Commuter Bicycle Pics

[toastytoad]

Is the fork Ti as well? Most Ti bikes I see have Carbon forks, I always wondered if there was a reason not to use Ti for forks

[degnaw]

Here's my everyday ride. A 198x Miyata 610, set up single speed using 90% original parts.

Did you make the bag yourself? I was looking for a Carradice-type rackless bag for my commutes.

[hartsu]

My On-one got a new olive green color during the winter, (here is old version)

[seely]

Did you make the bag yourself? I was looking for a Carradice-type rackless bag for my commutes.

It's actually a military surplus bag I picked up for $10. Waxed canvas with a water resistant liner, too. It's up for debate what the bag was used for, but the guy that sold it to me said it was an ammo bag. It holds about 1 grocery bag worth of stuff, so its pretty roomy.

All I had to do to adapt it for the bike was to cut out some of the stitching on the wide "belt" that goes around the outside to slip the seatpost through, and then use key rings to attach the upper eyeletted tabs to the seat tabs. Took about 15 minutes to modify, and works great. So far I've had about 20 pounds of gear with no problem. The straps are long enough that you can lash down a bed roll, tent or sleeping bag, etc.

[Igo]

My On-one got a new olive green color during the winter, (here is old version)

That is a perfectly beautiful commuter.

[runningDoc]

the bar has been raised higher and higher with these recently posted commuters.

oh no?! is the commuter forum turning into the new "41" ?!

[psycling]

Hi everyone. I'm the owner of that Firefly Ti Commuter. My brother mentioned that he made the post so I figured I'd come over here and answer some questions. Here goes...

That bike is by far one of the hottest I have seen on this entire forums, including the 41 and the road/race forum. What exactly are those lights wired to? He can control the on and off or mode from a switch on the bars?

The lights are powered by a generator in the front hub. There's a switch on the back of the front light that is used to turn the lights on or off. When on, the lights are on when the bike is moving, and shortly thereafter (there's a capacitor to hold some power in reserve for stop lights and such). All of the wiring for this is internal to the frame / fork, where possible.

Fine imagery of some exceptional welding and gig work. I love a deep project. Much fun.
Courious, it looks like he came in pretty light weight even for the whistles and bells. How'd he end up?

I haven't weighed it yet, but I am curious myself. So I'll check and report back. The bike was built with weight in mind, but it isn't a weight weenie bike by any stretch. The back end certainly feels a bit heavy with the rack, fender, Rohloff hub, disc brake, etc.

That Firefly Ti is damned close to what I'd build up if/when I finally get around to it. I'd love to have drop bars instead (even with a Rohloff), but all that internal routing, even for the lights, is -- how to put it -- BOSS.

Thanks. The bar decision was a hard one for me. I can see drop bars working well with this type of bike too. In the end, I went for a somewhat upright position with flat bars to allow for easier visibility in traffic. The grips that I put on there were chosen specifically to give me a variety of hand positions to help make up for not having drop bars (I'm a roadie!).

Wow, what a sweet ride, that Ti Firefly. Shares a lot in common with the ToutTerrain Metropolitan that I lust after.

The Tout Terrain was one of my inspirations for this bike :-)

Is the fork Ti as well? Most Ti bikes I see have Carbon forks, I always wondered if there was a reason not to use Ti for forks

The fork is steel. You can make Ti forks, but most people don't. To make it work, you'd end up with something nearly as heavy as steel and a LOT more expensive. Carbon would offer a generally better ride as you can have a little give and keep it light. I choose steel here due to the load requirements and the front disc brake. There are carbon forks that would work with this build, but I felt more comfortable with steel. Plus, that opened the door to some custom internal wiring, too!

Thanks for the warm introduction. It's nice to find some new (to me) bike forums to play on. Cheers!

[Silver]

psycling, what bags are you using on your Firefly Commuter?

[dygituljunky]

Hi everyone. I'm the owner of that Firefly Ti Commuter. My brother mentioned that he made the post so I figured I'd come over here and answer some questions. Here goes...

That is an incredibly beautiful bike. I wish more commuter bikes had a rack built in; it only makes sense. I can't get over how well done that bike is.

[jeffpoulin]

Am I allowed to post pics of my brother's new commuter? Perhaps he went just a little over the top but the results are worth it. And don't worry ... it's stored locked up, inside his office. You can see the full set here.

Is it a sin to covet your brother's bike? That is one of the most beautiful bikes I've ever seen, road bikes included.

