Commuter Bicycle Pics
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 819
Likes: 95
From: Upstate New York
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
Now that the weather has improved, I'm back to commuting on my much preferred Motobecane Grand Jubile. The smoothest bicycle I've ever had the pleasure of riding.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
I'm going with the standard front seat when she's young and the rear seat at she gets bigger. For nursery runs and the like.
Also digging the STIHL cap.
Happy banana slug

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,551
Likes: 2,500
From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
My baby, Pretty Purple Princess Penelope.
She's still a work in progress, but I've been riding her all week and loving it. I'll be posting this pic all over, because she's worth showing off.
She's still a work in progress, but I've been riding her all week and loving it. I'll be posting this pic all over, because she's worth showing off.
Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 95
Likes: 47
From: Copenhagen
Bikes: S-Works Tarmac SL6, Custom Carbon Flatbar, Giant XTC Composite 29er, Trek FX 7.6
What a peach! These seem to do purple/pink options: https://www.etsy.com/dk-en/shop/Lond...on_id=21304413 might be worth a shot?
Happy banana slug

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,551
Likes: 2,500
From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
What a peach! These seem to do purple/pink options: https://www.etsy.com/dk-en/shop/Lond...on_id=21304413 might be worth a shot? 

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 919
Likes: 15
From: South Austin, Texas
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
My 2004 Bianchi Volpe is my favorite longer distance, faster commuter bike. I have different job sites that I ride to as very much as possible.
I usually end up riding the Volpe or my 1991 Bridgestone MB4 as they are the most fun to ride.
Non drive side, I know....
I usually end up riding the Volpe or my 1991 Bridgestone MB4 as they are the most fun to ride.
Non drive side, I know....
Senior Member

Joined: May 2014
Posts: 715
Likes: 451
From: Lewisville, TX
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Touring, 2013 Fuji Absolute 2.1 hybrid, 2000 Mongoose S2000 MTB, 2009 Schwinn Jaguar beach cruiser
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 819
Likes: 95
From: Upstate New York
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 103
Likes: 11
From: Carmel, IN
Bikes: Trek Verve 2, Trek 4900 MTB
For the most part, yes. Pretty safe riding around. I'm in Carmel so very safe to ride here. I use the MUP's mainly but when I'm on the roads I don't have any issues. My D rides for her sorority bike team so she is always on the roads training. Its a bit more congested for her when she is home but she rides all over Bloomington when shes down at IU without any issues.
Senior Member


Joined: May 2018
Posts: 699
Likes: 838
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: 1950 Sun Wasp (fixed wheel), 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Super Course, 1975 Raleigh Competition, 1981 Nishiki International, 1986 Miyata 210, 1988 Schwinn Voyager
1990 Voyageur touring bike
I've been riding my Voyageur touring bike to work since I sold my Norco hybrid. The double butted and lugged steel frame makes for a great ride feel. I just wish our roads were in better shape. My front wheel needs truing after a few months of the constant jarring from broken asphalt. It is a 1990 model that I have gone through and refreshed with new bearings and grease. I think the drivetrain is getting a little worn after 30 years but it still runs smoothly and quietly.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 703
From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
Finally brought this beauty home. It's a little slower than my regular recumbent going up hill, but it flies on level ground, or down hill! Average speeds are 4-5 mph faster (net).
I don’t even remember if I posted a pic of this one in this thread but here’s the latest iteration of my ‘83 Voyageur. I’ve been riding it since April and really like it. I have a pair of high flange hubs I’m thinking about having a friend lace up to some 700c rims. I might keep it as a 5 speed w/ triple crank as it works pretty well and I don’t shift much anyway.
Don't remember when the last time was I posted in here...
Still have the same '84 Raleigh Sportif as my main bike (pic take on my morning commuter in March):

And just recently added this '74 Raleigh Super Tourer to my stable also for commuting/towning/grocerying/etc (Pic taken this morning on its maiden voyage)
Still have the same '84 Raleigh Sportif as my main bike (pic take on my morning commuter in March):

And just recently added this '74 Raleigh Super Tourer to my stable also for commuting/towning/grocerying/etc (Pic taken this morning on its maiden voyage)
Happy banana slug

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,551
Likes: 2,500
From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
It was good. The old brakes suck though. Not sure if it’s the old calipers or the old levers - so I’ll probably have to replace those.
The whole thing was a restoration with almost all original parts.
Its a tank, but I love the thicker tires they definitely made a difference compared to the 700x28 on my other bike.
I need to figure out a way to mount a tail light.
The whole thing was a restoration with almost all original parts.
Its a tank, but I love the thicker tires they definitely made a difference compared to the 700x28 on my other bike.
I need to figure out a way to mount a tail light.
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,221
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
My money's on the calipers. Levers are pretty simple, I'd think hard to mess up. But I know the Weinmann Vanquer centerpulls on my dad's old bike were (are) TERRIBLE
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,160
Likes: 6,381
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
It's the calipers, not the levers, but I think you mentioned that your hands are having trouble reaching. You can mitigate that a bit by moving the levers up the bars a bit, but maybe they're also the wrong levers for you. Those calipers are pretty bad, though.
Weinmann Vainqueur brakes, if set up right, are not terrible!
Weinmann Vainqueur brakes, if set up right, are not terrible!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
It's the calipers, not the levers, but I think you mentioned that your hands are having trouble reaching. You can mitigate that a bit by moving the levers up the bars a bit, but maybe they're also the wrong levers for you. Those calipers are pretty bad, though.
Weinmann Vainqueur brakes, if set up right, are not terrible!
Weinmann Vainqueur brakes, if set up right, are not terrible!

But yes, I am having trouble getting my fingers around them - the reach seems to be a bit much from the hoods, and they're hard to pull in that position. If I am in the drops and can pull the levers like a regular grip - the brakes work pretty well. But riding in the drops constantly, and braking from there isn't really feasible.
The bike is a 54, and I should ride a 52, and with the rando bars already having a long top/reach on them, the setup just isn't working in general. So I think I'm going to switch to a Soma Late Riser bar, with these levers: https://velo-orange.com/collections/...-22-2-dia-bars
I'll see how the calipers work in this setup and if braking still sucks I'll get some new brakes.
I was also considering a Velo Orange Porteur bar, or a Soma Mustache II bar, or a Soma Sparrow, but I'm not confident enough to buy one having never used any of them.









