The Short, Simple, Commute Club
06-09-09 | 07:07 AM
#76
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
I'm going in the opposite direction. I have a quick-ish 7 mile one-way commute now; rumor has it our office will be moving to a new location later this year that will ad 4-5 miles each way. That's still not all that far.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
06-09-09 | 07:12 AM
#77
Thread Starter
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
It's got a trigger shifter.
I'm reserving judgment of the fenders until I ride in the rain with them, which could be on the way home this evening...which is also pretty much mostly up hill.
I'm reserving judgment of the fenders until I ride in the rain with them, which could be on the way home this evening...which is also pretty much mostly up hill.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-09-09 | 07:18 AM
#78
Thread Starter
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 06-09-09 at 07:22 AM.
06-09-09 | 08:19 AM
#79
Non-Spandex Commuter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Bikes: Trek Soho S
Got the new bike this past weekend and used it for the commute this morning. My lights have not yet come in for it, so I just threw one of my PB Superflashes on the back of the rack trunk for now.
For the ride in I wore a pair of RailRiders Yukon pants, merino wool boxers, a poly golf shirt, thin smartwool socks, my regular work shoes and my sunglasses - no cycling-specific clothing, shoes, gloves, etc.
My commute is 4 miles of rolling terrain. I tried to take it easy and spin up the rollers in a much lower gear than I would on my other bikes, while pretty much coasting down. The Alfine IGH 8 speed has plenty of gear range for the terrain.
The last mile is mostly downhill, which is nice for a cool down. When I got into work, I had worked up a little sweat, but really no more than if I had walked a mile rather than rode 4.
For the ride in I wore a pair of RailRiders Yukon pants, merino wool boxers, a poly golf shirt, thin smartwool socks, my regular work shoes and my sunglasses - no cycling-specific clothing, shoes, gloves, etc.
My commute is 4 miles of rolling terrain. I tried to take it easy and spin up the rollers in a much lower gear than I would on my other bikes, while pretty much coasting down. The Alfine IGH 8 speed has plenty of gear range for the terrain.
The last mile is mostly downhill, which is nice for a cool down. When I got into work, I had worked up a little sweat, but really no more than if I had walked a mile rather than rode 4.
Hey, did you happen to mention anyplace how much it set you back? Raleigh lists "$$$$$ = 700 - $1,100 general price range" and I don't have any Raleigh dealers close enough to go look around. However, there are some that may be worth looking into.
06-09-09 | 08:39 AM
#80
Thread Starter
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Man, that is a pretty bike, and I don't think there's anything I would actually upgrade (obviously I'd add Dyno lights and a rack, but saddle, handlbars, grips, fenders, tires everything looks great). That makes for a heck of a value proposition when you don't have to swap parts to get it just how you want it.
Hey, did you happen to mention anyplace how much it set you back? Raleigh lists "$$$$$ = 700 - $1,100 general price range" and I don't have any Raleigh dealers close enough to go look around. However, there are some that may be worth looking into.
Hey, did you happen to mention anyplace how much it set you back? Raleigh lists "$$$$$ = 700 - $1,100 general price range" and I don't have any Raleigh dealers close enough to go look around. However, there are some that may be worth looking into.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-09-09 | 08:59 AM
#81
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Bikes: 2006 Specialized Stumpjumper
Also, just found this I suspect it might feel "cheap and plasticy" though...
I know a lot of runners who use this the Amphipod Xinglet. It's amazingly reflective for how small it is -- way more so than the teamestrogen.com vest -- but it's design definitely isn't backpack/mess bag friendly.
The Illumnite demos looks pretty amazing, but I haven't seen any of their clothes in-person yet. I figure I'm going to have to buy a jacket eventually, so that might be a good option.
06-09-09 | 09:32 AM
#82
Well, I've got my simple commute bike together (no fenders, no rack, no kid-conveyance hitches, no ... gears!). Took it for some shakedown spins this weekend but no chance to actually commute on it until Thursday (wife is going to drive that day so I don't need to trailer the daughter uphill in the pm after she trailers her downhill in the am)
06-09-09 | 01:15 PM
#83
Non-Spandex Commuter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Bikes: Trek Soho S
I know a lot of runners who use this the Amphipod Xinglet. It's amazingly reflective for how small it is -- way more so than the teamestrogen.com vest -- but it's design definitely isn't backpack/mess bag friendly.
06-09-09 | 06:54 PM
#84
carbureted legs
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, AL
Bikes: 2003 Steel Fuji Finest
I ride about 2 miles to school, and 2 miles back. My girlfriend and I have a class together, and I beat her home everytime . I have a cheapy 1980's road bike (just broke a friction shifter) with fenders. Summertime in FL it will be sunny when you go inside your class and be raining by the time you get out. Fenders are a must for me.
. I have a cheapy 1980's road bike (just broke a friction shifter) with fenders. Summertime in FL it will be sunny when you go inside your class and be raining by the time you get out. Fenders are a must for me.
06-10-09 | 10:39 AM
#85
Female Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Bikes: Citizen Tokyo (Silver), Schwinn Collegiate (1980's)
I know a lot of runners who use this the Amphipod Xinglet. It's amazingly reflective for how small it is -- way more so than the teamestrogen.com vest -- but it's design definitely isn't backpack/mess bag friendly.
