First things first- I gotta say, the bikes in this thread are way more interesting than anything in the Road sub-forum that I've been lurking in for years.

broke college student + small apartment = one do-everything bike

Scattante XRL cyclocross frame, SRAM Apex that I had originally built up a road bike with (and then crashed), wheels and other bits that were lying around. It can handle basically any terrain in northern Chicagoland, but mostly it does 30 miles round-trip to school in Chicago and 100 miles round-trip to my parents' house in the suburbs.

It's not super practical for riding in the city and it's pretty aggressive for commuting, so when I find a job my first project will be a dedicated city/commuter build and this one will stick to long(ish)-distance adventures and light touring.

I have been putting together my new commuter bike for the last 2 months although I have been assembling this in my head for the last 4 years or so. I am finally in a place where I could afford a nice commuter and so far I am very happy. The first two photos are before I added fenders and panniers. For any of you needing panniers these Thule bags are on super sale over at bikebagshop.com. I was skeptical of the deeply discounted price, but it legit. The bags are super nice.

That rack...

Y'all got some perty bikes. I present you with the Millennial Falcon (get it, cause I'm a Millennial) - the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. Just rolled over the 500 mile mark this morning (yeah, I know, some of y'all do that real quick). I have been riding it since this spring-ish, and only lately have become more committed to riding it instead of in my car. It is about 2 or 3 sizes too small for me, hence the handlebars taken off of a junked Pacific (also when I procured the bike, the brifters were messed up - I got one of them working and the other can be sent off to some guy who can fix 7 and 8 speed brifters). It's already paid for itself multiple times over if using the federal POV rates, and that's all I can ask of any commuter, really. BTW - plan on switching from road SPDs to double sided mountain SPDs (so I can have a platform on one side) and eventually get a better saddle. This one was a take off from my Synapse. It is better than the squishy/slippery foam one that came on this bike

Another bike I acquired - 1982 Ross Super Grand Tour XV. It needs a little bit of work (how much, I haven't decided. At the least it will need new cables, tires and saddle - the current was a junk one from a Specialized Hardrock I got working for a friend). I also have the urge to strip it and paint it. The idea is this one will live at my office to I have a bike to get around the city if by chance I didn't ride into work that day. I might see about putting a rack on it and using it to commute. Not sure yet! I just know it has some good potential. Did my first wrap job. Probably going to look for matching cable housing. And yes, that is the Arabesque groupset. I was going to single speed this bike, but the groupset is just too darn pretty.

Sharp looking bike! What kind of fenders are those?

I'm not sure if that is good or bad, but I like it.

Thank you! Those are one of my favorite parts of the bike. They match the Brooks saddle and grips nicely. They are zebra wood hand made here in Portland by Sykes Fenders sykeswoodfenders. They are unfortunately pricey though.

Gah. I bet this thread is the main reason for a lot of n+1s. Good thing (not really) that I can store just one bike.

Interesting, my dad has experience making laminated recurve bows (for archery), maybe he could help me make my own skye-like fenders for cheaper (just cost of supplies).

I'm sure it would be relatively easy for him to do if he has experience in that regard. Just finish it with a good coat of marine grade epoxy and you would be good to go.

& gotta figure out mounting hardware.

Oh no, I totally want one and demand that you tell me what it is.

Left + Right panniers for $80 instead of $240, that does seem like a smokin deal!

Got ya! It is the Axiom Streamliner for Disc rack. The thing is bulletproof and a steal at the going price of $35.

Amazon.com : Axiom DLX Streamliner Disc Cycle Rack, Black : Bike Racks : Sports & Outdoors

I purchased two sets just because the price was so good. My wife said she doesn't want panniers on her bike but I figured having an extra set around was worth it for that price.

Just FYI, you have to install a magnet onto the rack which holds the bottom of the bag down. I was skeptical whether it would be strong enough to hold the bag down, but it does. The description of the bag isn't very clear but the pannier does come with the clamps necessary to install the bag on both the thule rack and any other rack. I made the mistake of purchasing the extra magnet clamp thinking it didn't come with the bag.

Or wait a few months until the clearance price is gone, and sell them on eBay for like $150

Here's my newest:

2014 Kona Dr. Good:



Only had it a few months, loving it so far. Removed the basket and it rides much better. Need to add rear panniers and new lights.

I also will sometimes commute on this one:

Trek 1220:

I purchased this 2014 Jamis Nova Sport this Spring for my 30 mile round trip commute. "The Gray Phantom" has served me very well. The first picture is the bike fully loaded before ride, the second is it locked at work. I also took advantaged of the before mentioned Thule panniers sale.

I've posted my drop bar conversion here a couple of times; yesterday I decided to set my road bike up for the task of commuting as well with the aid of an Arkel Randonneur rack. It works great, and I can remove it and attach it to any of my bikes in seconds.

I've been doing my 30-mile round trip commute on a Fyxation Eastside all summer long. It's set for single speed. Too many hills for fixed gear. This bike is a ton of fun, and much better quality than I expected.

I like the stealth look. Cool bike

Here's my commuter, a 1991 Stumpjumter drop bar conversion. Only thing original is the headset and rear hub. Except for the rims and dynamo hub on front everything else was from my parts bin, so a pretty inexpensive build (bought the bike for $150. Was in great shape, but the back half had been painted with a rattle can. I had it powder coated and used parts for two High Sierra builds for my boys). I'm posting the pics mostly to illustrate the locking scheme I've arrived at. Sorry about the non drive side pic, especially since it doesn't show off my favorite derailleurs (Suntour Cyclone MkII, also on my 1985 Miyata Six Ten).

i really like the look of your bike. subdued and serious.

Here's my commuter, a 1991 Stumpjumter drop bar conversion. Only things original are the headset and rear hub. Except for the rims and dynamo hub on front everything else was from my parts bin, so a pretty inexpensive build (bought the bike for $150. Was in great shape, but the back half had been painted with a rattle can. I had it powder coated and used parts for two High Sierra builds for my boys). I'm posting the pics mostly to illustrate the locking scheme I've arrived at. Sorry about the non drive side pics, especially since they don't show off my favorite derailleurs (Suntour Cyclone MkII, also on my 1985 Miyata Six Ten).