Road Bikes for Commuting
11-02-07 | 07:45 AM
#101
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, Virginia
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD 9 with full Ultrega
I just recently bought a Scott Sportster. It set me back about $%00 and I think is a great commuter. I believe it is a standard hybrid. But it suits my needs very well, it is comfortable with a upright position, and still has a raod bike feel. The wheel base is longer than a road bike so it will not take a corner as well as a road bike.
11-02-07 | 08:23 AM
#102
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
I ride a 1978 Shogun touring bike.Bought it new and commute to work everyday since.No fenders,front and rear racks,down tube water bottles(stops the water when wet)diy halogen lights.Used to ride 36 miles rt,5 days a week.Sold my business a few years back and now I only ride about 10 miles rt.Iv'e only had a computer on it the last couple years so I don't know the real mileage but it must have close to 200,000 miles on it.I ride about 5-8000 miles a year the last couple years and I rode ALOT more than then that before I got the computer(and got old).
Lugged,triple butted CroMo frame and fork,27x1 tires.21 speed,SR triple crank(46-36-26),the rest is all Shimano w/Araya rims,with double butted spokes.Still the same way I bought it except for a different seat and Shimano aero brake levers and the normal stuff.Been a great bike,if they still made them I would buy another.Cost was $650 in 1978,alot for a bike in those days,and worth every penny.
Ride the same bike to San Fran and back every year for the last 20 years.Been to Denver and back(live in L.A.)and all over Hell and Creation and has never let me down.I like CroMo frames myself,strong,forgiving,last forever and soaks up bumps well.
Lugged,triple butted CroMo frame and fork,27x1 tires.21 speed,SR triple crank(46-36-26),the rest is all Shimano w/Araya rims,with double butted spokes.Still the same way I bought it except for a different seat and Shimano aero brake levers and the normal stuff.Been a great bike,if they still made them I would buy another.Cost was $650 in 1978,alot for a bike in those days,and worth every penny.
Ride the same bike to San Fran and back every year for the last 20 years.Been to Denver and back(live in L.A.)and all over Hell and Creation and has never let me down.I like CroMo frames myself,strong,forgiving,last forever and soaks up bumps well.
What kind of maintenance have you done? Do you have some regular schedule where you replace cables, tires, etc...? What about things like the bottom bracket and headset?
Same wheels??? How often do you have to true them? Obviously, you have been through many, many sets of tires in 200,000 miles.
You must eat well, too. That many miles burns a lot of calories. I typically burn a lot of calories, but I maintain my 190 pounds with a pretty aggressive "calorie replacement" program!!! I love to eat!
11-02-07 | 09:08 AM
#103
eert a ekil yzarc
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena TX
Bikes: many bikes
Don't feel guilty. Just enjoy the ride.
11-02-07 | 10:21 AM
#104
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
I ride this.
A flat bar road bike 1981 Peugeot.
I ditched the backpack once I got a "cycling" jacket and started using my panniers more often. I wound up picking up some speed on my average MPH.
I bike in 3 days out of 5.
A flat bar road bike 1981 Peugeot.
I ditched the backpack once I got a "cycling" jacket and started using my panniers more often. I wound up picking up some speed on my average MPH.
I bike in 3 days out of 5.
11-02-07 | 07:31 PM
#105
I ride a 1978 Shogun touring bike.Bought it new and commute to work everyday since.No fenders,front and rear racks,down tube water bottles(stops the water when wet)diy halogen lights.Used to ride 36 miles rt,5 days a week.Sold my business a few years back and now I only ride about 10 miles rt.Iv'e only had a computer on it the last couple years so I don't know the real mileage but it must have close to 200,000 miles on it.I ride about 5-8000 miles a year the last couple years and I rode ALOT more than then that before I got the computer(and got old).
Lugged,triple butted CroMo frame and fork,27x1 tires.21 speed,SR triple crank(46-36-26),the rest is all Shimano w/Araya rims,with double butted spokes.Still the same way I bought it except for a different seat and Shimano aero brake levers and the normal stuff.Been a great bike,if they still made them I would buy another.Cost was $650 in 1978,alot for a bike in those days,and worth every penny.
