The evolution of my commuter is nearly complete. The only thing left is to build up a dynamo front wheel with related lighting.

My ride began life as a belt driven singlespeed Norco "Vesta", with a B-17 narrow, Brooks bar tape, Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, and Avid BB7 with 185mm rotors as my first upgrades:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=177541

I installed a Civia Hyland rear rack.
My first planned upgrade: Alfine 8 rear wheel built with a Mavic A719 and utilizing a J-Tek bar end shifter.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=177543
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=177545

I ultimately went through 3 different sets of fenders before settling on SKS P-45's.
After a number of miles with this configuration, I determined that the balance was not right - the "Front Center" dimension (BB to front axle) was enormous. More like a mountain bike. So, after a few other tweaks, I decided to install a 20 degree stem and a low-rise flat bar. The bike is now optimized, and I feel it works best as a flat bar bike. The funny thing is that it is now essentially a similar bike to the Norco "Ceres", which is based on the same frame with a flat bar and Alfine 8. Ahhhh, live and learn. Interestingly, Norco has discontinued the Vesta, opting to only offer the Ceres for 2011. The belt drive SS model is now a more of an urban road bike with tighter angles. So, here's the current configuration:
Note my creative use of a hacked (old parts bin) bar-end to use as a mount for the J-Tek. I really like it in this configuration!!!!!!!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=177538

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=177540
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=177542

EDIT: Hmmmm, no matter what I try, the attachments only show as links not as pics. Advice? I've gone into the dialog box that opens when I click the little "pencil" icon in each image, but no luck.

Good point, theres a good waffle place in the panhandle of idaho about 25 miles from the border, they have one pound waffles mmmmmmmm....

Why, waffles that weigh nearly half a kilogram?! And only 40 kilometers from the 49th?! Sounds great Eh? I need to get my drop bar MTB finished up right away!

Use an external image host: http://tinypic.com/ and copy+paste the IMG Code for Forums and Bulletin Boards

Here's the new rig, a 2011 Kona Dr. Fine.

Specs:
Aluminum frame
Carbon fork
Shimano Alfine 8-gear IGH
Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc brakes
Freedom Ryder 21 rims
Continental Contact 700x32c

http://i53.tinypic.com/34s198o.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/23uz97b.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/102qyoh.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/28m1r2f.jpg

Also, a video of the lighting at night (including my lovely wife's commentary).

View My Video

Upgrades:
Changed out Kona Race Light grips for Ergon GC3s with integrated bar ends
Planet Bike EZ Speed fenders (clamp attachment to seat stays)
Topeak Quick Release Beam Rack and MTX trunk bag
Planet Bike SuperFlash lights (two on bag, one on the back of my hi-vis X harness)
Compass bell
Two CygoLite Expilion 250 headlights (USB rechargeable, no battery packs)
Two Planet Bike small lights (white) on front fork, two PB small red lights on seat stays for side visibility
BikeWrappers reflective wraps for side visibility when cars turn on headlights (not out that late usually)
Serfas RX anatomical saddle
Topeak Modula bottle cage and Thermos insulated vacuum bottle (tea for work).
Switched out stock for adjustable stem

Comments welcome!

Waffle House is even better than the membership card. Now I just need to figure out what true MTB dropbar project I want to finish since I got sidetracked a few weeks ago.

canyoneagle and QuakerProf, your image attachments aren't working, which is a shame as they both sound like nice bikes. Maybe the images are too large? It might be easier to go through a second-party image uploader, like the Dali painting said. He mentioned tinypic, I use photobucket and flicker. Accounts are free, and they're both pretty easy to use (photobucket's easier than flicker, but has fewer options).

