Commuter Bicycle Pics
04-12-14 | 11:51 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 107
From: Scranton, PA, USA
Bikes: '77 Centurion "Pro Tour"; '67 Carlton "The Flyer"; 1984 Ross MTB (stored at parents' house)
And rides much better after I adjusted the barrel adjuster on the cable by the 8 turns it took so that the indicators line up. This is my first experience with internally geared hubs, and my first experience in something like 25 years with a coaster brake. I'm finding I really enjoy the internally geared hub, not so sure about the coaster brake.
04-12-14 | 02:31 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 9
From: Anchorage AK
Bikes: 2015 Salsa Fargo 3, 2000 Specialized Rockhopper
Will be real glad when breakup finishes up as I am tired of Cambell Creek Trail being almost unrideable due to the slush in the afternoons. And the road dust is killer everywhere else.
Well, it finally happened: I jumped aboard the fat bike bandwagon. Surly Necromancer, limited edition yellow Rolling Darryl rims, Alfine 8 hub, 45 North Dillinger tires.
Drive side (pannier set as far back as possible because of serious heel strike):
Non-drive side:
Front side:
Backside (lol):
Puppy side (oh god that sounds terrible, like a poison made specifically for puppies):
See how nicely they're sitting? That's because this is at mile 5 of the 6 miles of single track that we run or bike every day out to the dog park and back. You want obedient dogs, you gotta wear the SOBs down (or DOB, in the black dog's case).
I've gotten by for over a decade now riding all winter with studded mountain bike tires and studded 'cross tires, opting to ski or take the bus on snow days, but this summer my commute went from 2 miles to 7 miles, which is farther than I'm willing to ski to work, my bus ride went from 10 minutes to 50 minutes, and 45 North (go Canada!) released a studded fat tire this season, the lack of which had been a deal breaker for me when considering a fat bike as a commuter. I'm incredibly lucky in that 6 miles of my route is on groomed ski trail, like this:
But the remaining street mile looks like this pretty much all winter:
Not to mention spring daytime melt/nighttime freeze conditions in the tunnels and underpasses (if it isn't obvious, that tunnel is solid, smooth, skate-able ice):
Seriously icy:
So yeah, studs are a must for me, and now they come in fat! This bike is so much fun, and there's loads of winter only single track around my end of town, so this has become one of my favorite winter toys as well as my daily beast of burden. The only thing it's missing is full wrap fenders, which is why it's so dirty; we're in full breakup here, 40's during the day and single digits at night, so it's a frozen ride to work in the morning and a slushy ride home in the afternoon. I tried the SKS grandmom and granddad clip on fenders, but they sucked, so I've got a set of full wraps on order from MK Fenders. He's really backed up though, 8 to 12 weeks for production and delivery, and it's been 9 weeks since I ordered; at this rate, they'll arrive just in time for the road bike to come out.
Drive side (pannier set as far back as possible because of serious heel strike):
Non-drive side:
Front side:
Backside (lol):
Puppy side (oh god that sounds terrible, like a poison made specifically for puppies):
See how nicely they're sitting? That's because this is at mile 5 of the 6 miles of single track that we run or bike every day out to the dog park and back. You want obedient dogs, you gotta wear the SOBs down (or DOB, in the black dog's case).
I've gotten by for over a decade now riding all winter with studded mountain bike tires and studded 'cross tires, opting to ski or take the bus on snow days, but this summer my commute went from 2 miles to 7 miles, which is farther than I'm willing to ski to work, my bus ride went from 10 minutes to 50 minutes, and 45 North (go Canada!) released a studded fat tire this season, the lack of which had been a deal breaker for me when considering a fat bike as a commuter. I'm incredibly lucky in that 6 miles of my route is on groomed ski trail, like this:
But the remaining street mile looks like this pretty much all winter:
Not to mention spring daytime melt/nighttime freeze conditions in the tunnels and underpasses (if it isn't obvious, that tunnel is solid, smooth, skate-able ice):
Seriously icy:
So yeah, studs are a must for me, and now they come in fat! This bike is so much fun, and there's loads of winter only single track around my end of town, so this has become one of my favorite winter toys as well as my daily beast of burden. The only thing it's missing is full wrap fenders, which is why it's so dirty; we're in full breakup here, 40's during the day and single digits at night, so it's a frozen ride to work in the morning and a slushy ride home in the afternoon. I tried the SKS grandmom and granddad clip on fenders, but they sucked, so I've got a set of full wraps on order from MK Fenders. He's really backed up though, 8 to 12 weeks for production and delivery, and it's been 9 weeks since I ordered; at this rate, they'll arrive just in time for the road bike to come out.
