Bike recommendation
 

Hello fellow commuters. I used to commute on this bike when I was 4 miles from work.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ccd65fd.jpg

It is an On One Dirty Disco frame that I built up with ebay parts. It was meant to be a commuter and my bike for an annual event that I do - The Crusher in the Tushar which is a mix of dirt and road with a lot of climbing. I have since changed jobs - my job is 42 miles away and sadly I have been driving for the last year. I will be moving soon though about 10 miles away from work. I will be commuting by bike again. Job requirements have changed though. I have to carry a laptop to and from work every day - there is no option to leave it at work. My bike will not accept panniers. I don't want to carry the laptop in a backpack. Luckily I have showers at work and can bring my bike into my office every day. My other bike is a CAAD10 that I use for daily riding, centuries, races etc. I'd prefer to keep that bike as is and not add any racks or anything. What bike do you suggest I add to my current lineup? I currently have carbon and aluminum. I'd like to try steel or titanium, but keep the cost under $1500. I love my carbon cross bike - it is comfortable and fun to ride, but I can't put any racks on it. I'm thinking maybe a touring bike could be a good addition. What do you think I should do?

So you are dead set against any type of bag, and would prefer a bike that accepts panniers? Me? I would bag the laptop and ride the heck out of that Dirty Disco after putting some black bar tape on there and calling it a day. Messenger bag not a backpack though, since it will more than likely fit better and be more comfortable. How big of a laptop and how thick? Macbook Air? After reading your post, you are willing to spend $1500 to not carry your laptop in a bag. First world problems man, first world!!

why would this bike not accept a rack/panniers?

It's a pretty big laptop provided by work - HP something or other.

Kinesis UK sells the Decade Tripster Ti and it bumps right up against your budget limit. Products | Decade | Tripster Atr | Kinesis Bikes UK

I think you could get panniers on that bike with a seatpost clamp with pannier bosses and an adapter that fits on the axle skewers.

Absoolutely....I was thinking the same thing. I know a guy that does this with his old SuperSix. Also pick up a set of SKS fenders. You can also get the racks that attached via clamps with rubber feet on the seat tubes.

Carradice SQR fits on the seat post .. SQR Slim saddlebag

11 x 14 x 6" .. Carradice Canvas is renowned for its water repellence , & it can be wax treated.

they make an even drier water proof one CarraDry SQR Bag
Data suggests, its a bit smaller main compartment.



Can't you just transfer the work on a thumb drive , rather than haul the whole laptop. ?


++ a lower end Cross Commuter will have the Rack Mounts A Competition Cross Race Bike doesn't need .

My Old all Aluminum AlAn Cross Super didn't even have any bottle Mount Holes ..

+1 for what caloso said

Sometimes its about being creative and not accepting limitations that the frame manufacturer imposes on you. In the absence of rear rack mounts, one can use (a) seat post mounted rack, (b) P-clamps or brake bridge adapter. Tons of youtube videos on how to do option (b) but it will require a bit of handiness. Option (a) is more straightforward but usually yields a less sturdy rack. If all you have to transport is a laptop then option (a) will suffice.

most reasonable bikes meet those specs and take racks. they are hard to source in the US though without knowing exactly what you want.

Consider a Tubus QR adapter for your current bike ?

I'm going to disagree with most of the posters here. Why risk damaging a good carbon frame by spending a bunch on various rack adapters to kludge something together.

Unless you have an ultra-light laptop, you definitely want a rack and panniers. A standard laptop is typically ~8lbs with another 2-3lbs for the charger. 10lbs total isn't bad for a messenger bag or backpack but if you're also carrying clothes/lunch you can easily hit 20+ lbs. None of the seatposts bags mentioned have a prayer of fitting a standard HP laptop, just totally the wrong shape.

From a budget perspective, you're probably looking at Al frames on any new bike. Steel is a good option, but its heavy and not cheap for a non-Walmart bike. REI has a good selection of steel/touring bikes at decent prices. This Novara has everything you'd want for $800 Novara Verita Bike - 2014 - REI.com. It's an extra bargain if you have an REI dividend to use.

+1

If you need to buy a rack anyway, you might look at the Axiom Streamliner. It's set up to use the QRs. I love it on the carbon stayed K2. It fits so the the panniers are further away from wheel strike, great for shorter chain stays. I use it with a seatpost clamp that has bosses for the rack supports. Works great!!

+1 a thousand times over!

A decent commuter bike that has attachment points for equipment will make your commute more enjoyable.

Also follows the number of bikes a person needs = n+1 ;)

Yes, this is what I want to do - I'd prefer to keep my cross bike race ready.

I just bought a Charge Plug. It's steel and has mounts for racks and fenders. Here it is: Charge Plug Road Bike - 2015 Performance Exclusive

Used to commute along the Erie Canal, well quite a long time ago. Back when laptops were rather heavy, I had to lug it back and forth. The route was rather bumpy and laptops at the time didn't take shock very well.

I found a marvelous armored backpacks with a suspension of sorts. Clothes and such were in a trunk.

I would suggest that you consider ways to reduce shock or impact. Larger softer tires will go a long ways, basic armored laptop bag will also help.

Oh, they really don't like water either.

Extra points for N+1.. if you crash and break your race bike ,( if you are not injured in the crash ),

You still have a transportation Bike to ride to Work .

Thoughts on this bike? I like the chrome look.

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http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=431992

PharmD, no need to justify another bike to us, we don't live with you so the narrative around why you want another bike just muddies the responses

So you want another bike for commuting and you have up to $1500 to spend

Seems like you like drops so a touring style bike is a good option

You seem to want to try steel, which is good, because there are many choices for touring bikes

I don't have a steel CX bike so not sure how it would ride for commuting

but if there are touring bikes on BD and Nashbar

if looking for name brands under $1500
- Trek 520
- Surly LHT
- Novara Randonee

Also found this Salsa Vaya 2 in my local classifieds in my size - looks new.

Bicycles: Road Bikes Classifieds for Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming | ksl.com