Commuter Bicycle Pics
Velocommuter Commando
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Novi, MI
Posts: 539
Bikes: Franken-mountain bike, mid-90s Performance TR1000, 1990 Cannondale ST400
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Then you understand the pain of searching for a frame in our size! I waited a good month and a half with no hits until I decided it might be a good idea to post a WTB ad. Glad I did!
I like your Sirrus, looks like you actually fit the frame reach wise too! The stem that came on the Cannondale was about as long as yours, and it made me feel like I was being scrunched up on top of the bike. If you ever need another quill stem in your length, you know who to ask!
I like your Sirrus, looks like you actually fit the frame reach wise too! The stem that came on the Cannondale was about as long as yours, and it made me feel like I was being scrunched up on top of the bike. If you ever need another quill stem in your length, you know who to ask!
Velocommuter Commando
Then you understand the pain of searching for a frame in our size! I waited a good month and a half with no hits until I decided it might be a good idea to post a WTB ad. Glad I did!
I like your Sirrus, looks like you actually fit the frame reach wise too! The stem that came on the Cannondale was about as long as yours, and it made me feel like I was being scrunched up on top of the bike. If you ever need another quill stem in your length, you know who to ask!
I like your Sirrus, looks like you actually fit the frame reach wise too! The stem that came on the Cannondale was about as long as yours, and it made me feel like I was being scrunched up on top of the bike. If you ever need another quill stem in your length, you know who to ask!
What I didn't realize at the time I built my Sirrus DBC that in the process I built an aluminum framed prototype of the AWOL that came along 6 years later.. Should've charged Specialized a royalty.. I find it even more comfortable than my '88 only downside is i can't turn the front wheel past 90 deg (Handlebars hit the top tube) Looks like the same thing happens on the Awol..
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 62
Bikes: 2011 CAAD10-5, 2014 Soma Saga
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi all... New to the forums, but here is a pic of my new commuter/every-day bike. Had her for about four days now and am already in love! Got two compliments on the train to work just this morning!
Sorry in advance for the low quality of the pic, but here she is...
I bought the complete bike from American Cyclery in San Francisco. I didn't care for the stock wheels, so put the DT Swiss wheels I had on it with Conti Contact 2's in 28c. The spoke nipples are black anodized brass, but I have a box of silver alloy ones that I'll be replacing the black ones with.
I put a Minoura accessory bracket in the headset stack for my front light. I really like the positioning of it there, centered and low, and I have it adjusted so its primary illumination is out to about 10' - 12' out. I also use a light on my helmet for downrange illumination and to have light where ever I'm looking.
Next month I will be upgrading the rear rack to a silver Logo Evo, and replacing my old Backroller classics, which are over ten years old and have survived literally years of commuting duty.
That's all for now... any comments are appreciated.
Edit: here's a better pic that shows the bike and accessory bracket for the front light.
Sorry in advance for the low quality of the pic, but here she is...
I bought the complete bike from American Cyclery in San Francisco. I didn't care for the stock wheels, so put the DT Swiss wheels I had on it with Conti Contact 2's in 28c. The spoke nipples are black anodized brass, but I have a box of silver alloy ones that I'll be replacing the black ones with.
I put a Minoura accessory bracket in the headset stack for my front light. I really like the positioning of it there, centered and low, and I have it adjusted so its primary illumination is out to about 10' - 12' out. I also use a light on my helmet for downrange illumination and to have light where ever I'm looking.
Next month I will be upgrading the rear rack to a silver Logo Evo, and replacing my old Backroller classics, which are over ten years old and have survived literally years of commuting duty.
That's all for now... any comments are appreciated.
Edit: here's a better pic that shows the bike and accessory bracket for the front light.
Besides the wheels, is everything else stock? Looks like the SRAM setup, so I'm guessing yes. I'm thinking about building mine up to tailor it how I'd like. Not a big fan of bar end shifters, especially if I also have to pay attention to dodging the traffic on Market!
