Commuter Bicycle Pics
09-26-10 | 06:16 AM
#7026
Kid A
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 5
From: Alexandria, VA
+1 that's a nice old varsity. I'd love to find one around here for cheap to fix up and ride around.
My daily ride:
Just a Surly frame with all parts I've either already had or later picked up. It's geared extremely low 44/32/22 13-32t cassette b/c I pull a trailer sometimes. I found that I hated my b17 saddle and had already cut the head tube too short...damn. I liked the b67 and drop bars, but needed to get them higher...so I went with an ugly stem riser -- that is hideous, but amazingly comfortable. Best bar/saddle I've ever ridden.
Notes: downtube friction shifters, planet bike fenders, wald 198 gb basket (love it), minoura fork-mounted flashlight holder.
My daily ride:
Just a Surly frame with all parts I've either already had or later picked up. It's geared extremely low 44/32/22 13-32t cassette b/c I pull a trailer sometimes. I found that I hated my b17 saddle and had already cut the head tube too short...damn. I liked the b67 and drop bars, but needed to get them higher...so I went with an ugly stem riser -- that is hideous, but amazingly comfortable. Best bar/saddle I've ever ridden.
Notes: downtube friction shifters, planet bike fenders, wald 198 gb basket (love it), minoura fork-mounted flashlight holder.
09-26-10 | 07:19 AM
#7027
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Check the city dump. That's where I found this one- for free. All it needed was tubes, tires, and a little cleanup. It even had the fenders when I found it. I converted it to a townie style, changing out the drop bars for upright bars and putting a mattress saddle on, an I also added the baskets and saddle bag. I did put a different derailleur on the rear (mid-80s Suntour aR), and just over a week ago I finally took the old steelie wheels off and put on a set of alloy wheels. Everything on the bike, though, I either got free (including some stuff from BF members) or had laying around. The only purchase made specifically for the bike was the vintage Schwinn-approved touring saddle bag.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
09-26-10 | 11:53 AM
#7030
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Finland
No, I cut drop-out and did some rod-welding .
09-26-10 | 01:17 PM
#7031
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: STL
Bikes: trek 560, specialized langster, specialized stumpjumper, felt bmx, GT pro series
https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5024953134_aeede96b16_z.jpg
Gary Fischer Wingra. I really wanted to get a nice cyclocross bike and splurge but living in NYC everything can get stolen. So the entry level gary fisher city bike/commuter it was. Brooklyn has so many bike lanes now it is really changing the culture down here - drivers know what to expect for the most part. Manhattan's getting better too.
I ended up just asking my LBS to install the cheapest rack they had and i'm actually happy i ended up with a topeak. the propriety bags work with a system that really is secure and tight.
now i'll just add some black reflective tape and rear/front lights and it will be complete...
the only thing i totally hate is having to lug a huge kryptonite lock (of course the NYC model) and then the steel rope for the wheels/ect.. its like over 10lbs of extra weight.
Gary Fischer Wingra. I really wanted to get a nice cyclocross bike and splurge but living in NYC everything can get stolen. So the entry level gary fisher city bike/commuter it was. Brooklyn has so many bike lanes now it is really changing the culture down here - drivers know what to expect for the most part. Manhattan's getting better too.
I ended up just asking my LBS to install the cheapest rack they had and i'm actually happy i ended up with a topeak. the propriety bags work with a system that really is secure and tight.
now i'll just add some black reflective tape and rear/front lights and it will be complete...
the only thing i totally hate is having to lug a huge kryptonite lock (of course the NYC model) and then the steel rope for the wheels/ect.. its like over 10lbs of extra weight.
-Connor
09-26-10 | 02:56 PM
#7033
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 773
Likes: 43
09-26-10 | 05:34 PM
#7034
i'll probably break it
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 2
No, I cut drop-out and did some rod-welding .
truly amaze. internet hero.
09-26-10 | 11:48 PM
#7036
Born Again Pagan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 2
From: Southwestern Ontario
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
No, I cut drop-out and did some rod-welding .