Ride the same bike to San Fran and back every year for the last 20 years.Been to Denver and back(live in L.A.)and all over Hell and Creation and has never let me down.I like CroMo frames myself,strong,forgiving,last forever and soaks up bumps well.
Lugged,triple butted CroMo frame and fork,27x1 tires.21 speed,SR triple crank(46-36-26),the rest is all Shimano w/Araya rims,with double butted spokes.Still the same way I bought it except for a different seat and Shimano aero brake levers and the normal stuff.Been a great bike,if they still made them I would buy another.Cost was $650 in 1978,alot for a bike in those days,and worth every penny.
Ride the same bike to San Fran and back every year for the last 20 years.Been to Denver and back(live in L.A.)and all over Hell and Creation and has never let me down.I like CroMo frames myself,strong,forgiving,last forever and soaks up bumps well.
People actually love helping each other. Bragging is fun, not offensive. (I feel at home with that
) You just can't start a fight here.
__________________
No worries
No worries
Last edited by LittleBigMan; 11-02-07 at 07:38 PM.
11-02-07 | 07:48 PM
#106
53 miles per burrito
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Bikes: Land Shark, Trek 1000, Iron Horse Rogue, Novara Randonee
11-02-07 | 07:51 PM
#107
11-02-07 | 09:27 PM
#108
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
11-02-07 | 09:32 PM
#109
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,741
Likes: 12
From: Gaseous Cloud around Uranus
I smoke,drink,cuss,go to bars,play with girls and eat whatever I damn well please.If I'm lucky,I'll die with a cig in one hand and a pork rib in the other.SHHHHH! I don't wear a helmet...I have a bunch of those funny biking hats.....
The bike gets torn down twice a year.All bearings cleaned,repacked and replaced where needed.Still has the same headset cups/bearings,BB cups and wheels.The rear hub cracked about a year after I bought it and the LBS I bought it from replaced it for free.It gets a new chain every 3000 miles or so.A new free wheel every every 2-3 chains.New chainrings every 4-5 chains.I put teflon lined cable housings on it a few years ago and they still work great.Been running kevlar panaracers on it the last few years(not much choice these days).When the back gets worn,the front goes on the back and a new tire goes on front.
This weekend it is getting torn down and getting new chain,freewheel and new chainrings.It will also be getting it's first sealed BB(68x127-UN54).The wheels get trued when something doesn't look right.Keeping the grease clean pays off in spades.The chain gets cleaned/lubed every weekend(5 min) and the bike get a cleaning(30 min).
I'm getting ready to build new wheels for it here soon(700's).Deore or 105 hubs,triple butted spokes and I have not decided on a rim yet.I'm tired of having 3-4 tires to choose from,and 2-3 of them are junk.
I'm an automotive machinist by trade,so I learned along time ago that keeping things clean and the grease dirt/grit free works well.
LBM...you can build a nice bike for $600,IF your not in a hurry and look around for the deals.Stay with the middle of the road stuff(I like Shimano Deore/105 stuff).I'd look for a complete 70-80 luged CroMo touring bike with a good frame/fork,good crank,brakes and levers.Put your money into some wheels and drivetrain.Get something thats all there so it doesn't nickle and dime you to death.Then as you save some money you can update the little stuff.Have fun!
The bike gets torn down twice a year.All bearings cleaned,repacked and replaced where needed.Still has the same headset cups/bearings,BB cups and wheels.The rear hub cracked about a year after I bought it and the LBS I bought it from replaced it for free.It gets a new chain every 3000 miles or so.A new free wheel every every 2-3 chains.New chainrings every 4-5 chains.I put teflon lined cable housings on it a few years ago and they still work great.Been running kevlar panaracers on it the last few years(not much choice these days).When the back gets worn,the front goes on the back and a new tire goes on front.
