Originally Posted by
High Roller
Hey, chipcom, great idea for a thread. I’m an old, short, simple commuter.
Our cycling backgrounds sound very similar, though I’ve been at it a bit longer. Hell, I have socks that are older than 30 years (none of which, to the best of my knowledge, have been engaged in any illicit “puppet” activity, though). But I digress.
Like you, I’ve had some longer commutes in the past, through a mix of rural/suburban/urban landscape, using a full-on road bike, and dressing the part. My current commute is about the same distance as yours, primarily suburban. In my advanced state of decrepitude, I like to keep things simple. I put on my business casual office clothes, roll up my cuffs, and go.
My foul weather bike is a single-speed/coaster brake beach cruiser, modified with a 72” gear, higher pressure but still wide tires, full-coverage fenders, toe clips so there’s no need to mess around with changing shoes, and drop bars. On nicer days, I’ll ride the Surly Steamroller-based fixed gear, also equipped with toe clips. I have one moderate climb, so I’m not significantly handicapped with only one gear. My headlight is a Fenix flashlight fastened to my helmet (which I stuff in the backpack for the return trip on hot afternoons), and I wear a belt-mounted red-flashing blinkie facing behind. No need to move bike-mounted lights around when I change bicycles. My backpack is just large enough to hold my lunch and whatever outerwear I shed for the trip home. I’m currently not using my eyeglass-mounted mirror, and don’t seem to miss it much. No bike paths/lanes on my current route – I ride VC with a bit of courtesy thrown in.
Cheers.
If you got socks dating to 1972...change them, please.
I have plenty of bikes, but I am not interested in using different bikes for different weather conditions anymore, I want one bike for all seasons, all conditions...the holy grail as it were. (of course I still reserve the right to take any bike that suits my mood at the time.
)
The bike I just ordered will hopefully serve my purposes...it's a 2009 Raleigh Superbe Roadster.
Key features include:
- upright riding position with classic swept-back albatross type bars
- 8 speed Internal Geared hub
- fenders (might replace if I don't like the stock)
- Chainguard (may add a full upper chain guard too)
- rear rack mounts (I have a rack for it already)
- disc brakes (didn't have these on our old three speeds and cruisers!)
It also comes with a dynamo hub, so I'll probably wire both a headlight and rack-mounted taillight and use my current battery-powered lights in addition, when needed. The tires are cool as they are, and it looks to have enough clearance to take my 700x35 studded Klondikes in the winter if needed. I'll most likely add a handlebar bag...or maybe even a basket!
There were other bikes that were close...the Swobo Baxter was real tempting, as was the Giant Transcend EX and Electra Amsterdam 8....but all had little things I didn't like and in the end, the fact that this bike is the resurrection of a true classic is what made up my mind.
NOTE: this bike is still way more expensive than any decent base commuter should be, so part of what I'd like to do in this thread is to hunt down and highlight similar bikes that are much less expensive.