Curtlo cyclocross bike built up back in 2003. The reason I had this bike made was at that time there were no readily available production CX bikes/frames that allowed for disc brakes. It is by far my favorite and is almost always the bike I pick to ride. I've commuted on it, raced on it and more often lately pull my sons in the bike trailer with it. It received some upgrades throughout the years, though it has stayed mostly the same for the past 5 years or so. I'm thinking of putting on fenders and a Tubus rack on the back so I can use my panniers on it. I don't plan on racing any time soon again on it...in no shape for that.

Bought this 88 Schwinn World to set up as a cheap (OK, not cheap!) commuter to replace using my 09 Specialized Allez. Big difference in ride quality, but not bad. Will take it on its maiden voyage tomorrow with a friend I finally talked into biking the 15.5 mile one-way trip!





Still have work to do, like a lighter seat post and bars, but for now it works well for what I need. Also, how is the best way to get the head badge back on? Thanks all!

Great looking bike, what is it?

Thanks! It's a Civia Bryant. More here: https://www.ecovelo.info/2011/03/13/a-new-beginning/

you may indeed prefer older bikes (which is a completely fine & dandy personal preference to have), but i'm curious to know how you arrived at your current position of authority to speak for all 2.7 million chicagoans?



that's quite the heaping serving of a subjective, sweeping generalization presented as fact. some older bikes may be better than some newer bikes, but i assure you that some older bikes are FAR worse than some newer bikes.






I spent the weekend spiffing up my fair weather commuter now that old man winter seems to be releasing his stranglehold on the windy city. I also got the steerer tube cut down. It was sticking up above the stem by about 1.5" and, while it wasn't hurting anything, aesthetically it really bothered me. Now the the rhino horn is gone, it looks normal.

With all the rain in Northern California lately, I've been getting bummed out commuting on my nice road bike. The fenders I have for it are not full coverage either, so it ends up getting filthy and I got tired of cleaning it so often. I found a 1990 Fuji Tahoe on craigslist for $50, and then put some fenders, cheap tires, and $20 platform pedals on it. Wheels are true, shifting is surprisingly smooth, and the ride is very comfortable. I was prepared for this just to be a crappy beater/rain bike, but I'm pleasantly surprised. This will also be serving as my town bike, trail-a-bike hauler, and errand runner. No more locking up my road bike to bike racks!

Overall it's not a bad bike. A little rust here an there, but nothing major and all the important parts work smooth. Even came with a full Suntour XCM "gruppo". Fancy!

thb - That Fuji looks great... don't be surprised if the "beater" becomes a favourite bike.

Congrats on the new ride!
The Bryant was high on my list, so I look forward to hearing your impressions as you get some saddle time on the new steed.

Here is my Peugeot US Express with 24 inch wheels I built the last couple of days. Its going on its first commuter trip today. Its not light, but its smaller than regular bike and based on a the test ride I took yesterday it rides pretty nice. I'll ride it for a few days and then upgrade some of the parts. Hopefully I will be able to cut out some of the weight although I'll just be adding more on with a rack and baskets or panniers. This is one of the bikes I decided to go ahead and build up instead of buying a new bike. =)

that's an odd beast, but glad you're enjoying it.

Of course there isn't a problem. As long as we are riding bikes... regardless of the bike! My apologies if I came off rude. Past few days haven't been the greatest!

My apologies if I sounded rude or superior on the subject because that was not my intention but understand how it came off that way. Let me start over. I simply prefer older bikes and most people I know do as well. I speak for no one but myself and the people I know.




I agree. It is a bit of an over generalized statement but I do agree for the most part that older bikes are superior to newer ones. Are ALL older bikes superior to newer ones? Absolutely not. Are all newer bikes superior to all older bikes? Again, absolutely not. Do I plan on owning a newer bike in the future? Absolutely, because I love bikes and even though I will want to commit suicide after purchasing one of these very expensive newer bikes I ultimately will. I am getting back to riding after a long over-due break from riding. We may even disagree on which specific bikes are better but the ultimate goal here is to keep riding... whatever bike we choose. Here is my 2004 Giant Sedona. Have a nice day and keep riding everyone.



