Square peg, round hole.
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member


Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 18
From: N Richland Hills TX
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Voyager SP, 1984 Lotus Legend Compe, 1989 Bridgestone RB-1, 1973 Monark, 2015 Surly Pacer
Square peg, round hole.
Do you ever intentionally use the "wrong" bike on your commute?
#2
#3
I think I've had to use my bike that still had studded tires on it in the Spring when I had some issue with my other bike. I also remember wiping out on ice during my commute home because the temp dropped faster than expected after a late Fall/early Winter rain.
Both of those incidents were really related to wrong tires more than wrong bikes because at the time I had studded and non-studded tires for both of them.
Both of those incidents were really related to wrong tires more than wrong bikes because at the time I had studded and non-studded tires for both of them.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 5
From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
For me the only wrong bikes would be the mountain and cyclocross bikes. Not sure why I would ever decide to try and commute on them. If I absolutely had to use one of them, it wouldn't be fun it wouldn't be the worst ever. One day I might try it on the single speed syclocross just for the extra challenge
#7
Almost daily. Fixed gear track bike with no rack mounts, no fender mounts, no bottle cages and won't fit anything larger than a 25 up front. Just cleared 2100 miles with it already this year and it puts a smile on my face every time I throw a leg over it.
#8
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
I did once. December 10, 2013.
It was supposed to start snowing after 10 pm. The snow started at 4 pm. I was working until 7 pm.
Four inches of snow outside, and I had the bike with the summer slicks. Riding home with the bike in the back of my boss's pick-up, it ended a run of 1,596 consecutive workdays of bike commuting.
Full story here: » End of the line » brucew.com - Scenic Route
It was supposed to start snowing after 10 pm. The snow started at 4 pm. I was working until 7 pm.
Four inches of snow outside, and I had the bike with the summer slicks. Riding home with the bike in the back of my boss's pick-up, it ended a run of 1,596 consecutive workdays of bike commuting.
Full story here: » End of the line » brucew.com - Scenic Route
#9
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Well if that's the wrong bike, then as often as three days a week I do too, when I ride my Litespeed with full Dura-Ace.
#10
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
#12
Wrong bike usually in winter when not expecting snow but happens on the way home. But I usually err on the side of caution by taking the studded steed unless there's absolutely 0% chance of precipitation.
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,684
Likes: 2,602
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
I don't have a "wrong" bike, but I have made some wrong turns. Usually on cool, clear, spring days when I don't have anything urgent at work. I've only been riding these routes for the last six or seven years, so sometimes my mind drifts and I forget to turn.
Sometimes I have to ride five extra miles to get there! or 20 extra miles to get home.
Sometimes I have to ride five extra miles to get there! or 20 extra miles to get home.
#14
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,115
Likes: 6,327
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
All of my (too many) bikes are up for the task, given sufficient preparation, so no. I could even ride my track racing bike in (with added front brake) if I wanted to, though I haven't done it yet.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
#17
Thread Starter
Junior Member


Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 18
From: N Richland Hills TX
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Voyager SP, 1984 Lotus Legend Compe, 1989 Bridgestone RB-1, 1973 Monark, 2015 Surly Pacer
I have a purpose built commuter (with fenders, racks, comfy tires, long chain stays, and good luggage) but the only bike I want to commute on these days is an old race bike that has none of that stuff. Maybe the term "irrational" is a better choice than "wrong".
#18
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
9 times out of 10, I ride my race bike to work. Some might consider it the wrong bike.
#22
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 3,513
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I still think it would be funny to ride around alone on the tandem...
...but I don't actually do it.
...but I don't actually do it.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#23
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 5
From: Wyoming
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Voyageur, 2001 GT ZR3.0, 2018 Fuji Jari
My 3rd year in university I went to grab my mountain bike to head off to a winter final, flat tire. So I grabbed the road bike. Made it to campus safely but on the way home the roads were iced up and I wrecked pretty hard.
Ultimately I think it's fun to switch bikes up for the commute. It keeps things interesting.
Ultimately I think it's fun to switch bikes up for the commute. It keeps things interesting.