[Sixty Fiver]

Sixty Fiver, could you tell me what is the stem you have there please? It looks pretty trick.

It is a Raleigh branded Nitto stem I pulled off something... usually prefer my bars to be lower but for a bike that goes off road a fair bit the position is nice, especially on descents. There are some cross levers up top and when I am on the road the position lets me spend a good amount of time in the drops, even when I am climbing.

[yellowhammer]

It is a Raleigh branded Nitto stem I pulled off something... usually prefer my bars to be lower but for a bike that goes off road a fair bit the position is nice, especially on descents. There are some cross levers up top and when I am on the road the position lets me spend a good amount of time in the drops, even when I am climbing.

That's great, thank you. You have a fine collection of bikes, I'm very envious!

[hughes208]

new to biking, and I love it. I picked up this cheap mongoose mtb from walmart and already started upgrading the crappy parts (shifters,grips, and seat) I am going to use the money I save by riding to work to get a "real" bike in the future

I also repainted it and added a rear rack

[Sawtooth]

new to biking, and I love it. I picked up this cheap mongoose mtb from walmart and already started upgrading the crappy parts (shifters,grips, and seat) I am going to use the money I save by riding to work to get a "real" bike in the future

I also repainted it and added a rear rack

Nice looking ride. If I were you I would not spend too much money upgrading the mongoose. Just ride it to death.

[hughes208]

^i had that thought toobut the seat and shifters were KILLING me and thank you

[djork]

Hartsu: What type of light mount do you have on the fork? Is it custom or can you buy one?

[TedC]

Hey Bikeforums, I have not been here in a while. I have recently tarted a new job, at an office which has bike storage, as well as a gym with showers and lockers - basically it was meant for commuting by bike to. So I made the practice run last weekend on my singlespeed commuter and decided I did not like the ride in the drops, or even on the hoods, i wanted a more upright ride - so I picked up some Wald upright bars. Next step is fenders, and rack. I am excited to make the commute.

I feel it looks a little silly with the short wheelbase of an 80s road bike (Fuji Ace which was found in the trash once) and the bars, but man, does it ride nice.

*edit* Also, saddle angle - blah blah, still making adjustments

[psycling]

psycling, what bags are you using on your Firefly Commuter?

They are the Intrans Panniers from Philosophy Bag Co. I actually just visited their page so that I could give you a link, and was pleasantly surprised to find my bike on their home page :-)

[JeePakXJ]

IMG-20120506-00190.jpg

here is my baby lol Trek 7.2fx

[ddez]

That's great, thank you. You have a fine collection of bikes, I'm very envious!

Every time i see sixty fiver around town he's riding something different it seems. Every bike he has is first class. He's known to be about the best dang bike mechanic around these parts and he's forgot more than most know about nearly all years and all makes of bikes. And no he didnt pay me.lol.

[WonderMonkey]

2011 Cannondale Quick 5

2012-05-05 17.03.11.jpg

[NoTrail]

Is it a sin to covet your brother's bike? That is one of the most beautiful bikes I've ever seen, road bikes included.

I'm certain that it's not. Otherwise I'm in trouble.

[Sixty Fiver]

Every time i see sixty fiver around town he's riding something different it seems. Every bike he has is first class. He's known to be about the best dang bike mechanic around these parts and he's forgot more than most know about nearly all years and all makes of bikes. And no he didnt pay me.lol.

But now I owe you a quarter... or a coffee and have to say there are folks here and IRL that make what I know look like a small drop in a very large bucket



Most days I am riding the same bikes... my Shasta is my workhorse and my Moulden is my light travelling bike so they see tons of miles between them.

Yesterday I went down to the new shop and decided Reg (1955 Raleigh Lenton) needed to get out for a stretch and had just fitted up my Carradice bag which is a great carry all... have had this bike for nearly five years and like taking the old guy out on longer rides but he has served me well on many a commute.

"Reg" stems from it being a "Reg Harris Road Model" and it was originally sold as a fixed gear model with an option for a three speed... at the time dérailleur equipped bikes were still rather rare if films from that era are any indication. You see a lot of internally geared bikes, single speeds, and fixed gear bicycles but very few derailleurs.

[hartsu]

Hartsu: What type of light mount do you have on the fork? Is it custom or can you buy one?

Light mount came with the lamp,
but you can buy it separately.

[HardyWeinberg]

My 7 yr old has moved up to her big brother's 20" bike.