Commuting - SS/FG Commuters... lets hear about your bikes!

Looking at my second bike purchase... and am leaning toward the SS/fixie bikes. Want something for winter riding... something on the simple side. Spec'd a Jamis Beatnik which is will ship in a few weeks. Also looked at what bikedirect had as well.

Would like to hear about the SS/fixies the commuters are using. As well as mods and accessories you've made to them.

Consider saving an old 70s-80s steel lugged road bike from the dump. There are millions of them and you can get most of them for less than $100. It costs about $20 to convert them, a bit more if you want to replace cables, tires, etc. I've got $160 in this Trek, $100 of which was the purchase price. A fine vintage ride that I could easily sell today for what I've got into it.
http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/5687/trekss5ek.jpg

I have two and am purchasing a third ss bike.

I have an old Lemond steel racing bike I converted to a ss-this spring/summer will make it a fg.
It has such tight geometry that it cannot accept fenders/thick studded tires.

So.........

I also have a ss Kona mtn bike.........bomber and great for the winter.

I have purchased a Fuji touring bike and am making into a SS-why? because I want to be able to have fenders/rear rack and thicker tires than my lemond and studded tires for the winter. And I want to be able to ride a little faster than my mtn bike allows.........

I would suggest going to the SS/FG forum.......lots of very knowledgeable and nice folks who know lots of stuff.......

I went to a touring bike instead of a cyclocross bike cause many people find with fenders there is toe overlap and I am a whiney rider and not very coordinated and just didn't want to deal with this.

I plan to do what was posted earlier: get an old fram which will allow thicker tires and make it into a ss cyclocross bike and not use fenders-----for fun and the carriage trails in Bar Hahbah........

HTH
Uber

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_X6FWKVIvDZY/SPYyIxTGnlI/AAAAAAAABcM/2JJVFDPMEhI/s400/raleigh1.jpg

Mid-'80s Raleigh USA Grand Prix. Phil BB, Shimano 105/Stronglight Delta frankenheadset; Suntour GPX cranks, Phil front hub, Nashbar rear with a track cog on one side and a freewheel on the other.

I'm rocking a stock '07 Specialized Langster, save for an ITM stem and Shimano pedals. I ride SS only, not fixed. I use it for my DC-area commute, which depending on the route, is anywhere from nine miles to near 30 miles for the morning, and a nine-mile time trial on the way home. My commute to work in the morning doubles as a training ride, so it's used from everything from recovery and endurance rides to interval training, and the commute home sometimes involves hill reps.

Otherwise, it is stout and sturdy, though the crappy Alex wheelset is getting swapped-out this winter for an new set of Mavics. As for the OP's inquiry to SS/FGs, I'd say stay away from the new Langsters - they're pre-fab pseudo-hipster toy bikes. From what I've seen, Surly makes one of the best SS/FG steel frames out there, though there are a host of new bikes being introduced all of the time, though I would keep a keen eye the Felt Breed.

I needed something cheap that fits me. The dawes sst (no groaning about bikesdirect, that is another thread!) fit both criteria. I have had it for about 6 weeks for my 20 mile RT commute. The only upgrades needed were clipless pedals and a longer seatpost. Plus the usual lights, etc...and I am in the process of trying to put fenders on it for the upcoming messy weather.

So far I am commuting with SS but have tried FG around the neighborhood, it takes some getting used to. Eventually I might try commuting FG but for now will probably stick with SS.

I spent a few weeks researching the same thing. A lot of new FG/SS bikes don't have fender/rack mounts or very little clearance for bigger tires. The Salsa Casseroll Single, Masi Speciale Commuter, Raleigh One Way and Bianche San Jose can take full fenders and up to 32mm tires. The Raleigh One Way comes stock with fenders and cantilever brakes. The Casseroll Single and Speciale Commuter frames have a rear derailer hanger.

I ordered a 58cm '09 Orange Creme Masi Speciale Commuter two weeks ago and my LBS had it ready four days later. I plan on adding some Honjo fenders soon and will take better pictures once it has more mods.

http://images.bradmwalker.com/pumpkin-pie-800x600.jpg

I have a pair of Kuwaharas... these are among my favorite bikes due to the high build quality of the frames, slack frame geometry, and ride quality.

The Cascade is a 1987... this bike and I have logged some serious mileage.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/kuwiewhitedoor1.jpg

The Shasta is a 1988...it is also my winter / messenger bike.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/messenger2.jpg

I have a 1973 Phillip's 20 folder that is now a fixed gear... this bike puts the f in fun and is a great riding bike.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forreststronglight2.jpg

Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=482892) is the main thread. I only just got it yesterday. It's a fixed gear.

