I got the Bug because it converts to a back pack, so if I go to the grocery or anywhere I can just toss it on my back. I don't really have to haul a lot of stuff so I didn't get one of their larger panniers.

I have been really happy with the Bug, it was a little expensive, but from what I have heard, Arkel is worth the extra $$.

I love my Bug too. Arkel rules.

Surly Cross Check, fixed gear (48-18).
I just took the fenders off and switched the tires to Schwalbe Marathons.
No lights, as I'm not in the dark these days.

Arkel panniers have been great for me, too (T-42s). Customer service was awesome when I ordered... great company. :D

Very nice.... I like the moustache bars! Been thinking about a set of those for a while... seeing them on yours makes me think about converting!

Most comfortable handlebars I've ridden. Like the best of flats and drops. Now I just need to learn how to wrap! :o

Ah yes... a whole new world of frustration!

Here are a photos of my two commuters.

The Trek 7700fx is my normal ride. I've had it for just on 2 years now and it has not missed a beat.

The Blue Birdy folder is my occasional ride, mainly when I am not going to ride home but be picked up by my wife.

Flash flag - wowee! I found their website but they don't describe how it attaches to the frame, or where, or how long it is, or how adjustable etc. Can you comment?

Gosh, what a nice looking bike - a great all-purpose roadie. Arguably the kind of bike most folks might benefit from... if they only knew!

Here's my four week old commuter. It started as a $20 rescue job from the local thrift store. No chain, no derailleur, rotten tires and tubes, bad seatpost, and saddle made by the devil apparently. I added fenders and the other essentials, today I just added this sweet Jandd rack I got second-hand.

The orginal idea was to have a commuter that nobody would steal because it was so ugly. My commute is very short only about 5-6 miles each way. I opted to start with a mountain frame as the roads I choose to take are bad (two stretches of gravel even) to avoid the rural drivers who apparently can't see bikes here in Utah.

If anyone knows anything about this bike I'd love to know more. I'm esspecialy curious about the front chainrings. They are not round but oblong. I remember seeing this a long time ago. Somone told me these are bad for your knees??? The new rear derailleur is strange looking to me also. A friend to who had inherited some extra parts gave it to me. The chain wheels seem huge??

Thanks,

Old 820's never die... :) Actually, that one isn't really very old, but anyhow...

As for the knees thing...people who have bad knees will claim that anything gives you bad knees due to increased sensitivity.

Those are biopace chainrings. I too have an old 820 its a really good bike. Needs rebuilding (and a rider that it fits).

As for biopace chainrings, I personally like them. They're not bad for your knees.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/biopace.html

Ah yes. Got my new Jamis Aurora in (see "took the jamis plunge" thread for the backstory)

Here are a couple of pics, with many more at http://explosive.net/gallery/biking

First, in its fresh-off-the-boat state, and then in its proper utilitarian mode.

That's a sweet bike! Hope the first commute is a long one! ;)

Here is my current commuter, Schwinn Probe fixed gear conversion. Why(!!), you may very well ask? Wel, when you're a big guy, and someone says you can have something for free that almost fits, and you don't have a winter beater, and you're bored and have no other project going, and the dog gives you "that" look, how can you refuse?

In retrospect, this is a dog that should probably have been put down; this mangy "free" old mutt with fleas has about a hundred bucks into it altogether; respoked the rear wheel, replaced a bent axle, new track cog, chainring, pedals, BB, etc(of course alot of these were in the parts box unused). Still, now that it's spring it's still the bike I hop on to run errands and get caffeinated., plus I've taken it on a few 30 mile plus rides. 'every extra mile is a mile it might otherwise regret having missed', to paraphrase the Coen Brothers from Raising Arizona .

whats a real diff between a drop down and straight?

mine is straight.. i dont think i can handle a drop down.. i suck a lot on a bicycle

Drop bars just offer a larger choice of hand/riding positions allowing a rider to change positions during a ride. Much like we readjust our position to remain comfortable as we sit an watch a movie.

My commuter....1973 Raleigh Superbe. Throw my duffle bag on rear rack,raingear on front rack
and work boots in folding basket and off to work I go. Just started biking to work a few weeks ago.
Feels good to leave the car home and feel better when I arrive at work. I am driving a vehicle
all day so I really look forward to my bike commute! Got this bike through local ad in paper.
This was not the bike he advertised (which was junk) but before I left he said that he had
another one. He said he just bought a brand new bike and was not going to use the Raleigh
anymore. As soon as I saw it I said I'll take it! Got a really good deal on it! This is an awesome bike
that is made well and rides great. I never knew about the Superbe and just lucked out that
I went and checked out the other bike. By the way, this bike blows away his new bike.
He is probably thinking he should have kept the Raleigh. Just like my bike...that's all!!!

Hi here are pictures from my two bikes the Norco is used all winter and on rainy days and the Devinci is for fair weather days

Ahpook,

Nice Jamis. I have the year before model. I see they changed the forks to have a longer steerer, so the handlebars would be higher. That's nice. It looks nice with the fenders, a joy to ride, I'm sure.

Gardener

Hey Gardener -- From what the bike shop builder said the headset tube comes pretty long and they cut
it down to size. But once you cut it you can not go back, so he put those black spacers in for easy adjustment.
It has one spacer on top of the tube, then the stem/handlebars, then 2 more spacers.

But yeah, it is an absolute dream.

My commuter

interceptor,

That is a beautiful bike. How is it on hills?

Thanks! I don't know...it's all flat where I am at! The bike rides real nice though and the gearing is very nice. Never would have thought to use this type of bike for a daily commuter but I stumbled across it and am glad I did. Thanks again!

I'm diggin' the reflective patches on the rims!

Her name is Elke, and she gets my ass to work every day that it's not hailing. Two wheelsets (these are the 1.5" Michelins - also a 2.0" set), gel handgrips covered w/ foam tape, Crank Bros Candy pedals and lots of lights in the winter. Blue and yellow - a little Swede in me, no? >:^)

How is the Rainier shod with 1.5s? I have considered doing the same thing to mine so my touring bike doesn't take all of the abuse and my Rainier doesn't feel so neglected.

Okay some updated pics of the commuter. :)
1995 Diamondback Sorrento I picked up for $25.00. I've added:

Fenders (rains a ton here in Eugene Or.),
Rear rack -(need bags now)
Michelin 26 x 1.25 tires
Kalloy seat post
Specialized V-groove seat
Specialized Pump
Cat eye lighting

The frame is a little small for me so I think my riding position is a little off. I think it's all in the handle bars. Any suggestions on what I can do for riding position? I feel like I may be leaning too far forward.

The stock wheelset (Mavic) takes 1.5" tires - surprised me as well. I get noticeably more speed, but prefer the 2's though for stability. The second wheelset is totally worth the money. Just a simple Terra Max on sale at Performance.