04-12-14 | 06:55 PM
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
__________________
--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
04-12-14 | 09:03 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 1
From: Kherson, Ukraine
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
04-13-14 | 05:17 PM
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Bikes: Soma Double Cross Disc (Commuter/everyday), Fuji Sportif 1.1 (Racy/fun bike), Specialized Sirrus Sport Disc (beater).
That Zebra is an old SC60w; it's at least three years old, and they don't make them anymore, unfortunately. They do have a newer version of it out, the SC62d that I'm thinking about getting. I was thinking about getting an SC600w mkII, but they've been out of stock of them for months, unfortunately, and I have no idea why. If they come into stock again, I'm going to get one as soon as I can.
The mounting method is a Minoura accessory mount; here's a link for one from the place where I bought mine:
Universal Cycles -- Minoura CS-500 Headset Spacer Accessory Mount
It's attached with a twofish lock-block.
The mounting method is a Minoura accessory mount; here's a link for one from the place where I bought mine:
Universal Cycles -- Minoura CS-500 Headset Spacer Accessory Mount
It's attached with a twofish lock-block.
04-14-14 | 01:00 AM
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,173
Likes: 4,231
From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Replacement commuter for my stolen Masi... this is a Trek District S, and it's not as special but it's a lot of fun. Fixed gear with lots of fender and tire room, forward horizontal dropouts. MKS GR10 pedals on order for my caveman-width feet.
I'm liking the all black stealth look.
I'm liking the all black stealth look.
04-14-14 | 02:50 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
Bikes: Viruela, Piccola
04-14-14 | 08:13 PM
Tawp Dawg
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')
Loved the photos, the adorable puppies (what breed or mix is the black pup? So cute!) and the bike. I'm a transplant to Anchorage and I've noticed how treacherous it can be to bike (and walk, but that's another story) in my area. I am building up my commuter bike as we speak, hope to have it done for Bike Month, and plan to go a bit out of the way to stay on the most MUPs.
Chester Creek Trail is just as bad, with slush easily 6 inches deep in sections by the time I head home. The fat tires help in that I can hold my line and not squirrel all over the trail, but it's slow going regardless. It took an extra 20 minutes to get home last Friday, during which time I decided that the fat bike was done as the winter commuter, because it was time to stick to the road until breakup was over. Speaking of...
04-14-14 | 08:13 PM
Tawp Dawg
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')
...bring on the road bike! Frame is Surly Straggler, built up with the components from my old Nashbar X.
Philosophical question: if the frame is new but the components are used, is it a new bike? For a frame without components is not a bike, nor are components without a frame. Where does the soul of the bike, the very essence of 'bikeness', reside?
Oh, and yes, my summer and winter bikes match. Because I'm a dork.
Philosophical question: if the frame is new but the components are used, is it a new bike? For a frame without components is not a bike, nor are components without a frame. Where does the soul of the bike, the very essence of 'bikeness', reside?
Oh, and yes, my summer and winter bikes match. Because I'm a dork.
04-14-14 | 08:27 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
The frame, of course, which I think plays the largest part in how the bike feels when riding.
04-14-14 | 09:32 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 9
From: Anchorage AK
Bikes: 2015 Salsa Fargo 3, 2000 Specialized Rockhopper
...bring on the road bike! Frame is Surly Straggler, built up with the components from my old Nashbar X.
Philosophical question: if the frame is new but the components are used, is it a new bike? For a frame without components is not a bike, nor are components without a frame. Where does the soul of the bike, the very essence of 'bikeness', reside?
Oh, and yes, my summer and winter bikes match. Because I'm a dork.
Philosophical question: if the frame is new but the components are used, is it a new bike? For a frame without components is not a bike, nor are components without a frame. Where does the soul of the bike, the very essence of 'bikeness', reside?
Oh, and yes, my summer and winter bikes match. Because I'm a dork.
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04-15-14 | 06:34 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 4
From: Spartanburg, SC, USA
Bikes: 1983 Fuji Touring Series IV, Masi Volumetrica 3VC
04-15-14 | 07:44 AM
Tawp Dawg
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')
04-15-14 | 07:57 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 4
From: Spartanburg, SC, USA
Bikes: 1983 Fuji Touring Series IV, Masi Volumetrica 3VC
As promised, I took some new photos of my commuter after I gave it a thorough cleaning and tune-up. It's a 1983 Fuji Touring Series IV, purchased new, while I was between high school and college.
