Mr. Beanz

Please name the bike and a ballpark figure as far as cost before all the goodies, if you don't mind. Reason I mention it is cause I'd like to start commuting with the price of gas. Although work is only 6 miles away, still the price of gas sucks!

I don't mind having nice bikes for the road or offroad but commuting scares me. Eventhoug the bike rack is inside the gate at work and more than likely protected, the employees scare me. There is always a person willing to snap your cables, flatten a tire, kick the frame or the spokes. You know how grownups are!

For the most part other bikes there have been fine but nothing nice out there. I'm afraid that if I pay $700 for a commuter, there will be some dip waiting to damage it in some way. Not sure if there is room in the inspection lab for it. That would be nice but not sure what the boss would say knowing others are outdoors. Plus not many noncyclists understand the difference between a Huffy and an FX or Surly. Now way am I leaving a DA Cannondale,A Lemond or Trek 8000 out there!..I'm wishing I would have kept the rigid mtb.

I've seen an FX for $700, nice but still I'd be nervous leaving it outdoors. I have no problem with a low end ride as I know I'd build some durable wheels rather quickly. As long as the components are decent, it'll work! So whatch got and how much beofre all the whistles and bells?

bdinger

You had to ask?



This is probably the one I'd choose. '07 Hardrock Sport that I paid $349 for. Adding the Nimbus Armadillos should be a requirement, I paid another $60 for those this year. So.. $400-ish all said and done, and the thing is a tank. Fast enough, nimble enough, and if they kick it THEY will probably break.

I also mainly commute on my LHT, but I wouldn't use it for your purposes.

Fribley

I commute on my Trek 7100, pretty low end, but I am just starting cycling it cost about $380 out the door. But for my area its top of the line if it isnt a huffy/next, since our LBS is in a town about an hour away. I used to leave it outside the back door to work unlocked ( i do work for a Sheriff Dept). but I got sick of worrying about it so I just started bringing inside the back hallway and nobodys said anything so thats what I do. Granted I am the only one that rides to work and we dont have a rack so this might not be viable for you.

If you can find a spot to put it realtively out of the way I would say just bring it inside, if anyone says anything just explain your investment in it compared to "investments" chained up on th rack outside. Hopefully that would sway them enough to let you continue to do it. Just be careful about setting a trend otherwise you might have a room full of Huffy's, but i cant imagine too many of the Huffy drivers would be worried about theft/damage.

Mr. Beanz

Not bad, that would work. That's sort of what I'm looking at. After seeing the pic of the Surly in the other thread, I'd choke someone for just looking at it!

CliftonGK1

- 2008 Surly Cross Check Complete (+ $970)
- 28mm Ultra Gatorskins (- $15)
- SKS P-45 fenders (+ $40)
- Nashbar 6-packer front rack (+ $7)
- Nashbar Elite handlebar bag (+ 25)
- FSA 34t ring (+ $25)
- SRAM 11-32 cassette (+ $35)
- L&M Solo NiMH (+ $120)
- PB Superflash x 2 (+ $40)

~ $1250, and I'm taking off the L&M light and adding a SON28 hub and dyno lighting. The thing is, I use my commuter as my long distance bike as well, and I never have to leave it locked up anyplace for more than 5 minutes.

If I had to leave it locked up outside somewhere, I'd commute on my fixie which I paid $100 for and converted with a $40 hub and $20 in new spokes.

Tom Stormcrowe

1986 Schwinn Passage. In the pic, it's pulling the kid trailer I use when touring, but I also commute to and from classes and around campus with it. I have ~$200 wrapped up in the bike. I use a set of panniers when commuting, from Banjo Brothers.

Mr. Beanz

$380 aint bad either Frib. Yup, might take some smooth talking on the boss!

Mr. Beanz

I was thinking the same thing Tom, an older roadie if I can find one cheap caue I know I'd build wheels and stuff. So I'm thinking that would add up to the cost of a hybrid/commuter type. I do have a 97 Bianchi Premio, prime condition but the frame is a bit too small for me, too cramped. 54cm, switched components but just can't get comfy!

bdinger

Oh, and the Surly..



Stock Long Haul Trucker complete ($985) plus Brooks saddle (~$75), Planet Bike fenders (~$35), Planet Bike Superflash (~$20), BMX platforms (~$40). I don't even take this someplace I'd have to lock it, I'd spend the whole time worrying!

wayne pattee

Only 6 miles to work?
I'd get an older road bike that you can get in good working condition and they will pass yours to mess with the nice ones.

Tom Stormcrowe

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/715965224.html

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/715960620.html

Second link has a couple of CHrome Schwinn frames, one may be a Paramount......

chipcom 

I commute on all of my bikes, but this time of year I like the old green Bianchi the best. It's lighter than all but the road bike and I drive in or ride the Big Dummy once a week to replenish supplies and clothing, so I don't need to haul anything but me for my 50mi RT commute.

Scummer

My commuter, vintage bike, bad weather training ride, backup bike, steel is real
Shimano 105 with 32 spoke rims. Bought new in 1993 for 2000 Deutsch Mark.
You can probably pick something up like this for 150$ today.
It's missing my rack for the panniers in this picture.

wayne pattee

Tom, this bike was in your second link.
I can't picture Mr. Beanz riding this to work.

