Commuter Bicycle Pics
#2526
I'm whats for dinner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Outskirts of Houston
Posts: 183
Bikes: 06 Specialized Rockhopper Comp
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Well after much thought and consideration, I have decided to cut down to one bike. So my mountain bike that used to look like this:
now has been put into full use as a commuter and looks like this:
Oh and fenders are on their way so then the whole setup will be complete. May be getting some barends if I can find some I like. Been looking at the cane creek ergo ends that come on a few of the treks
now has been put into full use as a commuter and looks like this:
Oh and fenders are on their way so then the whole setup will be complete. May be getting some barends if I can find some I like. Been looking at the cane creek ergo ends that come on a few of the treks
#2527
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2008
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"The Sun" - Birmingham-made frame with 700C wheels and internal 8
Some fantastic bikes out there! More originality in setup than the lion's share of the road and mountain bikes pictured in other forums. Fixed gears? Well, they're a breed apart...
Here's my (admittedly filthy) commuter:
Same setup (saddle height, reach and drop) as my racing bikes. Roughly 50 year old frame: "The Sun", made in Birmingham with original decals, gold pinstriping, brass head badge, and oil ported BB. Original BSA crank. Custom 700C wheels with black alexrims laced to sealed hub up front and Shimano Nexus internal 8spd (also sealed) in rear replacing the 27s. Schwalbe 700 x 30c Marathon tires - flat proof, grippy, and fast - can you tell that I like them? Gripshift on riser bars. Old school Gran Compe stem with triangular profile. Selle Italia SLR gel saddle. Lowrider front rack (rear rack would spoil the lines, IMHO) with gray/black Ortlieb paniers. Lots of reflective decals on old aluminum fenders and frame. The whole thing must weigh about 40 lbs but it's fast, stable, and comfortable. Irreplaceable, but stealth enough that nobody's tried to steal it...
Should anyone know about "The Sun" bikes, please email me!
Here's my (admittedly filthy) commuter:
Same setup (saddle height, reach and drop) as my racing bikes. Roughly 50 year old frame: "The Sun", made in Birmingham with original decals, gold pinstriping, brass head badge, and oil ported BB. Original BSA crank. Custom 700C wheels with black alexrims laced to sealed hub up front and Shimano Nexus internal 8spd (also sealed) in rear replacing the 27s. Schwalbe 700 x 30c Marathon tires - flat proof, grippy, and fast - can you tell that I like them? Gripshift on riser bars. Old school Gran Compe stem with triangular profile. Selle Italia SLR gel saddle. Lowrider front rack (rear rack would spoil the lines, IMHO) with gray/black Ortlieb paniers. Lots of reflective decals on old aluminum fenders and frame. The whole thing must weigh about 40 lbs but it's fast, stable, and comfortable. Irreplaceable, but stealth enough that nobody's tried to steal it...
Should anyone know about "The Sun" bikes, please email me!
#2528
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: melbourne
Posts: 522
Bikes: gaint crx 2 2007
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Kona smoke 06 haven't commuted on her yet as im on hols, but will be taking her around some bike tracks and rail trails over the next week or so
#2529
Stan
that kona is sweet. I love the black,
what size tires are on that?
what size tires are on that?
#2531
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
Bikes: Kona Smoke '06
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Hey, how did you get a rack to fit on your Smoke? I have one too, but the fenders have this weird hookup I couldn't fit a proper rack to
so I have to use a seatpost one instead
Actually since those pictures (from my last post) last summer in Vancouver I've used my Smoke in a Regina winter:
I've never really biked in the winter before, and even in the summer Regina isn't exactly the best place to commute, but I was told lowering the seat (to lower your centre of gravity) and deflating the tires (to increase traction surface area) can be helpful. I was actually surprised how stable it was, especially at stops where I'd put my foot down and my leg would slide right out, though the bike held firm.
Corners are kind of scary though, especially coming off a mostly-clear main road onto a snowed-over side (residential) one - drivers don't seem to realise bikes have to slow to a crawl to make the corners without sliding out. Also, you end up riding in the ruts in the road, where there's more bare road for traction - drivers didn't seem to understand that I couldn't just ride on the edge where it was all slippery.
