Definitely sounds like a good category for the commuter, except...

Yeah, I'm a little spoiled in a few regards. My bike takes weight well, it seems, though I don't have panniers; I have a crate synched to the rack and put my backpack with books, clothes, lunch, and occasionally my laptop in there, with bungies. For some time I was strapping my backpack itself to the rack, but that was frustrating and ungainly, so I wanted a more abstracted container. Definitely precious little room for fenders on the Allez, while mine has copious room.

Still, I'd like to move up from the DT shifters, but maybe that's just a result of BF-induced awe.

If you meant my Surly (the Karate Monkey), it's SKS. I actually had a hard time fitting it with the supplied hardware. Eventually a friend helped rig it up with a different clamp and we changed some tabs to get it a touch smaller.

https://www.amazon.com/SKS-Chainguard.../dp/B002K2H6IK

Build thread and road report on my 20 km commute (one way) here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...formity-Begins...

It does sound that the limiting factor is your single gearing and personal aerobic capacity... I think the greatest benefit has to be that it blocks the wind at all speeds and will keep you warmer in colder weather and if you are a fast rider it would help at much higher speeds where wind resistance becomes more of a factor.

I have checked my average speeds on my Phillip's folder in urban riding conditions and it actually performs better than many of my full sized bikes... it only has a top speed of 45kmh and cruises very nicely in the high 20's and have been averaging nearly 20kmh over some extended riding.

It is a heavier bike (touring set up) but the drop bars offer better aerodynamics and those small wheels spin up very fast... have thought of trying a fairing and we have one at our shop I could test.

I believe the rack is a Topeak SuperTourist. I've been eying one myself.

Do doubt. Bet that is nice on cold days.

Lovin the larger wheels, nice work

Just got this, I've just put new tires/chain/bar tape on the bike, needs new brake pads. Haven't ridden it so much yet (no lights on the bike yet), planning on getting bigger tires when the time comes. Considering a slightly shorter stem, also thinking about trying out drop bars. Not sure if I like the Scot AT2 - LF. About to look for the right fender(s). I really like these old Control Tech seatposts, a matching stem would be nice if I can find one.

Pretty.

Are those ear plugs around your seat post?

I started seriously commuting last week. But the commuting dream started last fall, when I was trying to bring my old aluminum Diamondback hardtail back to life. The head tube cracked, so my plan was to find an old steel hardtail frame and fork to move the components over to. The bike would serve as a dedicated commuter and utility bike. I searched Craigslist all winter long, but just couldn't find a steel hardtail that truly called out to me.

I never found that steel hardtail frame. In its absence, I built up my Specialized Sirrus Sport for commuting. It did well last week, but the commute is 30 miles round trip, and I have some comfort issues when going lost distances on this bike. The bike also seems a bit twitchy for a serious beat of burden.



I did a quick search on Craigslist over the weekend, and fell into last year's dream bike. I picked up an old steel frame Diamondback Topanga for $50.00. I ditched a few rather worn parts, and replaced them on the cheap. The only thing that really cost money was the tires. I ditched the old wide knobbies and went with 1.5" Serfas Drifters. The green Topanga's maiden voyage is tomorrow morning.

That's a good looking ride! Let us know how it went =D

No. It's a cable lock that I had for the saddle. It has since been removed as I have indoor storage at work.

AlmostGreenGuy:

"I did a quick search on Craigslist over the weekend, and fell into last year's dream bike. I picked up an old steel frame Diamondback Topanga for $50.00."

That's almost exactly what I'm attempting to do with the Giant Acapulco I found on a yard sale this summer. Yours looks great. Mine has a ways to go.

Best of luck on the commute.

It's definitely worth the extra work. Good luck!!!

this is really pretty

Ok this is the bear bones and beginning of my commuter bike...i've just very recently gotten into biking and i dont a car anymore so here she is "Old B"

Im bored and at work so i decided to compile photos of the beast and its many forms from the past year
from when she was a flat bar 1x7 with mtb tires
with the old panaracers
now a 16 speed with my fancy soda crate and drop bars

rigged up as my tourer
current except i put the 50t biggie back on
i wish i had a pick of it back when it was still an actual MTB

That is a Japanese made Bianchi and these often surpass their Italian counterparts in quality of construction unless you get into the top of the line models... and these are very nice riding bikes.

This is a sport class bike and is nice as you have room and mounts for fenders and a rack and think the bike would look pretty sharp with black or white fenders.

It might be the B bike that becomes an A bike...

THANKS!!! im really glad you wrote that information because i dont know that much about the bike because i got it for free from a friend. im really excited to get some new gear on it....if you're interested here are some plans! im gonna be getting new break levers as mine are metal and uncomfortable for riding all the time, they allow me to put the brake cables under the grips as well so it looks more sleek. Im also putting white grips on it and painting the bike black, and getting new Bianchi decals to put back on it, then also the fenders and a rack and i think she will be all set!

If the original paint is in nice shape you will never do much better than this unless you have a professional repaint it and many will tell you that red bikes go faster...

Aero levers would be a nice upgrade as they are often more comfortable and will improve your braking... if you have not been riding a drop bar bike it does take some time to get used the position as well.

haha red bikes go faster, thats classy. what are aero levers?

Aero levers run the brake cable along the bars, below the bar tape, hence the title Aero.