 'net time the past few weeks). Been lurking since last fall, started commuting a bit back then, been commuting regularly since 3rd week of march. Gotta' go, many more posts to follow. Eventually. TTFN

We also give out free relationship advice... just ask that one dude in the other thread and his law student g/f.

YEP, AND WE'LL EVEN USE CAPS TO ENFORCE OUR POINT.

Started Jan 7th have not stopped since. Average 4 days per week. Sadly my job requires some driving. I am figuring out how to get out of it daily. Not the job just the driving.

10 mile round trip commute. Fixed gear, rear rack, trunk bag, smile on face.
My bike commuting blog www.bike4more.com (http://www.bike4more.com)

I started bicycling for exercise about 2 1/2 years ago, and didn't realize I'd started commuting when I started bicycling over to the gf's for the weekend about 1 1/2 years ago. I just liked the exercise, the freedom, and being able to get somewhere without the cage. I rode to work the last 3 Thursdays, and am trying to figure out how to make more trips this way - especially when the weather turns hot during the summer. This forum has helped me get this far, I'm sure the answers out there somewhere.

Hi, I have been a member for a while, just never really felt like I had a good enough reason to post.

I am trying to get into commuting. I thought about it last summer, but a wedding and a move got in the way. Now I am trying to start again.

The trouble that I am having is finding a decent commuter bike for $300. Currently I am looking at a Diamondback Wildwood, or a nicer X-mart bike, if that is possible. I have found a Schwinn 700c with Shimano quick-fire shifters, and what looks to be nice components and a solid frame for $200. I have tried searching Craigslist, but most of the bikes in my area, Louisville, KY, are either cheap bmx/MTN bikes, or $600+ used road bikes.

The other problem that I have is that I am 6'0" and I measured my standover height in the shoes that I would ride in and it came to about 27.5". I am having trouble finding a bike that is short enough to keep me from racking myself when I stand over it, but long enough for it to be comfortable to ride.

I will probably spend this summer doing smaller rides to get back into shape, as I am a 260 lb. smoker. If all goes well, I will try to commute a little bit this fall and start regularly next year.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I mostly lurk because everything that needs to be said is usually said.
A little bit about myself. I am into my 3rd year commuting. I do 30 miles a day round trip. I started so that I could get into better shape. Now I reap the bennefits of not buying gas and getting in shape at the same time.

I'll peek out of the shadows too. I'm looking to start commuting a few days a week. Partially gas prices, partially concern for the environment, and partially because I really need more exercise and I need to strengthen my knees (the dreaded patellofemeral fun where they just plop you on a stationary bike for physical therapy anyway). I used to do 5 miles on a stationary without thinking about it, so I figure my 5 mile trek to work should be ok, especially if I add the bus in there to take off a couple miles.

My current problem is finding a bike. Don't have a decent one now, my old mountain bike from my teen years is so rusted as to be unusable, so I need a new one. Rode one I liked in the local LBS the other day (Specialized Globe City 7), but the price is a little steep for my hubby to handle. (Though it's actually a really good price, as far as I can tell.) Been combing Craigslist, but haven't found anything yet. Of course, riding a bike at the LBS the other day also let me know that I SUCK at bike riding right now, since I haven't been on one that wasn't stationary since before college. Gotta practice a bit before hitting real roads.

I am trying to get into commuting. I thought about it last summer, but a wedding and a move got in the way. Now I am trying to start again.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have to say that in my case, my wedding/move was one of the best things to happen in terms of my cycle commuting. While we were dating, I drove over to her house all the time after work. For a while, I drove to her place and rode onward to work, returning to her place in the evening. Once we got married, we lived in the same house and shared a car, so the last purpose for my truck went away. The bonus is that the house we live in now is slightly further away from the office than either of our previous residences, so I get extra distance, and the mass transit options are way, WAY better for when I want to do the multi-mode thing. So be creative, be persistent, and make sure she's supportive.

I mostly lurk because everything that needs to be said is usually said.
A little bit about myself. I am into my 3rd year commuting. I do 30 miles a day round trip. I started so that I could get into better shape. Now I reap the bennefits of not buying gas and getting in shape at the same time.

