I bet that wheel looks awesome while spinning... is that a DIY thing? Pretty cool.

However, that seat... is it actually comfortable for you while nosed down like that?

the seat I can take it or leave it. It's better than what was on it before but not fantastic. I find myself standing on the pedals when there's a bump in the road.
The wheel looks killer when its moving and it gets compliments a lot. Its actually waxboard cutout thats zip tied to the spokes. It was on the bike when I got it so I have no clue where it came from.

I've been gone a while folks figured I would give you a pre-invite to the winter commuter I'm building. As usual for my builds nearly all second hand and strange looking(seems to be my thing). I'm thinking about calling it the Peppermint Bomber.

!988 Panasonic MC3500 all "Rivendelled" out.

You've mentioned this before and I'm intrigued. When I finally get the fleet* laying around me built up I think the next N+1 bike will be something with small wheels. My commute has a lot of stop and go over its 8 miles and I enjoy touring. I'm wondering if I can get the true feel of what it is like on a little bike on a fairly inexpensive one to start with. If I like it then I'd be willing to plunk down the dough for a tour capable one, especially something classy looking with a decent range of gears.

* Conversion of an old MTB for my girlfriends new commuter, repairs to her mountain steed, overhaul and winter conversion (snow and ice) for my mountain bike/foul weather commuter, complete my rebuild of my touring rig and the seemingly never-ending maintenance for my commuter. Other than her touring rig (which is thankfully complete now) all of those bikes are '88 to 2000 mountain bikes. Oh, and finish converting an MTB into a commuter for a friend of a friend, gift of a bike that was a little too small for me. I can't consider an N+1 bike right now!

Oh, and since it is a commuter bike pic thread, I'll post this:

Not the most flattering angle, I was trying to illustrate fender coverage for this shot. I need to take some more pictures, but have been holding off as there is just a little more tweaking I am going to do to this build, but it is basically complete.

That is a sexy beast Fizz.

^ +1 I'm loving it so far. Winterized my commuter:

Nice!

+1
Welcome back, Fizz!

I like it.

Here's the current configuration of the Singular Gryphon - commuting mode. Supernova E3 lighting, Shimano Dynamo, Nuvinci N360 IGH, Avid BB7, Marathon Supreme 50mm, Jeff Jones Loop Bar. It's about a year old now, and I've tweaked and changed things since I did the original build.
This is a great riding bike. It handles heavy loads (groceries, etc) with ease, and feels nimble for its heft. So far, so good. I love it.




The bike is very similar in design to the Salsa Fargo - fully rigid 29er by design. Here it is in single track mode:

turned this fuji frame into my commuter. (local markets & grocery store)


now.

I agree with you on the first point, but not the rest.

These pics are fantastic! You and this bike have been through it all. Love it.

Sometimes you have to brush the snow off the bike too...

On a 200 km weekend trip...





Was riding this bike 100km a day and 160 km on the weekends...

After the custom work was done it just got that much better...

I see your point. Mine is 451-20" non-folder. I'm not a fan of folders because they ride rubbish.

Anyway, do you park your bike outside overnight everyday? I see your lights are attached to the bike too.

The Extrabike has been parked outside for a few days as I renovate the shop... it takes up a little bit of parking space and unless it melts the snow is not an issue.

Just the rear blinkie is attached... the expensive lights are in the house with the e-bike's battery.

totally awesome!

It may sound odd, but you'd be surprised how comfortable a seat can be if you tip the nose up slightly. You have to lower it first, though. A seat tipped down is a sign that it might be too high.

same goes for your sweet all-rounder. I've always admired that bike.

I'm digging this bike, but that rear wheel has got to be hell in a crosswind.

I like it.

Where I live they allow motorcycles on the sidewalk. I ride in the street though.

I prefer the handling of 20" wheels to 700c. They accelerate faster and I like the way they corner. The only real downside is that the very short wheelbase makes cross-chaining more of an issue.

I don't use a speedometer but the world record for upright bicycle speed was set on a Moulton with 17" wheels so I don't really think the 20" wheels are any slower than 700c. They're illegal in UCI racing though, and racing tends to set the aesthetic of what is fast.

They are retro-shifts, and I really like them but they're overpriced.

Here's a video:

My newly finished commuter: