I am contemplating the madison myself as a future purchase

She saw a lot of miles this summer and now we are ready for winter... on a fairly flat commute the fact the bike weighs nearly 50 pounds does not affect my ground speed very much at all.

The 64 inch wheelbase makes for a very stable bike and last winter I had no need for studded tyres ion the worst weather.

Sixty Fiver, how long is your commute?

Hello everyone!
This is my commuting weapon. There are 26 kilometers from home to my office but the streets are just too dangerous to cover the entire distance by bike.
So I bought a folding bike and I commute by riding my bike+subway+bike again

here are a couple of pics
The bike is almost same as I bought it. I just added a front and a tail light and a couple of BMX tyres to gain some comfort on the messy roman streets.

My shop is 1.8 km from my home and the bike co-op is 10 km... I routinely ride as much as 40 km a day and the long bike is great over these distances.

I even take it through the river valley where I can expect to encounter 12% grades and have no issues climbing up and out without needing to use the granny unless I am loaded up.

The physics of a long wheelbase are very interesting as the bike rides like a much lighter machine, it takes a little more to get rolling but because one's weight is centered the rear wheel spins up fairly fast, the handling is ridiculously stable under load and it descends at frightening speeds while handling like it's on rails.

And the ride quality is amazing.

I use the bike for all my shop related errands and shopping as well... yesterday I was hauling a bench grinder, a new vice, and a ton of parts and tools.

I figure I could tour on this bike as well and am going to try taking it camping next summer as it will carry everything and more.

Trek 520. Ortlieb Panniers. Nite Rider headlights. Cascadia Fenders. Perfect!

Love your headlight sailguy
I might get one of those myself....if I can find a retailer here in Italy.
You don't mind if I steal your idea right?

Have at it! Mine are the older version of these:

https://www.niterider.com/prod_minewt400dual.shtml

I haven't seen those spoke rattle makers in years! Not always a matter of being seen, sometimes it's about being heard!! Good lookin' ride too

My new Salsa La Cruz. I like it very much.

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wow, that salsa la cruz is making me drool really bad

Very nice

Finally ive got my commuter 100% ready

OK... no fenders?!

In Az?? I don't think needs them quite yet.

Well, I've added a new recruit to the stable... It started life as a cheap Time Trial bicycle frame + carbon front fork.... and now it is a fixed-gear commuter! Just FYI, if I had it to do all over again... I would have just gone to the LBS and bought a SOHO--and saved a couple of hundred dollars. But it is a one-of-a-kind.

This new bicycle has a campy 53T chainring with campy 172.5mm cranks and a white industries ENO (eccentric) rear hub with a 17 tooth cog + dura-ace lockring. With the 700cx23mm tires @ 110PSI, that makes for about an 82" gear... and a very long 1/8" chain (Had to buy 2 and splice about 10 links from the second chain onto the 1st to get it long enough). It has a 'transit' rack mounted via a custom bracket to the rear brake attachment and rubberized p-clamps attached to the lower portion of the rack and seat-stays. Stainless steel fasteners all around too. There is only a single MTB-style brake lever for the front tiagra brake calipers. The handlebars are bullhorns attached via a stem with about 30 degrees of rise. The rear wheel also lacks the machined surface for a braking surface--so this bike, even though it is technically a 'conversion', is probably always going to remain 'fixed. It also has some fancy bladed spokes on the white velocity rim in the rear with red nipples. Note: white rear wheel rims are a pain to keep clean, but look really good when they are! Believe it or not, the bladed spokes seem to smooth out the ride a little, but the triple butted frame and carbon fork help lots too in that respect. The panniers are a set of nashbar day-trekkers (these are great for commuting, IMHO). The trunk is a Transit deluxe. I do not recommend this trunk very highly due to the 'floppyness' of the walls--otherwise it is passable. There is a pedro's fixie tool (called the "trixie") bolted into one set of waterbottle bosses. The front wheel is one I picked up off ebay for about $50 and the tires are maxis detonators that I got for $20 for the set. I have a friend that runs a sign shop, so I managed to get some reflective tape to apply to the frame. This bicycle also inherited my old set of 'relights'--which I still like to have even in the daytime. There are the obligitory front/rear/wheel reflectors as well. I've included a picture of the bicycle in the dark and one in the light... so you can see how 'reflective' it is at night. There is one critical thing missing from this bicycle though...... I need a front fender!... Any suggestions?

The steerer and lower portion of the fork are aluminum, so I can drill/tap some #4-40 holes to create the attachments around the hub-bolts... and there is some room left on the brake boss to add an upper mount for a fender.... but I only have a 5/8 (h) by 1-1/4(w) window around the front tire and fork... this is further complicated by the 'aero-fork' that is about 2-1/4 (l) in profile (e.g. viewed from the side--but that doesn't include the caliper's standoff distance). I'm not opposed to modifications to the bike or fender, but any ideas on what fender set I should start out with?

naw no need i live in az plus i dont even think i can mount any. theres no mounting points

Trek Valencia



1x9 Deore drivetrain w/XT shifter, Avid BB7 disc brakes, 700x35c Ritchey Speedmax cross tires. Fenders coming soon, as the rainy season is almost here. Just want to enjoy it in its unencumbered state for as long as possible.

very nice indeed!

Let me start with, Sweet ride!! I may be wrong, but even in dry areas fenders may be helpful. I'm in a wet area myself, but even with no precipitation the dirt seems to come off my tires and get into those hard to reach areas of my derailleurs' and such. I like keeping my ride clean, don't get me wrong, I just don't love spending extra time in areas I may be able to keep cleaner from the start.

Actually, you'd be surprised what pledge can do... (It can't keep dirt out of the chain like a fender can though.) It can keep dirt from sticking... and when it does 'stick' it is easily removed... with pledge on a rag. It is about the only thing I've found that'll keep my spokes and rims clean and shiny, and you get a lemony-fresh scent. (But, I still want at least a front fender for new commuter!)

Sorry - I missed this post. My gearing on the San Jose is 46x17. Good for my commute, no big hills and mostly flat. I started at 44x17 and I spun just a little too much and I had an extra front ring I threw on - it's now a good ratio for me.

I have the same bike as you! I have over 1000 miles on mine....Its a great bike for the price!!!! It climbs hills with ease! I replaced the stock tires...and yes it is quick!

Bike-Ninja!