The rims are loaners from the bike shop until my backordered white Velocity Fusions get here.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04026.jpg

Nice !

I bought a Motobecane Outcast 29er from Bikesdirect a few months ago... and have been commuting on it and slowly customizing it since. It's got almost 600 miles on it total, some of which are offroading miles. I ride it on the fixed side of the hub, I haven't ever used the freewheel it came with.

Mods/addons are:
-Planet Bike fenders, with custom made aluminum stays. (The original ones wibbled too much)
-Custom built aluminum rear rack (Tested to 220 pounds so far)
-dropped the 42t chainring, replaced with a Blackspire aluminum 34t chainring for the hills
-mounted bar ends inside the grips (until I break down and buy a set of H bars, though the bar ends are very comfy)
-lights, panniers, clipless pedals, so on so forth...

And I need to wash the poor thing someday, but now it looks well loved!

I have been commuting on an old Falcon San Remo FG conversion I bought because I was bikeless after a wreck in August and that is a horrible feeling. I am actually putting together my next commuter together tonight. The Falcon is a sweet ride, but there is one tough hill on my route that I cannot climb spinning 72 gear inches. (44/16)

Luckily I do have fender mounts on it and HUGE tire clearence (at least for a FG) but with this new build happening I thing I will just keep the little saddle bag on it and use it for fair weather rides and let the steel MTB commuter take all the abuse :)

Here is my FG. I built this bike to commute to school on and just generally love.
Its some old Rampar frame built up with almost all new components.
I look forward to riding it every day. Looks like today is gonna be my first ride in the rain!
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e40/Footstinker/IMG_3287.jpg

The Shasta is a 1988...it is also my winter / messenger bike.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/messenger2.jpg

man, i never pegged sixty-fiver for a member of the tube protector set.

I'm working on my Single Speed for winter cycling right now.

No pics, It's currently disassembled. Need to finish overhauling the Hubs, but I don't have the proper Freewheel puller thingy, It's an old two-notch sun-tour freewheel.

Still a bit to get done, have to get spacers, and figure out what Gear Ratio I want. Something easy, it's going to be my rain/snow bike. So I want to keep it simple and easy. Have to get the wheels trued, and overhaul the bottom-bracket. The goal for the week is to finish the Hub and Bottom Bracket Overhauling. the weekend goal is to take the wheels to get re-trued, and buy the spacers/cogs/fenders.

Here are my two SS commute bikes. I ditched my FG wheelset on the road bike as it did not suit my riding style and I like to keep up with traffic in downtown and having to pedal when coming up to lights wasted energy and did not let me catch up.

I enjoy riding my SS bikes more than my geared bikes for the most part. Each has their purpose, but for commuting in a flat town, I can think of very few drawbacks.
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8570/img1405tl2.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2901/img1262copyqt5.jpg

Great looking SS's

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/trek660002.jpg

'89 Trek 660. Had it powdercoated last winter and never replaced the Trek decals but right now it's featuring some political stickers.

I have a Windsor the Hour that I no longer commute on. You'll want to replace the cog right away unless you cycle at 10rpms. I've made other mods over time, saddle, handlebars, stem, clipless, front brake and lever, tires. Not a bad bike and I like riding it, but for the money I have in it now, I wish I would have bought a complete package locally.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj241/kwrides/CIMG0697.jpg

Mine is camera shy.
It is a 2008 salsa casserole that I built up after being hit by a car while recovering. It has a mix of new parts and old POS components from my 07 langster that was terminated in that accident.
I am slowly converting everything to silver components.
42X16 is the gearing. For winter I just flipped it to FG from SS. One of the few FG\SS around here with fenders and a rack. :p

My 1981 Trek 710 w/flip flop rear. Just geared down to 42x18 and loving it!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/001-1.jpg

Started riding fixed with a Cannondale Capo.

http://kdasdesigns.com/images/ebay/capo005.jpg

Switched to a S-works Langster, custom built by someone else and purchased by me for about 40% of what they had in it.


I then purchased a used Lemond Fillmore and moved my higher-end parts to that bike. I loved the langster, but decided I wanted something with at least rack mounts - though long-term I would like rack and fender capability.

I also purchased a singlespeed Salsa Casseroll on sale, but it's been backordered for over a month now. The plan was actually, to make that a 1x9 bike, but it could still be ridden fixed since I have a number of geared bikes as well now.

Current Fillmore build is:

- Phil hubs (double fixed (16/17) in rear) on DT Swiss 1.2 rims
- Dura-ace crank (48T)
- front brake (campy veloce)
- FSA k-wing handlebar
- campy brake levers

Future plans involve adding a rack, possibly fenders, and experimenting with the handlebar. I have a nitto mustache bar that I'm going to try, though sort of expecting to ditch that and move to WTB dirt drop.


