Pinky?

When I can, I ride my Trek 5200. It's faster than a MTB, and I can't really stomach the incredible leg speed required to ride a fixed gear (too many hills - Both WAYS!) to work and back.

That having been said, I'm staring at my SBI FSR comp which I use during the winter. It ups my commuting time about 10 minutes, but I think it reduces the incidence of falling down stoopidly.

Gotta get my Schmidt hub dynamo up and running...need more light!

happy trails,
Tom

Main commute bike is a REI Novara Strada road bike. Bought it in May '99 and this summer REI replaced/upgraded the frame when the mysterious creak turned out to be a crack at the weld where the seatpost meets the BB. REI guarantees the frame for the life of the bike for the original owner. Since they didn't have a Strada frame in my size, they gave me a brand-new Triompho frame (Al frame with carbon stays). It's like a brand new bike. REI rules!

I wish I could afford to upgrade the drivetrain and wheels, but then it'd be too nice to ride to work and I'd have to get a beater for the commute.

Jamis Nova cyclocross bike with 28c armadillo tires, fenders, rack, and panniers. It's a tough bike, making it great for commuting, because commuting is hard on bikes.

'93 Bridgestone RB-T w/moustache h-bars (named Rocinante). Currently sporting 700x32 Avocet Cross II SLs.

I use either a Ross Mt. Bike, Old English 3-Speed (both rescued from the trash) or a 70's 10 speed I used to race on for my 20 mile round trip commute.

Use a late eighties Raliegh citylite, which I broke nearly every original part on, so there isn't much of the stock bike left except for the frame and a bit here and there. If the weather's nice and I don't have to be out after dark, I use one of my Peugeots, but then I take a different route to and from my "work" (hah, right) to take advantage of better streets. Longer commute on the road bike, but faster, or at least it seems that way.
Am currently rebuilding an old PX10 into a fixed gear beater, hope to have it ready by spring.

currently i use a cheap ds mtn bk for commuting. the only thing i did this summer as puslick tires and fender on it. now it sports a rack and no fnenders, the knobbies are to wide for em. shortly i intent to buy a new bike or a good used one the local bike shop has been after me for over a year to buy one of their trek navigator line, but my old clunker is lighter and less likely to get stolen, what to do what to do. i hear road bikes make good commuters, but my route takes me over sever brick streets and such so with my size strength is a must.I will keep looking and trying to decide funny how when u use a bike, a 300 dollar investement in transport is a major decision, but when u use a car the same 300 is a drop in the bucket?

Just wondering where a hybrid or comfort fits in the list.

I'm retired now, but when I was working I commuted by bike most of the year. My last commuter bike was a Supergo bike shop MTB frame with a Rock shocks fork, Shimano LX group, 1.5 Avocet tires, rear rack & Performance light system.
Riding to work in the dark on our city streets you couldn't miss ALL the potholes, so a mountain bike was the best choice in my mind.
gino

Living in rain central, I prefer to ride a beater singlespeed. It's a old 80's fuji road bike I converted. I like the low maint. of a singlespeed , even if I do have to walk one hill on the way home.

Being in the rain capital as well... I ride my trusty old 1990 Specialized Stumpjumper with full fenders ( planet bike ) and a small rack, although I use a courier bag.

I am looking into a cyclocross bike for a commuter ...something like a Surly /Gunnar/ or Soma. Any comments about them, go ahead an send them on...

thx.

Hi, Mike

I think cross bikes would make a great commuter,for the money the Surly crosscheck is pretty good. Other mid priced cross bikes ,the Jamis nova ,Fuji cross. Montlake bike I think has some left over Diamondback podiums , these are even set up for disc brakes including hubs. I'am leaning towards a cross bike,but also looking into a touring bike. With a touring bike you can carry a bigger load with more stability.[ panniers, with more heel clearance] . Like you I use a messenger bag ,but sometimes panniers would be handy. I hope this helps.

Pat

I have been using a cross bike for the last couple of months. I started a new job and because of the terrain (one serious hill) I garaged my road bike. I also like panniers as it keeps me cooler. We dont get the extreme temps that I have read about on this site.