The Giant isn't being used at the moment. It needs some new tires but I am unsure what to use the bike for. Me and my fiance have started a recycling program at home and I plan on taking the recyclables to the Recycling Center on Sundays and was thinking maybe I could use the giant for that. It is a much lighter bike and with the added weight of a cargo trailer I think this would be the best choice.

Thanks! So far it's a pleasure to ride, and I hope it stays that way.

i wouldn't necessarily agree with that, but if that's you're opinion you're certainly entitled to it, it's just that the way you initially expressed your position it sounded like you were trying to pass off opinion as fact.

i will say however, i believe one of the reasons that some people may perceive that older bikes are generally better than newer bikes is the fact that the multitudes of crappy old bikes that have long since bit the dust are no longer with us, so comparing only the older bikes that are still around (bikes that were generally higher quality to begin with) with all new bikes being manufactured these days is a bit apples and oranges if you ask me.



absolutely, i wasn't trying to give you a hard time for choosing to ride whatever kind of bike you like and that works for you, i just thought the way you were expressing your opinions seemed a litle over the top. often times, typing simple little phrases like "i think that......." and "it's my opinion that....." can do wonders to avoid misunderstandings in internetland.

Just changed to Shimano 11 speed.
Commuter 1.jpg

Here's my new bike, Kona Sutra(2008).Bought this one from a guy that too shot for her.

Kona Sutra by Madanial, on Flickr

Very comfortable ride, but don't know which kickstand that able to use with her.Maybe i gotta looking for click-stand.

No problem. I should have been more clear with my statements. No harm done and no hard feelings.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.




I am an easy going guy for the most part. I did not take what you said personal and there are no hard feelings for our differences. Once again, I should have worded myself better as to avoid confusion. Oh, your bike looks nice and I am sure you enjoy riding it. Have a nice day.

That thing is awsome

Very nice Kona Mardmakarm, it looks like new!

Nice!
Where did you get the mid fork adapters for the light?

My commuter bike for today: Dynamic Crossroad 8
Not the fastest bike but low maintenance and fairly weather resistant.

Commuter mode

Pleasure mode.

subzeroLV,

Nice bike! Can you tell me what panniers you have installed?

Thanks!

Tim

Here is a little update on the little Peugeot. It rides pretty nice and I enjoyed riding it. It feels plush with the 1.75 lower psi tires compared to the 28mm on the Windor. Its heavy at around 30 pounds and its of course doesn't seem that zippy, but the tires has alot to do with that I bet. I think the rear derailer is gunky becasue it wouldn't always shift down to the smaller cogs for some reason. I figured it would eventually loosen up but it didn't really. I'll probably not mess with it too much just upgrade it instead. Overall Its a fun bike that will get better as I add some better stuff to it. I thought I would feel more wonky with the stem riser and everything, but it feels pretty normal and I didn't notice any flex. This thing tracks right down the road. I think I thought I would find it more appealing to look at than it is, but it not looking super-awesome (I like how it loks just not love it) just means I won't mind using it as a commuter. =)

Some things I'll look at changing most of which I probably have one way or another. I want some brake levers with hoods, a wider drop bar and possibly one with less reach , but I want to ride this a bit to get it all figured out. I need a different seat. I remember when my favorite seat was the WTB speed V thts on there now, but now I would rate it as just ok for me. I'll probably upgrade the entire drivetrain with parts I have lying around. I need to decide if I want to go with a triple or double crank and what type of shifters to use. I need to find some correct screws to attach a rack to the back, but thats no big deal at the worst a trip to the local hardware store. Overall its been a fun project and gone together quite well once I got the stem adapter.

omg my new Salsa Casseroll *drool*





Now I just need a rear rack...

A Kona Sutra without disc brakes. This is awesome.