Commuter Bicycle Pics
#7001
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I like it...
Built a new toy myself... should be good for those commutes that tale me off the beaten and paved path and am sure we'll play in the snow a little too.
Switched the SS drive for an 8 speed this evening...
Built a new toy myself... should be good for those commutes that tale me off the beaten and paved path and am sure we'll play in the snow a little too.
Switched the SS drive for an 8 speed this evening...
#7002
crunchy phascist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Roanoke VA
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thanks hikelite , yes i did paint it... spray can. lot of degreasing, lots of sanding, primer, then paint...
it is definitely my new favourite color!
if i could do it over, I would have given it a few more coats... thats about 2-3.
awesome bikes on this page, loving that paint boro... and I might have to look for some glow in the dark grips too thanks to cody!
it is definitely my new favourite color!
if i could do it over, I would have given it a few more coats... thats about 2-3.
awesome bikes on this page, loving that paint boro... and I might have to look for some glow in the dark grips too thanks to cody!
#7003
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lake City, fl
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Here is mine loaded for a ride out in the forest and how it looks every morning for the ride to work:
and how it looks after a bath:
and how it looks after a bath:
#7004
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Finland
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hey
hope i can post my pic soon still have got to change and add something
hope i can post my pic soon still have got to change and add something
Last edited by MnM78; 09-22-10 at 11:40 AM.
#7005
This bike is cat approved
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 1,531
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Thanks. Aside from the fact that I think the paint will chip off if you look at it the wrong way, most of my concerns revolve around my part selection. For instance, my brake arms have quite a bit of play compared to the old frame... I don't know if the bosses are just a different size than usual, or if my old avid brakes are a weird size. The rear dropout spacing allows for MTB hubs to fit pretty easily, but I needed to track down some axle adjustment screws, otherwise (with the 9-spd cassette) my chain would rub on the seat stay - again, I just didn't know ahead of time. There are other minor little things I have to find solutions too, but otherwise it seems like a good frame. I've never ridden a light steel frame, but this one doesn't seem too heavy. In the end I think I'm happy with it, especially because it was way cheaper than other new frames out there.
If I had to do it over again, and I had a good used frame resource, I would have repainted an older cheap/free frame. Since I didn't know of any good resources in my old city, and I was afraid of buying (and probably overpaying for) some old frame off craigslist, I just went with the Pake. I've gotten a few compliments on the frame, especially about the colour. I've also gotten a few looks while riding it at school, too, but I think they were bad looks, and I think they were directed at me.
If I had to do it over again, and I had a good used frame resource, I would have repainted an older cheap/free frame. Since I didn't know of any good resources in my old city, and I was afraid of buying (and probably overpaying for) some old frame off craigslist, I just went with the Pake. I've gotten a few compliments on the frame, especially about the colour. I've also gotten a few looks while riding it at school, too, but I think they were bad looks, and I think they were directed at me.
#7006
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Figured I would add a few gears to the Beast and commute through the river valley today... t'was awesome.
#7007
This bike is cat approved
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lincoln, NE
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#7008
Jesse Salgado
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Johnson City, TN
Posts: 18
Bikes: 1986 Bianchi Road Bike
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#7009
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
It is a '96-ish Jim Moulden custom (local builder), filet brazed with Reynold's 853 / Prestige tubes.
Friend gave it to me after using it as his winter beater...
#7010
Free and Self-Reliant
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 180
Bikes: Retrovelo Paula, 3 Speed Brompton, Rivendell Cheviot
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My commuter/errand bike, updated. Put the stock handlebars back on, added fenders, rack and Wald folding baskets. The bike came with the giant front basket.
#7011
This bike is cat approved
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lincoln, NE
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How many bonus points do I get for buying one of these after seeing the pic? =)
I bought one of these tonight on Craiglist. Well its a Schwinn Prelude, but it looks the same just from Target instead of Walmart. The guy said he road it once and it looks that way. It still has all the stickers even the clearance pricetag. LOL He put one of those Nashbar Air seats on it. In my ride around the neighborhood it seems really comfy so that might be a minor upgrade. I post some pictures tomorrow, but I think I will commute on it for a while and see what I think of having a road bike as commuter. Overall for what I paid its pretty good. I just had to adjust things so it fit, wipe the dust off from it being in a garage and its ready to go.
I bought one of these tonight on Craiglist. Well its a Schwinn Prelude, but it looks the same just from Target instead of Walmart. The guy said he road it once and it looks that way. It still has all the stickers even the clearance pricetag. LOL He put one of those Nashbar Air seats on it. In my ride around the neighborhood it seems really comfy so that might be a minor upgrade. I post some pictures tomorrow, but I think I will commute on it for a while and see what I think of having a road bike as commuter. Overall for what I paid its pretty good. I just had to adjust things so it fit, wipe the dust off from it being in a garage and its ready to go.
#7012
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
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Her eis an update, I rode the Prelude to work and around a bit and I didn't really like it all that well. I was going to switch stems, but realized I didn't have what I needed. I did like the seat alot so I put it on my faithful Trek commuter. Its like a pillow. Not sure it would be great for long rides, but I like it alot on my short commute so far. One thing it seems like people have mentioned about the Prelude/Varsity is the spongy brakes. I suspect its because to get them adjusted right I had to move the almost all the way down to the end of the brake caliper. Honestly if I was trying to get the most out of this bike I would put an old 27 inch wheelset on it and it would be better braking from the brakes on the bike. It wouldn't be hard to find a lighter wheelset in my basement than what is on there. The wheels are almost anchors. I am not ripping on the bike, but just some thoughts. I am offering for sale at work and I already have a bite.