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Bikes: Soma Double Cross Disc (Commuter/everyday), Fuji Sportif 1.1 (Racy/fun bike), Specialized Sirrus Sport Disc (beater).
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's a pretty trick ride MEversbergII! I like that headset-stack accessory mount!
I'm also diggin on the all-black theme. I don't know why you would go from stronger matching black brass nipples to non-matching weaker alloy nipples. If I were you, I would try to complete the blackification at least by taking the stickers off the rims, and getting a black water bottle cage, if not looking for a black crankset. Also, if you feel you need to replace the rack, why not stick with black? As it is, the black theme is so comprehensive, the few silver elements you have are sticking out (visually)
Also, looking closer, what kind of crazy stretch cage is that? Is that a rail that a top-clamp can slide up and down to adapt to whatever length bottle? Pretty *****in (especially if you could've gotten a black one!)
I'm also diggin on the all-black theme. I don't know why you would go from stronger matching black brass nipples to non-matching weaker alloy nipples. If I were you, I would try to complete the blackification at least by taking the stickers off the rims, and getting a black water bottle cage, if not looking for a black crankset. Also, if you feel you need to replace the rack, why not stick with black? As it is, the black theme is so comprehensive, the few silver elements you have are sticking out (visually)
Also, looking closer, what kind of crazy stretch cage is that? Is that a rail that a top-clamp can slide up and down to adapt to whatever length bottle? Pretty *****in (especially if you could've gotten a black one!)
I was just in American Cyclery this afternoon test riding this bike and a couple others. I also rode a Saga and an ES. Wasn't big on the ES, but I did really like the Saga. What made you choose this one? I stopped in at Avenue Cyclery a couple blocks away afterwards and rode a Long Haul Trucker, which I also really liked. That and the Saga are the my favorites of the seven or eight I've tried out.
Besides the wheels, is everything else stock? Looks like the SRAM setup, so I'm guessing yes. I'm thinking about building mine up to tailor it how I'd like. Not a big fan of bar end shifters, especially if I also have to pay attention to dodging the traffic on Market!
Besides the wheels, is everything else stock? Looks like the SRAM setup, so I'm guessing yes. I'm thinking about building mine up to tailor it how I'd like. Not a big fan of bar end shifters, especially if I also have to pay attention to dodging the traffic on Market!
Everything else is stock except for the bar, which is a Cowbell 2 instead of the stock Soma Highway One. A friend of mine has a Cowbell on his commuter bike and after trying it, I fell in love with it. The one I have on my Soma is a 42 and it fits me perfectly. I'm planning on switching my Fuji Sportif 1.1 over to a Cowbell eventually too; comfiest drop bar I've ever used.
With respect to the spoke nipples, I like the look of the silver offsetting with the black rims, and I've had only very minimal durability problems with alloy nipples. I'm an accomplished wheel builder (built over 100 wheels in my life) and know how to prep a wheel so there's minimal strength lost with alloy nipples. (I once built a wheel and lived for 5,000 mi. that only ever needed the slightest truing now and again.) I also want them for the weight savings... I commute in traffic in San Francisco several times a week, where being quick off the line is very helpful, and lighter wheels will help with that a lot. At least that's been my experience.
I got used to the double-tap shifters pretty quick; I like how crisp and clean their action is. (I don't see how anyone could successfully use bar-end shifters in downtown SF!) At the same time, I'm more familiar with / used to the 105 STI shifters on my Fuji, so I'm going to swap them over to the Soma, along with the 105 rear derailleur, and put the Apex shifters and rear derailleur on the Fuji. I'm doing it primarily for weight-weenie reasons; I want to shave grams off my Fuji and detail it out because it's my Ferrari, so to speak, while my Soma is my station wagon, if that makes sense...
Anyway, thanks for the compliments on my new ride... I'm very happy with it. I do have some other pics of it, which I'll post in a bit.
