Thinking About Building Up a Commuter
01-15-14 | 03:23 PM
#26
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,637
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
If you don't let her spec it, she'll hate the bike you build. Too many of us have been through that.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-15-14 | 03:24 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Medicinal Cyclist
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,807
Likes: 0
From: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1
I don't think security is a big issue. She goes from her house to her office. Unless someone breaks into either one (or snags it on the train), I don't think her bike is at any risk of theft.
Whether a road bike is just as good as a commuter probably depends on your circumstances. Personally, I'd like to commute on something that has fenders and platform pedals and maybe fatter tires, depending on the road conditions. Any extra weight should be work-related stuff, rather than cycling shoes, a change of clothes and other gear. If I had a shower and a locker at work, it would be different. Not sure what her situation is.
Whether a road bike is just as good as a commuter probably depends on your circumstances. Personally, I'd like to commute on something that has fenders and platform pedals and maybe fatter tires, depending on the road conditions. Any extra weight should be work-related stuff, rather than cycling shoes, a change of clothes and other gear. If I had a shower and a locker at work, it would be different. Not sure what her situation is.
01-15-14 | 04:33 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 16
From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
Fenders, platform pedals and fatter tires can all be had on a road bike if you get the right bike.
01-16-14 | 07:58 AM
#29
Fork and spoon operator
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 577
Likes: 11
From: Hopkins, Minnesota
Bikes: 2013 Surly Crosscheck, 1990 Schwinn Impact, 1973 Schwinn Continental
Sounds great to me. So you're getting a disc trucker frame? I think moustache bars are a nice option. Then you can control the look a lot by changing bar tape, too. With the right color tape and fenders you can personalize a bike quite a bit.
Wes Montgomery is The Man!
Wes Montgomery is The Man!
01-16-14 | 05:05 PM
#30
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
If she's taking Caltrain and taking the bike on the train, I would strongly suggest a Bike Friday Tikit. With a folder, if the bike car is ever full, she can fold the bike and it's considered luggage and not a bike at that point.
This is what I use for my commute on Caltrain, it works well. I usually have to fold in the morning heading into SF and not fold heading home.
This is what I use for my commute on Caltrain, it works well. I usually have to fold in the morning heading into SF and not fold heading home.
01-17-14 | 10:00 AM
#31
Thread Starter
Medicinal Cyclist
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,807
Likes: 0
From: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1
She said that's happened to her twice over the past couple of weeks. Big bummer.
01-17-14 | 10:13 AM
#32
Bike Junkie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 14
From: Santa Clara, CA
Bikes: 2013 Orange Brompton M3L; 2006 Milwaukee Bicycle Co. Fixie (Eddy Orange); 2022 Surly Cross Check, Black
If your budget is $1500 then get a Brompton with a shopping bag. Makes life as a commuter a lot easier.
01-18-14 | 10:39 AM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 697
Likes: 12
From: Midwest USA
Bikes: Surly X√, Trek Earl
I think the folder suggestion is a good one. I don't have to commute by rail often, but if I did so on a daily basis, getting a folder would be a first order of business for me. As it is now, I wish I had a folder for the situations when I do use public transit and for plane travel, but I don't have the funds for another bike right now.
01-18-14 | 02:37 PM
#34
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
The bike thieves will appreciate your selection of parts...
+1 on the Brompton, or BF Tikit, the best way to not have your bike stolen is Never leave it on the street..
Take it in and , maybe even Lock the door to the closet you stow it in .
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-18-14 at 02:40 PM.
