nscrbug

Hi...I'm a relative "newbie" to BF (have made a few posts on some of the other sub-forums), but lately I have been entertaining the idea of commuting to work and to the gym. I have 2 bikes...a brand new 07 Trek 2100 road bike that I plan on using for training rides and to use in my first sprint distance triathlon this summer. My other bike, is an older (don't know the specific year...maybe 02 or 03) Trek Navigator 300...which is the bike I would do the commuting on. The distance from my house to both my work and the gym, is roughly 3-4 miles on fairly high-traffic, 2-lane roads. I haven't ridden the Navigator in quite some time...mainly because I don't really like it. It feels slow, heavy and clunky to me. I'm looking for some recommendations on new tires to make this bike ride a bit faster and smoother. I still have the stock tires on it...Bontrager Comfort 26x1.95 on Matrix 750 wheels. I'd like to go a bit narrower, but I'm unclear on what would be the ideal size to go with based on my intended use of the bike. I'd also like enhanced protection against punctures...as some of my riding will be at night (I work evenings) and the last thing I want to be faced with is a flat tire, in the dark. Of course, I will need some lights on the bike...so any recommendations on that would be great too...as long as they don't break the bank! I live in a fairly urban area with fairly decent lighting along the roadway, so I don't think it's imperative that I have a high-dollar lighting system if I stick to riding on the well-lit streets. I also would like to replace the stock pedals on the Nav...they are those goofy-looking blocks of plastic with reflectors on them. I can't even put toe-clips on them because they aren't an "open" design..they are solid plastic pedals. I was thinking about going with something like the Forte Campus from Performance...mainly because it's cheap and is a dual-purpose pedal. Would this be a good choice? Again...I'm not looking to sink a ton of money into my Nav...I just want to get it up to par for making these short commutes on it. I need to save my money towards stuff I'll be needing for my road bike and for the triathlon. I have many more questions on commuting, but I'll save those for later. Thanks!

Linda

markhr

time atac clipless pedals

specialized armadillo tyres

cateye lights - the L.E.D. ones and not the halogen ones.

edit: hi, welcome and good luck with the triathlon

caloso

A couple of things to consider: it may be possible (preferable?) to find a longer and calmer route. And you might find using the 2100 to work as well or better than the Navigator. Especially if you're training for a tri, you might find it the most efficient use of your time to combine your commute and training. (That's exactly how I got hooked on commuting.)

I just throw it out there for consideration: only you can determine what works best for your situation. And welcome to the other side!

nscrbug

Thanks for the suggestions! Also, thanks for making my post easier to read...sorry about that!

nscrbug

I have considered using the 2100 to commute, but I have a few concerns with that idea. The first being...the bike is way more expensive than my Nav and I don't feel comfortable locking it up on the bike rack at work. I work at a college in a not-so-great neighborhood...hence the reason for wanting to use the cheaper Nav. There have also been many attempted bike thefts at my gym...(clientele not the greatest)...so that has me concerned, as well. I realize that $1,200 for a bike may be just a drop in the bucket for some folks, but for me...it's the most expensive bike I have ever purchased in my entire life. The other reason for not wanting to use the 2100 is that I need to be able to wear regular street shoes when riding to work (don't want to carry a pair with me)...and the 2100 has clipless SPD pedals. It's just less for me to worry about and carry with me. Perhaps not the best reason, but oh well.

In regards to the "calmer route"...yes, I have already mapped out several different options that would work for me. Might add more time on to the commute, but probably a lot less dangerous. The downside to that is...the alternate, "calmer" routes aren't as well-lit as the more direct route.

Linda

idcruiserman

Valid concerns, but you could always leave your shoes at work.

markhr

no p'roblem i ca"nt even punctu-ate