Commuting - Why are there so few commuter specific products?

Why are there so few commuter specific products out there? There seems to be a lot of us, and I see a lot of bikes rigged and modified to suit the needs of the commuter. Why is this segment of the cycling communty ignored by manafactures? We seem to spend a fair deal of money on our cycling needs.

I would really like to see a good chainguard. One that keeps my pants from being eaten and free of oil. What would you like to see produced for the commuter set?

You could tuck your pants into your socks.

And as for there not being enough commuter stuff, I think you're just not looking in the right places.

Though, I don't know how good the bike shops in Latvia are, either. ;)

I think you make an interesting point. Maybe the commuter set is kind of under the radar to the bike industry. Perhaps they assume we don't have enough desposable income to be worth their while. With some of the high priced junk out there, I wonder if anyone involved in the design even rides-if they do it can't be very far on that garbage.

Plenty of poop along bikes out there if you go to the right lbs. Most commuters here in SoCal right reg road bikes or MTB bikes for the most part.

I have to disagree with this one-- I work in a shop and we have everything for commuters... bikes like the Jamis Coda that are road fast but flat bar friendly, raingear, racks and panniers, loud horns, flashy lights, chainguards, whatever. If you're not finding what you need, you're probably in the wrong sort of store. If you have no other options for shops, ask your shop to custom order. The stuff's definetely out there!

There are a lot of good commuter bikes available in Holland and Germany. You can get them even in the US (where practical bikes are nearly extinct), although it may take a lot of searching and mayby some self-importation. Is Latvia in the ECU?

Paul

You could tuck your pants into your socks.

And as for there not being enough commuter stuff, I think you're just not looking in the right places.

Though, I don't know how good the bike shops in Latvia are, either. ;)
Tucking your pants into your socks isn't practical in the snowy winter. It doesn't work too well in the rain either.

As for where to look, I've been looking all over the web, not just in Latvian shops. If you know a site that caters to commuters please let me know!

I have to disagree with this one-- I work in a shop and we have everything for commuters... bikes like the Jamis Coda that are road fast but flat bar friendly, raingear, racks and panniers, loud horns, flashy lights, chainguards, whatever. If you're not finding what you need, you're probably in the wrong sort of store. If you have no other options for shops, ask your shop to custom order. The stuff's definetely out there!
Can you please tell me the name and maker of the chainguards that your shop sells? All I can find is the Kool-Stop Chain Disc which offers partial coverage at best. Thanks.

As for custom ordering it doesn't happen too often where I am. I can get friends in the States to send me stuff though. That is if I know what to order...

There are a lot of good commuter bikes available in Holland and Germany. You can get them even in the US (where practical bikes are nearly extinct), although it may take a lot of searching and mayby some self-importation. Is Latvia in the ECU?

Paul
Yes, Latvia is in the EU.

Real chainguards, not those silly disc things, require a single chainring in front. In practice, this means a singlespeed or internal hub bike.

http://www.allproducts.com.tw/manufacture6/reinforce/sp30.html

Some vintage and chopper companies also sell chainguards. These are all fad bikes, not meant for serious use, so they may not be suitable:

http://www.bicycledesigner.com/defaulthome.asp?Main=/partsmain.asp%3FType%3Dchainguard

You may simply have to get a new bike in order to get the convenience features you need.

Paul

Real chainguards, not those silly disc things, require a single chainring in front. In practice, this means a singlespeed or internal hub bike.

http://www.allproducts.com.tw/manufacture6/reinforce/sp30.html

Some vintage and chopper companies also sell chainguards. These are all fad bikes, not meant for serious use, so they may not be suitable:

http://www.bicycledesigner.com/defaulthome.asp?Main=/partsmain.asp%3FType%3Dchainguard

You may simply have to get a new bike in order to get the convenience features you need.

Paul
I'm building up a Kona Sutra at the moment. After much searching it seems like the best for my needs.

As for needing a single chainring up front with a chainguard, I saw a few Giants today that had triples and chainguards. Too bad the chainguards aren't available seperatly.

I would like to see a really strong rack, I need something that can carry beer ( about 12 cans).

Real chainguards, not those silly disc things, require a single chainring in front. In practice, this means a singlespeed or internal hub bike.


You can get chainguards that are compatable with triple chainsets, they are quite common on Dutch and German high performance city bikes. I even discovered a UK distributor for them and posted it it here for reference, but I cant find it using search:(

In the US, convenience bikes are low performance , for pootling around seafronts, and the alternative is one that borrows too much from racing.
In the UK we have high performcance utility bikes such as the Thorn Raven from SJScycles.

I'm going to steal your thread for a moment... restitution forthcoming ;)
My wonder is how come there are no bicycle commuting specific websites. I'd love to see a website devoted to nothing but bicycle commuting with products, maps, advice, etc.. etc... etc....
Maybe there is one and I have missed it?

I would like to see a really strong rack, I need something that can carry beer ( about 12 cans).
My rack is a Jandd (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP) and it's rated to carry 50 pounds (that's a LOT of beer ;) ).

MichaelW:

I have bought stuff from SJS Cycles. It may be one of the best commuter and touring shops in the world. I agree that the Raven is a really nice bike.

I'm going to steal your thread for a moment... restitution forthcoming ;)
My wonder is how come there are no bicycle commuting specific websites. I'd love to see a website devoted to nothing but bicycle commuting with products, maps, advice, etc.. etc... etc....
Maybe there is one and I have missed it?
http://www.bikecommute.com/hometext.html
http://www.biketowork.com/
http://www.atlbike.net/index.php
http://www.bikeleague.org/educenter/factsheets.htm (scroll down to commuting)
http://bicycling.miningco.com/od/commuting/
http://bicycling.miningco.com/od/advocacy/
http://www.bicycledriver.com/
http://bicyclesafe.com/

I'm sure others can add many more.

