completely ditching the car.
05-28-10 | 08:09 PM
#28
Thread Starter
i'll probably break it
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 2
I'm just across the lake from you. I don't like MTBs. My primary commuter is essentially a cyclocross front end mated to a touring bike back end. I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 tires in 35mm, under 45mm fenders. Three winters on this rig and I still can't see any reason to change it.
I lived in high school during high school and the traffic has only gotten busier in 20 years. Have you gone to www.bikely.com to search for
routes from Ajax to Scarborough? Also, next week is Bike Month in Toronto and the city gives away free maps of the city with all of the bike lanes, MUPs, park roads, and quieter routes marked on it. You will be able to pick one up from libraries, bike shops
and the Scarborough Civic Centre (next door to the Scarborough Town Centre) later in the month.
As well, the TTC buses have bike racks on the front on nearly of their routes. There's no cost to use them and you can use them at any time of day (unlike trying to bring a bike onto a bus or train during rush hours). Depending on your schedule and crazy road conditions, hoping on the bus might let you escape Ellesmere Rd or Kennedy or Nielson.
routes from Ajax to Scarborough? Also, next week is Bike Month in Toronto and the city gives away free maps of the city with all of the bike lanes, MUPs, park roads, and quieter routes marked on it. You will be able to pick one up from libraries, bike shops
and the Scarborough Civic Centre (next door to the Scarborough Town Centre) later in the month.
As well, the TTC buses have bike racks on the front on nearly of their routes. There's no cost to use them and you can use them at any time of day (unlike trying to bring a bike onto a bus or train during rush hours). Depending on your schedule and crazy road conditions, hoping on the bus might let you escape Ellesmere Rd or Kennedy or Nielson.
you wouldnt want my passat. im a mechanic at an audi/vw dealership - there are two types of 'mechanic owned' cars. this is the kinda you dont want, the 'just good enough to operate and not kill anyone' kind. still gets 1000kms to a tank tho
05-29-10 | 07:30 AM
#29
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Maybe they do for some people, but not in my experience. I get the impression (perhaps incorrectly) that the people who report troubles just find one gear and stick with it for miles and miles, and then are surprised it's stuck there by icy build-up.
I run full fenders with mudflaps, which keeps a lot of crap out of the drivetrain to begin with. I also run close-ratio cassettes and shift frequently, due to the stop-and-go nature of my route. That keeps the cables and RD freed-up and minimizes build-up on the cassette.
But also remember that my commutes are short (about 5 miles, 8 km) and I park indoors at both ends. Maybe that helps too, I dunno.
I run full fenders with mudflaps, which keeps a lot of crap out of the drivetrain to begin with. I also run close-ratio cassettes and shift frequently, due to the stop-and-go nature of my route. That keeps the cables and RD freed-up and minimizes build-up on the cassette.
But also remember that my commutes are short (about 5 miles, 8 km) and I park indoors at both ends. Maybe that helps too, I dunno.
05-29-10 | 12:37 PM
#30
Thread Starter
i'll probably break it
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 2
Maybe they do for some people, but not in my experience. I get the impression (perhaps incorrectly) that the people who report troubles just find one gear and stick with it for miles and miles, and then are surprised it's stuck there by icy build-up.
I run full fenders with mudflaps, which keeps a lot of crap out of the drivetrain to begin with. I also run close-ratio cassettes and shift frequently, due to the stop-and-go nature of my route. That keeps the cables and RD freed-up and minimizes build-up on the cassette.
But also remember that my commutes are short (about 5 miles, 8 km) and I park indoors at both ends. Maybe that helps too, I dunno.
I run full fenders with mudflaps, which keeps a lot of crap out of the drivetrain to begin with. I also run close-ratio cassettes and shift frequently, due to the stop-and-go nature of my route. That keeps the cables and RD freed-up and minimizes build-up on the cassette.
But also remember that my commutes are short (about 5 miles, 8 km) and I park indoors at both ends. Maybe that helps too, I dunno.
