This is my commuter.

It is pretty much stock. I removed the the chain guard and kickstand. I added a tail light and cyclo computer.

Nice! I dig your bike. I wanna get me a used road bike.

Nice bike...you obviously have a very safe place to keep it while you are at work!

Hi,

My name is Eric and I'm new to the board. I have 4 bikes that are all good commuters but I ride this one most of the time:


Best,
e.

I'm a big ol' noob, so this here is my first attempt at making my well loved but awfully cheap mountain bike a "commuter" bike.



I've changed the tires out from nobbies to slicks (flak jackets), added fenders, a handlebar mirror, a few lights, a rack, air pump and bell so far to make it more road friendly. I already had a computer, water bottle, locks and saddle bag, which would've been necessary additions had I not already added them.

Also note the fancy "one less car" sticker, which I can now proudly display.

Beck

that's a very capable looking commuter 10ch. Looks like the rear rack is on backwards, with the verticle thingy at the rear. Did you do that for a reason? like for a specific thing you carry?

Uhm... yes! A very special thing, indeed.

Doh! Thanks for the tip. Time to get the hex tool out again...

Alrighty... all fixed. That's what I get for installing things without instructions, I suppose.

I did like having that handle on the very end of the bike though - made it nice and easy to maneuver in elevators, through doors, etc.

What's the difference in having it one way or another? Weight distribution?

Nice looking traditional bike Eric. Have fun and enjoy your rides..

I don't know, but if you use panniers, the now rear leg of the rack will be farther forward and perhaps allow the pannier to get into the spokes of your rear wheel.

You're right though, that would be a handy place for a handle. You can call it "10ch's handy handle".

For that reason alone, I might switch it back.

10ch,

I think the idea is that if thinks shift on the rack it is better for them to shift back and fall off than to shift forward and jam the back wheel up. That's always been my assumption. Plus you can have extra long loads that hang over the trailing edge of the rack, whereas the other way around you are a little limited.

That being said, if you like it the other way and it works for you then why not keep it the way you like it?

I'm Andy and I'm a commuting junkie. Did I come to the right place for help? I'm an aircraft mechanic and I must say, planes are easier to work on than a bike most times. My ride to work is about 21km one way, 13 miles for you metric challenged. It's a '03 Devinci Amsterdam with a few upgrades. Who hasn't upgraded their ride? One day I may invest in a rear rack/pannier. The backpack works for now. The only thing I am swapping out is the eggbeaters and going back to shimano's. After 2 months, I still find them a pain to get in and out of, especially in heavy traffic.

Cross-check

Pic's of my xtra both in regular commuter mode, and nightclub mode with disco ball and twin bubble machines!

Here are some updated pics of my 1998 Bianchi San Remo which is the ultimate commuter.


Here is the bike at night.

My armageddon bike

Shimano/Campy/Suntour/Modolo

Skinny frame tubes rule.

Yes they do.

Indeed!

Side note:
My road bike is an '05 Jamis Quest! Very sexy skinny tubes!

Finally, I will make my contribution to this thread.

Here is my stable:
- 2003 Novara Randonee, currently wearing a different seat and tires than it was in that picture. It is also out of commission for a broken rim.
- 2003 Giant Rainier that I just set up with the 1.5's today. Still can't get that Axiom rack to mount... it rests on the brake!

the old beaut...you've got to love steel at times.

Baskets or panniers? I'm looking at getting into the commute to work and am deciding between some nashbar cordura fabric panniers or some wald-like metal baskets. Any suggestions as to one over the other would be appreciated. I'm leaning towards the baskets in order to use them for groceries and such as well. I'm a teacher and figure the baskets would be good enough to tote the books and papers I have.
thanks

ooops, I guess I posted this on the wrong thread....