So, with daylight savings time over, are y'all ready for the dark ride home?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/...ebb4925d_z.jpg

Can you see me now? :D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/...e8ffdfb4_z.jpg

your wife's comments were HILARIOUS!
Nice bike, too.

my vehicle
 

this has been my vehicle for some time now.

it is a hasa f2. taiwan brand, taiwan made (I hope)

fits nicely on a crowded train.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4985/img0448fp.th.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Got my winter bike, frame and fork prepped and mostly painted, going lazy on this one using a regular rattle can just gonna throw another coat on her and call her good, its too cold to try and bother with clear. Not too concerned with how long the paint will last since its gonna get good and abused this winter anyhow. And monsterpile i'd say my bike is also cat approved but he was actually pretty angry with me for having yet another bike clutter up his kitchen:)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...1-09215919.jpg

Here's a grocery getter for you (it's a Civia Loring).

http://www.ecovelo.info/images/loring-3month-01.jpg

http://www.ecovelo.info/images/loring-3month-03.jpg

Beautiful pics of a beautiful bike!

When flickr recently changed things up I switched to Imgur: http://imgur.com/. Very user friendly... fewer steps than flickr.

My bike approving cat seems to like having junk laying around. More stuff to sit on hop over etc. She almost seems sad when we pick up and de-clutter the house. We obviously don't leave it that way for her on purpose (more like our own laziness me specifically) except for a couple days we leave out the new paper bags or boxes she and the other cats like to play with and sleep in.

Nice, the Iguana is now part of the Blue Man group! I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Thanks, canyoneagle. Others said they couldn't see the photos, but they show up for me on different computers. Posted them through TinyPic as recommended. Yes, my wife finds my whole bicycle lighting enterprise very humorous, but she puts up with me. She does support my bicycle commuting, which helps me get out the door on the colder mornings (we're in the 30s here right now in the mornings, but things stay pretty moderate all winter in Virginia).

My goodness that's pretty!! Wow. I LOVE the fenders and front rack, what a beauty. Our grocery and kid-toting bike is my previous commuter, so I can't justify a replacement, but I'm GREEN with envy, get it? :)

Great side visibility! What are the lighted wires, and how are they powered?

My wife, daughter and I rode to dinner the other evening. I had just finished converting my wifes old specialized over to a SS, and I think she will ride more often now that all she has to do is pedal.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...n/794b4fbb.jpg

That's how it is in our house, except we have a 60 pound "puppy" (he's only 7 months old) that likes to shred paper and cardboard.


We're getting better at picking that stuff up.

My cat is lucky in the box department since i do the whole ebay thing as a third job so i always have all kinds of boxes laying around. Box+6month cat= entertainment for hours for all

Thanks!

Thank you! (and I get the joke... :p)

That was indeed some great commentary! Looks good, too; IMHO the more like a xmas tree I appear to be, the less chance there is
of me getting run over. I once had a guy pull up beside me a stoplight and declare, "I could see you from a mile away!" My response
was, "That's sort of the point, isn't it?"

Well its official the giant winter commuter is gonna be another drop bar MTB just picked up a used set of tektro levers and some old suntour "bar end" shifters i think they are actually flat bar thumb shifters but the way their set up will work better on the ends cant wait to finish her, should have it done this week

Seems like it might improve steering if you could find a way to center that ulock.

Bikeglow, uses 2 AAs. No where near as bright as the side blinkies that you're running, though. Your wife is correct, by the way, you do look a little like Xmas. Must make for a merry ride. :)

That is one green b e a u t y !!!! What kind of panniers do you use with that ?

Got a bit of work done with the giant, now its truly yet another drop bar MTB, im really liking how its turning out so far the frame is big for me though i might have to get a short stem, and thats about as high as im gonna be able to go with the seat, who knew im 5'9" riding a 21.5" frame. So far with having to buy new levers seat and front rim all in all im into this bike for a tad over 30bucks, about the only thing else i need is some grip tape which i have two rolls of mismatching UGLY tape im gonna use for now that my LBS gave me, im hoping to have it done by this weekend, as the weather guessers are thinking snow by next wed (doubtful) :)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...y/DSC00495.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...y/DSC00496.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...y/DSC00497.jpg

It doesn't bother me - I'm usually carrying a load anyway...:)

I'd get some brakes, too.