Proper studded tires would've been helpful, but as long as the roads are clear of high snow and not totally iced over, it's manageable with regular slicks. Disc brakes would be nice too, in case your rims get caked with ice and make rim brakes useless.
so I have to use a seatpost one instead
Actually since those pictures (from my last post) last summer in Vancouver I've used my Smoke in a Regina winter:
I've never really biked in the winter before, and even in the summer Regina isn't exactly the best place to commute, but I was told lowering the seat (to lower your centre of gravity) and deflating the tires (to increase traction surface area) can be helpful. I was actually surprised how stable it was, especially at stops where I'd put my foot down and my leg would slide right out, though the bike held firm.
Corners are kind of scary though, especially coming off a mostly-clear main road onto a snowed-over side (residential) one - drivers don't seem to realise bikes have to slow to a crawl to make the corners without sliding out. Also, you end up riding in the ruts in the road, where there's more bare road for traction - drivers didn't seem to understand that I couldn't just ride on the edge where it was all slippery.
Proper studded tires would've been helpful, but as long as the roads are clear of high snow and not totally iced over, it's manageable with regular slicks. Disc brakes would be nice too, in case your rims get caked with ice and make rim brakes useless.
#2532
Senior Member
The point he was making was that if I had to use a stem riser then the bike was a bit small and he's right. I've had to add a stem riser, longest stem I could find (140mm adjustable) and find a seat post with more setback to put more distance between me and handlebars. If I'd gotten the bike one size bigger, it would have been perfect in terms of size.
#2534
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: South Puget Sound
Posts: 41
Bikes: Specialized Globe commuting hybrid
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My Commuter Ride
Well, here it is. I just lowered the handlebar an inch (2 spacers), and I want to get a bigger headlight. I hit the Scott Pierson Trail last night in the rain to find out that it is not lit. My little light did fine, but I think it needs a bit of help
Last edited by Strelnikov; 02-03-08 at 11:57 PM.
#2535
Member of human society
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Marknesse, The Netherlands
Posts: 34
Bikes: BOSS British Eagle Hybrid
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#2538
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 15
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Top Tube Preservation
#2539
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Except that nobody worries about denting a couch. Some handlebars favored by fixed riders will poke right into the top tube. If dent-free counts as "pristine", then that's a good enough reason.
#2540
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
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So as to not go too off topic here, I ride a couple year-old poprad that has little left of stock componants, and a dahon speed pro. I have no pictures. I'll try and "spell check" from now on.
#2541
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
So as to not go too off topic here, I ride a couple year-old poprad that has little left of stock componants, and a dahon speed pro. I have no pictures. I'll try and "spell check" from now on.
#2542
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
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The Dahon MU XL looks to be quite a tasty ride, probably a little more practical for commuting than the speed pro and its skinny weakish tires. Love BF and the tikit looks very nice, that would be a tough choice.
Let's start putting top tube pads on folders as well, we can think of a reason later.
Let's start putting top tube pads on folders as well, we can think of a reason later.
#2543
always rides with luggage
Top tube pads on ALL bikes, just like on my BMX when I was a kid!
__________________
--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
#2544
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 873
Bikes: Pacific Duece AL with mods
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I'll have to re-route my rear brake cable to do that... Oh, heck, I'll just cut the cable. The style points will only improve my stopping power!
I must be tired cause that actually sounded funny to me when I wrote it
I must be tired cause that actually sounded funny to me when I wrote it
#2545
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: melbourne
Posts: 522
Bikes: gaint crx 2 2007
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Hey, how did you get a rack to fit on your Smoke? I have one too, but the fenders have this weird hookup I couldn't fit a proper rack to
so I have to use a seatpost one instead
Actually since those pictures (from my last post) last summer in Vancouver I've used my Smoke in a Regina winter:
I've never really biked in the winter before, and even in the summer Regina isn't exactly the best place to commute, but I was told lowering the seat (to lower your centre of gravity) and deflating the tires (to increase traction surface area) can be helpful. I was actually surprised how stable it was, especially at stops where I'd put my foot down and my leg would slide right out, though the bike held firm.