This weekend it is getting torn down and getting new chain,freewheel and new chainrings.It will also be getting it's first sealed BB(68x127-UN54).The wheels get trued when something doesn't look right.Keeping the grease clean pays off in spades.The chain gets cleaned/lubed every weekend(5 min) and the bike get a cleaning(30 min).
I'm getting ready to build new wheels for it here soon(700's).Deore or 105 hubs,triple butted spokes and I have not decided on a rim yet.I'm tired of having 3-4 tires to choose from,and 2-3 of them are junk.
I'm an automotive machinist by trade,so I learned along time ago that keeping things clean and the grease dirt/grit free works well.
LBM...you can build a nice bike for $600,IF your not in a hurry and look around for the deals.Stay with the middle of the road stuff(I like Shimano Deore/105 stuff).I'd look for a complete 70-80 luged CroMo touring bike with a good frame/fork,good crank,brakes and levers.Put your money into some wheels and drivetrain.Get something thats all there so it doesn't nickle and dime you to death.Then as you save some money you can update the little stuff.Have fun!
Last edited by Booger1; 11-02-07 at 10:03 PM.
11-02-07 | 10:04 PM
#110
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,180
Likes: 5,365
From: SF Bay Area, East bay
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
KHS Flite 500. R/T 15 miles. Roads? Got it all. Hills, residential, park, parkway, bike trail and industrial. Industrial sucks! I ride with a lime green backpack but my bike does have a mount for a rear rack. 28cm tires on 36 spoke Mavic open pros. Pheonix Nitehawk light.
11-07-07 | 08:00 PM
#111
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
I smoke,drink,cuss,go to bars,play with girls and eat whatever I damn well please.If I'm lucky,I'll die with a cig in one hand and a pork rib in the other.SHHHHH! I don't wear a helmet...I have a bunch of those funny biking hats.....
The bike gets torn down twice a year.All bearings cleaned,repacked and replaced where needed.Still has the same headset cups/bearings,BB cups and wheels.The rear hub cracked about a year after I bought it and the LBS I bought it from replaced it for free.It gets a new chain every 3000 miles or so.A new free wheel every every 2-3 chains.New chainrings every 4-5 chains.I put teflon lined cable housings on it a few years ago and they still work great.Been running kevlar panaracers on it the last few years(not much choice these days).When the back gets worn,the front goes on the back and a new tire goes on front.
This weekend it is getting torn down and getting new chain,freewheel and new chainrings.It will also be getting it's first sealed BB(68x127-UN54).The wheels get trued when something doesn't look right.Keeping the grease clean pays off in spades.The chain gets cleaned/lubed every weekend(5 min) and the bike get a cleaning(30 min).
I'm getting ready to build new wheels for it here soon(700's).Deore or 105 hubs,triple butted spokes and I have not decided on a rim yet.I'm tired of having 3-4 tires to choose from,and 2-3 of them are junk.
I'm an automotive machinist by trade,so I learned along time ago that keeping things clean and the grease dirt/grit free works well.
LBM...you can build a nice bike for $600,IF your not in a hurry and look around for the deals.Stay with the middle of the road stuff(I like Shimano Deore/105 stuff).I'd look for a complete 70-80 luged CroMo touring bike with a good frame/fork,good crank,brakes and levers.Put your money into some wheels and drivetrain.Get something thats all there so it doesn't nickle and dime you to death.Then as you save some money you can update the little stuff.Have fun!
The bike gets torn down twice a year.All bearings cleaned,repacked and replaced where needed.Still has the same headset cups/bearings,BB cups and wheels.The rear hub cracked about a year after I bought it and the LBS I bought it from replaced it for free.It gets a new chain every 3000 miles or so.A new free wheel every every 2-3 chains.New chainrings every 4-5 chains.I put teflon lined cable housings on it a few years ago and they still work great.Been running kevlar panaracers on it the last few years(not much choice these days).When the back gets worn,the front goes on the back and a new tire goes on front.
This weekend it is getting torn down and getting new chain,freewheel and new chainrings.It will also be getting it's first sealed BB(68x127-UN54).The wheels get trued when something doesn't look right.Keeping the grease clean pays off in spades.The chain gets cleaned/lubed every weekend(5 min) and the bike get a cleaning(30 min).