--------

Anyone want a 62cm langster frameset? Best riding fixie I've owned.

http://kdasdesigns.com/images/ebay/sworksfixed01.jpg

My 1981 Trek 710 w/flip flop rear. Just geared down to 42x18 and loving it!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/001-1.jpg

Nice bike, love the color... but OUCH on that saddle angle! :eek:

'08 Surly Cross-Check
Open Pro's laced to phil wood hubs
Flip/flop rear
SKS Fenders
Rear Rack

Swobo Del Norte. I like the steel frame and wide tires (32) for commuting. Pretty much stock except for:

Flip-flopped to fixed gear (42/16)
Different chain (the original was red)
Original road brakes levers removed and replaced with one in-line front brake
Planet Bike Fenders
Topeak MTX rack and tankbag. They're incredibly convenient for quick and easy mounting and dismounting of the bag.

Brian

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/get-photo.asp?photoid=87119
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/get-photo.asp?photoid=87132
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/get-photo.asp?photoid=87130

My FG IRO Rob Roy with rack, rear fender and kickstand. The front fender was added back in the fall.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2787957639_830b82dfe0_b.jpg

I like this thread, some gorgeous bikes! Form following function. One speed bikes are elegant machines that are wonderful to ride and maintain. I love mine more than any bike I've ever owned, and I ride 90% of my yearly mileage on one.

Mine: Surly cross check, no decals and a basic green theme, built up from the frame I don't have any recent pictures, but it's a lot like a lot of these. Simple, functional, completely lacking in superfluous details or ego, and totally perfect in my mind.

Nice bike, love the color... but OUCH on that saddle angle! :eek:

Yeah it was the test ride!:lol: I got it dialed in now.

man, i never pegged sixty-fiver for a member of the tube protector set.

:lol:

The tt protector is there because the bike gets locked up 40 times a day and if I should come off the bike this winter it may save my bits.

58cm blue motobecanne messenger

32 mm commuter tires barely fit ... but they fit.

48x16 ... i am getting really freakishly strong

I had a white 2008 Giant Bowery that I loved. But it got stolen & they changed up the models for '09. Now I'm on the hunt for a new commuter - riding the road bike to work just isn't the same.

Another Motobecane Outcast 29er here. Been light on the mods so far, but it's getting racks & studs for winter. Currently just has lights & a better headset. Also only have the mini-mag mounted the way I want, need one more conduit hanger to mount the TF the same way (and then it too will hang under the bars, exactly as the mini-mag does).

Bike:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRHqZij0Y1I/AAAAAAAABLM/HRC-h3Szugw/s800/PICT0486.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRHqbCV40II/AAAAAAAABLk/Q5Ho2WLEDQg/s800/PICT0489.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRHv9V24qBI/AAAAAAAABM0/afRrPdjiepA/s800/PICT0495.JPG

Commute:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRDa_UZNgUI/AAAAAAAABHs/OtItYg-coOI/s800/PICT0464.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRDbBLDrcYI/AAAAAAAABIM/Y_P7U-8kQf0/s800/PICT0470.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRDbCq7IUbI/AAAAAAAABIg/3jKGBzz-SsY/s800/PICT0475.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRDbEky1SYI/AAAAAAAABI4/ke4k0qamhh4/s800/PICT0478.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRDbGeELJ-I/AAAAAAAABJY/peOXorBMx2s/s800/PICT0485.JPG

wow, that's a dankcommute!

my commuter = bianchi san jose
42x17 (16t f/w soon)
front/rear lights; frame-mounted mirror; soma fenders
still deciding on rear and or front racks & panniers
changed seat to s.i. gel flow flite; pedals to speedplay 0's; knobbie to schwalbe marathon plus

bianchi san jose s/s
42x17 (16t f/w soon)
front/rear lights; frame-mounted mirror; soma fenders
still deciding on rear and or front rack & panniers
changed seat to s.i. gel flow flite; pedals to speedplay 0's; knobbies to schwalbe marathon plus

postpost sorrysorry

Nice bike, love the color... but OUCH on that saddle angle! :eek:

Actually, the saddle angle is about right for a Brooks. For some reason, the Brooks likes to sit with its nose up. It's quite comfortable but if you lower it, you'll find yourself sliding off the front.

Nice bike.

Richard

Another Motobecane Outcast 29er here. Been light on the mods so far, but it's getting racks & studs for winter. Currently just has lights & a better headset. Also only have the mini-mag mounted the way I want, need one more conduit hanger to mount the TF the same way (and then it too will hang under the bars, exactly as the mini-mag does).