Last edited by pdthiem; 04-09-14 at 06:41 AM.
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Bikes: Soma Double Cross Disc (Commuter/everyday), Fuji Sportif 1.1 (Racy/fun bike), Specialized Sirrus Sport Disc (beater).
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 62
Bikes: 2011 CAAD10-5, 2014 Soma Saga
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
With respect to the spoke nipples, I like the look of the silver offsetting with the black rims, and I've had only very minimal durability problems with alloy nipples. I'm an accomplished wheel builder (built over 100 wheels in my life) and know how to prep a wheel so there's minimal strength lost with alloy nipples. (I once built a wheel and lived for 5,000 mi. that only ever needed the slightest truing now and again.) I also want them for the weight savings... I commute in traffic in San Francisco several times a week, where being quick off the line is very helpful, and lighter wheels will help with that a lot. At least that's been my experience.
I got used to the double-tap shifters pretty quick; I like how crisp and clean their action is. At the same time, I'm more familiar with / used to the 105 STI shifters on my Fuji, so I'm going to swap them over to the Soma, along with the 105 rear derailleur, and put the Apex shifters and rear derailleur on the Fuji. I'm doing it primarily for weight-weenie reasons; I want to shave grams off my Fuji and detail it out because it's my Ferrari, so to speak, while my Soma is my station wagon, if that makes sense...
I got used to the double-tap shifters pretty quick; I like how crisp and clean their action is. At the same time, I'm more familiar with / used to the 105 STI shifters on my Fuji, so I'm going to swap them over to the Soma, along with the 105 rear derailleur, and put the Apex shifters and rear derailleur on the Fuji. I'm doing it primarily for weight-weenie reasons; I want to shave grams off my Fuji and detail it out because it's my Ferrari, so to speak, while my Soma is my station wagon, if that makes sense...
I might have to pick your brain some on the wheel building; that is the one area where I know absolutely nothing. I haven't decided whether to buy a prebuilt set or have a shop customize them for me, but that is my next and final decision to make.
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 121
Bikes: Fuji Espree, Sun EZ-1 Recumbent Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you don't mind my asking, your cycle computer, is that a Cateye Padrone? Been thinking about one of those. Very nice setup, by the way.
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Bikes: Soma Double Cross Disc (Commuter/everyday), Fuji Sportif 1.1 (Racy/fun bike), Specialized Sirrus Sport Disc (beater).
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, it's a Padrone. I actually have moved it to my Sportif, because when riding that I tend to not have my glasses on, and the bigger display allows me to actually read it, compared to the Strada Double Wireless I had on that bike, which is now on my Soma. Since my Soma is my new everyday bike, I am usually wearing my glasses when I ride, rather than my sunglasses (haven't been willing to drop the $$$ to get prescription ones) allowing to actually read the display of the Strada.
Old. Slow. Happy.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 1,797
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I don't have any at the moment, but there are some on New Albion's blog (New Albion Cycles: Privateer Build for Gravelbike.com).
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,469 Times
in
1,435 Posts
The bikes here are getting amazing.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Senior Member
With any luck I'll have my new commuter by the middle of next month!
M.
M.
always rides with luggage
if you'd like a less amazing bike, I am pretty sure I can oblige.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
Sheeeee-it!
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 222
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When cruising solo...
... and when cruising with baby.
... and when cruising with baby.
Last edited by TheDavid; 04-10-14 at 07:45 PM. Reason: improved pictures
J3L 2404
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 1,075
Bikes: 2007 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stolen today
I hadn't been using it as a commuter for a while, but my fiancée -- who's much better sized for the bike than I am -- adopted it and customized it with a front basket, loved it. Stupid thieves.
I hadn't been using it as a commuter for a while, but my fiancée -- who's much better sized for the bike than I am -- adopted it and customized it with a front basket, loved it. Stupid thieves.
__________________
Last edited by gbcb; 04-10-14 at 09:05 AM.
