atombob

Hi all! I just found this site. I'm and ex-mountain biker who's been off the bike for a number of years. The price of fuel, plus just looking in the mirror has prompted me to get back on the bike and ride to work. I'm just now putting a commuter together and I'm hoping my will won't give out being that it rains here… A lot. I’m hoping to use this forum to keep me from chickening out. I’ll scout my route next week end and I think it’ll be about 14 miles round trip. Anyway, looks like a great community and thanks for having me.

scottogo

"Welcome, Atombob!!!!!!", he exploded.
Hope you enjoy the forums.

Shifty

OK we'll be there to help out, 14 miles will be a piece-O-cake once you get started!! welcome!

atombob

Thanks all.

I'm getting closer I found my commuter bike a few days ago and have all the repairs made. I'm into a 1996 Diamond Back (Sorrento?) for a whopping $25. I'm adding Michelin 26 x 1.25 tires, full fenders, rear rack today and will be at least finding my route in the next couple of days. I think I'll be into this beast for under $75!

I live in Oregon so obviously I'm in need of some wet weather gear. Any suggestions, I'm looking for the best bang for the buck. It seems that the wet weather gear will cost me more than the bike! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated and micro brews will be consumed in honor of all the help.

Thanks!

SpokesInMyPoop

Hey there, welcome I also live in Oregon (Portland/Damn near Gresham), so I can sympathize.

I got my raingear @ performancebike.com. There are stores in Portland (if you're around this area). They have pretty good deals, and the stores will honor sales posted on their site (but you have to bring a printout of it). I've heard good things about Burley and Gore-tex, but they seem to cost an arm and a leg. Honestly, I just use nanaimo rain pants and a clear rain jacket (performance), and wear layers depending on the temp.

If you have the money to spend, you should probably go with more quality. Me? I'm cheap

see you on the forums

SamSpade

Hi Atombomb,
I'm kinda in the same scene as you - mtm biker getting into, or back into really, the road scene and also living in the damp Portland area.
I just posted my intro above yours, but hey, check out River City bikes for raingear. I was in there last weekend, picking up my new bike , and probably again this weekend, looking for some additional gear, as they have a decent sale rack towards the front of the store with quite a few garments. I didn't run through it last weekend but I also need some better coverage for the "back to normal" weather we've been having lately. I'm not commuting till the summer cause I have to drop-off and pick-up my daughter at school and she doesn't really like riding on the handlebars. For some reason its not as cool as it used to be. But I'll be bringin my bike to work with me and riding at lunch, great way to break up the day and get away from the grey cube and under some grey skies.

Later,

atombob

Hi Spokes,

Thanks for the input, I'll have to check out performance bikes. I live down in eugene so I'm not having much luck finding a jacket for under 100.00 bucks so I may make the trek northward. I could use the trip out of Eugene for a bit. You're right about the burley coats. I arm and some fingers to be exact. At least I have the commuter built now I just need to get the butt able to handle the saddle for 40 minutes. lol.

atombob

Hey ya Sam,

Thanks for the help too! Like I was saying I'm down in eugene area and everything seems to be pretty spendy. I just moved and have taxes due this year so, I'm on a budget. I'll get my but up north though and check them out as well. Thanks for the help!

PhattTyre

Welcome atombob, It's nice to see another person from Eugene here... and a Family Guy fan no less. Just a few more weeks until it's back.

Finding an affordable jacket can be tough. You might be able to find something on clearance at bike shops or REI in town. It'll just take some looking around. I recommend something with armpit zips. It's amazing what a different they can make. I find they make a jacket more comfortable over a wider range of temperatures and keep you from getting really sweaty. Good call on the full fenders. They'll keep you and your bike's bearings so much drier. They're the best raingear to have.

lunacycle

If you're ever in the Portland area, check out the Columbia outlet store in Sellwood. Their selection is spotty, but sometimes you get lucky. I found a nice "Titanium" windproof, waterproof, breathable parka with pit zips for about $70 there. Not necessarily biking specific, but it does the job.

atombob

Thanks Phatt,

Yep Family Guy fan alright, I'm told that brian is a reflection of me so my friends have been giving me brian family guy stuff for the last year. lol. I'll try and get to REI this week, actually got caught in the rain today while riding home from a friends house. lol. Damn spotty oregon rain; at least it was warm. How many miles a week do you commute if you don't mind me asking. I'm going to try and start commuting as soon as I get some gear together.

I'm glad to see another Eugenian here as well... and family guy fan.

Commutist

Hey, atombomb. I just posted an intro a few threads above yours. I'm in Bend, and although we get less rain than Portland, it sure has been wet these past few days! I wish I were mechanically inclined and could create my own Frankenbike, but alas, I shall have to go buy one somewhere, LOL.

SpokesInMyPoop

Commutist = cool name

Damn... there's an REI in Eugene? I'm kinda jealous... or is there one in Portland??

SamSpade

Hey Spokes,
There are two REI's in Portland, one downtown in "The Pearl", right next to I-405, and one down south in Tigard, just off of I-5. The one in the pearl is new, it moved from close to me up at Jantzen Beach to downtown last summer I think. It's a cool store with a rock climbing wall, but prices seem to be about 10% higher than other lbs's. At least my Shimano shoes were.

PhattTyre

Yeah, there's an REI in Eugene. It's around 3rd and Lawrence near the Center for Appropriate Transportation (1st and Washington, worth a look if you haven't been there).

atombob... my commute is way short. I'm a student at the U of O and I live pretty much on campus. I do use the bike to get everywhere tho, and I ride way more on top of that. Eugene is a great bike town. I still have a car, but I rarely use it. It's had the same tank of gas since I drove down from Portland just after New Years. The wet weather kind of sucks, but you get used to it. It's nice to not have to worry about ice much. Enjoy riding your bike here. It's great!

SgtHans

I am doing the same thing/ Last year I was riding my MTNB to work and back and this year I have purchased a recumbent. Man I'll never ride an upright bike on the road again. The bent is more comfortable and much easier to ride. Good Luck I look forward to hering how your ride goes. I imagine I will only take you about 15 minutes to get to work.

atombob

Hey all!
I've been getting a few miles in and I think I've found my route to work. Now I just have to come up with some bucks for my Helmet and wet weather gear or become a fair weather commuter. That doesn't appeal to me. At least half my ride is by the river and on the bike paths so that will be a good way to start my day. I'd love to get to the point like PhattTyre, that my vehicle gets covered with dust from not moving and with your support, I think I'll hit my goal.
Here's a pic of my $69.00 commuter. I don't think I'll have to worry about people not seeing me.

Oh by the way, what type of lock is everyone using?