Commuter Bicycle Pics
10-12-10 | 01:07 PM
#7126
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 5
10-12-10 | 05:57 PM
#7127
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 3
From: Stephenville TX
Bikes: 2010 Trek 7100
Don't feel too bad; I've only done the commute a couple of times this month because we're in that problematic temperature range where if you dress warmly enough to not be too cold starting out, you'll sweat too much after the first mile and freeze on the downhills.
10-12-10 | 06:14 PM
#7128
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,139
Likes: 6,365
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
Dress more lightly, and pedal downhill to prevent cooling.
I've never been trouble by extra-moderate temperatures!
I've never been trouble by extra-moderate temperatures!
__________________
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.
10-13-10 | 08:26 AM
#7129
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
After being inspired by Fizzaly and Sixty Fiver with their Mountain bikes with drop bars I decided to try one for myself.
So here is the project, its a Schwinn Paramont frame I have had for quite awhile and wanted to do something cool with it. Here are the pics of most of the pieces before I started.
Closer shot of the frame
How it looks so far
It has some junky components like the crank and bars, but I can add nicer stuff later if I like the setup. I like how its coming together. I was happy the suspension seatpost I had lying around fit in this frame. I was most worried I would get it together and not like the fit, but after throwing it on the trainer tonight when I got to a good stopping point if felt pretty good right away. Pretty much all I have to do now is run some cables and find a couple little items to finish it off. I am experimenting with thumbshifters placed by the brake levers on the road bars. Its been something I have thought about doing for a while but never tried it. It seems like it will work pretty good actually. I'll find out soon enough. Its got to be better than stem shifters.
So here is the project, its a Schwinn Paramont frame I have had for quite awhile and wanted to do something cool with it. Here are the pics of most of the pieces before I started.
Closer shot of the frame
How it looks so far
It has some junky components like the crank and bars, but I can add nicer stuff later if I like the setup. I like how its coming together. I was happy the suspension seatpost I had lying around fit in this frame. I was most worried I would get it together and not like the fit, but after throwing it on the trainer tonight when I got to a good stopping point if felt pretty good right away. Pretty much all I have to do now is run some cables and find a couple little items to finish it off. I am experimenting with thumbshifters placed by the brake levers on the road bars. Its been something I have thought about doing for a while but never tried it. It seems like it will work pretty good actually. I'll find out soon enough. Its got to be better than stem shifters.
10-13-10 | 11:22 AM
#7130
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
My friend already has a Kuwahara like mine equipped with trekking bars and what used to be a fixed gear is now a 3 spd that now makes it's own power...
Hope to pick up and install the new fenders later today.
10-13-10 | 12:19 PM
#7131
This bike is cat approved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: To many to list...
Thanks for the feedback. I hope I can get it done this weekend.
I don't take it as a bad influence its probably a good one. I have thought about some projects too long its time to just do one.
I am interested in 3-speed bikes that don't seemingly double as achors although I likes those old bikes too.
One of the visions for this Schwinn frame was making it a 3-speed partly because of the cable stop issue. I have a couple old SA hubs laying around and some used rims that would work, but I haven't mustered up the courage, effort or patience to build my own wheel yet. This Schwinn frame has vertical dropouts so that might make it more of a challenge if I ever decide to go that direction for this bike.
A couple months ago I was considering getting an old road bike with a 3-speed SA wheel and putting it on a nicer lighter vintage road bike, but after I got a single speed that idea moved farther back on the interest meter. I am still intruiged by it and it would be pretty easy to do.
I don't take it as a bad influence its probably a good one. I have thought about some projects too long its time to just do one.
I am interested in 3-speed bikes that don't seemingly double as achors although I likes those old bikes too.
One of the visions for this Schwinn frame was making it a 3-speed partly because of the cable stop issue. I have a couple old SA hubs laying around and some used rims that would work, but I haven't mustered up the courage, effort or patience to build my own wheel yet. This Schwinn frame has vertical dropouts so that might make it more of a challenge if I ever decide to go that direction for this bike.
A couple months ago I was considering getting an old road bike with a 3-speed SA wheel and putting it on a nicer lighter vintage road bike, but after I got a single speed that idea moved farther back on the interest meter. I am still intruiged by it and it would be pretty easy to do.
10-13-10 | 01:04 PM
#7132
the sky is blue
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Spain
My two commuters (the FG is a cross-post if you hang out in SSFG at all):
Motobecane Fantom Cross:
Completely stock except the Brooks, Planet Bike fenders and Campus SPD pedals. Going on 3 years of ownership - still happy with my purchase. It's no LHT, but I've gotten it to the point that I can ride it for pretty substantial distances. I commute on it 3/4 times a week, when I'm not riding my FG.
My Fixed Gear:
Performance SSR frame, Michelin City 28c tires (about as big as you can fit), Formula hubs laced to CXP22's and a bunch of other parts I had laying around. I'm pretty hip.
Motobecane Fantom Cross:
Completely stock except the Brooks, Planet Bike fenders and Campus SPD pedals. Going on 3 years of ownership - still happy with my purchase. It's no LHT, but I've gotten it to the point that I can ride it for pretty substantial distances. I commute on it 3/4 times a week, when I'm not riding my FG.
My Fixed Gear:
Performance SSR frame, Michelin City 28c tires (about as big as you can fit), Formula hubs laced to CXP22's and a bunch of other parts I had laying around. I'm pretty hip.