Ha ha ha ha ha
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Gold Coast; Australia
Posts: 4,554
Bikes: 2004 ORBEA Mitis2 Plus Carbon, 2007 Cannondale Bad Boy Si Disc, 2012 Trek Gary Fisher Collection Marlin WSD 29er Aldi Big Box (Polygon) 650b
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
J3L 2404
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 1,075
Bikes: 2007 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, Steve... It sucks, especially since she had started to ride it a lot more recently. By the way, long time no see! Hope Kyoto's still treating you well.
__________________
Unlisted member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Mini-apples, MN
Posts: 11
Bikes: Civia Cycles Twin City 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
RubeRad, MUPs are mixed blessing. All winter traffic is sparse, mostly skiers either plodding along in the classic tracks or skating hard down the main lane, with enough room for all; but come summer it gets crowded enough that the ride can be joyless, with more time spent braking than pedaling. Sunny summer afternoons I often opt for the road route. Unfortunately all of the cross-town roads in Anch are 45 mph with no bike lane and often no shoulder, just sidewalk; so I'm stuck stitching together a ride from neighborhood to neighborhood, hitting sidewalks where I must, and stopping (or at least slowing) at all the stop signs and lights involved in a cross-town commute. However, in the early morning MUP traffic is light, and usually it's just me, the trees, ducks, moose, ravens, and occasional cyclist or runner; frequently I can forget that I'm riding through the middle of a city.
I would love to see bike lanes on every street in Anch, and would happily use them, to garner a bit more reliability in my commute time (ever been stuck behind a moose on a MUP?) and to help combat the "bikes belong on the path or the sidewalk, not on the road" mentality that is so pervasive in this town. But I would definitely miss the quiet and peaceful feeling of riding a nearly empty trail through the woods, creek running beside me, ravens quorking overhead, or along the coastal trail, with the sound of the inlet waters lapping the beach at high tide.
This is Alaska, winter ain't over yet. I mean, I could really use them right now, but we'll probably get more snow come late April, or early May.
I would love to see bike lanes on every street in Anch, and would happily use them, to garner a bit more reliability in my commute time (ever been stuck behind a moose on a MUP?) and to help combat the "bikes belong on the path or the sidewalk, not on the road" mentality that is so pervasive in this town. But I would definitely miss the quiet and peaceful feeling of riding a nearly empty trail through the woods, creek running beside me, ravens quorking overhead, or along the coastal trail, with the sound of the inlet waters lapping the beach at high tide.
This is Alaska, winter ain't over yet. I mean, I could really use them right now, but we'll probably get more snow come late April, or early May.
Dirty Schwinn-Lover
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 370
Bikes: '11 & '13 Schwinn Racers, Takara (Kent) Kabuto, '11 Gary Fisher (Trek) Marlin SS 29er, Schwinn Sanctuary Cruiser, '11 Schwinn Sid, Firmstrong Chief 3-spd, '10 Schwinn Corvette
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Puppy side (oh god that sounds terrible, like a poison made specifically for puppies):
See how nicely they're sitting? That's because this is at mile 5 of the 6 miles of single track that we run or bike every day out to the dog park and back. You want obedient dogs, you gotta wear the SOBs down (or DOB, in the black dog's case).
always rides with luggage
I would send you my mini-velo, but you can probably get one quicker there.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
THIS thread became 10 years old a couple of days ago!
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
Posts: 197
Bikes: Viruela, Piccola
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My LBS-built beauty. It had flat bars, but I couldn't get really comfortable on them. Switched it to drop bars and the Tektro brake levers that let you use V-brakes, and it's great!
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Surrey, BC
Posts: 65
Bikes: 1993 Giant CFR3, 1994 Kona Explosif, 2012 Ridley Excalibur, 2013 Wabi Classic (fixed gear)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
1994 Kona Explosif
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Novi, MI
Posts: 539
Bikes: Franken-mountain bike, mid-90s Performance TR1000, 1990 Cannondale ST400
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts