Bianchi Speed Bike Conversion to a Commute bike?
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Bianchi Speed Bike Conversion to a Commute bike?
Well this is the story, after many years not riding a bike I've just started bike commuting this week with a Mountain Bike that someone lend me. The bike is way to big for me and have no brakes, is set up to be one speed cause the shifting won't work, the chain skips and tires are in bad shape. In my efforts to keep the bike safe for me doing very low maintenance to it cause I really don't want to invest on something that is not mine and I have done some little changes here and there but the owner now is getting excited about how it looks now and probably wants it back soon. I have fall like 3 times from it (I'm wearing glove and a helmet on at all times). This bike is a Iron Man Mountain Triathlon Pro Titanium Boron Steel, the bike is kind of heavy as well and really to be honest I feel very unsafe on it at times even though my routes are short.
Now I use to ride in my prime days of biking a 1996 Bianchi Trofeo Speed bike, this bike was my first speed bike ever to have after owning a Marine Mountain bike and a Specialized Hybrid which I use to love and no longer have them. Believe it or not I still have kept in perfect condition the Bianchi is been with me all this time cause the investment was high at the time and the bike is beautiful not to mention that all the components of this bike are state of the art.
To make the long story short, I'm seeking feedback from people like you about this, this forum have great folks with advices and ideas. I'm amazed of how many people use Bianchi Bikes for commuting when I did some research and I want to do the same if possible but because is a small frame I don't know if I can make changes to this bike to make it a Commuting bike.
Another big concern I have because how this bike looks is very appealing to be stolen in a flash and that is my biggest fear. Every time I go somewhere and people see me riding the old Iron Man bike the first thing they say is "People steal bikes all the time..." as a matter of fact like a month ago a friend of mine his bike got stolen. Anyway I need to start commuting in my bike is a must for many reasons, I've forgot how much fun and cool it is to ride a bike and now I feel that I'm back again on something that will keep me healthy and enthusiastic again!
Thanks in advance!
Ride your bike, love your bike and stay safe
Now I use to ride in my prime days of biking a 1996 Bianchi Trofeo Speed bike, this bike was my first speed bike ever to have after owning a Marine Mountain bike and a Specialized Hybrid which I use to love and no longer have them. Believe it or not I still have kept in perfect condition the Bianchi is been with me all this time cause the investment was high at the time and the bike is beautiful not to mention that all the components of this bike are state of the art.
To make the long story short, I'm seeking feedback from people like you about this, this forum have great folks with advices and ideas. I'm amazed of how many people use Bianchi Bikes for commuting when I did some research and I want to do the same if possible but because is a small frame I don't know if I can make changes to this bike to make it a Commuting bike.
Another big concern I have because how this bike looks is very appealing to be stolen in a flash and that is my biggest fear. Every time I go somewhere and people see me riding the old Iron Man bike the first thing they say is "People steal bikes all the time..." as a matter of fact like a month ago a friend of mine his bike got stolen. Anyway I need to start commuting in my bike is a must for many reasons, I've forgot how much fun and cool it is to ride a bike and now I feel that I'm back again on something that will keep me healthy and enthusiastic again!
Thanks in advance!
Ride your bike, love your bike and stay safe
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Trofeo's usually don't have eyelets for racks, but some of them have eyelets for fenders. Cargo capacity and fenders are, in my opinion, great things for a primary commuter bike. A large saddlebag may suffice in place of a rack, or you can can get a brake-mount rack like the Axiom Streamliner and solve the issue that way.
Any bike can be stolen. Get a good lock, lock it correctly, and try not to stress over it. If you're too concerned with theft and/or scratches, consider a commuter-specific bike that fits you, and keep the Bianchi for recreational riding.
Any bike can be stolen. Get a good lock, lock it correctly, and try not to stress over it. If you're too concerned with theft and/or scratches, consider a commuter-specific bike that fits you, and keep the Bianchi for recreational riding.
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Don't know what your budget for this 'conversion' is, but if you're tight on funds, I'd suggest this order:
-Lock(s). Don't skimp on this one if you live in a high theft area.
-Lights. White front, red rear. Do a bit of reading in the Electronics forum for some good budget friendly ideas.
-Fenders.
-Cargo. Since your route is short, you can probably make do with a backpack that you already have.
-Lock(s). Don't skimp on this one if you live in a high theft area.
-Lights. White front, red rear. Do a bit of reading in the Electronics forum for some good budget friendly ideas.
-Fenders.
-Cargo. Since your route is short, you can probably make do with a backpack that you already have.
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JAG410 thanks for the advice, I will seriously have to think about what is best for me and not worrying to much.
no1mad I've written down your list of things I should consider, budget is tight but I will manage. I do wear a backpack so is cool for now, so far I like your choices as a priority
no1mad I've written down your list of things I should consider, budget is tight but I will manage. I do wear a backpack so is cool for now, so far I like your choices as a priority
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