I like the setups I see here. I have had to do some funky things to get my bike set up for what I carry. I suppose that I could get one of those buggys that follow behind for toting kids, but they cost to much. Fortunately I work for a custom strap manufacturer, so I can play with designs and get things to work how I want them to. Oh, yeah! if you want a quality custom strap for your paniers or replacement straps for your bike rack, at a very low price, check us out at www.strapworks.com

Hey cool, I just placed an order with you guys! I've started making my own bags, and I ordered a foot of almost every color webbing you have as samples :D

Here is a picture of my newly assembled single speed Surly cross-check. Purpose built for my 16 mile (each way) commute in Austin TX. I still need to add the rack and fenders, but that will have to wait for another paycheck. This is the first time I've attempted to build a bike (except the headset and the BB, I had them installed at my LBS). It was a very good learning experience. I think I will enjoy tinkering with this one for a long time to come.

Here's my bike...I think I need to give it a cleaning.

Hmmmmm... nice bike, qboy!

Thanks! Sturdy too; it's been in two collisions.

Here's mine. Mid- or late-80s Bianchi Grizzly. Got it from an amazingly nice person on Freecycle last summer. (I'd been riding a thrift store Shogun mountain bike before that.) Had to put new wheels (well... round, at least) on it. Since then I've added the rack, saddlebags, and fenders.

cog_nate, sweet ride!! I love those bikes. Reminds me of my Rock Hopper from the same era. Even has the original celeste stem! Gotta love that. Check out my rock hopper here:
http://rykoala.org/ryko/fixedgear.html (now updated with SPD pedals and fenders...)

Bogota , Colombia

Gonesh,
Cool as can be! I love all the stickers and the messages. I'm a long-time veg-head too. I went to a city council meeting here in Fort Collins a few weeks ago, and they mentioned that 12-1/2 % of commutes in Portland were by bicycle. The Fort is only at 4 %. Keep up the good work!

What size Cross Check frame is that?

Thanks,

There are a lot of Surly Cross-Checks in here...so why not another. This is my Cross-Check on the day of it's completion about 2 weeks ago. The most unusual thing about it is the Nitto North Road handlebar. It's a 56cm frame in green...the picture doesn't do the color justice, the green is quite lovely. A rear rack has been added since the photo was taken. See the link below for a photo:

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...achmentid=5857

It's a 56 cm.

I am at the end of my first week commuting on it, and all I can say is wow. I thought the 20t freewheel in the back may be too much and in a couple of months it may be, but for now it's perfect for my commute. The Brooks saddle is also working out beautifully. I hardly notice it's there after only a week.

Surly LHT 62cm. I originally wanted to get a Surly Crosscheck, as I have a lot of hills on my commute. Unfortunately, surly stopped making the crosscheck in bean grean, so I went with the LHT; I just love that color.

http://static.flickr.com/39/87125124_7b4ed5a5f6_b.jpg

1998? shwinn frontier frame
drivetrain: truvativ stylo SS crank/ OEM ISIS BB/ old style LX RD/ megarange 8spd cassette
wheels: double wall zac rims/parallax hubs
brakes: sram 9.0 levers/ $15 v-brakes w/ Kool-stops :D
shifting: STX
lights (not pictured): 2 cateye opticube 5-bulb halogens/ matching rear
This is for getting to class and work. The fenders look funny because they are 700's but I will be getting 26in shortly. It's built with parts that I already had or that were slightly outdated so they can be had for cheap (nothing but the crank had ever been ridden). I'm unsure of the year of the frame b/c there is no date code on the headbadge, any ideas? Overall, the bikes rides smooth and its light. I like it, even this ****ty michigan winter.

EDIT: I think I'll take new pics next time I clean it. The white **** is teflon dry spray, it keeps the drivetrain from getting clogged. The brown stuff is dirt, duh.

Cowboy

Which brake levers are you using with the v brakes, and how well do they work? I'm thinking of On One Midge bars but currently have v brakes on the cross-check with flat bars and mtn levers.

Thanks

Here is a link to the picture of my main commuter bike see'ing there is no snow in Toronto I use this one, The snow bike is is on the rack still . http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7...at060003.0.jpg

NO FOOTBALL FOR YOU!

My good weather commuter..

