Commuting on track bikes?
03-15-11 | 04:27 PM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
I'll add my 2 cents. I have been using my Bianchi Pista as a commuter bike for the past 7 years. Having a fixed-gear bike as a commuter is not per se bad, but a track-specific bike like the orginal Bianchi Pista has a bot of limitations. With no braze ons for water bottles, no eyelets for racks, and tire clearance up to 28c max (32 if you file your fork a tad), you end of making a lot of compromises. My bike is now somewhat of a Frankenbike in that I have a seatpost clip on rear fender, a seat-post clamp rear rack and a water bottle secured to the downtube with hose clamps and old inner tubes. With the tire clearance the way it is, I can only use my Pista once the ice/snow melts or else risk major wipe outs.
I love the bike and love commuting on it....But I really wish they were selling the San Jose when I was in the market for a bike....Being able to fit larger tires, water bottles, fenders, and canti-brakes would make life soooo much easier.
Also, as much as I love riding fixed, there are times in the early morning when having a freewheel would be very nice.
I love the bike and love commuting on it....But I really wish they were selling the San Jose when I was in the market for a bike....Being able to fit larger tires, water bottles, fenders, and canti-brakes would make life soooo much easier.
Also, as much as I love riding fixed, there are times in the early morning when having a freewheel would be very nice.
03-15-11 | 09:08 PM
#54
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
i commute on the back of a zombie
03-15-11 | 09:45 PM
#55
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 4
From: seattle
Bikes: tirove
i love riding my track bike, but i don't like commuting because it means the ride has to stop at some point or i've been at work all day. because of that, i'm realizing how much i love commuting... actually commuting... on my ss cross bike with fenders and rack and risers.
fenders keep me dry, rack ... well, i still usually take my backpack because it's (singing)awweeeesoooome(/singing)... and risers keep me bunny hopping curbs and aware of buses.
i honestly think a steel singlespeed cross bike like a nature boy would be perfect. the aluminum nashbar i'm on now has a magic gear(no derails yet but still) and sucks over bumps. also i think some fat slick tires would also improve the ride except for when i take shortcuts over lose terrain.
fenders keep me dry, rack ... well, i still usually take my backpack because it's (singing)awweeeesoooome(/singing)... and risers keep me bunny hopping curbs and aware of buses.
i honestly think a steel singlespeed cross bike like a nature boy would be perfect. the aluminum nashbar i'm on now has a magic gear(no derails yet but still) and sucks over bumps. also i think some fat slick tires would also improve the ride except for when i take shortcuts over lose terrain.
03-15-11 | 10:30 PM
#57
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
fenders do keep my feet dryer. (tis been raining like a mofo here)
i've been using these with the wet weather to commute on my trek t1 (about 30-40 a day)
all muy beuno
i've been using these with the wet weather to commute on my trek t1 (about 30-40 a day)
all muy beuno
03-16-11 | 12:55 AM
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 589
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Too many bikes, too little time to ride
I've commuted on the Kilo off and on over the last 2 years. It was my only bike for a while so I just did everything with it, but now I am looking for something a little more commute friendly. The Kilo has "track-inspired" geometry which I find slightly too aggressive (shorter headtube, steeper angles, higher BB/CoG, short chainstay), especially for long miles/heavy cargo loads (backpack/messenger bag). I didn't have problems with fitting fat tires (700x28) or fenders (SKS Raceblades), but I do notice the nuances in the geometry. I'm now looking for something more upright and with longer chainstays to accommodate a rear rack and panniers.
03-16-11 | 02:46 PM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Trek Madone, Araya commute
fenders do keep my feet dryer. (tis been raining like a mofo here)
i've been using these with the wet weather to commute on my trek t1 (about 30-40 a day)
all muy beuno
i've been using these with the wet weather to commute on my trek t1 (about 30-40 a day)
all muy beuno
Also, on topic: I commute my T1 everywhere. To class, to work, to the grocery store, to the bars. I'll ride it everywhere i need to go, even in the snowy winter.
I, as well as others, use a backpack which has a water bottle side holster and carries more than enough of what i need. This summer, i'll be commuting 50 miles per day R/T to work on my T1 as well. Should be the best part of the day! I will mention i have also found a great gear ratio after trail and error a few times that matches up well to my surrounding landscape.
.Chris
03-16-11 | 03:38 PM
#60
King of the Hipsters
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,128
Likes: 2
From: Bend, Oregon
Bikes: Realm Cycles Custom
If you can't or won't do fenders, but want to minimize the stripe up your back, consider Conti Top Contact 28mm tires.
They throw less of a rooster tail than any tire I've ridden.
They throw less of a rooster tail than any tire I've ridden.
03-16-11 | 03:49 PM
#61
Fakenger
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
Bikes: Yo Eddy Team, Serotta Colorado II
I (heart) commuting on my track bike. There are many better bike choices for commuting that add comfort and utility, and those kind of bikes are certainly the best choice for some. However, a track bike can very well be used as a commuter. You just have to be open to adapting yourself and your gear to commuting. Be willing to carry everything you need on your back. Find some way to transport water in the summer, wheather it be bolting on a bottle cage or stuffing a bottle in your bag or jersey pocket. Also, a change of clothes is good if you sweat a lot under your mess bag or pack.
As far as comfort, tyres will be limited so stuff in the biggest that you can. I have been fine with 23s though. A gatorskin in front and everwear in the back has lasted me a long long time and I ride brakeless.
Clip-on fenders are a must in the rain, and they come off easy to maintain the cleanness and simplicity of a track bike.
Have fun. Commuting on a track bike is pretty irrational, but thats what makes it bad-a and exciting!
As far as comfort, tyres will be limited so stuff in the biggest that you can. I have been fine with 23s though. A gatorskin in front and everwear in the back has lasted me a long long time and I ride brakeless.
Clip-on fenders are a must in the rain, and they come off easy to maintain the cleanness and simplicity of a track bike.
Have fun. Commuting on a track bike is pretty irrational, but thats what makes it bad-a and exciting!
03-16-11 | 03:53 PM
#62
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
One of these days we're going to get a velodrome here in Sactown and I'm looking forward to commuting on my track bike so I can ride from work to the evening track races.
03-25-11 | 11:20 PM
#65
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: sf bay area
Bikes: Affinity Lo Pro-madison(RIP)-specialzed bmx-
I commute about 30miles on my maddy and have taken it on 2 tours(about 150-200 miles each)
and it has been smoooooooth sailing absolutely no problems
hater gonna hate..but i had tons of fun
03-26-11 | 09:59 AM
#67
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: sf bay area
Bikes: Affinity Lo Pro-madison(RIP)-specialzed bmx-
03-26-11 | 10:58 AM
#69
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: sf bay area
Bikes: Affinity Lo Pro-madison(RIP)-specialzed bmx-
yea it is specially those warm springs in the middle of nowhere. amazing diversity in flora and fauna. its like no other place. im for sure going again as soon as the weather clears up
