Originally Posted by tpelle (Post 12364911)

Here's my new Motobecane (BikesDirect Motobecane) Mirage:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...e/IMG_0381.jpg

Just got it "finished" (if a bike is EVER finished) on Saturday. Haven't commuted on it yet, as my job site still requires about 1/2 mile or so of negotiating dirt road and mixing it up with road graders, elevating scrapers, and dump trucks to get from the street to the work site.

This bike is what I think of as my "disposable" commuter, as when this project in California is completed I go back home to Kentucky, and I'll decide then if I want to strip the bike down and sell it or give it away, or ship it home. I kind of like it, though, so I'm leaning towards shipping it home.

Anybody know how much it will cost to ship a bike from California to Kentucky? (I kept the box that BD shipped it in.)

Originally Posted by tpelle (Post 12364911)

Here's my new Motobecane (BikesDirect Motobecane) Mirage:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...e/IMG_0381.jpg

Just got it "finished" (if a bike is EVER finished) on Saturday. Haven't commuted on it yet, as my job site still requires about 1/2 mile or so of negotiating dirt road and mixing it up with road graders, elevating scrapers, and dump trucks to get from the street to the work site.

This bike is what I think of as my "disposable" commuter, as when this project in California is completed I go back home to Kentucky, and I'll decide then if I want to strip the bike down and sell it or give it away, or ship it home. I kind of like it, though, so I'm leaning towards shipping it home.

Anybody know how much it will cost to ship a bike from California to Kentucky? (I kept the box that BD shipped it in.)

Originally Posted by derekthelion (Post 12369731)

198something Windsor International ... this is my "I am running late" or heading to the city commuter ..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/...ea3e4db87c.jpg
(ignore that stupid black line, my cell phone's camera is strange)

Originally Posted by Gyeswho (Post 12362504)

Updated my handy dandy "B"urly to be a 1x9 with a larger rack (i traded with someone). Waiting for some Falcon thumb shifters (friction) to make it complete. I love this bike :)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/...56d28056_b.jpg

Originally Posted by tpelle (Post 12364911)

Here's my new Motobecane (BikesDirect Motobecane) Mirage:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...e/IMG_0381.jpg

Just got it "finished" (if a bike is EVER finished) on Saturday. Haven't commuted on it yet, as my job site still requires about 1/2 mile or so of negotiating dirt road and mixing it up with road graders, elevating scrapers, and dump trucks to get from the street to the work site.

This bike is what I think of as my "disposable" commuter, as when this project in California is completed I go back home to Kentucky, and I'll decide then if I want to strip the bike down and sell it or give it away, or ship it home. I kind of like it, though, so I'm leaning towards shipping it home.

Anybody know how much it will cost to ship a bike from California to Kentucky? (I kept the box that BD shipped it in.)

Originally Posted by truman (Post 12362919)

Nice photos. The bike has a good look to it, like it wants to go fast.

Originally Posted by rykard (Post 12363004)

it looks fast standign still...

Originally Posted by cyclist5 (Post 12375684)

Awesome bike. I have that same Cygolite on mine and live in KY as well, always nice to see a fellow Kentuckian. As for shipping, it might be cheaper to buy a bike here. There are several used bike shops in Louisville and Lexington that deal in restoring vintage bikes and sell them for $200-$500 usually. Alternativly, shipping is more expensive as the weight increases, maybe dis-assemble it and take it with you in pieces?

Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver (Post 12376464)

Counting the days until I don't have to worry about ice... the Trek got it's spring tune up and a new Blackburn rack this morning.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/2011trek1.JPG

Originally Posted by Grim (Post 12380159)

I wore shorts to work today. It was 80f on the way home. The Annuals are coming up and the dogwoods have been in bloom. I have to get the vegetable garden tilled this weekend. Sure glad I dont live in Michigan anymore. :D

Originally Posted by yokotas13 (Post 12381365)

woooooooooooooo got the new bike and fitted all my parts
just trying to find a way to mount the headlights on the fork...any ideas? carbon fork..

