Black Gold- That Raleigh looks like a mean machine! My first bike as a kid was a Raleigh, so they have a special place in my heart.

I'm also going to be carless for some time and finding a ride for going on dates is something I'm in the process of working out myself. Let me know how it goes for you. It's either going to makes things harder or much easier, after all if some chick isn't cool with it then she's right out. It reminds me of that scene in the 40 Year Old Virgin. "I hope your car has a big trunk cuz I'm going to put my bike in it".... wait for the euphemism, but there is none.

thanks!

most chicks here don't have cars anyway since Im in college and all... i just ment you dont have to get all hunched over, you can just kick back and be more relaxed... but yeah, car-less for about two years, then I'm buying and old mercedes 300e. for now though, just saving up, working, and goin to school.

It came stock with the bike. I looked it over today and couldn't find a brand name. The back has holes where the generator-powered rear light goes. You can adjust the height, but I haven't done that.

At least once in your life you should get a commuter bike that comes stock with essential accessories. It is great. No clanging fenders, everything fits/looks right...

I've been working this into my commuting rotation...it makes the 30 mile RT at least once a week: My 1965 Phillips 3-speed. When it's not busy being used as a commuter, it keeps my other bicycles company and anxiously awaits a grocery store trip.

I don't know why, but when I look at this pic it makes me think of one very happy lab (the dog) who looks forward to getting out for a 30 mile walk.

Thanks for the compliment!

You are correct...this bike has some seriously good vibes coming out of it

Rescued this 1970-something Raleigh Grand Prix from the dump many months ago. Gave up dreams of building a light-weight SS or fixie and instead built a 5-speed basket beater. Rode it home this evening and enjoyed it.

Here's mine, gets the job done!

That's typical with a triple chainring up front. In the bottom, small ring, you only have larger sprockets in the back, and in the large ring up front, only the smaller sprockets in the back. I seem to remember seeing a video about this sometime recently. It was on one of the sponsors of this site--the bicycle mechanic buy. He has a video, I think, on shifting or adjusting dérailleurs. I'll look for it, and post it here if I can find it.

Edit: Found it: https://bicycletutor.com/gear-shifting/

BTW, I suppose I should qualify what I said. If your bike has a triple chainring, but is set up for half-step with a granny gear, the only time you will have problems is if you are in the granny gear (small one up front) and try to go to the smaller ones in the back. I'm no expert, but I think you can tell a half-step system because the two larger gears will be much closer in size to each other than to the smaller chain ring.

-Jon

I have a guard dog for my bike during the day... (and a companion aardvark...)
late 90's Giant Sedona with panniers and rack bag.... will probably be upgrading
in near future.. enjoying all the pictures..

I'm riding my '88 Peugeot Bordeaux on the 11 mile round trip a couple/few times a week. Not the ideal commuter, really, but gets the job done. Fortunately I don't have to carry much, so the lack of braze-ons isn't a problem. I either need some fenders on this rig, or a bad weather beater for the wet/winter. We'll see...

My 2008 TranSend. I bought her at the beginning of June. I swapped out the rear derailleur for Deore LX. She's got 400 miles already. She's one of my two commuters.


There have been some fluke problems with the bike (chain broke, as did the kickstand). I was pretty ticked at one point over these minor failures but overall I'm quite pleased.

jplynch019 - Nice bike, I ride a similar bike now but my Cross Check is on the way. What kind of rack is that you have and how do you like the Tailrider? I just ordered a Tailrider for light loads and an Arkel Utility Basket for grocery shopping or commuting when I need to bring more than the Tailrider will hold.

elegant.

Can I ask for some more details re your Giant Transend? cost and where you purchased? Maybe some details on why you upgraded the rear derailleur... I am looking to upgrade my current commuter (see the clifford photo above) and have been happy with my Giant, and hadn't seen this model..
Thanks!
Douglas

That Giant Transcend is nice, just one thing though... why does it have a threaded stem? It made me curious seeing it.

Hit Pepboys or some other autoparts store and pick up some "Mothers" Mag polish. The crank, chain rings, Rims, Bars, stem and seat post polish up real nice on Peugeot's. Here is my P8 so you can see.

I purchased it at my LBS. The manager there is a good friend. List price is $480, but he let me have it for $390 (just about 20%off). This includes lifetime tuneups and basic maintenance. It is a TranSend DX. If you look you'll find a thread that I wrote recently about how I don't trust Giant because of two parts failures on my bike (kick stand, and chain both broke). but apparently these are just not that big of a deal based on the replies I got in that thread.

On the plus side, I like the way it handles. the rapid fire shifters are nice, and I like the upright position for riding in traffic. It corners well, and is very stable even when loaded down. I don't mind hopping off a sidewalk or anything with it. It's pretty tough feeling. It has a very communicative ride because it's a rigid frame. I purposely wanted something with no shocks. I really like the rear rack with the wood panel. I think it has a nice, classy look to it. The Ergon grips are REALLY nice feeling.

I have had Panaracer Pasela TG tires on backorder with Nashbar since May (I bought when they were $14 each)!!! I really want them, and they can't seem to get them back in.
I upgraded the rear derailleur because I happened to have a set of Deore LX derailleurs around from another bike build. Unfortunately, I could only use the rear one. The FD was top pull and the bike is set up for bottom pull (or was it the other way around. I don't recall).

Here's one more for the road.

Well I just got around to taking a pic of my Surly, thought you all might like to check it out.




Edit: forgot image, lol...

Ronin.jpg

Hi new here, just thought I would post my Commuter, a Brodie Ronin, put a Brooks B17, Old man mountain sherpa rack Arkel Tailrider and 2 MEC rear panniers on, oh and some planet bike fenders. Had it for a couple of months and love it

Man, that is one nice looking bike.

Seafoamer:
How do you like the internal gear hub? How does it compare to a deraileur bike? I love the look of your bike!

I went with the internal gear hub mainly due to the snowy/icy winters. Last winter was my 1st winter with this bike, & I'm sooo glad I had it. So far, the hub has proved to be very rugged & reliable. The only possible negative would be that it takes a bit more time to change a flat than a deraileur bike, as the hub/shifter hook-up is a bit of a PITA, as well as the obvious lack of a quick release.

Oh, and the nexus hub has got a bit of weight to it, but IMO the benefits of the hub "outweigh" the weight.