Mountain bike is more versatile, fun, tough and comfy. Stick with it unless you need something to climb long hills.

for those of you, MTB owners, you are not alone... Just finished this weekend:

http://d2corp.net/onlinePages/BikeSp...ized_480_6.jpg

http://d2corp.net/onlinePages/BikeSp...alized_480.jpg

http://d2corp.net/onlinePages/BikeSp...ized_480_1.jpg

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Prior to converting my bike to a commuter one, was considering buying Dutch from craigslist: drums gears and brakes (front and rear), 3 speed, solid frame. If money was not an issue, I would refurb it and keep for fun:

http://d2corp.net/onlinePages/BikeSp.../DutchBike.jpg

http://d2corp.net/onlinePages/BikeSp...DutchBike1.jpg

This is among the best "show us your ride" threads of them all... the diversity is really enjoyable to see.

I agree. Even the plainest bike needs to be accessorized to be functional as a commuter, so that's where some creativity comes in. And we get to see how people think and what they need when we see their commuter bikes.

Luddite - I am pleased you like my offerings...this is my Shasta's younger sister and summer commuter / fg tourer.

I really need to get out and ride this bike a little more as she's been collecting dust.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/kuwietour2.jpg
1987 Kuwahara Cascade - fg conversion

Orbea Aneto commuter
 

Here is a picture of my 2008 Orbea Aneto that I use for commuting to work as well as riding for fun. So far, my longest journey in one day has been 100kms in around 6 hours. Not lightening speed, but fun none the less.

I bought the bike last October and think I am close to having it set up how I like it. The most important and challenging thing was finding the right saddle which I believe to have achieved with the Selle San Marco Rolls. It came stock with a Selle Italia Zoo Gel with male cut out which was nice and soft, but I just didn't like. I then found a Selle Italia Flight on eBay that is nice, but I think a little again just not right. I finally put the Rolls on and think its what I have been looking for. It not soft, but has enough padding. I like it because its narrow in the "beak" and flat from front to back as well as having enough of a rear for my rear.

Some of the other details:
Shimano A530 SPD pedals - like these because they are flat on one side and SPD the other.
Titec Hell Bent bar ends - gives you at least 3 positions on the flat bar bike.
Planet Bike Blaze 1-Watt LED front light - I've had some people think I'm a cop.
Planet Bike Blinky Superflash 1/2 Watt LED rear light - you can tell a difference as the cars go way around you.
Topeak TourGuide handle bar bag - great for quick trips that only require camera, sandwich, wallet, tube, etc.
Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP - for all the other stuff; especially when grocery shopping.
Continental Sport Contact tires with reflective strip - can't have enough reflective strips.
Mirrycle MTB bar end mirror - super fantastic; absolutely love the ability to see what's coming.

I've really enjoyed riding her over here in Spain and look forward to taking her with me when I leave.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wB84EDuKAOE/Sl...0/IMG_7197.JPG

my ride
 

Here's my ride...2009 Specialized Vienna Deluxe 3..diggin it..so far...only a week old-100 miles so far.
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Wow, that's nice. The best of Old Netherlands and New America, merged together. What does it weigh?

My daily driver, I have to say it makes a huge difference on the way to work from my old department store Mongoose. Got the detachable Topeak trunk bag. Next is probably fenders and kevlar slicks I don't see much dirt on my commute.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/...9b512f.jpg?v=0

You're going to love your fenders and slicks!

I'm getting to the point where a bike without fenders looks incomplete. Is that weird?

I feel the same way.

Fenderless is so...naked! I'd be embarrassed to be seen fenderless in public.

I think its a natural progression for a commuter.
I once ran over a dog poo on my commute....that was a horrible 3 mile ride back to the house. Fenders are cool.

So I posted my bike on here once before, but now have a bunch more commuter accessories. So here it is.
I couldn't find a spare water bottle for the pick, so i put the next best thing.

http://files.getdropbox.com/u/1399495/surly/side.jpg

Just built it up this week. Cross Check frame with components from my road bike. Different routes with a mix of gravel and pavement. Gonna be a great bike!

Nice

As per Luddite's request... some slightly better pics of the U.A.V. (Kuwahara Shasta).

I salvaged and installed some almost new and much better fenders (Zefal) at the bike co-op this evening and earlier today I swapped out the 48 tooth ring for a 40 (makes for better clearance) and adjusted the cogs in the rear so I could still have a decent road gearing.

Everything in this bike (save for the bar tape was salvaged / recycled.

The bars are ITC track bars that have a shallow drop and nice flats, the brake levers are Shimano 105.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/uav5.jpg

The drive is fixed with a 40:16 that yields 65 geare inches which I can spin in any weather with any kind of load...this is my winter bike.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/uav2.jpg

The frame is hand built with EX triple butted tubes... it's like a touring bike on steroids.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/uav3.jpg

One has to have a thermometer and a bear bell...the saddle is an ancient and battered Lycette that is really comfortable.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/uav4.jpg

The money shot... :D

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/uav1.jpg

So many nice bikes! Like sixtyniner :) said, there's just too many to comment on all of them (or something like that).

From CL grocery getter to full time commuter
 

I picked up this '87 Miyata One Twelve for $50 off of Craiglist a couple of months ago and planned to make it my grocery getter and lock-up-all-day-outside-at-the-metro bike. After riding it around for just a few days though, I realized how amazingly comfortable it was, and started thinking of using it as my commuter at least some of the time. With some new bar tape, aero brake levers, fenders and a smaller chain ring to help on the climbs, it is now my full time commuter and really just makes the 2+ hours I spend in the saddle (I moved the Brooks over from my old commuter) a complete joy. Why would anybody drive to work when they could be biking?

Nice ride!

That is friggin' SWEET! Nice job!
I'd be inclined to use heavier duty wheels, but that's just me - I'm 200 lbs plus whaterver gear I load on the rack.

Enjoy the new ride!

Those old Kuwahara frames are very nice. Incredible bike considering it was built with salvaged mats!!!!

Aside from consumable stuff like cables and housings most of my bikes have been built from my collection of spare parts or used parts I have purchased at our local bike co-op. I did buy the rear hub and cog so I could build up the wheel.

I figure my cost to build up this bike was < $200.00 and even my tyres were used... those Schwalbes have gone at least 10,000 km with nary a problem (on several bikes) and it's hard to tell them from new ones as they just aren't showing any wear.

We can often build up really nice bikes at the co-op for much less than this too.

Thanks! Heavier wheels are in the works. Trying to decide whether or not to sell the road frame to fund the wheels. Tough decision! :)

Sixty Fiver, are Kuwaharas common in your area? I've hardly ever seen any. I grew up in NYC and have lived in this area all my life except for three years in Boston. In Boston (really Cambridge), I sold Somas, which I believe Kuwahara made, but they weren't terribly common there, either.