I never see that many folders here...

https://i.imgur.com/RwwEPAy.jpg

It's a 2006 Dahon Mariner, bought used from Craigslist for just $200 in 2010, with various obvious upgrades. I rode her for 7 years and more than 14,000 miles, taking a train through South Central LA with nary a problem.

One new job and a different commute later, she was stolen off the train in Irvine, CA after less than 2 months. Irvine one of the most crime-free parts of the state. Grrr.

The replacement is better in every way and I'll post a photo when she's ready, but I'll always have a fond memory of the Mariner.

Thanks! Yes, you are correct. Although... the saddle is Velo Orange instead of Brooks. I've had it for five years or so and I've found it to be a good substitute. Back then I got it new on eBay for $80; I'm not sure what you would have to pay now. With the new v-brakes and levers, chainring guard, new derailleur, rack, fully updated cockpit.... I'm probably into it for $400 by now. But I really like it!

I have updates now ... built a fixed gear for winter commuting, which had been in the plans for a while. I used the same wheels, as well as a 20t rear sprocket just like the Hercules so I can swap rear wheels back and forth. That meant I had to get a 56t chainring ... I have 700x32c Continental Tour Rides on the fixed gear which are some of my favorite tires. The rims did feel pretty narrow when I was installing the tires but thankfully, they ride just fine. No squirminess.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PN7GWsj0...0/IMG_0341.JPG

Got the breadbasket on.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4588/...d74ab920_b.jpg

my daily ride
 

Hi all this is my daily ride. Its a 2009 cube sl road comp. Its equipped with a (love it or hate it) suntour swing shock which i love very much. It has 8 speed claris groupset. I use it every day to work. My favorite bags are the one pictured. A rose handlebar bag and an apidura saddle bag. I also fitted a bottle dynamo plus b&m lights. Very powerful but sometimes i feel the drag. I m really considering a hub dynamo.

Two things--

1) You will not regret the investment in a hub dynamo. I highly recommend you investigate.

2) (Unsolicited advise) You might wanna give yourself a bit of room on the rear of that front fender. Bad things can happen when the fender is too close to one's front tire.


-Kedosto

Geez, even I throw out bread before it gets that furry.

Thx for posting -- never heard of a Suntour Swing Shock before. That apidura bag looks pretty cool too

Actually, it is the same one the Thunder Child was equipped with when I bought her.
I may post several pics of the T C sometime in the future, after the next modification;)

This was the original Speed Metro' III, from which the T C was born.
https://img.grouponcdn.com/deal/fWvg...1/c700x420.jpg

This is my 1999 Trek 800 Sport. I commute with it in all weather conditions be it heavy snow, -30°C, +30°C or heavy downpour.
https://i.imgur.com/ldng5Bc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/cUDxpYX.jpg

If it fits, I sits!

Very nice! I commuted for years on a 1989 Specialized Rockhopper. Older, rigid framed MTBs are quite possibly the best bang-for-your-buck commuters available. Yours looks very well appointed. Well done!

-Kedosto

Thank you! I agree, it is a great option, especially if you have snowy winters where plenty of tyre and fender clearance is essential.

New bike day. Commutes begin next week.

https://i.imgur.com/Xh7z6Kn.jpg

Congrats on the new steed. Sometimes I think I shoulda' went with the Sequoia. I think I'd be happier with the geo than my AWOL. Warning about that seat -- my backside hated the fabric. Perhaps yours will do better.


-Kedosto

Thanks.

Yeah, that pseudo-denim fabric doesn't inspire much confidence. I've got some other choices if need be.

I'd been using this Trek 850 for year-round commutes the past 25 years,
https://i.imgur.com/MDLWMnZ.jpg

but this beauty from Nua Bikes is on the way:
https://i.imgur.com/flmEHwS.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ffzlg5I.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FV4xges.jpg
Been dreaming about a bike like this for almost 25 years!

I'm drooling

[MENTION=470150]emptym[/MENTION], that's really sharp. Is the frame stainless steel?

Thanks guys. Credit for the great pics (and bike of course), are due to the very talented maker, Roberto Aznar.

The frame and fork are titanium, which I'd been lusting after since the early 90s. The low maintenance belt drive and internal gear hub have also long been a dream. I still can't believe I'll be getting my dream bike after many years. Not sure I'm worthy!

Just curious, but how the heck do belt-drive bicycle manufacturers get the belt on there? do they weld the rear frame together after threading the belt through, or ??? IF anyone has the answer can you post it?

Look carefully at the lower part of the seatstay. If you look closely, you can see that it can be split and that on the inside there are screws that hold the seatstay together. That's how you get the belt in there.

So you're getting rid of a Trek 850? ;)

The replacement is a thing of beauty.

What's the advantage of the belt drive / internal gearing?

Just low maintenance? Lower weight?

Looks like it'd be extremely easy to clean. Just pull the belt off and hose it off. No grease. No oil. No wax. Dirt gone.

I've seen systems also where the dropout is the split, and the axle bolts hold it all together.

Low maintenance yes, but higher weight. Already IGH with a chain is lower maintenance, and with a belt you don't even need to worry about lubing the chain or keeping it clean. Also with an IGH the chain or belt is on a completely fixed track, so it is easy to add a chaincase for even more cleanliness (for your pants, and for the drivetrain). Although if I had a belt drive, I'd want to show it off -- especially if it is as beautiful as this example!

My Masi commuter set up for winter.

https://image.ibb.co/i5vptb/IMG_20180123_134946_01.jpg
https://image.ibb.co/m2JLzG/IMG_20180123_134834.jpg
https://image.ibb.co/ko9FYb/IMG_20180123_134726.jpg

Yep, and I think there might be other possible ways.

Thanks! I think I may keep the Trek. Tough to part with after all these years. But maybe!

Definitely low maintenance and general cleanliness. I think you wouldn't even need to take the belt off to clean it with a hose. The weight issue is debated on the internet a lot. Certainly a belt weighs less than a chain. Supposedly the two gears and belt weigh less than a chain alone. But the internal geared hub itself is pretty heavy, so often an IGH, belt, and two gears/sprockets weigh more than a chain system with rear cassette, front gears, derailers, and chain.

[MENTION=252435]RubeRad[/MENTION], if you know of a good case/guard for a belt drive, I'd like to know of one. Trek and Spot Bikes come with them, but I haven't seen an aftermarket one.

I don't know of anything specific, I would have thought that any chain case would also work for a belt