I'm getting ready to build new wheels for it here soon(700's).Deore or 105 hubs,triple butted spokes and I have not decided on a rim yet.I'm tired of having 3-4 tires to choose from,and 2-3 of them are junk.
I'm an automotive machinist by trade,so I learned along time ago that keeping things clean and the grease dirt/grit free works well.
LBM...you can build a nice bike for $600,IF your not in a hurry and look around for the deals.Stay with the middle of the road stuff(I like Shimano Deore/105 stuff).I'd look for a complete 70-80 luged CroMo touring bike with a good frame/fork,good crank,brakes and levers.Put your money into some wheels and drivetrain.Get something thats all there so it doesn't nickle and dime you to death.Then as you save some money you can update the little stuff.Have fun!
Another GREAT post. Thank you very much.
11-07-07 | 08:44 PM
#112
Cat None
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Bikes: LOOK KG 461, LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er 0
Just start a thread about clipless pedals being better than platforms or walmart bikes. 
11-07-07 | 09:46 PM
#114
11-11-07 | 10:48 PM
#115
11-11-07 | 11:24 PM
#116
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
"very cute bike
probably very quick commuter"
Thanks !
It's the pinkish cork isn't it ?
The bike was originally a hybrid with all the associated comfort bits like an adjustable stem, suspension post, and rather flexy cranks so I replaced the cranks, stem, bars, tires, post, and saddle and converted the drive to a 2 by 8 that runs 29 - 109 gear inches.
She's almost as fast as my roadie and can handle the MUTs and light singletrack really well so is probbaly the most versatile bike I own.
I also have a set of road wheels for her and the frame would probably also accomodate 26 inch mtb wheels.. I am going to have to test this theory.
probably very quick commuter"
Thanks !
It's the pinkish cork isn't it ?
The bike was originally a hybrid with all the associated comfort bits like an adjustable stem, suspension post, and rather flexy cranks so I replaced the cranks, stem, bars, tires, post, and saddle and converted the drive to a 2 by 8 that runs 29 - 109 gear inches.
She's almost as fast as my roadie and can handle the MUTs and light singletrack really well so is probbaly the most versatile bike I own.
I also have a set of road wheels for her and the frame would probably also accomodate 26 inch mtb wheels.. I am going to have to test this theory.
11-12-07 | 12:10 AM
#117
Just a geek
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Bikes: LHT, Pacer
11-12-07 | 12:40 PM
#118
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Columbus
Bikes: Lemond (Croix de Fer & Fillmore) Trek 6500 Mt. Bike
Definitely prefer a road bike, and since my commute is short and flat, I love my Lemond Fillmore (fixed). For the rain I use a 94 or 95(?) Trek 6500 Mt. bike with fenders.
11-02-08 | 08:55 PM
#119
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort, KY
Bikes: 2008 Schwinn Fastback
I commute on a 2008 Schwinn Fastback. Did the commute on my roomates mtn bike for 3 weeks before purchase to make sure I really wanted to do it. Love commuting on a road bike because it is much more intense and demands more focus than something with wider tires. Commute is only 4 miles each way and I can get to work in 15 min. in the morning. Extra speed = extra time in bed for me.
11-02-08 | 09:22 PM
#121
it's easy if you let it.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,124
Likes: 2
From: indoors and out.
Bikes in sig. The Coda's a flat bar, the Forge has drop bars. I use a backpack on both. I'm only a couple of miles from campus, but making the trip multiple times a day plus using the bikes for errands (mail) and groceries and such is lots of fun.
11-02-08 | 10:15 PM
#123
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, AB
Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3
11-03-08 | 02:10 AM
#125
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 3
whats a good tire size for rainy weather? no mud or rail road tracks(not on my commute). and what kind of tread pattern is good? i was thinking 28 or 32c semi slicks and trying to keep it under 300grams. i know frame/brake calipers determines how big i can go. but should i look for a slick center part and a gripy or a knooby outter tread for cornering?