my novarra buzz.
>a neat tip. Since MTB makers don't make a lot of doubles, the triple parts are cheaper. So city bikes like my Buzz have a triple derailer and shifters, just no third ring.

taillight is three old cateye EL-300 epoxyed together and fit into one mount.
hard to miss.




https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...id=27860&stc=1

I almost got one of those. Surprised I don't hear more about them.

the new commuter with no coasting ability.... an older/newer 80's paramount. sweet ride i just gotta add some more bar tape and a bigger gear!

Here is my commuter. I have only put 200 mi on my Trek 1000 so far, but I just moved and doubled my commute to 10 mi each way. Added the rack and the Arkel Bug over the winter, and now I am looking into clip less peddles. The ride is sweet, despite the Sora components.

I just got home from work (I work nights) and here is my stock 2004 Marin Verona after my FIRST commute. A bit scary, and only my second ride in clipless (Sidi Genius 5s which ROCK on Shimano SPD-SLs), but I survived. Since I get off work at 6 AM, the traffic is much better than when I head in at 4:30 PM, although the temperature is a tad lower (41 degrees when I rolled into my driveway). The commute is almost 15 miles each way. My employer pays $30 per month if an employee uses a trip reduction method such as carpooling or bicycling. So I save gas money and make money too!

Who is your employer? They deserve the best recognition and much more. Is it common practice? Besides, what does "trip reduction" mean? I don't see how bicycling or car-pooling can contribute to that.

How do you like the Arkel Bug Bag? Any reason you got that instead of, say, the regular Arkel panniers?

My employer is the City of Everett in WA state. The term "trip reduction" was used by another employer for whom I used to work. I think they meant ways to reduce the number of individual commuting cars on the road. So by biking or carpooling, there would be less car "trips" with single drivers. The City of Everett actually calls their program a "rideshare", even if you are walking or biking. I am not sure how common it is for employers to compensate employees who rideshare. I know I had never heard of it before.

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.

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!

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.

https://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 https://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