Pics: February 5, 2006 -- Sunny and 49 degrees..virtually no wind.
Roughly 18 miles from home.

Verdi, NV Elevation 4,900
Verdi Mountain Range with Verdi Peak (8,347 ft) in the background.
Truckee River fed from snow melt, reservoirs and Lake Tahoe overflow.
Dead Racoon on highway.


Specialized HardRock

Nashbar Trekker (bow tie) handlebar
Cateye Enduro 2 computer
Third Eye Mirror / Bell.
Cateye Dual El-200 "to be seen" light
Nashbar Amber 2aaa blinkie clamped on stem.
Radio Shack FRS Radio Pouch.
Optronics QH-7CC headlight.
Beezer Design Water Proof Toe Clip Covers
Ascent Bike Rack with attached Vistalite blinkie
Nashbar Rack Bag turned backwards with webbing to accommodate 2 more blinkies.

Much obliged.
Nick Lee
Sparks, NV

Metal Cowboy, that's a beautiful bike. Of course I think that because it looks exactly like mine (except I've got the older green Cross Check).

heres my horse, she bucks but shes a feather weight don't tell me about how poor my wheels are i've heard it all before, the fact is they're strong and they're not gettin replaced till they get flat spots or bend or i get hit by a car whichever comes first. the cranks just fell in my lap two days ago for less than cost i couldn't turn em down.


05 specialized langster
-alex da16 rims (heavy but sturdy)
-some kinda hubs
-Contitour 2000 28's (best city tires ever)
-Truvativ Roleur carbon cranks & giga x pipe B.B.
-PRofile bullhorn? bars
-48/16 fixed w/ surly tensioner
-little blackburn taillight
-all gear gets packed in my back sack it keeps the prep low for long recreational rides, cages and racks look so cluttered

-This bike is different, it gets bad reviews, I believe because of the roughish ride and cheap stock parts (Cranks, wheelset, brakes) The wind in Chicago is flippin ridiculous sometimes, so a light frame pays off, stop and goes are much easier than on my buddies pista
I stopped complaining about the rough ride when i realized i could slalomn through leaves and gravel on the lake front path. this bike rocks! I don't regret selling my car one bit!

February 10, 2006

What is a commuter bike without a cargo trailer?

Sure.. you can have front pannier / back pannier / backpack / messenger bags to haul stuff.. but come on, those application is somewhat limited.

Here are pics of three of my five trailers..

1. My most used trailer. Welded from cut perforated? angle iron. I chose angle iron as the frame because it of the many bungie cords that I can secure my load. The width of the trailer from outside wheel to wheel axle width is only 23".. I like the width dimensions because I can often time bail onto the sidewalk at dangerous intersections when needed.

The picture shows I have a 33 gal Sterlite Tote.. My aging Border Collie rides comfortably in this carrier (dog taxi).

2. My second trailer has the most potential as is. I made it from truck cargo bed.. bought from (harbor freight).. The cargo bed already had side rails, perforated sheet metal and good overall length..

The width from wheel to wheel is 27" and the width of the bed is 19x60 inches.. good to accomodate 18 - 20 gal Rubbermade Tote.

The tow tongue is welded on the frame, and the trailer hitch was made with combination of ball joints and axle rods..

Unfortunately, the wheels on this trailer is not positioned correctly.. The handling would be improved if the wheels were moved back about 15".

3. My third trailer is a "kick a##" trailer. Made from two Big Foot (Harbor Freight.com) cut and welded together. Perfect workhorse.

Much obliged.
Nick Lee

Here is an updated pic of my new cross-check rigged for the morning commute. New rack, fenders, and panniers.

Very cool, Nick. I'm in the process of working out a cargo trailer myself. I just found a friend with a welder and I like the look of your longer trailers.

Hey, very nice! Those cross checks would be on my list for sure, if I didn't already have a perfect commuting rig myself ;) Are you running fixed gear or single speed? What gearing?

Here's some picture of my commuter. 2006 Fetish Ankh, built w/ full 105's / 12-27 9 speed cassette, Carbon Bianchi Axis Fork, Carbon Fetish Seat Post, Carbon Kestral Bars, Cane Creek S2 Headset, Ritchey Pro Stem, Velocity Arrowheads wrapped with Mich Carbons. This bike is hella smooth, tough and lightweight.