05-30-10 | 07:58 AM
#31
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
i am 100% car free and have been for about four years now i love it, yeah i live in idaho and winter can suck but i still make it around, the one thing i miss about driving is long trips. If your gonna go car free id say just do it for good just tough out the foul weather and after the first winter of riding it really doesnt bother you as much the next im sure others on here will tell you the same
06-11-10 | 07:46 PM
#33
In the right lane
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 8
From: Des Moines
Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed
[derailleurs freeze up right?]Maybe they do for some people, but not in my experience. I get the impression (perhaps incorrectly) that the people who report troubles just find one gear and stick with it for miles and miles, and then are surprised it's stuck there by icy build-up.
06-11-10 | 08:18 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 2
I'm just across the lake from you. I don't like MTBs. My primary commuter is essentially a cyclocross front end mated to a touring bike back end. I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 tires in 35mm, under 45mm fenders. Three winters on this rig and I still can't see any reason to change it.
I'm in Socal now, and it's ridiculously nice year-round. THe most depressing thing about it is that almost nobody bike-commutes here...
06-11-10 | 08:42 PM
#35
xtrajack
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
I'm not car free, however, I am car-lite, working on two years now.
I run a 11-34 8 speed cassette. I have ridden the last two winters, I never had any issues with my dérailleurs freezing up on me.
I run a 11-34 8 speed cassette. I have ridden the last two winters, I never had any issues with my dérailleurs freezing up on me.
06-12-10 | 12:28 AM
#36
Giftless Amateur
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 843
From: MD / metro DC
Bikes: Cross-Check/Nexus commuter. Several others for various forms of play.
That said, if you are pursuing a commuter-specific rig, lots going for the Surly Cross-Check. It does all that you're asking, has horizontal drops for the IGH option (though not necessity because derailleurs do work as has been said), plenty of room for all the snow tires you could want. It is very road like. Most others that are more proper road, or roadier, won't offer the tire clearance, horizontal drops, etc.
06-12-10 | 06:38 AM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 1
Maybe they do for some people, but not in my experience. I get the impression (perhaps incorrectly) that the people who report troubles just find one gear and stick with it for miles and miles, and then are surprised it's stuck there by icy build-up.
I run full fenders with mudflaps, which keeps a lot of crap out of the drivetrain to begin with. I also run close-ratio cassettes and shift frequently, due to the stop-and-go nature of my route. That keeps the cables and RD freed-up and minimizes build-up on the cassette.
But also remember that my commutes are short (about 5 miles, 8 km) and I park indoors at both ends. Maybe that helps too, I dunno.
I run full fenders with mudflaps, which keeps a lot of crap out of the drivetrain to begin with. I also run close-ratio cassettes and shift frequently, due to the stop-and-go nature of my route. That keeps the cables and RD freed-up and minimizes build-up on the cassette.
But also remember that my commutes are short (about 5 miles, 8 km) and I park indoors at both ends. Maybe that helps too, I dunno.
Going car free is pretty easy for me. Everything is somewhat close. If I need a motor vehicle, I just rent one. It's cheaper to rent a car for a day or two once a year than it is to own one, even if it just sits all year long.
06-12-10 | 08:28 AM
#38
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
Ive had a derailer freeze up once but it was sitting outside all day long in sleet, fixed it my spraying that red battery terminal stuff for anti corrision for some reason it works you just end up with red cables. I have also heard from a guy that lives in wyoming that diesel anti gelling fluid works too, i mean really its winter who cares if your bikes dirty or not.
06-12-10 | 03:17 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 4
From: central ohio
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
I just went thru my third winter. Once you overcome the weather. Riding in snow isn't as bad as most would think. We went from a two car family to a one car family. And like most winter commuters. I've ridden thru it all. Snowstorms, Blizzards, Icestorms. The secret is getting good gear to stay comfortable. You learn that here on BF in the Winter Forum. My personal low is -14. To prevent the RD from freezing up I put a few drops of oil down the cable housing leading to the RD. Letting it work itself inside the housing. I've never had any problems shifting.
Last edited by scoatw; 06-13-10 at 08:50 PM.
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