Now that's definitely NOT the right frame of mind for BikeForums! Just because everyone else has already posted exactly what you were going to say is no reason not to post it anyway... ;)

Ooh, Portland. Nice! I was just wearing my River City Cycles shop jersey the other day. Love that town.

citybike. mmm...

I've been riding in for about 3-4 years. Two winters ago, I decided to keep riding through winter, and it went pretty well so this past winter I bought some Nokians and I had a great time riding pretty much every day, snow or ice be damned. My commute is around 4 miles. Some days I run to/from work instead of taking the bike, but together with biking and running I think I've driven to work 3 days this year.

Last year I had a funny experience with my car. I drove it so infrequently this winter that a family of rabbits took residence in my engine compartment and ate some wires, which broke it. I had to have it towed to get it fixed. One plus about biking in is that it is very unlikely for a family of rabbits to take up residence in my bicycle.

I started riding on a Huffy "Ironman" boat anchor of a bike. I've found some better bikes at garage sales, one was a nice 1980's Trek touring bike that was ruined when I was hit by a car. Recently I'm riding a 1980's Cannondale Touring bike. If I ride to work, it takes about 17-20 minutes, and if I drive it takes about 15-20 minutes. I like to bike in to stick it to the Saudis but it's good exercise and a hell of a lot of fun. Not being a slave to my car is fun, too. Stupid car.

I have to lurk, I don't have time to post. I'll start writing a quick reply, then re-write it, think about it for a while, do some quick research to make sure I'm not misstating something, then delete the whole thing just to avoid making an ass out of myself. Next thing you know, lunch is over, and I've only read one or two threads. Oh, I'll post every now and then, but I just can't let it rip like some of you guys.

I'm not lurking. I just can't log in at work. I can view the forums but I can't participate.

I'm not a lurker, I'm a browser- I don't commute by bike, but check on posts of interest.

i wonder if there's so many "Guests" because it logs you out if you open a new tab or aren't active for a certain amount of time. I usually log in and then once I read a few threads and then go to post or reply I have to log in again. It's rather annoying actually. Maybe I'm off the mark here though

Dude! That is the EXACT same bike I bought when I started back into riding years ago. I bought it for the same reasons you did and had the same experience--I never took it offroad. I used it for the first 2 years of my commuting here.

When I started commuting I already had a rack and clipless pedals, so those upgrades were taken care of. Thus my first upgrade for commuting was to get rid of those knobby tired and go to slicks. Since you almost never ride offroad anyway you won't miss 'em, and it's a pretty cheap upgrade you'll really appreciate. Added bonus: if you're pretty good at changing a tire--and if you're going to commute a lot, you should make sure you are--you can easily put the knobbies back on if you're going offroad with friends.

I no longer use that HR for commuting. Last summer I bought a Fuji Touring at Performance Bike. It's a cheap bike and it's a pretty good commuter. It's no lightweight either, but compared to the HR it doesn't weigh anything at all. ;) The HR is now my recreational bike--I removed the rack and hooked up a hitch so I can take The Kid for rides in her trailer.

Have fun commuting out there!

My first bike commute was on my Specialized Rockhopper, but that didn't last long. I am a roadie at heart, and quickly switched to my road bikes for commuting. The roads are good where I live, and it so much faster and more fun commuting on my road bike. However, a mountain bike makes a great commuter if you have to ride on any unpaved streets, trails or bad pavement. Slicks are a great idea.

I'll peek out of the shadows too. I'm looking to start commuting a few days a week. Partially gas prices, partially concern for the environment, and partially because I really need more exercise and I need to strengthen my knees (the dreaded patellofemeral fun where they just plop you on a stationary bike for physical therapy anyway). I used to do 5 miles on a stationary without thinking about it, so I figure my 5 mile trek to work should be ok, especially if I add the bus in there to take off a couple miles.


You need go get a bike from a good LBS that will fit you properly. Tell you Hunny not to be cheap. If you start riding on a bike that is not fit properly your condition may get worse.