Originally Posted by FunkyStickman (Post 12382252)

That Motobecane looks sweet, man... I want a disk brake road bike so bad!

If the fork is drilled for caliper brakes, you can mount a headlight there if you use a long bolt and a little creativity. Something like this:

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1298053693

Originally Posted by Baldar538 (Post 12382688)

Picked up a new 2010 Jamis Aurora a couple of weeks ago to replace the Cross Check I posted on here last year and sold shortly thereafter. Totally in love with this bike compared the the Surly, I hopped on and it "just fit". Pretty much final build, only had the replace the saddle and pedals. It just needs a rack and maybe some different fenders (I'm still undecided on the stock ones).

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/...fe9b226d78.jpg

Originally Posted by monsterpile (Post 12384253)

That looks nice. I am tempted to pick up a 2009 because the price is so good. It looks like I would be able to be sure to have the bars above the saddle and I think thats what I want in a drop bar bike. I just can't decide if I should spend the money on this or build up a dropbar mountain bike with barend shifters from stuff I have laying around.

Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver (Post 12384273)

Spent the day on my drop bar mtb and had swapped in my summer wheels with the wider range 8 speed block and faster rolling / slicker tyres (2.0 Schwalbe Hurricanes) and the road feel of this bike is really close to my 700c equipped hybrid that rolls on 700:35 cross tyres... think that I will be swapping between these bikes a lot this riding season as they are both so enjoyable to ride.

If you went with a drop bar mtb you would not be giving up much, if anything and a great deal of he enjoyment stems from the build process and putting a little of yourself into it.

Originally Posted by UptownSurly (Post 12383776)

This is my 1973 Schwinn Varsity. Not much going on at the moment but headlight and tail light but about to start replacing and doing some maintenance. I love riding this bike and can only imagine how great it will be with some upgrades and maintenance.
Attachment 194161

Originally Posted by monsterpile (Post 12384320)

You are right and in general I like smaller diameter wheels anyway. I have just decided I like dropbar bikes more than I thought and want to have one as a commuter. Part of the problem is I have too many options of things to build up, but a new bike is appealing also. Even though the price of the Jamis is really good, I can build up something for alot less even if I had to buy a few bits, that would be a nice bike to take the daily abuse I would be planning on dishing out.

Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver (Post 12384346)

Took this last fall and the bike is set up like this now... without the extra baggage the bike only weighs 24 pounds so makes for a pretty light package that can handle serious abuse.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...encommute1.JPG

Originally Posted by Doohickie (Post 12384327)

... but it will always be a 1973 Varsity. I have one myself, and even with some upgrades it's still the slowest bike I own. If it were my only bike I'd probably sell it and get something lighter and more modern. On the other hand, no one is gonna steal a Varsity, so if you have to lock it up in public for long periods... it's a good bike for that.

Originally Posted by bigbenaugust (Post 12385226)

I need to find me one of these. My Nashbar drop-bar MTB weighs 32lb+ with no lights, bottle, or panniers.

Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver (Post 12386179)

This bike was hand built here back in '92 or so by a local builder who specialized in building lightweight xc frames and road bikes... when my friend gave me the frame and fork I was pretty shocked at how light it was and it came with the race Face carbon crank too.

I just grabbed some spare parts I had sitting around to build it up and ran it as an ss for a few weeks... in that configuration it was 21 pounds... with the rear rack attached.

Originally Posted by UptownSurly (Post 12385326)

Yes, it will always be a Varsity and I would never consider getting rid of it for a modern bike. I prefer older bikes as most people do in Chicago. They are better bikes. This bike would go missing very quickly if I didn't lock it up properly in this city. I pass the guys wearing full racing gear all the time and they get so mad! I love my bike! The most important thing is riding bikes... not how new, what brand, or the latest parts on the bike. I promote riding bikes... not new brands! Keep riding everyone!