what are some typical 'bike messenger" bikes.
03-08-16, 03:29 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: still above ground
Posts: 1,066
Bikes: 2016 Specialized crosstrail comp disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
what are some typical 'bike messenger" bikes.
I think bike messengers are the true samurai of cyclists.
They ride with purpose in all kinds of weather conditions
and on some pretty hairy roads.
I wonder if there is a "preferred" bike or style for these road warriors.
anyone know?
They ride with purpose in all kinds of weather conditions
and on some pretty hairy roads.
I wonder if there is a "preferred" bike or style for these road warriors.
anyone know?
03-08-16, 07:00 PM
#2
enjoy the ride
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 74
Bikes: The Ship of Theseus - the only bicycle that I own or have ever owned. It is a bike that I built, with a constantly shifting constellation of parts & frames.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There's a fairly well-known documentary that should answer all your questions about messenger bikes, as well as provide some thoughtful insights into their world. It literally taught me everything that I know about bike messengers. Here is the IMDB link; all answers will be revealed:
Premium Rush
Premium Rush
03-08-16, 07:25 PM
#4
Standard Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 4,268
Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1297 Post(s)
Liked 940 Times
in
490 Posts
Yep, in Boston, pretty much fixed gear and single speed. It could be anything from a 70's Rampar to something new by Independent Fab., but these are working bikes, so nothing special and nothing pretty: basically racing frames that look so beat up, their chance of being stolen is minimized. You want something nimble and responsive. Make sure it fits.
If I was doing it? A double-butted, spray painted frame from 70's Europe.
If I was doing it? A double-butted, spray painted frame from 70's Europe.
__________________
Unless you climb the rungs strategically, you’re not going to build the muscle you need to stay at the top.
Unless you climb the rungs strategically, you’re not going to build the muscle you need to stay at the top.
03-10-16, 10:02 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: S Oregon
Posts: 801
Bikes: Berthoud Randoneusse, Curt Goodrich steel road, Zanconato Minimax road, Jeff Lyon steel all road,
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
They can't be bothered with fixing crap while they beat there bikes up so they keep it simple and light.
03-11-16, 12:28 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 256
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There's a fairly well-known documentary that should answer all your questions about messenger bikes, as well as provide some thoughtful insights into their world. It literally taught me everything that I know about bike messengers. Here is the IMDB link; all answers will be revealed:
Premium Rush
Premium Rush
03-11-16, 12:33 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,706
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5779 Post(s)
Liked 2,576 Times
in
1,427 Posts
While fixed gear bikes are trendy and part of the messenger sub-culture, the reality is that they ride just about every kind of road bike, and even a few mtn bikes set up for road use. Since it's business and time is money, they prefer light fast bikes, but also try to keep it cheap in case of theft or crash.
Here in NYC fixed gear is fine for those who serve mainly lower Manhattan because it's flat, but where hills are a factor, the cool factor of a fixed gear bike gives way to practical realities and you'll see more derailleurs.
Here in NYC fixed gear is fine for those who serve mainly lower Manhattan because it's flat, but where hills are a factor, the cool factor of a fixed gear bike gives way to practical realities and you'll see more derailleurs.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
03-11-16, 12:33 AM
#10
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
03-11-16, 02:01 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: still above ground
Posts: 1,066
Bikes: 2016 Specialized crosstrail comp disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
There's a fairly well-known documentary that should answer all your questions about messenger bikes, as well as provide some thoughtful insights into their world. It literally taught me everything that I know about bike messengers. Here is the IMDB link; all answers will be revealed:
Premium Rush
Premium Rush
Cheap and light makes sense. I really admire these guys/gals. Breaks the "sport" down to it's barest essentials.
03-11-16, 04:03 PM
#13
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
@FBinNY is right. There really isn't a mold for a messenger bike. Whatever works. They get paid by the job so fast is important. Can't afford to have it break either so simpler is better. The black bike above might be too nice to be a messenger bike.
There really isn't a mold for a single-speed or fixed-gear rider either. I'm a roadie. This is my fixed-gear road bike. Fizik, Thompson, Vittoria, Nitto, Dura Ace, SRAM, etc. 18.3 lbs as pictured. 48/16 gearing is sometimes a challenge but being being challenged is the whole point.
Bianchi Pista 2015 - Pedal Room
-Tim-
There really isn't a mold for a single-speed or fixed-gear rider either. I'm a roadie. This is my fixed-gear road bike. Fizik, Thompson, Vittoria, Nitto, Dura Ace, SRAM, etc. 18.3 lbs as pictured. 48/16 gearing is sometimes a challenge but being being challenged is the whole point.
Bianchi Pista 2015 - Pedal Room
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 03-11-16 at 04:14 PM.
03-12-16, 08:12 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,212
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 1,001 Times
in
488 Posts
I used to ride an old Peugeot, single speed, with one front brake, old saddle off my mtb. Most rode fixed but my knees never liked those
It was built just for the job: free frame, worthless if stolen, light, and low maintenance. Just grab and go
It was built just for the job: free frame, worthless if stolen, light, and low maintenance. Just grab and go
03-13-16, 06:23 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,085
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times
in
67 Posts
Photos taken in NYC manhattan 2010 as I watched a messenger who delivered and parked the bike.
03-13-16, 07:43 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,085
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times
in
67 Posts
I waited for a while to speak with the messenger but he was in that hi-rise office building making a delivery. There were other messengers that morning but I had to leave. This was in August when NYC had that street closure for their bike day, similar to CiclaVia.
03-13-16, 08:20 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,347
Bikes: Felt TK2, Felt Z5
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 943 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
20 Posts
While not a bike messenger by definition, I do bike delivery for Jimmy John's. This is what I ride most of the time and the picture was taken right after a delivery. Fixed gear, SPD pedals, 49:15 ratio which is total overkill, front brake and some mid level parts. It weighs in at 16.6 lbs without the Garmin. Carbon fork, seatpost and cranks.
Now, that being said.....the bike has taken a beating. The frame shows some wear now from locking it up, an unavoidable crash, etc. You have to worry about theft especially in larger cities. You have to carry a good chain lock or U lock with you. Most of my deliveries are on a college campus so I just throw it on my shoulder CX style and walk right in the building with it.
Now, that being said.....the bike has taken a beating. The frame shows some wear now from locking it up, an unavoidable crash, etc. You have to worry about theft especially in larger cities. You have to carry a good chain lock or U lock with you. Most of my deliveries are on a college campus so I just throw it on my shoulder CX style and walk right in the building with it.
JJ has a great ad campaign
03-14-16, 08:51 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: So. Redondo Beach
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
03-14-16, 12:48 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,212
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 1,001 Times
in
488 Posts
I didnt realize this was so glamorous. At the time (straight outta art school, and just before getting a "real job") it was an easy and fun job to do as former mechanic and part time racer. Samurai? More like a counterculture dude who likes bikes and hanging out with likeminded souls
Last edited by DorkDisk; 03-14-16 at 01:08 PM. Reason: samurai, not ninja
03-14-16, 06:59 PM
#24
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
Head over to the "Seen on the Street" thread in the Single Speed/Fixed Gear forum and you will see a plethora of working bikes.
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...ed-thread.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...ed-thread.html
