Yeah, I should do that. Kinda intimidated and unsure of how to prep for my first race being 1 hour in hell though lol. I guess it;s kinda one of those just "do it" things. Planning on stopping in at the LBS tomorrow, will inquire about CX for n00bs.

^ that's a great idea. My lbs has so much good info but a lot of people I know do not utilize them

Nope, I need to carry stuff, in panniers, on a bike with mudguards..

Speaking of cyclocross, today I rode to work on my new SSCX bike. First CX race is in a month.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18...o/IMAG0990.jpg

I have two sets of SSFG wheels so I'll keep knobbies and a freewheel on one set for CX and slicks and a fixed cog on the other for commuting and road riding.

I don't know if this counts or not, but I've been switching back and forth from my hybrid to my my old Trek 2100 Composite. I lose the panniers but the backpack is usually light enough (although lately it seems like it's getting heavier and heavier). I know it's an old racing/touring bike but it's all I've got.

Side note: It rained yesterday and I was too chicken to ride it - those thin tires are scary when they're wet!

I really like the looks of the 2100's even if they scare the crap outta me! How thin are your tires anyhow?

Raleigh - not sure off the top of my head. I just feel more comfortable on my hybrid when it comes to rain.

If you're talkin' tread-wise, I'd say they're really thin. :p

I just brought the bike out from being my stationary/workout bike from the basement - I have a cycleops that I hook it up to. Lots of mile from that and I noticed the other day that the back tire looks a little thin!

I ride a Tarmac Comp, I think it's considered a race bike. I don't see the point of riding "junk" or a slower bike for the sake of being afraid to damage it. I want my commute to be as fun, fast and thrilling as possible, every day. Plus I commute 60 to 120km roundtrip depending on if I drive part of the distance or ride from home. I'm already spending a minimum of 2hrs in the saddle daily. I can commute from home in 2hrs on the Tarmac, and when I use the FSR XC, it takes me an extra half hour. I don't have an extra hour per day to commute!

No frame pumps, saddle bags or panniers to cramp my style either. I carry my co2 inflator and other tools in a backpack with my daily stuff and that's it!

Nope I commute on my CX bike. Just run road tires on it instead.

I commute every day on an Ibis Hakkalugi. It's a CX frame but it's got all road gear except for the canti brakes. Not really a "race bike" but it's carbon and light and million times faster than my tank Soma Double Cross. Clip-on fenders, no panniers, a tiny saddle bag, and wearing a backpack on the ride sort of suck, but at 25km each way, and being that I like to sleep in as late as possible, it's the fastest bike for the job.

Tried commuting on the race bike (well, 23 mm tyres, STI, racing handlebars, seat etc, but the frame is with some fatter tyre and fender room, although light) just today. On 11 km ride, against some headwind, I got some 5 or more minuters faster than I would on my standard 29er.

Advantages:
Riding the road bike is fun, quicker. I stay more on the road and less on bicycle paths.

Disadvantages:
29er is a lot more relaxed. I can lock it outside to do some more errands on the way home. I can wear regular shoes.


I'll give the race bike a try this week, see how it feels. If I get used to it, I'll probably ride it on sunny days, keeping the heavy 29er mule for rain and snow.

I just started bike commuting and picked up a road "race" bike for the task. MASI Evoluzione 105. So far I've had nothing but smiles on my rides to work. Here she is in my office waiting to take me home :)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=267542

It would, but only since this past weekend, when I converted my LHT to drop bars. I originally built it up with trekking bars. I like to think in BF circles, race bike means more than just drop bars, but in general parlance with those less in tune with bikes, I think you're right. Anything with drop bars is a "race" bike.

I know I'm paraphrasing but there was a politician or judge someplace who once said that while it's hard to define pornography precisely, he knew it when he saw it. I think it's the same with race bikes but there are grey areas. Whoever that guy was might not characterize something as porn that others would. A picture of naked people isn't necessarily porn but it could fall under somebody else's definition of porn.

Not saying that an LHT is a like a picture of naked people or anything. ;)

I have a hard time calling my own bike a race bike since that's not it's primary use, but I have raced on it and it's the reason I got it.

Assoc. Justice Potter Stewart in Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964) 378 U.S. 184, 197 (conc. op., Stewart, J.).

I know bike p0rn when I see it.

I thought any bike could be used as a commuter? :twitchy:

That's why, along with my regular road shoes, I have a pair of these http://www.chromebagsstore.com/shoes/midway-pro.html and they work pretty well when I only want one pair of shoes :)

I put MTB style SPD pedals on the "race" bike. Just for the convenience sake. So my "road bike" shoes are indeed walkable. The problem is those shoes (any bicycle shoes) aren't too easily available round my town, so I try to wear them only while riding - so they last longer. :)

So far I love the ride, it may be less "practical", and it's definitely sad when going TO WORK (instead of just joy riding), but after the work is done - weeehooo.