this is what I use for commuting and riding around...

oh man sweet nishiki, totally want your cool head badge right about now.

Just bought today off CL. Paid $120 I'm just wondering if I should keep as an ugly looking beater or give it the mega make over. Why don't you guys help me out and offer some advice? The cockpit feels kinda small, but I'm thinking a change of handlebars and a different stem would remedy that feeling. Saddle height needs to be a little higher but leg extension and foot on the pedal placement are ok. Needs new brake pads, a tune up... saddle.


https://img26.imageshack.us/slideshow...=p5020019m.jpg

and

https://img9.imageshack.us/slideshow/...=p5020014x.jpg

It's not carbon, but has the same specs:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Marin-Alloy-Comp...item519279cbcc

Another Omaha commuter?! What's your route? Perhaps I've seen you before. :3

Anyway, I just bought a new bike yesterday, it's sooo much better than my old bike.

Here's my new ride. It's not exactly a commuter, but more of an everything bike. The occasional commute to work. My evening rides through the Upstate New York countryside. It's also the bike I use for shopping around town. I went for a mountain bike because some of the farm roads I ride on are far worse than many of the hard pack trails I ride on. My town has some wicked nasty roads!!!!! Beautiful scenery, horrible roads. Go figure.

The gearing on this new bike, a 2009 Trek 4300, is kind of interesting. My old Diamondback hardtail was geared much lower overall. It's as if Trek just assumed that an entry level mountain bike would see as much road time as trail time, so they geared it up a tad. My LBS, the awesome Steiners Sports in Valatie NY, must have also assumed the same thing. The handle bars are jacked way up, making for a nice upright ride through the countryside.

The only thing ugly about that bike is the handlebar stem. That is a sweet bike. Fix it up, customize it.

Here's a new pic of my baby.. in the subway station.

My new to me folding bike. Its a 1986 Peueot P20

I took my first commute to work yesterday. I am going to try and do one day a week for awhile. I wish I could do more but I figure one day is better than none. 10 miles one way. Here is my do everything bike.

Nice bikes guys! I especially like the Peugot folder and the Trek Allant.

Johnny Alien, what is that bike It looks pretty well set-up. Only thing missing is the rack.

Here's the Specialized TriCross Sport I just picked up today. I'm not sure I'll commute on it, as it is nowhere near as comfortable as my Simple City.



As such, I'm not sure if I'll put a rack on or not either.

Those SImple City's are so nice looking!

Mine is a Rivendell Bleriot. I have a Blackburn rack to throw on it but I am not sold on that style yet. I am going to need to commit if I keep commuting though. The laptop backpack killed me.

Mike, I'm LOVING your little U-frame folder! It looks like it's in great shape.

i tried to get a good pic of it but it turned out blurry....

i'm not sure how old the frame is, someone said the 70s but i'm not sure

Talking about the nutcracker... Is that comfy?

To not go too much off topic. How are these Brooks saddles for road bikes? Have been thinking of it, but can't decide.

Here's my commuter, a Marin Muirwoods 29er.

I originally got a Topeak bag but it wasn't big enough for my laptop. So I brought it back and went the milk crate route, which I'm really liking.

I have Brooks on all of my bikes now -- city to MTB to road. As far as which one to choose, Brooks's recommendations are legit -- go narrower for a forward-leaning road bike position.

Here's my old 1980's Norco Pinnacle I commuterized. I ride year round to work and back about 6 miles each way in all kinds of weather except for maybe the worst winter storms. Its not pretty, but it does the job for me.

That is a really good looking bike.

I can believe it. When I try to go into a more aggressive position on my B-17, it hurts. It also feels like my sit bones and butt would do better with something narrower whenever I lean into the drops on my bike.

if you have any more than 3" of saddle to bar drop[meaning bars lower than saddle] dont bother with a brooks - get something italian instead. otherwise there is no substitute.


.....and a pic to validate posting in this thread. back to the small chainring now. i like to spin

Brooks makes a saddle for every purpose... for road riding they make this saddle called a Professional and the B17 Imperial allows for a more aggressive position than a B17.

I have spent extended periods riding in the drops on my touring bike and the B17 has been wonderful.

I live in Lincoln and started commuting again recently. My parents live in Omaha and the hills are exponentially more significant.

When I got my first real bike of my life I bought a barely used Marin Muirwoods at a used bike shop. It was a great bike and I really liked it. I sold it partly because I was always worried about scratching it up and I could always fir cheap good bikes to ride. I sold it all outfitted for commuting with everything on it. I think I sold it way too cheap now, but the money went to other projects. I guess I don't have any regrets.

im really liking that.