Commuter Bicycle Pics
02-07-08, 11:35 PM
#2552
circus bear
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Austin
Posts: 642
Bikes: 97(?) GT Richochet, 00 Schwinn SuperSport
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OK, here’s my commuter. It is a Giant Cyprus comfort bike with Shimano Altus components.
For all those detail geeks (I say that with respect – I learn a lot from reading the posts from the detail geeks):
- Yes, that is an aero bar on a riser handlebar. Please say it quietly so that no one in the road forum hears. I got the idea from reading a post about “antler handlebars.” Although I almost never try and get in an aero position while commuting, I do use the aero bars to provide another comfortable hand positions (holding the large forearm pads). It also gives me added spots to attach a small bag and lights.
- Yes, that big metal plate on the back wheel doesn’t look right. My commute is 9 miles on Farm-to-Market roads in rural East Texas. I was having a problem breaking rear spokes (I’m 6-2 and go about 250). Fixing spokes and truing wheels isn’t in my skill set just yet, so I’d have to take the wheel to my LBS … but my LBS is an hour away and a broken spoke usually meant considerable down time. Then I started reading on the C&V forum how they mix and match components from different bikes. Well, I have an old Schwinn Continental that is virtually bomb proof. I thought, what the hell, and took the wheels off the Schwinn and put them on the Giant. Worked like a dream. I lost a few gears, but that hasn’t had much of an impact on my riding. An additional benefit is the Schwinn wheels are 27-inch compared to the 700 Giant wheels. I can get 27-inch tubes from Wal-Mart when needed. Don’t have to drive 2 hours to my LBS for a tube.
For all those detail geeks (I say that with respect – I learn a lot from reading the posts from the detail geeks):
- Yes, that is an aero bar on a riser handlebar. Please say it quietly so that no one in the road forum hears. I got the idea from reading a post about “antler handlebars.” Although I almost never try and get in an aero position while commuting, I do use the aero bars to provide another comfortable hand positions (holding the large forearm pads). It also gives me added spots to attach a small bag and lights.
- Yes, that big metal plate on the back wheel doesn’t look right. My commute is 9 miles on Farm-to-Market roads in rural East Texas. I was having a problem breaking rear spokes (I’m 6-2 and go about 250). Fixing spokes and truing wheels isn’t in my skill set just yet, so I’d have to take the wheel to my LBS … but my LBS is an hour away and a broken spoke usually meant considerable down time. Then I started reading on the C&V forum how they mix and match components from different bikes. Well, I have an old Schwinn Continental that is virtually bomb proof. I thought, what the hell, and took the wheels off the Schwinn and put them on the Giant. Worked like a dream. I lost a few gears, but that hasn’t had much of an impact on my riding. An additional benefit is the Schwinn wheels are 27-inch compared to the 700 Giant wheels. I can get 27-inch tubes from Wal-Mart when needed. Don’t have to drive 2 hours to my LBS for a tube.
funky! I dig it!
02-08-08, 08:13 AM
#2553
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 909
Bikes: Kona Jake (2006)
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What bars do you have on that?
I like that Soma. My next build, hopefully in the not too distant future, will have a frame in the $300-500 range, and the Double Cross is the main contender if I go cx-style, or a Kona ***** Tonk if I settle on a road frame that will take bigger tires.
02-08-08, 01:30 PM
#2554
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
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Pics of the powdercoated Trek 660, with fenders attached. At the start of the commute:
And at the end:
And at the end:
02-08-08, 03:14 PM
#2555
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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02-08-08, 04:06 PM
#2556
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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02-08-08, 04:11 PM
#2557
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
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Dawn + Pledge + it hasn't rained in a week.
02-08-08, 04:41 PM
#2558
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 63
Bikes: Giant Sedona
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Here's my ride, a `99 Giant Sedona, with new nashbar rack and rackbag, still looking for pannier to make the ride complete...
02-08-08, 10:00 PM
#2559
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 100
Bikes: Cannondale Adventure 400 + Gazelle Medeo
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Here is a pic of the two Gazelle Medeos we brought back to Canada from the Netherlands last year. I like to call those machines our Urban Assault Bikes. They are a very stable machine, great position to ride in town, indestructible, require little maintenance and equipped to ride in all weather, day or night. The people at Cycletours Holland were great and let us bring back saddle bags as souvenirs.
Cheers,
Ron
02-08-08, 11:01 PM
#2560
Pedaling fool
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 767
Bikes: 07 Schwinn Voyageur GSD, Next Avalon, 2007 Dahon Yeah
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Transformed your basic mass market bike into a commuting hero!
02-09-08, 12:18 AM
#2561
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: melbourne
Posts: 522
Bikes: gaint crx 2 2007
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02-09-08, 12:35 AM
#2562
Living Life On Two Wheels
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Salinas in California
Posts: 484
Bikes: Giant Rincon 2007 Model - Black & Grey
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Currently I ride a Giant Rincon, with panniers and trunk on town & country tires so though it is a mountain bike it works well for the commute. Though could be a bit lighter. Soon as I get some decent pics see if I can put em up.
02-11-08, 12:48 PM
#2563
I like chrome.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Northeast
Posts: 285
Bikes: 1983 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1986 Mongoose ATB
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Surly 1x1 converted to a 1x8 via internally geared nexus hub w/Alfine shifter.
I plan on doing some significant changes to this setup (new stem, handlebars, rack, and maybe fenders). I'll post more pics when the changes occur.
I plan on doing some significant changes to this setup (new stem, handlebars, rack, and maybe fenders). I'll post more pics when the changes occur.
Last edited by Donkey Hodie; 02-11-08 at 07:29 PM.
02-12-08, 04:30 AM
#2566
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Upstate, S.C.
Posts: 493
Bikes: Many all steel.
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02-12-08, 06:03 AM
#2567
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02-12-08, 10:05 PM
#2568
Living Life On Two Wheels
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Salinas in California
Posts: 484
Bikes: Giant Rincon 2007 Model - Black & Grey
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Nice pics, amazing to see the variations and modifications. The converted electric was indeed interesting.
02-12-08, 11:25 PM
#2569
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 273
Bikes: 2006 K2 Apache 6.0, 2006(ish) Specialized Sirrus
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Introducing:
1994 Trek 820 Mountain Track
21-speed Sram Gripshifts w/ Shimano Alivio/Altus components
Weight: 35lbs
Stock components with exceptions: (free bike with about $150-200 in upgrades, cables, etc.)
Handle bar: Dimension Riser Bar
Rear tire: Michelin Transworld MTB Tire
Front tire: Forté City ST MTB Tire
Skewers: Delta Cycle Axlerodz Bolt-On
Flywheel: Shimano MF-HG50 11-34
Chain: Shimano PC-48
Seatpost bag: Cannondale
Rack: TransIt Rack
Basket: Metal tray (OfficeMax?) (secured to rack with zipties)
Seatpost: Nashbar Suspension 2 ATB Seatpost
Fender: Planet Bike ATB Freddy Fender
Taillight: nondescript red blinky (secured to basket with zipties)
Headlight: ViewPoint Flare 5 LED Headlight (blinker on roads) and a cheap Cat Eye
Before:
After: (I need to add a better pic sometime...)
1994 Trek 820 Mountain Track
21-speed Sram Gripshifts w/ Shimano Alivio/Altus components
Weight: 35lbs
Stock components with exceptions: (free bike with about $150-200 in upgrades, cables, etc.)
Handle bar: Dimension Riser Bar
Rear tire: Michelin Transworld MTB Tire
Front tire: Forté City ST MTB Tire
Skewers: Delta Cycle Axlerodz Bolt-On
Flywheel: Shimano MF-HG50 11-34
Chain: Shimano PC-48
Seatpost bag: Cannondale
Rack: TransIt Rack
Basket: Metal tray (OfficeMax?) (secured to rack with zipties)
Seatpost: Nashbar Suspension 2 ATB Seatpost
Fender: Planet Bike ATB Freddy Fender
Taillight: nondescript red blinky (secured to basket with zipties)
Headlight: ViewPoint Flare 5 LED Headlight (blinker on roads) and a cheap Cat Eye
Before:
After: (I need to add a better pic sometime...)
Last edited by hanshananigan; 02-12-08 at 11:40 PM.
02-13-08, 01:23 AM
#2570
Living Life On Two Wheels
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Salinas in California
Posts: 484
Bikes: Giant Rincon 2007 Model - Black & Grey
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Very nice description and a final result. that looks smooth 
Though never been much for the mounts for those u locks in particular with the Giant Rincon Frame Design. I think the initial idea was for more clearance when they modified the frame design on Giant's MTB Frames.
