I have a feeling that you chain is cut a tad (couple of links) too short. Some experts here could weigh in.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...030208303.jpeg

it went back to pie plate because I wanted the cassette for another bike.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b06f63999.jpeg

I focus a lot on my Cross Checks because they’re the perfect geo for me, one is go to work bike which we see in this thread, the other hangs in the cyclocross/Gravel thread. The reality is though the second the weather turns cold or my abused back flairs the Karate Monkey becomes my bestie. The bike has evolved but the reality is that this is the bike I ride when I’m on the verge of driving.

3x to 1x Wide Range Cassette Commuter
 

99% complete on what was originally a 3x7, 1995 Trek 800 Sport. About 8.5 years (and thousands of miles) later, it is finally the way I envisioned it :thumb:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...53c7f16b92.jpg
Non-Drive Side
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...20138e2977.jpg
Drive Side
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b8be407299.jpg
Cockpit

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...faa305cfa.jpeg


Well it happened. My commute got longer…a lot longer. Used to be 8 miles one way and is now 20 miles one way. Which means I needed a new bike.
I forgot to mention one more thing, over half the commute will be hills which is very steep in some areas, so I added a SRAM 10-52 cassette :) Currently I’m still working from home but that gave me time to plan my build properly.

Ride with the tailwind! Assuming you have a tailwind. Good luck with the build, and remember to show us pics.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4e9fc9804b.jpg
Oggy Ogreton :)

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...35b6b8da5.jpeg
Last ride before the drop bars go back on

Not just my commuter, but my do-it-all bike. Only stock parts remaining on my 2015 Disc Trucker are the levers, front/rear derailleurs, and bar-end shifters.

And I assume frame/fork :innocent:

You might consider moving those shifters from the bar-end to Retroshift/Gevenalle levers, that's how I did my CrossCheck

I have considered those - I will likely replace levers (and maybe FD & RD) after this summer riding season.

nice 3-point perspective!

This is "The Mule", my commuter/"not afraid to lock it up and leave it"/truck bike. Was a 1997 GT Arette that I picked up for $60 on Craigslist. I learned a lesson about "cheap" bikes though, since it took a complete rebuild and another $400 to get it to this point. New bottom bracket, headset, seatpost, and saddle, not to mention every single one of the usual wear items. I changed from flat bars to north roads, and upgraded brakes from canti to linear pull since the canti's just did NOT work with the silly "triple triangle" geometry in the back.

Still, I'm happier with her than I expected to be. The only tweaks I'd like to make would be either moustache bars or some kind of super long stem (it's a little cramped with the swept back bars), and 175mm cranks (the 170's feel pretty short).

Next project: I have an old aluminum child's trailer that I'm going to tear down and use for dump runs with this bike.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8181d3999c.jpg

I have three dedicated commuter bikes, listed in order from oldest to newest:

1989 Panasonic mountain bike converted:


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dea4095c6.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b54221ec7.jpeg
Rapid Rise rear derailleur, baby!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4b08b3d4d.jpeg
Kalloy UNO AL-030 bars are so comfy
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8474f652a.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e94918b9c.jpeg

2008 Trek 7300 hybrid:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ca913c915.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7d7afa398.jpeg
Rapid Rise rear derailleur, baby!
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c60b14cc5.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a1e1965f.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...58522d9a2.jpeg
Dynamo lighting is the best!

Continued next post:

2014 Trek Allant 7:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a1836cc8f.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2022fa15d.jpeg
Rapid Rise rear derailleur, baby!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5de50a97e.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e258e3c87.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d606216de.jpeg
Dynamo lights are the best!


All 3 were bought cheap, then heavily modified to what they are now. The Trek 7300 and Allant 7 were bought locally for $30 and $20, respectively. The Panasonic came from my local bike collective for $70. Clearly, much more has been invested in them since.

I really like Shimano’s Rapid Rise derailleurs, and all 3 of these a use the same LX rear D.

I’ve been really liking the Panasonic lately; it rides much more smoothly than the other 2 (maybe because of the steel frame). The Allant 7 (which is now 27 speeds) is my least favorite but the most commute friendly as it came with the rear rack and dedicated steel fenders OEM.

Dynamo lighting is awesome; I only wish I could find another Sanyo/Panasonic hub to lace into the Panasonic’s front wheel to equip that bike as well.

https://i.imgur.com/2lYeLwM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6SQbySU.jpg

Trek 520 disc - my only bike. Use it for commuting (short ride, 7.5 km each way), recreational rides and touring.
It's a heavier bike but the the road-style geometry keeps it reasonably fast and the 38mm tires are quite forgiving on bad roads.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9cf9f91212.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2670d75589.jpg
My commuter!

Great pictures, folks. And I see an increase in dynamo lights! Don't you just love them?

I am wondering if it is the norm to get a vintage/old road bike as a commuter bike?

Yes it's quite normal; it's also quite common to get a vintage/old mountain bike with a fully rigid frame, and use that for commuting, since it's so sturdy for potholes and rough roads.

Not for me

Wow! So many awesome rides here! Love every single one!
Every time I see an old crusty veteran bike somewhere in the city, still loyally and reliably serving its owner, its patina making it almost theft-proof, my heart weeps. I love seeing those old and robust companions.

Here's my youngtimer-commuter, a 20yo Trek Multitrack 7300 from ebay, upgraded with some newer parts, drop bar and a rack (sometimes removed for sportier rides).

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3d91d33cfb.jpg

Absolutely. Any bike that gets you and your stuff where you need to go comfortably is the right bike. Also, like RubeRad said, vintage rigid mountain bikes make terrific commuters. Here's my Princess:


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...de80ee6b43.jpg
Getting ready to start the Critical Mass ride.