Bill Kapaun

I use an 86 RockHopper for 99+% of my riding. $50 at a garage sale.
I've probably put 3X into over the last 3-4 years on upgrades/"tweeks"/maintainence to make it better suit my needs.
Street tires 26x1.5" $40/pair
"Road" cassette $30. I needed different cogs to make my own "custom" cassette.
New BB $20 (repair)
Back up bike $20 (I count it because I swapped rear wheel & shorter cranks from it)
Tools I've probably bought $80 worth, so I'll count 1/2. Some get used frequently and some don't. Plus I use them on my other bike and friend's bikes.

mkadam68

I only have my one road bike...I commute with that. Work is about 35-miles one way, so I take the MetroLink train for about 15 miles of that, unless I'm getting some training in, but 70+ miles I can only take once or twice a week (the entire return trip--35 miles--is entirely up hill at a steady 1-2%).

To get my bike ready, I just add headlight & rear blinkie, some ankle strap reflectors, and an Illuminite jacket in colder weather. I have a saddle-bag with flat tire kit in it. I carry a pump in my back pocket. That's it.

On Monday, I take in 4-days worth of food & drink, and clothes, pick up the dirty clothes from the previous week, and I'm good. I have a very secure area to park my bike while working. I'd never leave my bike outdoors un-watched/protected. You could check for a janitor's closet or some-such. Get creative.

What else do you think you'd need in order to commute?

Mr. Beanz

See, this is what I got. I bought this Binachi Premio for my wife back in 97. She put a few hundred miles on it. I upgraded the BB to a cartridge as it had the old type. I paid $700 for it. It's one of the last years that they came with the 'made in Italy' sticker and headtube badge. I found her other Bianchi for $40, after she wouldn't touch this one cause the other was so comfy, and a size smaller. Doesn't seem to matter what I do to the stems/posts, just can't get it comfy for myself.

I did switch pedals on it once and ended up stripping the crank arm. I had it replaced with another, so it's a little different on one side. Some guy that we know from riding was asking about a bike. I told him about this one since he was the right size. I told him about it and for $100, he could ditch the 80's mtb he was riding on the path. He thought about it, then said it was too much cause he had to buy spare tubes and a pump! Then said he wanted to buy my Lemond for $100...He got a swift kick in the arse for that one!

So others that have seen the bike on the forums have offered the $100, but problem is they want me to ship it to Egypt and back. Would cost more in packing and shipping than what I'd get for it! SOme have offered the P&S but it's more of a hassle than anything!

Maybe I should look into traidng it locally for a roadie more my size....Man,that guy still burns me up!

donnamb 

You like road bikes, Mr. Beanz, so that's what you should get. Even if your commute is short, ride what makes you happy. Tom is right - there are a lot of older steel bikes out there. One of them has your name on it.

Mr. Beanz

Wow, you better have a good place for the Kuota, that's a VERY nice bike!

For me to commute? Not much, 6 miles is a breeze. Prolly stay with clips in order to avoid cycling shoes. Maybe a small backpack to store the lights during hours and a lunch if I carry one (most of the time I do, can't stand the roach coach). Maybe MTB shorts cause I don't think I can ride in pants. Got the helmet, locks and shades!!

Mr. Beanz

I like anything that rides! I've done 40 mile rides on my Trek 8000 mtb knobbies. I used to ride a rigid Trek 800 on the trail with slicks, 40 miles too. I just had to stop that cuase my wife will spank my arse on her roadie now! So I have to keep up

Plus I used to ride the rigid 40 miles in pouring rain. Me and maybe 2 others on the trail, that was nice. I should have kept the sucker!

Old Fart

This is my commuter/rain bike 2006 Kona Dr Dew dropbar conversion

imartin26

I ride a 2006 Fuji Roubaix, paid 799 for it and after pedals and seat probably 1000. I put around 40 miles a day 3 to 5 days a week and then around 40 to 70 on the weekends so I think I am getting my money out of it.

Mr. Beanz

Thanks Wayne! WOw, you guys have cool commuters. But what's up with the Kona you Old Fart? That thing looks about 5 grand!

iced_theater

I ride a couple different commuters.

$420 Dawes 1200 Lightning road bike
$18 Bell cyclocomputer
$15 platform pedals *got tired of straps*
$7 water bottle/cage
$25 air pump
$15 Blackburn Mars 3.0 rear light
$140 12v halogen mr11 overdriven to 14.4v headlight

Total $640


$445 Trek 4300 mtn. bike
$45 CatEye Astrale 8 cyclocomputer
$30 air pump
$50 seat post bag
$330 L&M Arc HID light
$15 Blackburn Mars 3.0 taillight
$7 water bottle/cage
$28 Forté Fast City ST/K MTB Tires and tubes

Total $950

cyccommute 

A Salsa Las Cruces



A Specialized Stumpjumper Pro



A Cannondale T800



And, occasionally, A Specialized Stumpjumper Expert