Corners are kind of scary though, especially coming off a mostly-clear main road onto a snowed-over side (residential) one - drivers don't seem to realise bikes have to slow to a crawl to make the corners without sliding out. Also, you end up riding in the ruts in the road, where there's more bare road for traction - drivers didn't seem to understand that I couldn't just ride on the edge where it was all slippery.
Proper studded tires would've been helpful, but as long as the roads are clear of high snow and not totally iced over, it's manageable with regular slicks. Disc brakes would be nice too, in case your rims get caked with ice and make rim brakes useless.
so I have to use a seatpost one instead
Actually since those pictures (from my last post) last summer in Vancouver I've used my Smoke in a Regina winter:
I've never really biked in the winter before, and even in the summer Regina isn't exactly the best place to commute, but I was told lowering the seat (to lower your centre of gravity) and deflating the tires (to increase traction surface area) can be helpful. I was actually surprised how stable it was, especially at stops where I'd put my foot down and my leg would slide right out, though the bike held firm.
Corners are kind of scary though, especially coming off a mostly-clear main road onto a snowed-over side (residential) one - drivers don't seem to realise bikes have to slow to a crawl to make the corners without sliding out. Also, you end up riding in the ruts in the road, where there's more bare road for traction - drivers didn't seem to understand that I couldn't just ride on the edge where it was all slippery.
Proper studded tires would've been helpful, but as long as the roads are clear of high snow and not totally iced over, it's manageable with regular slicks. Disc brakes would be nice too, in case your rims get caked with ice and make rim brakes useless.
nice looking bike btw
#2546
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I think if this was my idea of fun, I would certainly invest in a pad for the top tube .... probably the stem, too ... and it wouldn't be paint I was thinking about.
#2547
Life is Fun
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 21
Bikes: 94 Kona Kilauea (hardtail, nothing stock but the frame and seatpost); 03 Motobecane Le Champion (stock, minus a front wheel upgrade); 05 Haro Shift R5 (all stock)
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I've been commuting on the Kona Kilauea since I bought it new in '94. I added the Motobecane Le Champion to the mix in '02 for the nicer weather days. I always switch my lights and QR seatpost rack to whichever bike I decide to ride that day. I'm building up an old Fuji FG, so maybe I'll finally put some fenders and a real rack on something.
#2548
brain damaged bovine
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: back on the dental floss ranch, wielding zircon encrusted tweezers
Posts: 625
Bikes: Schwinn wrecked ol' Probe 1x2, 84 Bianchi Limited,Cannondale F400,Raleigh 20 folder,78 Schwinn LeTour III Fixed Gear,Redline Conquest Pro,71-73 Gitane TdF,Gitane Grand Sport de Luxe,78 Raleigh Super Course,80 Schwinn World Sport
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^^^^^nice bikes, irritating layout. Not everyones got a widescreen monitor. Or maybe I'm the last one left, but I don't like scrolling sideways to see the pretty bikes and read the specs.
edit: well now this makes bugger all sense, being all nice and narrow at he top of a new page. TO rectify the situation I best ge6t a pic of my winter commuter up fast.
edit: well now this makes bugger all sense, being all nice and narrow at he top of a new page. TO rectify the situation I best ge6t a pic of my winter commuter up fast.
#2549
Life is Fun
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 21
Bikes: 94 Kona Kilauea (hardtail, nothing stock but the frame and seatpost); 03 Motobecane Le Champion (stock, minus a front wheel upgrade); 05 Haro Shift R5 (all stock)
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Sorry....first time posting pics up and I thought it would stack them on top of each other rather than staggered.
#2550
Cheating Death since 1957
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2006 Kona Dr. Dew, 2008 Soma DoubleCross
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here is my commuter rig
and its newest stable mate
and its newest stable mate