thomdc03

First is my 50cm Surly Cross Check that I rode for 1.5years of commuting. Debadged and added reflective tape. on frame. Started of as 39/16 single speed, then went to 39 front 11-34 rear 1x9 due to longer commute. Also took off the rack, fenders , changed tires, and swapped to 39/20 gearing to ride singletrack at times. Very versatile bike ,but I decided I wanted a more dedicated touring style bike along with 26". Frameset is For Sale btw



So I changed to this 52cm Soma Saga. Swapped over most of the parts. Built Salsa Gordos on the old hubs. Switched to Salsa Woodchippers 42cm Bars. Swapped out the Durace crankset for a Vintage XT triple (turned outter ring into chainguard and running no front derailleur, can manually shift if I needed the low gear) and added a Jandd Extreme rack.



So far I am liking my new setup. I don't noticed any speed difference between the 700x35 and 26x1.5(they are schwalbe marathon and more like 1.75's). I love the gears over single speed (which I rode almost exclusively for the past year and half). Much less strain on my back when climbing or riding into the wind. I'm happy with the switch and plan to do some touring when I move out to Portland this Fall.

mikhalit

My wife's commuting and touring bicycle (racks rest in the garage for now):



It's a German Herkelmann Mica bike, made of cromoly steel. It was originally a singlespeed bike with some straight bars. Now it has got Alfine 8, SKS longboard fenders, FSA omega compact handlebars...


...and a really nice FSA Metropolis stem. A single piece of brushed aluminium, no spacers!

tastewar

Very Nice! I like the original, but you've done good work on it!

X-LinkedRider

Thanks Igo. It rides as nice as it looks really. For a bike that wouldn't even be allowed in a "C-Pace" group ride when it was a flatbar, it runs just fine with all the "A's" now But mostly I use it instead of using my car for pretty much... everything. Makes touring a bit more enjoyable too, when you are moving as efficiently as possible. (You learn a lot in 6 years of cycling if you really want to)

mikhalit

Thanks! The simplicty of the original was great for quick and short city commutes, but for the long rides the current mode is really fast and super comfortable.

chaadster

Although I transitioned into a type of work for which I cannot "commute" anymore, for many years this was my commuter, while today it is technically more a utility bike since I have little opportunity to ride to work. When I do, though, this is what I take, my Novara Buzz:

erg79

As a Laker fan, I approve of the rim and fender color combo!

yellowhammer

The 'wet days and rough stuff' commuter has a new fork and brake;
114/366 by yellowhammer_01, on Flickr

canyoneagle

I like it!
By the way, nice Flickr photos. You have a good eye

tastewar

And I approve of the SpokePOV! :-)

Trek_geek

My 2012 Trek 520. I have added Planet Bike Hard Core Hybred fenders since this picture. I have also added my old Topeak rear trunk bag. Had to drill the plastic base and then ty-rap it in place.

alexaschwanden

Great looking trek, the Panniers are very bright.

monsterpile

As a Minnesota Vikings fan I approve of the color combo! =)

ragerider

Pic of my Raleigh. I ride over this little bridge everyday on my way to work.

Terry66

Okay...so as a proud owner of a charcoal Vaya, I am just going to throw this out there....the Vaya is about the nicest looking and best riding bike I have ever seen. I'll try to post pics of mine soon. I added a Salsa rear rack and some Salsa cowbell 3 bars tonight.

Riverrat2

Upgrades continue to my Trek Lane. I got this bike about a month ago and absolutely love it. 700x35 smooth tires, brifters, steel frame. I use it as my primary commuter (6.2 mile round trip), and for >100 mile tours on the weekend for now. The trunk bag contains my tire levers, small hand pump, spare tube (need to buy one!), and my hugemongeous onGuardlock.

Planned upgrades: Fenders, Another red blinky light, full size panniers for grocery haulin', and whatever else falls out of the sky.

AlmostGreenGuy

Agreed. The Vaya is a killer looking bike, but it was the ride that sold me on it. My initial test ride was one of those moments of clarity that people sometimes have. I heard angels signing. The light bulb above my head lit up. The whole deal. Even with the notoriously hard riding Armadillo Infinity tires, the ride is still smooth and comfortable, yet lively enough to be lots of fun. It's an incredible bike.

Andy_K 

That bike is much hotter here than it was on the road forum.

Seriously, I was looking at this thread and my first thought was, "That is a really nice looking bike." Then I realized I had seen it before. Too much carbon on the road forum makes the mind go mushy.

X-LinkedRider

I understand that I am working with dated aluminum frame and not even a high end one, but there is a reason I ride this bike second most, behind the carbon bike. I can't hate on people for enjoying carbon, but you are right. I think people have lost a lot of respect for realistic bikes when they have race plastic on their mind.

blindsquirrel

So many bikes to admire here! OK, this is my Surly 1X1 I recently picked up on craigslist. I swapped out many of the parts with new ones or ones from my old bike. My favorite additions are the Brooks saddle and Salsa Woodchipper bars. A fun bike to build and even more fun to ride. My short 7 mile round-trip commute seems even shorter now!

SnowJob

A classic! Awesome ride.

blindsquirrel

Thanks, it is a great ride!

lungimsam

My road bike that I now have a rear rack on so I can use it for commuting when I want to.
[/QUOTE]

I have one, too. Check your seatpost often for cracks. Mine cracked the first or second year. Warranty replacement. But I want to get an aluminum one for safety.

dabrucru

here is my giant expressions which i upgraded recently, its cr-mo frame, slx cranks, xt shifters and deraileurs, surly crosscheck fork, brooks saddle (i really really love this one) and tiagra hubs, i use this bike for almost everything, commuting ,touring, ride with friends etc

Igo

Great bike. Excellent backdrop.