This go-round, I replaced the saddle with a Brooks B17. I replaced all of the cables and brake cable housings with new Jagwire pieces. And I replaced the original, dried out, gum rubber brake hoods with new, black Cane Creek ones.
This decal lies. I converted the bike to 3x7 years ago.
I added the NOS Suntour bar ends a few years ago, and love them. I'm looking for something more elegant than cable ties to secure the shifter cable housings, but haven't found anything. I still use foam Grab-on grips, just like when new. This is probably my tenth set. The Cane Creek hoods look pretty good with all the black, I think.
When I attempted to remove the stem, I found it frozen to the steerer tube. As I had to get it back on the road, I left it, rather than risking damage. I was still able to service the headset in-situ. And, of course, I had no need to adjust the height. When I get an opportunity, I'll soak the stem/steerer joint and free it up. For now, I was able to polish up the stem and get it looking nice.
Non-drive side. Extra spokes require unconventional mounting of cadence/speed sensor. But it works.
Sticker from bike shop where I bought it. They're still in business, and have a shop in the town where I now live. They get a kick out of seeing my bike on occasion.
I have no idea how many miles I have on this bike. But it's still in pretty good shape for being 30 years old, I think. I still haven't taken that cross-country tour. But some day...
This go-round, I replaced the saddle with a Brooks B17. I replaced all of the cables and brake cable housings with new Jagwire pieces. And I replaced the original, dried out, gum rubber brake hoods with new, black Cane Creek ones.
This decal lies. I converted the bike to 3x7 years ago.
I added the NOS Suntour bar ends a few years ago, and love them. I'm looking for something more elegant than cable ties to secure the shifter cable housings, but haven't found anything. I still use foam Grab-on grips, just like when new. This is probably my tenth set. The Cane Creek hoods look pretty good with all the black, I think.
When I attempted to remove the stem, I found it frozen to the steerer tube. As I had to get it back on the road, I left it, rather than risking damage. I was still able to service the headset in-situ. And, of course, I had no need to adjust the height. When I get an opportunity, I'll soak the stem/steerer joint and free it up. For now, I was able to polish up the stem and get it looking nice.
Non-drive side. Extra spokes require unconventional mounting of cadence/speed sensor. But it works.
Sticker from bike shop where I bought it. They're still in business, and have a shop in the town where I now live. They get a kick out of seeing my bike on occasion.
I have no idea how many miles I have on this bike. But it's still in pretty good shape for being 30 years old, I think. I still haven't taken that cross-country tour. But some day...
04-15-14 | 08:22 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
I don't always like the frame shapes of bikes of this era but this one is beautiful (the spit and polish doesn't hurt either). Very nicely done!!!
04-15-14 | 09:30 AM
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,230
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
GriddleCakes, your Straggler looks great! Those gold rims actually look good somehow. First Straggler I've seen except for promo photos. I'm surprised the brake cable is run under the top tube -- I guess it's not really a "disc-check"
Once you figure out whether your bike (new frame, used parts) is new or not, you can get to work on that Ship of Theseus question, I hear they haven't figured that one out yet either.
Once you figure out whether your bike (new frame, used parts) is new or not, you can get to work on that Ship of Theseus question, I hear they haven't figured that one out yet either.
04-15-14 | 09:36 AM
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,230
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
LOL -- you youngsters and your obsession with more and more gears!
Very good shape indeed! I know you said you love your bar-ends (and just bought new hoods), but I would ditch the levers and move the bar-ends up to Retroshifts -- the brake cables would then be aero, and the shifter cables would be not quite that high.
I have no idea how many miles I have on this bike. But it's still in pretty good shape for being 30 years old, I think. I still haven't taken that cross-country tour. But some day...
04-15-14 | 10:13 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 4
From: Spartanburg, SC, USA
Bikes: 1983 Fuji Touring Series IV, Masi Volumetrica 3VC
Yeah. I actually did the seven-speed upgrade to extend the gear range (23.6gi - 103.8gi; up from 31.5gi - 96.4gi), more than anything. That, and better chainring spacing, have vastly improved the utility of the bike for the way I ride. If I wanted any more range, I'd have to swap rear derailleurs.
LOL -- you youngsters and your obsession with aero.
Between the fenders, light, computer, trunk, rack and big-ole me, I don't think aero is a factor at all. This is my commuter bike, after all.
Between the fenders, light, computer, trunk, rack and big-ole me, I don't think aero is a factor at all. This is my commuter bike, after all.
Last edited by the_tool_man; 04-15-14 at 10:24 AM.
04-15-14 | 11:39 AM
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
That Fuji is a looker.
__________________
--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