I took my road bike today on the commute
06-21-12, 02:53 PM
#26
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I did today.
06-21-12, 07:30 PM
#27
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And today I remembered why I didn't ride me road bike initially. You just don't leave a nice bike on the streets of NYC. Now I have indoor secure parking.
06-21-12, 08:01 PM
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I have <20lb road bike I commute on whenever the weather is fine. It's a nice ride and I'm often tempted to do extra miles. And it gives me the option of doing some fast lunch laps.
06-21-12, 09:03 PM
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I suspect the biggest difference between a 'race ready' road bike and most commuters is an absence of fenders, racks, saddlebags, lights and full water bottles. All that extra weight probably eclipses any basic weight differences between the two stripped bikes. But even at that - I personally never arrive late for work just because I drove in a hybrid rather than a road bike.
06-21-12, 11:44 PM
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06-22-12, 12:49 AM
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Finally, she stopped, winked at me, and let me pass on my way to church!
Last edited by SlimRider; 06-22-12 at 12:52 AM.
06-22-12, 02:21 AM
#33
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Here's mine about 4 years ago when I got her.
Changed a few things through time, new saddle (Ritchey Pro Biomax) and black bar tape. All black tires, lost the seatbag as well. I've done the "Ronde van Vlaanderen" and "Theo de Rooij Classic" last year. They're not laughing at me anymore
Changed a few things through time, new saddle (Ritchey Pro Biomax) and black bar tape. All black tires, lost the seatbag as well. I've done the "Ronde van Vlaanderen" and "Theo de Rooij Classic" last year. They're not laughing at me anymore
06-22-12, 04:59 AM
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Zacster says:
Yeah! Hey,you noticed that too__! The only thing is, sometimes it looks like patronage and sometimes it looks like pity...But at least they're smiling, anyways! 
Well that sounds mighty Fredly of you!
I remember when I first started to commute. Practically all we had back then were road bikes! I blew 'em away then and I'll still blow 'em away! Beats just lookin' at them cuties! You're missin' out on all the fun, boy! 
ThermionicScott says:
That's exactly what I'm tryin' to say here, Scott!
Yea, they get annoyed because they had all passed me at some point, the bridge is a bit narrow, and I myself get annoyed when somebody blows by me when I'm on my regular commuter bike.
And sometimes the girls are hot, and sometimes not. Just like in real life. I'll talk to the hot ones and don't get the cold shoulder that I used to get when I was young. Age has benefits.
And sometimes the girls are hot, and sometimes not. Just like in real life. I'll talk to the hot ones and don't get the cold shoulder that I used to get when I was young. Age has benefits.
I've been using my Trek 8000 mtb with slicks as my commuter for a few years. I never rode to work before here in NYC, it always seemed like a crazy idea but they've been adding so many bike lanes that it doesn't feel unsafe anymore.
On my roadie, I would only ride Manhattan on weekends when the traffic was much lighter, and clipless pedals in traffic and with rough streets and sudden stops just made me feel like a candidate for club tombay, nevermind the two trips to the ER, one with BOTH wrists broken, the other with my lip hanging off. No thanks. I'm also almost 60, somewhat overweight like a lot of men my age, and just shouldn't be blowing anyone away anymore.
ThermionicScott says:
Why wouldn't you use a road bike? Back in the day, aspiring racers needing to use the same bike for everything.
06-22-12, 07:21 AM
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I ride from Maspeth in Queens to 1st Ave/34th St. It's actually a bit faster on my road bike. I was able to do this under 30 minutes easily. The shortest time on my regular commuter bike is around 35 minutes, usually 40.
Although, I didn't feel safe in traffic on skinny tires, and going 25mph up First Ave was a bit uncomfortable too. I much rather chug along slowly on fat tires.
Although, I didn't feel safe in traffic on skinny tires, and going 25mph up First Ave was a bit uncomfortable too. I much rather chug along slowly on fat tires.
06-22-12, 02:27 PM
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I do. I mix commuting in with my regular rides. We have a shower, lockers and can park my bike at work inside (bike stands a few feet from my cube).
I have 2 road bikes (one steel, one carbon), (Jamis Quest Frame, 9 Speed Ultegra, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, Focus Izalco Pro 3 with Easton EA90 wheels, along with a mountain bike (old Gary Fisher Tassajara. Since I got the carbon bike, I put race fenders on the steel bike and use that when I commute, though some times I do commute on my carbon bike especially if I want to take an extra long route home. I've commuted on my mountain bike in really crappy weather.
I do have lights (2 600 Lumen Niteriders, one on handlebar and one on helmet) and a 2 watt rear light along with some flashers on my back pack. Switching the lights between bikes is a 15 second job.
I have 2 road bikes (one steel, one carbon), (Jamis Quest Frame, 9 Speed Ultegra, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, Focus Izalco Pro 3 with Easton EA90 wheels, along with a mountain bike (old Gary Fisher Tassajara. Since I got the carbon bike, I put race fenders on the steel bike and use that when I commute, though some times I do commute on my carbon bike especially if I want to take an extra long route home. I've commuted on my mountain bike in really crappy weather.