I have a couple of links to commuter specific sites on my site http://r2.hostrack.com/ryko/

I think part of the problem is that there just aren't enough people in the US who ride their bike to work who DONT want to be Lance. The ones that don't care, are riding walmart bikes. To them its all the same. That's how I see it anyway. There are only so many of us in the middle who want just practical bikes that have things like 3 or 5 speed hubs, chainguards, etc. Its really a shame.

Plenty of poop along bikes out there if you go to the right lbs. Most commuters here in SoCal right reg road bikes or MTB bikes for the most part.

Well yeah, that's cause the "commuter" bikes are crap... I ride a custom "truck" I had a friend build several years ago... it is an upright bike closer to a Trek 7200 or a Surely... Fat tires, racks and thumb shifters. The "commuter" bikes are barely suited for campus use.

Now what I would do today would be far lighter... but this thing fits my body like a glove (custom is nice that way).

The current MTB bikes offer the visibility of flat bars, and often are fairly light and have fat tires. However, not many have rack braze-ons or anything else (lights, fenders) that a commuter might want. Road bikes, while light, often cannot handle the pot holes and marginal roads one has to face (when you absolutly have to be there, "on time..." ) in day to day working environments. Only touring road bikes have the racks etc. and there flat bars and thumb shifters are an option.

An ideal commuter would be as light as possible, strong, fatter tires, braze-ons for racks, fenders and maybe lights (generators...?) and have flat bars to allow you the best vision on the road as well as be more visible. In my particular commute a wide set of gears is also needed. A cross between an MTB and road touring bike that can take daily abuse.

Now others may disagree and suggest they do just fine on their CF whatever... but perhaps they take their clothes in, or happen to ride nice roads (they do exist in some communities). But for me, I want something that can handle what ever the day to day happens to throw that way.

I have to disagree with this one-- I work in a shop and we have everything for commuters... bikes like the Jamis Coda that are road fast but flat bar friendly, raingear, racks and panniers, loud horns, flashy lights, chainguards, whatever. If you're not finding what you need, you're probably in the wrong sort of store. If you have no other options for shops, ask your shop to custom order. The stuff's definetely out there!

Hey nice suggestion... good combination... thanks. I'll have to check one out at the local LBS. Can the tires go as wide as 32 or 38?

[QUOTE=PaulH]Real chainguards, not those silly disc things, require a single chainring in front. In practice, this means a singlespeed or internal hub bike.

http://www.allproducts.com.tw/manufacture6/reinforce/sp30.html

Minimum Order:2,500PCS Anyone wanna split that with me? The fenders do look cool.

Here's a great site devoted to bicycle commuting:

www.commuterdude.com (http://www.commuterdude.com)

So what are commuter specific items? For my needs, I can acquire practically anything I want locally.

So what are commuter specific items? For my needs, I can acquire practically anything I want locally.
The first thing on my list is a decent chainguard. Next would be a good quality stock crankset that is 48ish/36ish/24ish. Winter specific fenders. I had two snap from the cold this year. Perhaps a horn/bell of some sort that is loud enough to be heard. Had 'em when I was a kid...

I am about to buy some Freddy fenders. How cold and what fenders? I might have to reconsider.

The current MTB bikes offer the visibility of flat bars, and often are fairly light and have fat tires. However, not many have rack braze-ons or anything else (lights, fenders) that a commuter might want. Road bikes, while light, often cannot handle the pot holes and marginal roads one has to face (when you absolutly have to be there, "on time..." ) in day to day working environments. Only touring road bikes have the racks etc. and there flat bars and thumb shifters are an option.

An ideal commuter would be as light as possible, strong, fatter tires, braze-ons for racks, fenders and maybe lights (generators...?) and have flat bars to allow you the best vision on the road as well as be more visible. In my particular commute a wide set of gears is also needed. A cross between an MTB and road touring bike that can take daily abuse.

Now others may disagree and suggest they do just fine on their CF whatever... but perhaps they take their clothes in, or happen to ride nice roads (they do exist in some communities). But for me, I want something that can handle what ever the day to day happens to throw that way.

I've got to say, I have the bike you're describing. Its got 26" double wall wheels, flat bar, horizontal top tube, a two water bottle cage mounts, braze-ons for front and rear racks, and as soon as I fit the 26x1.25" tires, it'll have room for fenders. Its fully rigid, has canti brakes in the front and a u-brake in the back. Its got a 48/38/28 triple, and a 12/34 casette. It doesn't have thumbies, but soon will. Also it'll have a good light by fall. Oh, and its steel.

http://r2.hostrack.com/ryko/bikes.html

Sure, technology has moved on since this bike was made. But why do people constantly overlook these types of bikes for commuters? I can't imagine a better commuter bike, except maybe a single speed roadie with 28mm tires, I have one of those too and its sweet. But my point is, it works great. Y'all should try one.

I am about to buy some Freddy fenders. How cold and what fenders? I might have to reconsider.
This year I've had a no-name and an SKS fender snap. Both have been the front fender. And it wasn't all that cold, -10 to -15c.

My rack is a Jandd (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP) and it's rated to carry 50 pounds (that's a LOT of beer ;) ).

Jandd really makes some well thought out products. Their packs and bags are well made too.

Here is an inseresting site that has a lot of commuter items.

http://www.wallbike.com/index.php

I'm going to steal your thread for a moment... restitution forthcoming ;)
My wonder is how come there are no bicycle commuting specific websites. I'd love to see a website devoted to nothing but bicycle commuting with products, maps, advice, etc.. etc... etc....
Maybe there is one and I have missed it?
Here's another one I ran across.
http://members.cox.net/workcycle/ICommute.htm