Though never been much for the mounts for those u locks in particular with the Giant Rincon Frame Design. I think the initial idea was for more clearance when they modified the frame design on Giant's MTB Frames.
02-13-08, 09:36 AM
#2572
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 273
Bikes: 2006 K2 Apache 6.0, 2006(ish) Specialized Sirrus
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Very nice description and a final result. that looks smooth Though never been much for the mounts for those u locks in particular with the Giant Rincon Frame Design. I think the initial idea was for more clearance when they modified the frame design on Giant's MTB Frames.
Though never been much for the mounts for those u locks in particular with the Giant Rincon Frame Design. I think the initial idea was for more clearance when they modified the frame design on Giant's MTB Frames.
02-13-08, 09:48 AM
#2573
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Austin, tx
Posts: 267
Bikes: Beater Managerie
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Here is my new commuter - '08 Lemond Poprad, size 52.
I wanted a nice steel frame with road gearing that had plenty of room for fenders. I kinda wish it had a triple sometimes, because I pull my 6 yr old on a trail-a-bike.
I got a second wheelset for commuting.
The grocery pannier is permanently attached to the rack, I love being able to drop my backpack (or my kids' backpack(s) into it and go.
It took a little effort to get the rack installed, but it works out great. I can remove racks and fenders pretty easily for trail riding.
I opted not to go with the extra brake levers and haven't regretted it. I spend a ton of time in the drops, thanks to the relaxed set-up.
Overall, I'm real happy. I don't know if it would be practical for touring, but as a commuter it is just about ideal. I can't wait to hit the singletrack sometime...
I wanted a nice steel frame with road gearing that had plenty of room for fenders. I kinda wish it had a triple sometimes, because I pull my 6 yr old on a trail-a-bike.
I got a second wheelset for commuting.
The grocery pannier is permanently attached to the rack, I love being able to drop my backpack (or my kids' backpack(s) into it and go.
It took a little effort to get the rack installed, but it works out great. I can remove racks and fenders pretty easily for trail riding.
I opted not to go with the extra brake levers and haven't regretted it. I spend a ton of time in the drops, thanks to the relaxed set-up.
Overall, I'm real happy. I don't know if it would be practical for touring, but as a commuter it is just about ideal. I can't wait to hit the singletrack sometime...
02-13-08, 11:31 AM
#2574
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 1,654
Bikes: SS Surly Crosscheck; '91 Cannondale 3.0
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Chek mine out:
Will be adding Soma Sparrows in about 1 week. Also will be eventually putting a Surly Free/Free rear hub on, and a front Shimano Generator Hub.
Right now I have 105/MA3 wheels with a Surly SS kit on rear. I like it, but want to get a strong SS specific wheel with no dish.
My lights aren't in the pic, though the mount is. Have PB Superflash and a Sigma rear blinker for the rear and a Cygolite DualCross with the NiMH upfront.
I also don't typically have my kiddo on the rear, but my BanjoBrothers Saddlebag Panniers. Those things are AWESOME for general commuting. I wouldn't take them on a tour because they do shift a little bit, but for my quick & dirty commute they get the job done for cheap ($50).
I LOVE everything about this bike. Never thought I could love a bike so much, but I do.
Will be adding Soma Sparrows in about 1 week. Also will be eventually putting a Surly Free/Free rear hub on, and a front Shimano Generator Hub.
Right now I have 105/MA3 wheels with a Surly SS kit on rear. I like it, but want to get a strong SS specific wheel with no dish.
My lights aren't in the pic, though the mount is. Have PB Superflash and a Sigma rear blinker for the rear and a Cygolite DualCross with the NiMH upfront.
I also don't typically have my kiddo on the rear, but my BanjoBrothers Saddlebag Panniers. Those things are AWESOME for general commuting. I wouldn't take them on a tour because they do shift a little bit, but for my quick & dirty commute they get the job done for cheap ($50).
I LOVE everything about this bike. Never thought I could love a bike so much, but I do.
02-15-08, 11:04 AM
#2575
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 70
Bikes: beat-up old Schwinn 10-speed (72 Continental) - Black and Blue Raleigh Grand Prix
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My winter commuter, made from a 1980 Schwinn LeTour frame and a bunch of mismatched parts.
