It was a nice bike in its time, the middle of the Schwinn lineup. It's a fine bike for a long trip, solid and smooth, with a long wheelbase and clearance for true-32mm tires. The rando handlebar, chain guard, and kickstand are nice features for everyday use, and the drivetrain is not as primitive as it looks. The problem as a commuter is that it doesn't have the modern standard braze-ons for racks on the seat stay and there is only one set of eyelets at each end; however you can solve this by using a rack that mounts to the brake or use P-clamps on the seat stays, or just using a backpack. I commute on mine and though my round trip is not as long as that, I would have no qualms taking it that far.

Thanks for this post! I was wondering about this also.

What panniers are you using?

I found some Sunlite Utili 1-T panniers at my LBS. They are the zippered kind and lightweight. I haven't had any issues with them. They do have a tapered front which eliminated the foot hitting bag while pedaling problem I had with the other pannier that I tried.

New gear to make every bike a commuter....
 

Hey Guys,

So I got a new toy from the Mrs. this year, it is an oversized saddle bag from Oveja Negra which is handmade in Colorado. This thing as pictured is carrying a roll of clothes, PB&J, Lezyne Micro Floor Drive, and other misc. gear. My goal this year is to break the 50% mark for Bike/Truck commuting and this thing will certainly help. I have used panniers and backpacks and this thing blows them all out of the water. I can use any one of my bikes, keeps my gear lower and off my back, and I am only using about a 3rd of it's capacity (12L).

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps608a2b49.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps13e07271.jpg

This is my commuter 2011 Trek 7.5 FX, Ive done a few upgrades on it, Still got some Mavic A719 rims with XT hubs with the front one being a dynamo waiting to get built. I have Busch and Muller Topline plus rear light to fit then my upgrades are done.
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RyeRye, that's pretty amazing. Seriously 12L? I know what a 2L bottle is, and I can't imagine pouring 6 of them into that bag, but I guess they can't be lyin' (here's a link)

Gravel_Rash, nice setup, you got everything going on in that cockpit! I guess the gopro remote is clipped into the framebag strap?

Nice. The blue rack works, because the blue handlebar bag is on the other end.

Thanks I was going for a primary color thing with the yellow housings

Yeah thanks RubeRad...yes the velcro strap for the bag runs through the bottom of the remote holds it in place nicely, Makes it very easy to use the remote.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n...105_223918.jpg

Yes, that's a headset top cap clock. And yes, it's simultaneously cheesy, ridiculous, and awesome.

^^^ Thanks for owning the Fredliness of it all. Sweet.

I ride this bike to work more than any other.

[FONT=Calibri]http://s2.photobucket.com/user/CalOs...gxgf.jpg.html]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18...pskicqgxgf.jpg

I have always liked those and wanted one.

Can it be programmed to run slow, so you can get more ride time in on a beautiful afternoon/evening and still have plausible denial when the wife is upset because you're late for dinner?

I set all my watches 5 minutes fast. :)

- Andy

http://imgur.com/a/GHjRh
Some of these pictures are all sorts of upside-down and sideways, apologies. Mine is the green All-City Spacehorse

Well, tell us where you got it!!

I don't think it's cheesy or ridiculous at all, it is indeed awesome, and a great use of space otherwise wasted by a headset cap. Is it a Stem CAPtain? I personally kind of want a compass, especially for trail riding, although it seems they might have trouble with steel steerer forks. Anybody have experience?

Well it is a Space horse, I'm sure it's used to floating around in all different orientations without gravity.

I really like that old-school kind of paint scheme, with white bands for logos, especially when matched by white fork tips.

Yeah I think it gives a hint of class to the "Party Brand". It also completes the look with the British Racing Green color scheme of an older time, perhaps even a better time. :thumb:

Haha, I actually got it from a relatively shady looking site, which happened to have some greyscale camo bar tape I wanted to try out for super cheap, but has a $15 minimum order for free shipping to the US. So the clock pushed me over the $15 minimum for free shipping with the bar tape. Looks like the price went up since I ordered it: Highest quality and Cheap Bicycle Mounted Waterproof Shockproof Mini Aluminum Alloy Luminous Clock Watch - Red + Silver on sale

[MENTION=316622]cali_axela[/MENTION] how do you like it? Seem sturdy well made? work well enough?
how do you like the bar tape?

Got a bit of a speed upgrade :)

Old commuter: Trek 4300 with regular MTB tires.

http://i.imgur.com/mM29tyP.jpg

New commuter: Ridley Fenix.

http://i.imgur.com/yRxBCo2.jpg

Still can't get over how much lighter the Fenix is!