Hello everyone,

Here's my budget commuter (newbie here; wanted to try out commuting first before sinking hard cash on a descent bike):



German engineering, Romanian built, costs 185 euros ($260 US) and so far has coped with my 310lbs without having anything fly off! lol

It looks well suited for commuting. Around here you'd probably pay $500 for a similar bike at a local shop, so I think you got a deal. I started off on a very similar bike and after 3years it actually feels smoother than new.

I initially ordered an Electra Townie 3i which is absolutely the best bike I've ever ridden, but decided to go for something cheaper (Electra's cost around $1000 US here!) since I didn't have a safe place to store the bike and also having learned that Electra's are the #1 bike on thieves lists. The guy I ordered the Electra told me that 1 week before my order, an Electra was stolen when someone actually cut down a full size road lamp-post! The police were baffled as to why no-one saw the thief... this on a city corner!!!

It looks perfect for commuting.

+1 looks like some awesome (IMO) relaxed geometry.

I finally have my little Peugeot pretty much finished. This thing is a blast to bomb around in and its really comfy. The bar end shifters work so much better than the old thumbshifters did. I haven't decided yet what I am putting on the rack to haul things yet. I am leaning toward a folding basket on one side and my Jadd trunk bag like I had on my Trek. I really like this bike alot. It been kind of a pain in some ways to get it all together and taken a while, but I think its worth it. Its going to be my "new" primary commuter.

+2 Just perfect! Comfy and I love the blue and silver.

WTB pro gel seat,Blackburn mars 3.0 blinkie,rear luggage rack w/multiple tie down options,green reflective straps,3M reflective tape front to back,on the wheels,and on the pedals,and lighting the way with a 90 lumen,and a 144 lumen coleman flashlight(s).On the ride a green reflective vest accompanies it all,with a helmet that also has the 3M tape all over it.Now I have only had all this done 2 days now but my girl went riding behind me earlier and said I look similar to a carnival ride going down the road o.O

Finally got my Novara Transfer commuter set up the way I want it. Here is a pic of how it looked when it was fairly close to stock:


I didn't mind how it looked and rode while stock, I just wanted to swap out some parts to make it a bit more comfortable and personalized. This is how it looks now:



I change up the panniers depending on how much I have to carry for the day so I still have and use the Axioms. I am quite satisfied with the Transfer so far.

How about that, three mini velos on the same page.

Great bikes! Love the reduce, reuse, and recycle theme of the Specialized and the clean lines of the Mercier. Kudos!

After I get my Velo Orange Model 1 leather saddle in, I figure my only bike will finally be complete! (well, maybe some reflective sidewall tires. And new bottle cages. And a third chainring....)

Everytime I see a singlespeed cross bike I want one.

^ If it's not too hilly where you ride, go for it. I love the San Jose for commuting, but I'm a bit weary to even do some light touring with it. Currently running 42x17 so I'm not sure how well I can climb with it if I'm carrying a load.

I think I like the look of the singlespeed more than I like the function. I would have to gear down a 700cc bike so much to be where I would like it that it might be ridiculous. I had a 26" Redline Monocog and the 36x18 gearing was good for me but I sold it to try and cut down on my bikes. I have 90's hybrid bike that I am going to try a few configurations and one of them might be singlespeed. I also have a singlespeed mountain bike frame I might build up one of these days. Right now I need to get some flips and bikes for friends done before I tackle another personal project.

Slicks will help, but the best way for me to put it is that mountain bikes are simply not optimized for use in triathalons. They're bulky (create a higher profile to the wind) and the gearing is lower than optimal.

It would be like using a 4x4 truck at LeMans. sure, it could drive the route, but not nearly as efficiently as the cars that are designed for speed.

Since the bike leg of a triathalon is essentially a "time trial", it is illegal to draft off of another rider. It is you vs. the wind. Every bit of aerodynamic advantage will make a difference. The riding position is low and sleek. The bicycle is devoid of superfluous "stuff" poking out to grab the air.
So, sure, putting slicks and an aerobar on the mountainbike would get you around he course, and would perhaps be a good way to see if the triathalon thing is for you, but it would be inherently limited, like driving a jeep at an autocross.

With a total re-build of a mountain bike frame, you could create an aerodynamic machine with better gearing, but would more or less require replacing every component. With that, the time and money would be better spent getting a more appropriate racing (or tri-specific) bike for the purpose.

So, my Vaya got a roommate. I sold my CC frame and found this for sale the same night. Still need to swap out the pedals and stem to drop the bars a bit.

Sweet!
If you're dropping the bars, another saddle might be a better choice.

Here's my Globe Vienna 3 Disc. I've added a computer, under seat bag and fenders. I'll be adding a rear rack and pannier next.







and my custom badge, complete with a Bob Marley quote

^Wow the front of the front fender looks really close to the tire in the picture. How much room is there?

Me too, but then I think "Well, I still like 26" wheels better."

Was thinking the same thing. The bars are already lower than the seat, wide sprung saddles usually aren't good for that.

Any reason for LOWERING the bars? If anything I'd be raising them.

My guess is that the bike looks like it has pretty sporty geometry, which lends itself to a more aggressive riding position.
I'd do the same on that bike - maybe 3-4" drop for my body. I'd probably put a mustache bar or shallow drop bar on it, though.

bad news, I was sprinting yesterday out of the saddle and the chain snapped and was flown away with huge force, I smashed my foot against the road @ ~20mph and my groin on the top tube, the bike swerved uncontrollably but I managed not to crash.

No idea why the chain snapped, it seemed ok to me. My left big toe is injured but slowly healing, just swollen to hell.

Oh and yes it's really heavy, they use steel components not even aluminium ones, the frame is probably hi-ten steel of the heaviest variety. Pipe tubing.

I don't care, I've loved it so far except for the chain failure, it's fun and extremely cheap.