Classic & Vintage - Need Ideas. Show me you Vintage Commuter Road bike. Just Everyday use Road Bikes

So im parking my car and have an old Raleigh Grand Prix that i use aroud town and
need to add parts to turn into a commuter bike. Show your bike here.

NO RACE
NO SATURDAY RIDE BIKES

!!!!!!!Commuter bikes please. Old, rusty, racks, light reflectors.

I have seen alot of Show off your :Top of the line Carbon, Restored Vintage, Race day bikes but no everyday commuter bikes..

Any pics or ideas are welcomed.

!!!!!!!Commuter bikes please. Old, rusty, racks, light reflectors.

This has been shown before...

As it was new:

http://world.std.com/%7Emuller/pics/1972-UO-8.jpg

At the start of last summer's commute (though it now has a VO crank):

http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/UO8_in_2011.jpg

Just another day going to work:

http://world.std.com/%7Emuller/pics/station.jpg

Unfortunately I don't have any pics from before the crash, but here is my Motobecane:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a64/Ropefish/IMG_20111120_150309.jpg

Office crates are lighter and have more space than milk crates, and if you pick the right one, can still be pretty sturdy.

This is where it all start the first commuter, commuted for a while on this, bought this and road it just like, bent rear wheel and skipping chain, and busted rear derailleur
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/endo617/IMAG0101.jpg

My daily but had a 13-19 freewheel that was a killer on hills but fast on the flats, passing cars was a breeze
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/endo617/IMAG0195.jpg

New Daily Driver just recently finish from just a $30 frame, test her today and went up hill no problems
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/endo617/IMAG0256.jpg

nice. that's what im talking about. thanks.
keep them coming. I have about a 6 mile ride to work so this is great. i will post my pics when done my build.

nice. that's what im talking about. thanks.
keep them coming. I have about a 6 mile ride to work so this is great. i will post my pics when done my build.

i have a 6 mile ride to work too, takes me about 25-30 minutes because i ride on a horrible truck route. IMO ride the bike with what you need on a day off like i did, then you can figure out where she stands, and what you feel comfortable riding.

You threw me off a bit with your title. This ain’t vintage, but it soon will be. I sort’a considered it a red headed step child at the time; it wasn’t until after I sold it that I realized what a practical bike it was. I used to ride it once a week, when I could, about 15 miles to work. OK, I’m not a real everyday bike commuter, but still, if your are, you could do a lot worse then to ride this practical bike.
http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww1/rothenfield/Trek%20730%20MultiTrack/Trek730001.jpg

No problem your bike is fits the idea.

http://www.bikeforums.net/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=13699250

A converted 94 Schwinn Crosscut. My everyday go-to 'road' bike for rides around the neighborhood. I like it more than my true road bike. I can confidently ride over almost everything...thorns, rocks, gravel, branches, construction spills, small animals. ;)

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6332918137_7bfbd8c8ea_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wng555/6332918137/)
late afternoon ride-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wng555/6332918137/) by WNG555 (http://www.flickr.com/people/wng555/), on Flickr

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc219/walkingfloor198/118.jpg

jk...



http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc219/walkingfloor198/005-1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/T1tAy.jpg

Budget flat bar commuter, works beautifully.

An assortment of scuffed up components, mismatched wheel and dented frame tubes all contribute to my ER (errand runner) (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_USA/SPECIALIZED_ALLEZ_Junker/SPEC_JUNKER_1_Start.htm). I used bikes like this one to get from here to there and back again, focusing on getting things done rather than seeking to just ride. I prefer the Bullhorn bars to keep my seating position more upright, which I prefer for riding in traffic conditions. I plan on installing a set of bar thumb shifters soon...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/USA_Bicycles/Specialized_Bicycles/Specialized_Allez_Junk/Spec_Bullhorns/Spec_Bullhorns_Full_Side_1.jpg

Only vintage part is the front wheel but this is my commuter rig. The rest is from 1999 except the pedals which are brand new. I usually wear a backpack but when that's not enough I bolt on a Blackburn rear rack with a recycling container attached with self-tapping screws - similar to Arrowana's Moto's setup.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6615246205_28df5b229a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterofpuppets/6615246205/)

My 2 'go to' bikes....these are the one I've riden to 7-11 or to get hair cut. They may seem over the top but they're my low end cruising around bikes.

