What kind of bike you use for commuting?
10-21-18 | 04:44 PM
#2
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
10-21-18 | 05:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 241
Likes: 57
From: NW Pennsylvania
Bikes: '19 Trek Stache 5, '17 DB Hannjo Trail, '09 Scott CR1 Pro, Schwinn Central commuter, '16 DB El Oso
Currently, a gravel / adventure bike.
I am looking for a winter commuter. I am considering a cheap Schwinn in a traditional commuter style because I can't let myself ride something really nice on salt covered roads.
I am looking for a winter commuter. I am considering a cheap Schwinn in a traditional commuter style because I can't let myself ride something really nice on salt covered roads.
10-21-18 | 06:59 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 191
From: Washington, DC
10-21-18 | 08:43 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 681
Right now my main "grab and go" is a single speed hipster bike built up from a 1980s road frame. It's totally inappropriate, but I love riding it. If there's weather or cargo involved, including trips to the store, then it's another old bike, but with a big basket, fenders, and 3 speeds. As winter approaches, I'm looking for an old beater to take my studded tires for winter use.
If you're wondering what to get, my advice is first and foremost to get something that you will enjoy riding. A bike that can be equipped with typical commuter attachments (rack, fenders) is a bonus. Gearing depends on the actual terrain of your commute. It has to look good.
If you're wondering what to get, my advice is first and foremost to get something that you will enjoy riding. A bike that can be equipped with typical commuter attachments (rack, fenders) is a bonus. Gearing depends on the actual terrain of your commute. It has to look good.
10-22-18 | 12:28 AM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,116
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Since there are roads between my house and my work, I ride a road bike. Lately it's been fixed.
Last edited by caloso; 10-22-18 at 01:39 PM.
10-22-18 | 04:19 AM
#10
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 43
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
10-22-18 | 08:17 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,278
Likes: 342
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
1. SS/FG steel frame road bike loaded down with the commuter accessory goodies. It's nice for using as a workhorse and for bad weather.
2. Road bike, pretty generic with basic level Shimano bits, which I keep unencumbered from fenders etc.
2. Road bike, pretty generic with basic level Shimano bits, which I keep unencumbered from fenders etc.
10-22-18 | 08:29 AM
#14
....gets the cheese
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 5
From: SLC, Utah
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale Caad 8, Wilier Triestina Jareen
Wilier Jareen. Still getting it sorted out.
10-22-18 | 08:56 AM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,575
Likes: 229
Currently, my commuter bikes are a Surly Straggler that is set up with a mtb drivetrain (but with bar end shifters), rear rack, and front porteur rack and porteur bag. I really like that front bag setup, it's well made and plenty big for any of my commuting needs; it's my favorite bag setup, for commuting, that I've ever used. The bike is really set up more for carrying lightish touring loads both on paved and dirt roads, and I do use it for that some, but it makes a great commuter also. The other bike is a steel singlespeed cx bike with full coverage fenders. I use a backpack when commuting on it.
10-22-18 | 09:53 AM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,694
Likes: 2,617
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Touring bike. Outfitted with racks to hold panniers with clothing, lunch, etc., and a dyno lighting system (supplemented with one or two blinkies in case the dyno rear ever doesn't work). Elevated bars are a bit easier on my aging back, and the relaxed posture makes it easier to keep an eye on traffic, while I can still get in the drops for the nastier headwinds. Wider tires soak up nasty urban road surface and the extra tread depth reduces fl@ts (mustn't write that word again!). FWIW, my commute is ~10 miles one way.
10-22-18 | 10:18 AM
#17
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
everyday: a disc-brake CX bike with slicks, rack, and fenders
winter: an IGH/disc bake hybrid with studs, rack, and fenders
special ops: a 20" wheel SS folder
winter: an IGH/disc bake hybrid with studs, rack, and fenders
special ops: a 20" wheel SS folder
Last edited by Steely Dan; 10-22-18 at 10:21 AM.
10-22-18 | 10:19 AM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 303
Likes: 41
From: Folsom, CA
Bikes: Road, Commuter, Mountain, Tandem and a couple others
Road bike if the weather is decent (Pinarello K8) or a belt drive if it's crappy (Priority 8).
Last edited by joelcool; 11-02-18 at 12:55 PM.
10-22-18 | 10:52 AM
#20
aire díthrub
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 553
Likes: 56
From: chatham-savannah
Bikes: Raleigh Competition, Pashley Roadster Sovereign, Mercian Vincitore Speciale
Singlespeed steel road bike conversion. 32mm tires, full fenders, porteur rack, porteur bars, velogical rim dynamo, son edelux II front light, knog battery rear light.
10-22-18 | 01:59 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 223
Likes: 10
From: NW, WI
Bikes: Salsa Fargo, Surly Disc Trucker, Surly ECR, Cannondale Cujo, Rocky Mountain Blizzard
Varies but normally I've been using a Surly Disc Trucker with 45's for the long stretch of gravel. Some days I'll mix it up and ride my Surly ECR or my Giant Anyroad with 40's. Used my Anyroad today but the gravel is tough to see the good line down some bigger hills, even with a headlamp and a handlebar lamp. Back to the DT.
10-22-18 | 02:04 PM
#23
Mad bike riding scientist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,212
Likes: 6,287
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
One of those over to the left. The main 4 are these
DSCN0164 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
DSCN0165 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
DSCN0387 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
DSCN0947 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
The last one gets studded snow tires in the winter.
But I have also commuted on a dual suspension mountain bike, a fast road bike, and a touring bike. If it has wheels, I’ve commuted on it.
DSCN0164 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
DSCN0165 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
DSCN0387 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
DSCN0947 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
The last one gets studded snow tires in the winter.
But I have also commuted on a dual suspension mountain bike, a fast road bike, and a touring bike. If it has wheels, I’ve commuted on it.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
10-22-18 | 02:30 PM
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 105
From: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman
After thinning the herd significantly over the last year, I am down to two bike. For most weather I commute with my 1985 Trek 720. In snow I commute with my 2016 Borealis Yampa.
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Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
10-22-18 | 08:13 PM
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
Currently I am mostly using this bike:
But have also commuted on:
I experimented with commuting on the fat bike last winter (my first for commuting) and wasn't happy with the way it handled, so this winter the Huffy and RockHopper are getting studded tires (two different types) to see how they handle the variable snow conditions I get here.
You can ride any kind of bike you want to for commuting - which ever one you like to ride the best is the one you should use. I currently prefer the Bianchi as it comfortable, absorbs road noise nicely and I can go (relatively) fast.
-Dave
But have also commuted on:
I experimented with commuting on the fat bike last winter (my first for commuting) and wasn't happy with the way it handled, so this winter the Huffy and RockHopper are getting studded tires (two different types) to see how they handle the variable snow conditions I get here.
You can ride any kind of bike you want to for commuting - which ever one you like to ride the best is the one you should use. I currently prefer the Bianchi as it comfortable, absorbs road noise nicely and I can go (relatively) fast.
-Dave