10-13-10 | 05:36 PM
#7133
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
Yes it is, and yes you are. The "guys with MTBs with drop bars" club keeps growing...
__________________
--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
10-13-10 | 06:42 PM
#7134
On a Mission from God
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 5
From: Thibodaux, LA
Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial
10-14-10 | 12:21 PM
#7139
This bike is cat approved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: To many to list...
10-14-10 | 12:23 PM
#7140
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
10-14-10 | 12:34 PM
#7142
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
groovestew's bike came out of my shop and my friend's Kuwahara got trekking bars when he passed it on to this better half who just loves them.
10-14-10 | 12:42 PM
#7144
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
Oh carp... I have three.
I never think of my Kuwahras as mountain bikes even though that was how they were marketed... many of those early to mid eighties mtbs were really touring bikes that were re-designed to handle fatter 26 inch wheels and tyres.
My Kuwahara Cascade is an expedition touring bike... it too lived as a fixed gear / drop bar bike for a number of years but this spring it got restored to it's former geared glory.
I never think of my Kuwahras as mountain bikes even though that was how they were marketed... many of those early to mid eighties mtbs were really touring bikes that were re-designed to handle fatter 26 inch wheels and tyres.
My Kuwahara Cascade is an expedition touring bike... it too lived as a fixed gear / drop bar bike for a number of years but this spring it got restored to it's former geared glory.
10-14-10 | 04:37 PM
#7146
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 773
Likes: 43
I got my new stem in the mail today. 150mm stem! Thats right 150mm! I measured the offset from the new handlebar I got (cheapo origin 8 space bar) to be around 5.5cm arched back so I got a 6cm longer stem (is that ghetto logic?). Either way its really comfortable now (natural wrist/hand position on the bar) with the normal distance compared to my old riser. I also ended up cutting off 5cm from each side of the bar (now its 51cm) to be able to squeeze through the NYC traffic easier!
Today was my first day in the rain with the new bike. Finally got to feel/see/hear the difference with disc brakes. Silent direct stopping.
Today was my first day in the rain with the new bike. Finally got to feel/see/hear the difference with disc brakes. Silent direct stopping.
10-14-10 | 06:39 PM
#7147
This bike is cat approved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: To many to list...
I haven't posted any pics of my commuter lately. I have done some things since I last posted so here it goes. I really like riding this bike alot.
New grips
Cheap, but I like them alot
1 folding rear basket
I can actually haul alot of stuff now.
Good used chain.
What a difference!
Nashbar AIR seat
Really comfy on my butt, although the nose is too padded.
Bell DING DING!!!
I found this in a box of my bike stuff while looking for something else. I love this thing. Its so cheery and people seem to hear it better than me yelling somehow. It also takes less effort. LOL
Headlight Bell brand
I got this off another bike I bought just in time for the darker evenings. Its awesome to be able to see at night. I know its just a Target light or whatever, but its by far the best light I have ever had.
Red Tireflys
They add a bit of light at night.
Total cost of upgrades. Less than $10
New grips
Cheap, but I like them alot
1 folding rear basket
I can actually haul alot of stuff now.
Good used chain.
What a difference!
Nashbar AIR seat
Really comfy on my butt, although the nose is too padded.
Bell DING DING!!!
I found this in a box of my bike stuff while looking for something else. I love this thing. Its so cheery and people seem to hear it better than me yelling somehow. It also takes less effort. LOL
Headlight Bell brand
I got this off another bike I bought just in time for the darker evenings. Its awesome to be able to see at night. I know its just a Target light or whatever, but its by far the best light I have ever had.
Red Tireflys
They add a bit of light at night.
Total cost of upgrades. Less than $10
10-14-10 | 10:18 PM
#7148
This bike is cat approved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: To many to list...
I am another step closer to being in the club. I was working on the Schwinn drop bar project and wasn't finding what I needed so I started on another project. I basically finished it tonight and was riding it around when the chain broke. It wasn't a big deal because I need to put a different one on anyway. It saved me time breaking it apart. =) Here it is in its ghetto single speed glory although chainless.
I see why people say these old U-brakes suck. They totally do. I'll put some cantis on the rear instead. The front cantis are awesome. This bike doesn't fit the greatest because I need a longer stem or maybe I will just ride in the drops most of the time. It was nice I had a whole stem, bars and brake lever with bar tape that I could just put on the bike. I like the funky stickers on it that just screams ghetto or maybe character. I also need to put a rear rack on it, but that will be easy because it has all the mounting points and has screws already waiting for me. I am surprised how quickly it came together and now I have everything I need for the Schwinn too.
I see why people say these old U-brakes suck. They totally do. I'll put some cantis on the rear instead. The front cantis are awesome. This bike doesn't fit the greatest because I need a longer stem or maybe I will just ride in the drops most of the time. It was nice I had a whole stem, bars and brake lever with bar tape that I could just put on the bike. I like the funky stickers on it that just screams ghetto or maybe character. I also need to put a rear rack on it, but that will be easy because it has all the mounting points and has screws already waiting for me. I am surprised how quickly it came together and now I have everything I need for the Schwinn too.
10-14-10 | 10:20 PM
#7149
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
Those chainstay brakes have massive stopping power when they are set up right but need a little more TLC to keep them working well... make sure they stay well greased and that you keep an eye on the pads as when they wear it allows the brake arms to arc in further and the brake my hit the tyre.