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Schwinn%20Circuit/DSC00516.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/bf%20stuff/DSC03178.jpg

I don't do rusty or reflectors...but this is the bike I usually ride around everyday:





After:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-2.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-3.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-4.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-5.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-6.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-7.jpg

Come to think of it...I do rusty and old...and we ride this around when I go somewhere with my wife and/or friends pretty frequently:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/IMG_0657.jpg

Mrs. Gomango's around town bicycle.

A Centurion Lemans RS.

We bought this in 1986 and it is still going strong.

It goes everywhere with her, as she put on a little over 2,000 miles last year on this bicycle.

It is so versatile.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4030/4259739307_c7a206983d_o.jpg

I ride my son's Stumpjumper Sport pretty often, though it is a bit on the small side for me.

They make outstanding commuters and errand bikes.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4098/4927257735_c0bc9b929a_o.jpg

...and this was my do everything bicycle after my knee surgeries.

An older Bruce Gordon Rock 'n Road. A bicycle I had no business selling.

I commuted often on her, and though she was a tank, she was super reliable with a full Deore XT gruppo.

I miss her!

I'd throw on a set of super wide Grifos up at the cabin, and she would double as a superb fire road bike.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4118/4804543369_050b68522f_o.jpg

My ever evolving Super Grand Prix, Picked up originally off Craigslist for $20.00 after being hit by a car.

I commuted on this bike all last summer and into fall, I'm not a cold weather rider.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/FORDSVTPARTS/Bikes/DSC05081.jpg

Come to think of it...I do rusty and old...and we ride this around when I go somewhere with my wife and/or friends pretty frequently:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/IMG_0657.jpg

:thumb: Boathouse Row. My old stomping grounds...

dropping the kids off at school this morning, 28*F, dusting of snow...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-28MVeYA6Ee0/TwxKXb0elUI/AAAAAAAAWM0/TgSpMezRn_U/s720/IMG_6777.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rT_11mqp4nA/TwxKX_zYfdI/AAAAAAAAWM8/qBI5pcEHnis/s720/IMG_6778.JPG

:thumb: Boathouse Row. My old stomping grounds...

I dont think this is the Charles.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/cutacroshorty/Bicycles/PB230002.jpg

My "everyday" Grand Prix.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/kanegon/Raleigh/bd86bc02.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/kanegon/Raleigh/4ae5b5f0.jpg

I dont think this is the Charles.

Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row Philly. I used to row there at Penn AC (the club semi-obscured by the rear-view mirror and sitting between Undine Barge on the left and U Penn on the right) while I was on the US National Team.

That is the Charles in your post. Shot taken from the Boston side near Mass Ave. :thumb:

A Litespeed with Spinergy wheels is not low-end. Give me a freakin' break.

A Litespeed with Spinergy wheels is not low-end. Give me a freakin' break.

I don't know...if that's the bike he's using every day, it fits the parameters. I've commuted on road bikes and as long as you aren't carrying anything or going over gravel, they're great. My favorite bike for riding through slush/light snow is my Merlin...I'll take that over the Koga Miyata every time because it cuts through better and I don't have to worry about the titanium getting salt water all over it. I also like how maneuverable and responsive road bikes are in traffic...my campy dual pivots stop a light roadbike on a DIME.

I personally don't think there's anything practical about using older bikes with needless weight, inferior brakes, reflectors, inferior pumps and steel rims when there are much better modern alternatives. They might be prettier and fit an aesthetic, but they're no more practical (and I'd argue less practical) than something like the Litespeed.

Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row Philly. I used to row there at Penn AC (the club semi-obscured by the rear-view mirror and sitting between Undine Barge on the left and U Penn on the right) while I was on the US National Team.

That is the Charles in your post. Shot taken from the Boston side near Mass Ave. :thumb:

Might be stumping through there today around 12pm when it hits like 40-45 not many nice days left, ill be on the only Raleigh Wyoming Touring with Bianchi inspired parts

DesertRat, you may want to check out the Commuting forum thread "Riding a 20-yr-old clunker to Work". It's been up a long time, so there are plenty of posts. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/473408-Riding-a-20-yr-old-clunker-to-work

1972 Schwinn Super Sport. Kind of heavy but solid, and it works fairly well on rough streets. Carries a load, I can lock it up downtown, etc.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6113/6348303929_78bd675c3d_z.jpg

Thanks DavidW56 i will. when i was looking for one did not see it.

this is great for carpooling eh?

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/IMG_0657.jpg

I consider all my bikes to be daily riders although I would not take alot of them out on a rainy day (or even if it might rain). I did once use my Project 3 for commuting, and also my beloved Sport SX bot through the winter in the cold rain, and snow.

the afore mentioned Sport SX in commuter status before her recent makeover
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=188976&d=1297028365

after, still needs some new or cleaner tires
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=233068&d=1326209088

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=233067&d=1326209047
the Project 3 is really a mountain bike does provides great service as a commuter, railtrail and errand bike

I don't know...if that's the bike he's using every day, it fits the parameters. I've commuted on road bikes and as long as you aren't carrying anything or going over gravel, they're great. My favorite bike for riding through slush/light snow is my Merlin...I'll take that over the Koga Miyata every time because it cuts through better and I don't have to worry about the titanium getting salt water all over it. I also like how maneuverable and responsive road bikes are in traffic...my campy dual pivots stop a light roadbike on a DIME.

I personally don't think there's anything practical about using older bikes with needless weight, inferior brakes, reflectors, inferior pumps and steel rims when there are much better modern alternatives. They might be prettier and fit an aesthetic, but they're no more practical (and I'd argue less practical) than something like the Litespeed.

I met a guy with a Lynskey Cooper with disc brakes who used that for EVERYTHING. His commute was 20 miles one way through salty roads. Expensive as hell, but a lot of non-ti bikes with rim brakes could not take the abuse he put it through.

This has been posted before, too:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6565671201_75ea477682_z.jpg

1971 Atala Competizione. Home respray in dupli-color cream / metallic blue, laser-printed waterslide decals.
"cheap high quality" Japanese components: SunTour drivetrain, Shimano crank/bb, Dia-Compe brakes.
CR-18 rims on Tiarga hubs with Challenge Parigi-Roubaix tires.

The fancy tires were about 25% the total cost of the bike and were totally worth it.

Just need to pick up one of the VO racks that hangs on the stem, so I can take a few small items with me more easily.

many miles.

I commute daily on this bike, through all seasons.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6488058599_83f5d84875_b.jpg

after, still needs some new or cleaner tires
I like the water bottle. Can you open it with the stem bolts or do you need to carry an opener?

My bike isn't rusty and I don't like reflectors, but here's my errand bike.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100185/IMG_5328/web.jpg?ver=13246856810001

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100297/IMG_5932/web.jpg?ver=13252846430001

this started as an 82 Nishiki the frame and seat post are the only original bits left. I use this for all my day to day stuff. 1x8, friction thumb shifter, campy crank and bottom bracket, nitto stem and bars. I can use spd shoes or not. Errands, commuting. My personal experience is that beyond about 10-12 miles of riding I am happier on my road bike and if I had a long commute I would go drop bars. Still put the kit on and take the road bike out on weekends.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w142/squirtdad/IMG_0248.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100185/IMG_5328/web.jpg?ver=13246856810001


Justin, those panniers are very nice! Are they the Riv Sackvilles?