I joined this morning. :)

info about me.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=6816175#post6816175

Alright, I'll bite too. Joined a bit ago because I was thinking about getting into commuting and was going to ask questions but funding issues stopped that. But now I've gone and bit the bullet and bought be a Trek 7.2 FX for commuting a little bit and just riding for fun. Don't know how much fun riding I'll do since I live in Cookeville, TN and hills are more common than flat road.

Today was the first day I could ride it fully (I bought it 30mins before I had to be at work yesterday so I couldn't then) so I got up early to ride (I work 2 jobs, 8a-12p at Tenn. Tech. Uni. and 2p-8p at Kroger). Rode 4 miles at 6a and it about killed me, especially since I didn't plan my route good and had a huge hill on the way back. I rested about an hour and rode to work where I am now (2mi) and I'm ready to pass out... I think I'll shorten my morning ride or find a better route :P. It didn't help that I made it about a 1/2mi from home and remembered I forgot my lock and had to go back to get it :/.

-Jeff

Hi!

I bought a "real" road bike back in January and commuted a few times since then. I'd like to do it more, but it's a little long (30 mile round trip) and the drive is pretty traffic-free so there's not a huge incentive on that end. But those are just excuses. I brought a change of clothes into work today so I can ride in tomorrow or Friday...

I'm not a total lurker -- I've made a fool of myself in a few Road Cycling forum threads. Those guys are intense.

Anyway, I'll continue to hang out in this forum, and maybe even post in some threads!

I mostly lurk because everything that needs to be said is usually said.
A little bit about myself. I am into my 3rd year commuting. I do 30 miles a day round trip. I started so that I could get into better shape. Now I reap the bennefits of not buying gas and getting in shape at the same time.



Now that's definitely NOT the right frame of mind for BikeForums! Just because everyone else has already posted exactly what you were going to say is no reason not to post it anyway... ;)


Now that's definitely NOT the right frame of mind for BikeForums! Just because everyone else has already posted exactly what you were going to say is no reason not to post it anyway... :roflmao::roflmao:

I will bite as well and come out of the shadows.

I post on occasion, but I'll come out of the shadows here. I started bike commuting in May. My commute is pretty short, 3 miles each way and is all MUP except about 5 blocks. Only 3 street crossings and a bridge over the interstate, so it ends up being 1.5 minutes longer to bike commute than it takes to drive. Of course, I still have to change my clothes and get rid of helmet hair, but that's no big deal. It's great to get a little exercise, avoid traffic, save some CO2, and save a bit of Money.

Currently Active Users
156 (72 members & 84 guests)

84 guests? I think this cycle commuting thing might be catching on. Whether it's $4 gasoline, or perhaps they shut down your normal freeway route to work (http://www.sacbee.com/i5/), or you're looking to get in shape for the summer, or you want to stick it to the House of Faud: welcome to bike commuting.

So, tell us a little about yourselves.

Some people are shy.

Now that's definitely NOT the right frame of mind for BikeForums! Just because everyone else has already posted exactly what you were going to say is no reason not to post it anyway... :roflmao::roflmao:

+10 !!! :D


However this:

I will bite as well and come out of the shadows.


makes me a little nervous!!!!

+10 !!! :D


However this:


makes me a little nervous!!!!


x2
:D :D

Now that's definitely NOT the right frame of mind for BikeForums! Just because everyone else has already posted exactly what you were going to say is no reason not to post it anyway... :roflmao::roflmao:

Thats not quite right. If some one had already posted something similar, I woudl post my thouts any way. That is the BF way.

Alright I joined, might as well...

I took my mtn bike in for a tune up at my LBS here is spokane, and my friend that works there had a new specialized fixed road bike he'd been commuting with. He let me ride it around the store and it was so quiet, simple, and fast I had to have one too. So I started riding around my local neighborhood and figured I might as well ride to work and save some gas, so that's when I stumbled in here, mostly looking for reviews for what new pedals to buy, tips, and other info...

I've been lurking for awhile, doing a lot of searches. Started commuting to work a few weeks ago and loving it so far.