mijome07

I used to commute on this:



Now I rock this:



The aluminum frame/steel fork/higher PSI's on the 'cross bike vs. the steel frame & fork/lower PSI's on the 29er are like night and day.

bergjm

I also commute with a Bianchi San Jose and it has held up very well, even with the mine field like roads from the winter - I love it!

LesMcLuffAlot

Yup. Sure do. Makes a great high speed urban assualt vehicle.

MrCjolsen

Surly Crosscheck. I see lots of people commuting on them. Never seen one at a cross race though.

Epicus07

How fast do you average on flats? you really seem to be hauling arse.

I like the video

undisputed83

That single speed above looks like a heavy bike... I'd always want to have atleast 16-18 gears to go through. Struggling to get up hills... or not being able to go fast enough on flats would frustrate me.

afwen

My one and only bike is built on the Nashbar X frame, with 38/48 gearing in front and 13/26 in back. I really like being able to run 25s for 3 seasons and studded 35s as necessary in the winter. I put on my SpeedEZ fenders only when the roads are wet.

JeremyZ

I just bought a Specialized Tricross Sport Triple. I may use it to commute, depending on how I like it compared to my Simple City 3. I have a good feeling about it, but we'll see.

Cyclocross bike seem like the perfect mix between a road bike & a mountain bike. Some of the ruggedness of a mountain bike with some of the aerodynamics of a road bike. Ability to easily take racks & fenders seems great.

JeremyZ

Magnificent: Do you think it was lack of traction due to the tires, or due to the fact that they may have been dirty?

thoms

I'm with all the other Cross Check riders. Most fun I've ever had on my way to work.

thenomad

yes

mijome07

The SS is about 28 lbs. I don't think that's heavy. I can still add gears, but choose not to. I can still get up hills whether sitting and spinning or standing and mashing. I like this setup for the simplicity and challenge.

Epicus07

:O my cross check is 28 lbs with old school heavy wheels, the drivetrain, fenders and a rack with a heavy brooks saddle and leather bar tape. Even with a compact my lungs are exploding on some of the seattle hills near my house. I think its REALLY heavy. I'm also used to riding a 20 lb road bike but still! i know i need to lose some weight and HTFU but its a process.

I guess if you live in a place thats flat a 28 lb single speed would be totally acceptable. To each his own. I'm guessing that Mijome is pretty fricken fit if hes climbing hills with ease on that thing.

Then again i'm only whining because i had to climb a 20% grade with a bunch of bottled beer. I'm a wuss

Andy_K 

I've got three bikes that I commute on:

2008 Kona Jake



2009 Surly Cross Check



2008 Marin Muirwoods 29er



The roads around here are paved pretty well (when they aren't covered in glass), so I have road tires on the bikes when it's not cyclocross season, but I love my CX bikes.

Strictly speaking the Muirwoods isn't a cyclocross bike, but it's definitely trending in the mostercross direction. When the rains stop in a month or so, it'll go off of commute duty and get knobbies for off-road use, but the drop bars are staying.

mijome07

I wouldn't say I'm in great shape. Then again, I'm not weak either. I'm only 150 lbs., so I'm not hauling a lot of body weight. The 1st ride I did on the SS was 5 miles on the road to a local mountain trail 2 miles up. When I got to the base of the mountain, I felt like my knees were gonna explode. That's expected until you get over that beginner period.

Andy_K 

I have. Of course, we get over 1000 people at a cross race around here, so there's bound to be a Cross Check or two in there somewhere. They're still probably outnumbered by Speedvagens.

Andy_K 

My Cross Check came it at just over 20 pounds when I had it built as a fixed gear. Then I moved to the top of a 20% grade hill and went shopping for shifters. My smallest gear is still 36-25, so I'm still using the bikes with triples for now.

Loose Chain

I have seen quite a few Cross Checks in races, however, it is not the top choice for sure but for a durable multipurpose fun bike it is far more versatile than competition specific cross bikes.

Mine weighs 24 pounds with a few mods, I think 22 is possible. But then I put a bottle of water, my tools, my computer and them me on it and somehow I figure a couple of pounds in the overall scheme might not be worth the hundreds of dollars it would take to get rid of them--from the bike.

Bob N.

I commute on my Bianchi Axis, the same bike I do everything else on.

Metricoclock

Surly Cross-Check

trustnoone

You bet I do, a 2009 Kona Jake the Snake. I Swapped in a 50T on the front. In the summer I ride 23mm road tires and in winter 38mm studs.

Queequeg

I've been commuting on a rebuilt Bianchi Volpe cross bike. Heavy but very nice ride. May start occasionally riding my road bike for variety, but commuting on a cross bike is great for speed+bumpy roads+comfort.

Epicus07

I love all of your bikes but i have to wonder why you have three very similar bikes ?

flyingWeez

I really enjoy my Bianchi Volpe, rides great around town and I've taken it on several long-ish rides. The guy I ride with rides a Specialized Allez road bike, one of the mid-pack jobs. Me and the Volpe can keep up on most everything, when I fall behind it is me and not the bike. But as far as the commute to campus goes, it is just fine.

undisputed83

I love my bike, I didn't realize cross bikes were popular commuters. It rides so smooth and moves along so easily.