Yessir. I picked them up on eBay several weeks ago. They're high quality and should stand up to any abuse to which I'll subject them. They're tough and will hold a lot of weight, but are heavy themselves. It's a heavy bike, though, so it's no big deal.

I wrecked this one, but I think it fits your bill: 1983 Raleigh Marathon:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/10Marathon/0127101738-01.jpg

Features:
. Bottle Cage Lugs
. Rack Eyelets
. Steel Frame
. Room for Fenders
. Stem Shifters
. Initial Cost: $0 (dumpster find)

Mods:
. Toe clips
. Clip-on Fenders
. Rear Rack
. Sunlite Panniers
. Bottle Cage
. Raised Handlebar Stem
. Aero Brake Levers
. Headlight (CygoLite Rover II)
. Tail Light (PBSF)
. Mr. Tuffy Tire Liners

Did its job well.

My current commuter is a little different. It started life as an early 90s hybrid and I've modded it since then. 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/11SportXRS/DSC00179.jpg

Features:
. Bottle Cage Lugs
. Rack Eyelets, Fork Eyelets
. Steel Frame
. Room for Fenders
. Originally twist-grip indexed shifters on straight bar
. Initial Cost: $100 (garage sale NOS find)

Mods:
. Toe clips
. SKS Fenders
. Rear Rack
. Sunlite Panniers (same ones; still holding up well)
. 2 Bottle Cages
. Threadless headset adapter with Drop Bars
. Aero Brake Levers
. Suntour Bar-Con friction shifters driving an originally indexed system
. Headlight (Busch & Müller Lumotec IQ Fly senso plus)
. Tail Light (Busch & Müller Toplight Line Plus)
. Schmidt SON 28 Classic Dynohub front wheel
. Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700 x 35c Tires
. Brooks B17 Saddle

The first one got me into the game and did a fine job. The second one is pretty much fully optimized to my liking.

This is my go-everywhere, lock-up, winter-all-purpose bike. I ride with a bag so I don't need anything else on the fame. The nice thing about having a beat-up frame is you don't have to worry about ruining your perfect paint job:

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h415/devinfan/IMG_0558.jpg

Yessir. I picked them up on eBay several weeks ago. They're high quality and should stand up to any abuse to which I'll subject them. They're tough and will hold a lot of weight, but are heavy themselves. It's a heavy bike, though, so it's no big deal.

What are those cool shifters on your bike!?

What are those cool shifters on your bike!?

Why those are the new Retroshifts (http://retroshift.com/) that I've been testing, sir.

I fear a set of those cool shifters will be shortly making their way to Deutschland.....

What are those cool shifters on your bike!?
http://retroshift.com/store/

Opps...browser needed refreshing

23308070 something Mercier. French thread ugh!!!! VO headset, VO BB, Simplex rear. Ride it to work nearly every day.

http://retroshift.com/store/

Opps...browser needed refreshing

I know. I am testing one of those too. I was giving Retroshift a plug. ;)

This one is still the trusty commuter, although the photo is a few years old. The decidedly non-durable Mavic RD is gone and the crank too. Both were replaced by French tidbits. The Tektro levers gave way to Campy non aeros and a proper Nitto rando bar got installed.

Many, many thousand miles on this one. Sewed a bag to fit the little home made front rack.

http://fivenineclimber.com/images/cinelli/gazelle_pages/my_dutch/rando1_notxt.jpg

This one is still the trusty commuter, although the photo is a few years old. The decidedly non-durable Mavic RD is gone and the crank too. Both were replaced by French tidbits. The Tektro levers gave way to Campy non aeros and a proper Nitto rando bar got installed.

Many, many thousand miles on this one. Sewed a bag to fit the little home made front rack.

http://fivenineclimber.com/images/cinelli/gazelle_pages/my_dutch/rando1_notxt.jpg

Wow.

So many wonderful all-purpose bicycles used as commuters.

It's giving me so many great ideas for the upcoming spring season.

Wait a minute. It's 52 degrees in St. Paul today!