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_V7e3sdP0XyY/SRHqbCV40II/AAAAAAAABLk/Q5Ho2WLEDQg/s800/PICT0489.JPG

I have an Outcast 29er, too. I use it mainly for MTBing. My advice would be to replace that stem. It is like having a chunk of a meteorite on top of your fork.

Also, I want to kill you and take your commute. ;-)

bf

Salsa Casseroll frame
28mm tires, fenders, rear rack
Brooks saddle
48x16 gearing
Mavic Open Pro rims and Surly hubs
On One Midge handlebar
I'm really enjoying it.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/bicycles/iro.jpg

Nothing particularly commutey about it aside from the Superflash and the Gatorskins.

For the Coming Darkness, I'm thinking about something covered with headlights, taillights, and reflective tape.

nice, clean look. i'm diggin the leather wrap. what make is the frame?

are you nippin that flask on the commute there or just on the way home?

Thanks. The frame is a special edition IRO, and the fork is an inexpensive chrome deal from Performance. The flask is just for fun. :)

How did you keep your honey Brooks Team Pro honey? Mine turned brown pretty fast. I only use Proofide.

Can be seen at www.Cyclofiend.com in the single speed updates on the left side of the page.

Basically its a mid 80's converted Raleigh Technium 27x 1 1/4" wheels and a two speed freewheel/chain ring setup. I ride it 17 miles RT weekly.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/bicycles/iro.jpg

Nothing particularly commutey about it aside from the Superflash and the Gatorskins.

For the Coming Darkness, I'm thinking about something covered with headlights, taillights, and reflective tape.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w41/don_alejo/3005%20November/001%20commute/IMG_2961.jpg

oh hai pcad!!!!

You can do it, we can halp ...

I have to post a picture of a fixed gear thats NOT mine but somebody's that I saw at work. Its a Condor frame with upgraded parts, I believe its a 'London' version of the frame with Campag cranks, schmidt front hub and some nice front light, mavic open pros, really nice, I'll post it soon!

Sam

I have an Outcast 29er, too. I use it mainly for MTBing. My advice would be to replace that stem. It is like having a chunk of a meteorite on top of your fork.

You're not the first I've heard speak poorly of this stem, although you are the one with the best choice of words! I will probably heed the advice of the masses and swap it out, but I wanted to ride it a bit first and see how I felt about the angle and length before replacing. I suppose I've ridden it enough to realize they're fine, which is sorta too bad. It'd be nice to be fixing fit as well when replacing it. Oh well.


Also, I want to kill you and take your commute. ;-)

Are you sure? How do you feel about coyotes? Check this thread before making that decision for sure http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=483558

That said, I'm keeping my commute, sorry. We've developed a serious liking for each other over the last few months. Wait, were those coyote’s working for you? That would explain a lot, except how you trained them. Shot blocks?

My Pista

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/psychlist43/IMG_0802.jpg

50x16, perfect for my flat commute. It's fast and nimble, absolutely love riding it.

Here's a crappy cell phone pic of my old Schwinn at the bike rack outside my office:

http://www.whiskeyhotel.net/index_files/image10151.jpg

I built up a single-speed wheelset using hubs from a different old 10-speed and cheap 27" rims from Nashbar. I liked SS so much I have upgraded the wheelset.

Here's a shot of my Milwaukee FG:

http://www.whiskeyhotel.net/index_files/image5451.jpg

It was a pleasure ordering this frame through Ben's Cycles up in Milwaukee. I customized it with braze-ons for racks and fenders before it was painted. So far, I have added a rack ,but not any fenders. This is my good weather bike. Also, I didn’t like the gumwall tires on the Milwaukee, so they got moved over to the Schwinn, and I put black sidewall tires on.

Here are my two SS commute bikes. I ditched my FG wheelset on the road bike as it did not suit my riding style and I like to keep up with traffic in downtown and having to pedal when coming up to lights wasted energy and did not let me catch up.

I enjoy riding my SS bikes more than my geared bikes for the most part. Each has their purpose, but for commuting in a flat town, I can think of very few drawbacks.
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8570/img1405tl2.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2901/img1262copyqt5.jpg


Is the white bike a Langster or something else? Does it have rack and fender mounts? I like it...

2006 Langster. No mods. L&M Arc HID, PB SuperFlash and a IncrediBell.
I'm running 48 x 16 fixed & free but I've never rode the bike with the free wheel except for the first day I got the bike. I've been "fixed" ever since. :)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/TequilaJoe888/Langster/IMG_5347.jpg