09-27-10 | 02:37 AM
#7038
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
100% form: it avoids all the dorkiness associated with bar end and helmet mirrors (which I've tried).
After or before the commute the bar end and helment mirrors always get banged on the walls, rack etc. and it it just a pain in the a$$ to adjust the angle everytime I start to ride.
100% function: With this though it is well tucked away from everything (but your knee, depending on reach), gives a clean view of everything behind you when you are on your upstroke on the side the mirror is mounted. It works like a charm. Gives the illusion of a clean setup too!
Zefal Spy btw.
Last edited by clarinetcola; 09-27-10 at 02:40 AM.
09-27-10 | 03:07 AM
#7039
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 1
From: 52°57'N 6°21'E
Bikes: Giant OCR
Alright, that's cool 
If that works, I might actually think about getting a mirror as well. Ah well, I'll think about it, might not even be a bad idea as nearly all my distances are commuting rides.
If that works, I might actually think about getting a mirror as well. Ah well, I'll think about it, might not even be a bad idea as nearly all my distances are commuting rides.
09-27-10 | 06:07 AM
#7041
Kid A
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 5
From: Alexandria, VA
100% function: With this though it is well tucked away from everything (but your knee, depending on reach), gives a clean view of everything behind you when you are on your upstroke on the side the mirror is mounted. It works like a charm. Gives the illusion of a clean setup too!
09-27-10 | 11:59 AM
#7043
always rides with luggage
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 20
From: KIGX
Bikes: 2007 Trek SU100, 2009 Fantom CX, 2012 Fantom Cross Uno, Bakfiets
I had just read that Surly is making the LHT in the 26" wheel size in larger frame sizes now.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
09-27-10 | 01:30 PM
#7044
Full Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Bikes: '8x Casati Monza, Gunnar Sport, Surly Karate Monkey, Obed Boundary
09-27-10 | 09:00 PM
#7046
Gouge Away
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 984
Likes: 12
From: BFOH
A recent temporary move has forced me to ride through a kinda rough area of Springfield, Oh to get to work. So I traded a guy some mountain bike parts for a 1985 Fuji Espree frameset to build up a more stealth commuter. Felt the Trek 520 was a bit of a tempting target. The frame is in nice shape except the headset was a little rough, so I had the LBS put a new one in. Other than that and a new Tiagra FD and rear gear cable I had all the parts for a seven speed build. It's a little heavier than the Trek, but the quad butted Valite tubing gives a nice smooth ride. Here she is shortly after the build. I am going to be adding some SKS fenders I have soon.
09-27-10 | 09:51 PM
#7047
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
09-27-10 | 10:43 PM
#7048
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,135
Likes: 6,360
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Are you going to add it to your stable or pass it on once it's perfected?
What tires are they, and how do you like them?
What tires are they, and how do you like them?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-27-10 | 11:05 PM
#7049
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
Tyres are Schwalbe Hurricanes... fast, smooth, and over the last 10,000 km have been bulletproof.
The bike is local, 1:1, and I freaking love it.
Definately a keeper and it it will look so good after it gets new powder.
The bike is local, 1:1, and I freaking love it.
Definately a keeper and it it will look so good after it gets new powder.
09-28-10 | 02:32 AM
#7050
Born Again Pagan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 2
From: Southwestern Ontario
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
A recent temporary move has forced me to ride through a kinda rough area of Springfield, Oh to get to work. So I traded a guy some mountain bike parts for a 1985 Fuji Espree frameset to build up a more stealth commuter. Felt the Trek 520 was a bit of a tempting target. The frame is in nice shape except the headset was a little rough, so I had the LBS put a new one in. Other than that and a new Tiagra FD and rear gear cable I had all the parts for a seven speed build. It's a little heavier than the Trek, but the quad butted Valite tubing gives a nice smooth ride. Here she is shortly after the build. I am going to be adding some SKS fenders I have soon.
Cool build (as usual). It's really got a Road Warrior look to it. BTW, what does 1:1 mean?