wreck my bikes or get a real commuter?
 

I recently sold my workhorse commuter that I've ridden for years. My aero and weight weenie side just demanded something more than a Fuji touring bike even with upgrades.

My problem is that it costs a fortune to build any commuter I'd actually like. With prices in the $2.5K and up category, my most expensive bike could be the one I want to ride in slop.

Today, it occurred to me that it would be cheaper to ride my racing bike or my hot rod (Challenge Seiran SL) and just replace components as I ruin them than it would be to get a real commuter. So should I replace parts on the bikes I love, or get a bike made for abuse?

Pick one of the two, and slowly morph it into the commuter bike... racks and fenders first, and don't worry about the slop, modern running gear can =take= it... then when the budget allows, get a new racer or hot-rod to replace the one you turned into the commuter.

Advantages? 1) Fastest damn commuter on the road. 2) Excuse to buy the most advanced bike your checkbook can tolerate. 3) You can do it all over again once it's time to retire your hyper-commuter.

Disadvantages? 1) Your wife may see through your clever ploy. 2) Putting fenders and racks on a carbon frame may be tricky, and they're likely to outweigh the frame itself. 2:1. 3) The bike lock will weigh more than the whole bike.

Fortunately, my wife is tolerant. She would not flinch if I wanted to build a commuter so long as I hold it under $3K or so and she has heard me yammer enough about components, frames, etc to understand what they cost. Her only condition is that I ride my bikes. Since I had almost 50K miles on the one that I just sold, she is not concerned even though my current job does not let me ride nearly as much.

Fortunately, I do not use locks -- the bike goes in my office.

sounds like you need a Fuji touring bike, with upgrades. ;)

HAHA its funny you and i are in the same situation.. i sold my old commuter bike and took the money and turned my race bike(BMC Streetfire) into my new commuter. i love the fact i can go faster on this bike vs my old commuter.. id say for sure get some Continental Gator Skin Tires(25) and some thick tubes and you will have very few if any issues with flats. my old bike had panniers i decided to go with a bigger backpack so i didnt have to deal with the whole rack issue.

Mine is. I figure the bike I ride the most--most often, most miles, most hours in the saddle--ought to be my best. For me, that's my commuter rig.

You mean you gave up your commuter without having another one to replace it? I thought, when I read the thread about getting rid of the other rig, that it was trusty. Sounds risky to give up something that's trusty.

I bet you're gonna love committing a lighter, faster bike to commuting. It kind of does make sense. You're lucky.

I would build a commuter bike around a nice steel framed Cyclocross or Touring frame. The frames can be purchased in the $330 to 600 range and the components should only add $1000.

The bike should weigh about 22 lbs before fenders & racks.


For example A Soma Smoothie ES frame http://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDeta...SomaSmoothieES then take the parts from this bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../falkirkIX.htm gets you a fast commuter bike that rides well and accepts the tires and accessories that commuters often want.

Michael

You've got a Seiran SL and you're not riding it daily? Shame on you!:p

http://www.angletechcycles.com/bikes...egraWRPamc.jpg

$3k is lots of cash. The sky is pretty much the limit for you! I haven't spent that much (ok, maybe), but I have 3 commuters to break up the monotony and serve different purposes:

1. Habanero cross for the dry days where I don't have too much to carry (must all fit in my backpack). Fast and fun compared to #2.
2. Jamis Coda Elite Disc with fenders, rack and panniers for the wet days and/or when I have to carry a lot or ditch clothes on the way home (i.e., cold morning, warm afternoon).
3. Old Trek road bike converted to SS just for fun and simplicity.


http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5152/image14mx7.jpg
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9367/snc00018.jpg
http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/5687/trekss5ek.jpg

Actually, I did ride in in yesterday. It's a beautiful bike that's still sporty in strong winds, but it now looks like I took it on a cyclocross course since it rained on my all the way in...

With much respect re your experience and knowledge would venture investigating bikesdirect.com There is a Ti 'cross for 1800.00 w/braze-ons for a rack. Ultegra comps. Aero spokes. 25mm SMPs would give good flat protection w/decent rolling resistance. Pump 'em up to 130 psi...they can take it. Tubus Fly rack and Jandd Saddlebags (waterproofed, of course) would give a nice, sleek low-resistance/weight pannier set. Not much room, though. I got the entry level version of this frame(aluminum/Sora, etc.) w/t JSBs and a Delta Mega rack. SKS Raceblades during wet conditions...better than nothing. 'Roostertail' like crazy in the front, but my lights are waterproof, so no problem there...yet. Have found it to be a steady and fast commuter/combo. Of course MY steady/fast may vary significantly from your definition. :p The gearing is 50/40(changed out the 36t)x26-12, 9 sp. I run 28mm SMPs @ 120 psi. It came w/cantilever brakes. I believe the Ti version gives a canti/disc option. Comes w/a carbon fork, too. Mine's steel.

Would think something like this would come in at between 2K and 2200.00 after pedals, add-ons etc. Not sure of the weight, though. Here's the website/product page:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_ti.htm

Anyway, good luck on your search. Hope you find something that meets your criteria in your price range.

BTW, my commute is 35 mi rt, rural/asphalt w/rolling hills and one 18% 'killer' climb on the way home. It's a 500 ft drop in and 500 ft climb home. Used to be 40, but I found mapmyride.com and was able to find a route 2.5 miles shorter...though rougher. Thats' why I got the cyclocross frame.

No mentions of a Cross Check or LHT yet?

Put mudguards on the Challenge and use that as your commuter. That way when you need to upgrade you can get a Fujin SL-II or Baron.:p

Um....

If your commute is like mine...edge of roade gravel, occasional bumps, curbs, etc, you ride in all weather, and you haul 10-20 lbs of laptop, paper, clothes, etc back and forth, park it god knows where in whatever weather, why do you give a flip about 2-3 lbs of bicycle????

Go get the best hubs and drivetrain you can and put them on something comfortable solid (like a steel schwinn) and forget about it.

Mostly to feel sporty, but also because I find I'm more likely to weigh down a heavy non aero bike with unnecessary junk. Also, it's not just weight but aerodynamics. Weather conditions are such that I often ride in moderate to strong headwinds or sidewinds.

I commute on all my bikes, and I find that even allowing for weather that the choice of bike makes a significant difference in speed. I often commute with a 32 yo buddy who rides 25 miles each way (his ride is slightly longer than mine). If I'm on my touring bike, I suffer and he has an easy ride. If I'm on my racing bike, we both feel like we're maintaining a brisk pace. If I'm on the Seiran, he suffers and I have to take it easy or I'll get away from him.

Lastly, it's just because I like nice bikes. I can rationalize saving several min ea way, but the reality is that it doesn't matter since I don't race (which is good because I'd probably be humiliated on the track). If you're on your bike enough, it's worth being on something you really love as opposed to good transportation that gets the job done.

Well said.

Now, why is it you were considering something less than that for a commuter?

If the racing bike is reliable, while being comfortable enough for everyday, and able to carry what's needed than stick with it.

If the bike falls short on practicality, I may not allow the rider to get to work.

Michael

http://www.gunnarbikes.com

Look at the Fastlane and the Sport. Those should build up to be ideal for you.