Porten2

I began riding when I was attending seminary in the early 90's and my dad gave me a 10 speed Columbia mountain bike. I started riding it to work later (I usually don't ride unless I have a practical reason to), and began replacing parts on it. The handlebar bent, so I replaced it, then the crank bent from starting off in too high a gear (I didn't replace that, just lived with it) and once it started getting impossible to keep the rims true, I started looking for a new bike. I hit all the department stores and was dismayed to see that none of them were any better than the bike I already had.

That's when I discovered my LBS and bought a Cygnal Ranger mountain bike. It had V-brakes and low end Shimano parts, but it worked great for me. I rode it for about 5 years and then got the itch for a better bike (the bottom bracket was clunking on me every so often).

Scouring the local shops I eventually settled on a Diamonback Wildwood DX (with the curved top bar--kind of radical for 1999). Acera with Grip shifts and seat-post suspension. It's been good to me all these years and the last 2 years I've been riding 6.5 miles to work. Now it's not shifting down the rear cogs to higher gears very well, and rather than put in 200 for a new chain, rear cog and tires and tune up and ...

So now my radar is on the 2007 Diamondback Century. Much more road than I've ever had, but some comfortable concessions (like flat bar, 28c tires). LBS's in area don't stock it, but Dick's has it for 120 less than anywhere I've looked, so I'm probably about to go buy it (even though I would rather get it at the LBS).

Now I'm organizing Chicago Bike to Work Week Challenge for my department at UIC. So far I've not gotten anyone to sign up. Hope someone does before next week!

East Hill

Hello Porten2, where did you attend seminary? One of our regular posters on the Classic & Vintage forum, pastorbobnlhn, has the following wonderful bikes (and note the bike bag!):

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=seminary

Good luck with the Bike to Work Week Challenge. Drop in at the Great Lakes regional forum to say hi to your fellow locals!

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Porten2

Trinity Evangelial Divinity at first, just finished MA in Worship and Spirituality from Northern Seminary (Lombard) in '05.

East Hill

I will show my ignorance and ask: what do you do at UIC with your educational background?

Second [stupid] question: are you now done with your education?

I can't believe you haven't gotten anyone to sign up for BTWWC...

East Hill

Porten2

First, I do payroll. Kind of fell into it through someone at church. Pays the bills, and I'm moving up the ladder pretty quickly.
Second, I'm currently done with ed, but given a good reason and the finances, I probably wouldn't be able to resist.
I serve at a church for free, so my seminary ed isn't wasted, it just isn't paying for itself.

People just smile and shake their heads about biking to work. If people drive and pay for parking, they really don't see much cost savings to riding. My side of campus (West) isn't very bike friendly when it comes to parking and there are no showers close. But I'll keep trying!

East Hill

Well, your education probably IS paying for itself, just not in a direct method at the moment. I am certain that the time will come , and knowing that mysterious way in which God works, it could be something like this:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/301544-help-id-antique-fixie.html

Pastor Bob has been getting a real workout today in this thread. He is a great guy!

That not being bike-friendly is to me the most difficult hurdle. Mostly it's a question of 'where do I keep the bike where no one messes with it?', because I work graveyard. I still try to make it work, though.

East Hill

Porten2

Latest update: one person at work indicated a possible attempt at biking to the train. Then I went outside to the bike rack to go home and my bike was gone. Looks like I'll be getting that new bike sooner than I though. I'll be looking into a better lock!

James H Haury

Is a folder practical for you?Or him ?It is a bit confusing.

East Hill

Ooops. You know, at this time of year we have some threads dealing with 'liberating' abandoned bikes, especially on campuses. Perhaps someone did not realize that your bike was in use? But a better lock would be one step to take.

East Hill