1) What motivates you to commute by bike?
Good for environment, good for my health, cheaper than driving.
2) How often do you commute by bike?
Every single day
3) Do you commute no matter what the weather?
Roger that
4) How far is your commute?
Just went from 15.5 miles to 18 miles (guesstimate).
5) Do you drive a car?
If so, how often?
We own a car, it is my wife's. I rarely drive it. If I need to get home REALLY quick then I'll take it. Once in a blue moon. For instance, I have to help friends move tomorrow, and they live 35 miles from me. I'm alone with the kiddo, so I'll drive up there to decrease the suffering on both the kiddo and myself
6)Does your cycling supplement normal driving chores/trips?
Most definitely.
7) What kind of bike do you commute with?
Surly Crosscheck set up Single Speed with flat bars and a rack. I also use a '91 Cannondale road bike occasionally.
8) Approximately how much was it?
$600 used.
9) Why do you use the type of bike you do?
The Crosscheck because of the geometry and material. I like the feel of steel, I like the way the cyclocross geometry handles and my position on it. I also picked the Crosscheck because it has fender and rack eyelets, and horizontal drops on the rear wheel for easy single speed, fixed gear or internally geared hub setup. I ride a singlespeed because it's very flat where I live, and I like the low hassle of the system. I have no need for additional gearing.
I ride my road bike when I want to take the long route after work and I don't have much to carry. Occasionally when I have to travel to hillier places I use it combined with the trailer because it has more gear options. It's a fun bike to ride because it's so responsive and quick.
10) Do you ride a bike other then for commuting?
Yes.
11) What kind of bike do you ride for your other riding?
I just sold my mountain bike (I love to ride singletrack) but I ride both my Surly and my Cannondale for recreational riding.
12) How long have you been riding a bike?
As far back as I can remember! Bikes were the way to get around for kids under 16, and everyone had one and went everywhere on it. I got into MTB racing when I was 14, and did some track racing at about age 15. I rode for pleasure up to college, when I took up riding for commuting as well.
13) What accessories do you use for commuting specifically?
Rack, panniers and fenders. I also value these things for touring, but they are mainly there to ease my commuting burden! Similarly for my headlight.
14) Are there any accessories you would like? (That exist or don't exist)
Oh yes. I'm piecing together a dynohub build and a flip-flop, single speed specific wheel for my commuter bike. I'm also purchasing a Wald 8095 bar. Appropriate commuting clothing is always something I am interested in.
15) How often do you perform maintenance on your bike?
Every few days I wipe the chain down and re-lube. Every weekend I do the brake cables and brake pivots, too, and any minor adjustments. Once a year or year and a half I like to re-pack all my bearings like headset and hubs. Bottom bracket is replaced as needed. At the 1 or 1.5 year mark I also like to make sure my bolts and screws aren't corroded, replace those if need be and grease all of them again for weather protection. I replace cables as need be, and pads as need be, and chains as need be.
16) Do you carry any supplies with you for repairs?
Yes.
17) What do you carry with you on your commute?
How do you carry it?
My panniers hold my allens, my phillips head, my tire levers, patch kit, extra tube, chain tool and extra chain links.
18) Do you ride to work in your work clothes, or cycling clothes?
cycling clothes
19) Do you keep hygienic supplies at at work?
Yes.
20) Do you keep extra clothes and shoes at work?
Extra shoes and belt. I carry the day's clothes with me.
21) How long is your bike unattended during a given work day?
9 hours.
22) Have you ever had a bike stolen?
No.
23) Was the bike locked properly?
N/A
24) Was the lock cut/broken?
N/A
25) How do you feel about the general state of the commuter market today, are you satisfied with the products offered for commuters?
I actually am satisfied, mostly. I feel like there are enough companies that recognize the profits are worth it to be in the commuter market, even if only somewhat, that they produce products for us. Realistically we're just people who ride our bikes twice a day, every day, often at distances a little less than your typical recreational roadie or long-distance rider. There are plenty of products that fit that specific need, and it is a competitive market so the products are always improving.
However, it is a niche market, so it can be tough to get hands on the appropriate parts. I often find myself asking if I should wait 5 days for the $5 + shipping BMX chain that is really the best deal or if I should just go get the $20 SRAM chain today and get it over with. More often than not I spring for the immediate relief so I can keep riding.
It's like foreign autos in America...it can be incredibly hard to get the parts you need immediately while the American autos can be fixed in 10 minutes at any shop. I wish there were shops that had more to offer me...I don't need a $100 stem or a $80 chain or a $60 seatpost.
26) What factors do you feel keep potential commuters from commuting?
Lots is comfort. People like getting into warm/cool cars depending on the season and not having to work to get home. They are impatient and like getting places as quickly as possible. It's really their own attitude that keeps them from doing it.
Everything they need is available.
I do think cost is somewhat preventative. They realize the long-term costs are good, but the startup is discouraging. Spending $500 on a bike (minimum) and then a couple hundred more to outfit it appropriately (lighting, fenders, rack, panniers, clothing, helmet, tools, etc...) is daunting. Credit cards and other sources of financing put it into the realm of automobiles in terms of startup, but nobody is going to get rid of their car on day 1. So, then they have dual costs until they work out the bugs and some return is realized.