I do have lights (2 600 Lumen Niteriders, one on handlebar and one on helmet) and a 2 watt rear light along with some flashers on my back pack. Switching the lights between bikes is a 15 second job.
06-22-12, 02:48 PM
#37
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I have a slightly heavier steel road bike with a rack and panniers (standard cromoly, prob around 22lbs without the rack and bags) that's my main commuter, and a 18lb steel Torelli (Columbus Nemo) road bike that considerably zoomier. I try to take the commuter more often because its more practical, but the Torelli is more fun.
06-22-12, 05:00 PM
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i bought myself another carbon fiber commuter for ~$1360 the other day (20% off sale):
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...52_-1___202613
this replaced my fancy lugged steel drop. steel is just too bouncy.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...52_-1___202613
this replaced my fancy lugged steel drop. steel is just too bouncy.
06-22-12, 07:14 PM
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On nice days when I feel a bit youngish, I haul out my old road bike and ride into work. I can't say that my average speed is much more (such is the nature of an urban commute), but it does feel great.
06-22-12, 09:32 PM
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I find that being on my road bike is not that much faster than my commuter bike when commuting to work. The main reason is that with the CX bike I can go through most rail and street car tracks, potholes, cracks, sewer grates on the road without the need to slow down. Also I use MTB style double sided clipless pedals on the CX which I find faster to get in and out of compared to single sided road pedals. There are plenty of stop lights in my 27.5 km (one way) commute:
06-22-12, 10:34 PM
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I go through all of those on my road bike. Though my ride is not nearly as long or as bad. I'm probably going to get a flat soon VERY enjoyable video. 
Though my ride is not nearly as long or as bad. I'm probably going to get a flat soon VERY enjoyable video.
Last edited by blargman; 06-22-12 at 10:59 PM.
06-23-12, 12:38 AM
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What is the pack? I googled dynopack and dynapack, couldn't find anything. I'm researching non-rack mounted packs for same purpose as you (commuting on carbon).
06-23-12, 02:12 PM
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Glad you enjoyed the video. The ability to use wider/lower pressure/more robust tires is one reason why I prefer commuting on the CX bike as opposed to my road bike. The tires (and rims) of my road bike will not last as long if I used it for commuting.
06-23-12, 09:51 PM
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Do you still run the Schwalbe sammy slicks on the CAADX?
06-23-12, 10:08 PM
#45
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I took one of my road bikes on the commute today... when the sun is shining and know I don't need to be carrying much I break out the lighter bikes and quite often I find myself taking the looooong way home.
Same thing happens if I take my mtb to the shop... I usually end up taking the looong and diiiiirty way home.
Same thing happens if I take my mtb to the shop... I usually end up taking the looong and diiiiirty way home.
06-24-12, 07:03 AM
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My CAADX Tiagra is the 2011 9 speed version which came with Continental Cyclocross Speed 700 x 35c tires which I highly recommend for commuting. Excellent traction in both dry and wet weather, light (only 360 grams, same as 700 x 28c Conti Gatorskin road tires), folding bead (supple and easy to get in and out of the rims), bomb proof (I have 3000+ km on mine and no flats), and reasonably priced. I use them on the trails too...
06-24-12, 10:01 AM
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https://www.zixtro.com/products/produ...p?M=9999&uID=3
06-25-12, 06:25 PM
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Here is my new commuter, Specialized had a pretty good closeout on these on these and i got a lot more bike for my money and it makes a heck of a bike to do the 50 miler haul out to Andice with the zillion of other cyclists up here in north austin
06-25-12, 06:51 PM
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Man, riding a road bike to work is great -- that pitched over position, with your tights and really small jersey that exposes your lower back. Everyone gets a great view of your hairy, dimpled ass when you pass by and they think you're really cool and want to be you.
Oh, and for women cyclists. Most of them really want you to try to chit-chat and offer tons of unsolicited advice out there. Because they don't really know what to do, since they're women. Try saying something like "hey, try spinning a faster cadence on the hills" or "man, your legs are big -- do you race?" If they try to ignore you completely, or say something like "oh, gee thanks" and roll their eyes, don't get discouraged. They're playing hard to get! Keep trying you idiot!
Then you'll be a stud.
Oh, and for women cyclists. Most of them really want you to try to chit-chat and offer tons of unsolicited advice out there. Because they don't really know what to do, since they're women. Try saying something like "hey, try spinning a faster cadence on the hills" or "man, your legs are big -- do you race?" If they try to ignore you completely, or say something like "oh, gee thanks" and roll their eyes, don't get discouraged. They're playing hard to get! Keep trying you idiot!
Then you'll be a stud.
06-25-12, 07:04 PM
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Man, riding a road bike to work is great -- that pitched over position, with your tights and really small jersey that exposes your lower back. Everyone gets a great view of your hairy, dimpled ass when you pass by and they think you're really cool and want to be you.
Oh, and for women cyclists. Most of them really want you to try to chit-chat and offer tons of unsolicited advice out there. Because they don't really know what to do, since they're women. Try saying something like "hey, try spinning a faster cadence on the hills" or "man, your legs are big -- do you race?" If they try to ignore you completely, or say something like "oh, gee thanks" and roll their eyes, don't get discouraged. They're playing hard to get! Keep trying you idiot!
Then you'll be a stud.