Originally Posted by
mc9000
Can you provide details on what you added, like what kind of rack you got? I just picked this bike up off Craigslist and will be using it as a commuter also.
I can't remember the brand of the rack off the top of my head (Transit (aluminum)from Performance, I think)but the important thing is it has got that wide "disc-brake compatable" mount. I don't think it is necessary with this bike, but it is important when the bike is layed down. It seems to protect the gears and discs. SKS longboard fenders. I atatched the bridge mount behind the fork to lower the rear edge more. And while the fenders come with a spacer to place the front fender supports wide enouugh to clear the disks, I used a short plastic "mending plate" to move the mounting point to keep the supports narrow. Cheap Transit saddlebag from Performance Bicycles; didn't think it would be big enough compared to old bike bag, but it holds mutitool, innertube and patchkit. Gel seat from wal-mart. Insulated pipe tubing on the handlebars. AirZound Airhorn. Mirracycle bar end mirror (I wear a tak-a-look glasses mount mirror also) Bell, belll on right handle bar (for pedestrians), $9 Niterider flasher in back with side firing LEDS, some sort of Cat-eye flasher on front fork (to dance off the spokes). I also wear a front and rear flasher on my helmet. inexpensive toe-clips (personal preference). Orange Bungie Cord for back pack. See this video:
ANd the kickstand. I can't remember the brand, but it is not good. It doesn't grip the chainstay bar firmly and tends to rotate under heavy loads (meaning bike can fall). THe length adjustment doesn't clamp securely either. It then stripped, so I drilled a bolt through it. I told myself I will get a new kickstand, but haven't so far. On my previous commuter/utility bike the rear kickstand has a flange that sticks up to grab the seat-stay tube also. The location of the disc brake mechanism makes that particular model unusable on this bike, but I will look for another with a taller flange.
THe little pocket on the top tube holds a snot rag. In this photo I have my cable-lock bungied to the rack "bridge" using one of those smartphone arm-band holders ($5 goodwill). BUt I have since gone with an auto-motive sun-visor CD holder I found (also $5 2nd hand). It is a felt-like sleeve with a full-length velcro band. It makes a pocket, and I merely slide the coiled chain in there and close the flap. It is faster to operate and closes more securely than this one. On the old bike I carried the chain in the larger saddlebag.
I also added the spoke reflectors, although the rear has been replaced with one like the front.
I was going to use white and red reflective tape like the old bike, but I saw the black and yellow caution tape and went with that.
I wasn't a fan of the original Kenda "small-block" micro-knobbie tires. They were grippy, comfortable and pliant, but no match for COlorado's goat-head thorns. SO I added tire lines (as with my other bikes) and this year I replaced them with Kenda Kwests (with tire liners). THe Kwests don't get much love, but they are smooth, grippy and wear well, and I like them.
I have a Planet BIke "bike computer" and an inexspensive mini-frame pump with toe-step, my first with such. I found that if I kneal with my foot on the pump it works great!