#7013
Mayor of Bonk Town.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFV,CA
Posts: 125
Bikes: ''98 Cannondale R600, '85 Specialized Allez
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Here's my CX bike with its commuter outfit on.
Schwinn Crosscut with homemade redwood crate.
Schwinn Crosscut with homemade redwood crate.
#7014
This bike is cat approved
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lincoln, NE
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A big complaint of mine is the brakes, for sure - they work well enough, though, and it works well enough for my needs. I also grabbed mine originally off Craigslist, I've probably only got $300 total into it including the cost of the bike, initial tuneup, and some Conti Gatorskins/pumps/tools/etc. I'm coming up on mile 800 and I think its been worth it so far.
I was just thinking last night if you wanted to improve the brakes for little investment and a bit of time you could get some nicer brake shoes that also have longer studs and maybe fashion a insert out of some type of thick metal (maybe someting as simple as an eletrical box plate) to stiffen up those calipers so they don't flex as much. On the Prelude I got them so they are more than acceptable after fiddling with them for a few minutes. I actually got a compliment from someone Monday night about how nice it looked from someone that actually rides alot. Target Schwinn Pride!!!...soon for some lucky college student I think. =)
For me I am going back to my Trek mountain bike commuter. Its amazing how much stronger and quicker a newer chain makes it feel. I waited way to long to do that. I know I have at least 500 miles on it, but based on my very small investment on the bike and to outfit it for commuting with. I think its been more than worthwhile. I started out riding to work to save money on gas, get excercise and maybe save the planet a bit, but now I would actually rather just ride to work possibly even without other those benfits. =)
#7015
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Are you to the point yet where you don't like to drive? hehe
#7016
Tawp Dawg
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,221
Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')
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Ditto. To me, the greatest aspect of cycling is how it is both a functional means of transportation, and wicked fun at the same time. I used to try to have fun in my car, but the cops and my insurance provider put the kybosh on that pretty quick. Driving is drudgery, cycling is enjoyment.
#7017
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Sandy, OR
Posts: 182
Bikes: 96' lemond tourmalet, 11' leader 725tr
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i live in portland Oregon and they actually have racks inside to hold bikes.
#7019
This bike is cat approved
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lincoln, NE
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Yeah, I have started disliking driving especially going to work. In fact the last road trip I was on for Labor Day weekend I let my wife drive alot more than usual. She could have driven the whole trip for all I cared. I generally like driving especially long distances, but various more local trips in the car I dream of what route I would take if I was taking a bike. =) Often I wonder why we drove some places instead of just taking a bike. I am just getting used to my newer car and its more fun that when I first got it, but my bikes are way more fun than my car except when its raining on my way to work. I actually feel this disconcerting feeling and guilty because its been 2 days in a row I have driven to work instead of biking. It just feels more normal or at least as much so to ride a bike than get in the car. I know a couple that over the last couple of years slowly weaned themselves off their car and now totally ride bikes everywhere. I am quite jealous of them. Bike racks inside would be awesome.
#7021
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Great pic!
#7022
Senior Member
Gary Fischer Wingra. I really wanted to get a nice cyclocross bike and splurge but living in NYC everything can get stolen. So the entry level gary fisher city bike/commuter it was. Brooklyn has so many bike lanes now it is really changing the culture down here - drivers know what to expect for the most part. Manhattan's getting better too.
I ended up just asking my LBS to install the cheapest rack they had and i'm actually happy i ended up with a topeak. the propriety bags work with a system that really is secure and tight.
now i'll just add some black reflective tape and rear/front lights and it will be complete...
the only thing i totally hate is having to lug a huge kryptonite lock (of course the NYC model) and then the steel rope for the wheels/ect.. its like over 10lbs of extra weight.
#7023
Tawp Dawg
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,221
Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')
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That's a nice looking bike. Not too flashy; simple, and purposeful. You might want to consider fenders, if you plan on riding in the wet.
Heavy load = strong rider. It's good for you, and you'll get used to it. The only time that I notice my 9 pound lock and chain is when I pick up someone else's bike. Plus, it's certainly better than having no bike at all.
the only thing i totally hate is having to lug a huge kryptonite lock (of course the NYC model) and then the steel rope for the wheels/ect.. its like over 10lbs of extra weight.
#7024
Senior Member
thats what caught my eye... nice monochrome black inconspicuous and not flashy. yup i'll put some fenders on too. keep em black as well. its going to be a 5 mile commute for me through brooklyn. i'm lucky that 90% has a bike lane (but its right next to parked cars and traffic), but as i said before the culture is changing down here and drivers are a lot nicer to bikes in the lane.
That's a nice looking bike. Not too flashy; simple, and purposeful. You might want to consider fenders, if you plan on riding in the wet.
Heavy load = strong rider. It's good for you, and you'll get used to it. The only time that I notice my 9 pound lock and chain is when I pick up someone else's bike. Plus, it's certainly better than having no bike at all.
Heavy load = strong rider. It's good for you, and you'll get used to it. The only time that I notice my 9 pound lock and chain is when I pick up someone else's bike. Plus, it's certainly better than having no bike at all.
#7025
You gonna eat that?
I rode the Varsity to work for the first time this year. I used to ride it once in a while when my commute was 7 miles, but now it's 17 miles. Riding this bike took 20 minutes longer than my usual ride. This pic is after work, just before the Critical Mass ride. Full details about that on my blog.