Tombaatar

[IMG]<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/13908549@N00/33703654745/" title="Accessories"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3946/33703654745_b77248abc7_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1536" alt="Accessories"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>[/IMG]

High Fist Shin

Bellissimo! You can hardly tell it has fenders.

Thanks for sharing that.

-Shin

rumrunn6

like how long & low the front is. did you have to do a little cutout at the front of the back fender near the FD clamp?

Tombaatar

Yes, just above, LBS did it for me. I then had to take a file to allow derailleur enough room to hit the highest 4 gears. The photo on Flickr lets you zoom in to see what I mean.

High Fist Shin

Finally got my commuter ready to ride. Specialized Tri-Cross.







I had to change out the wheels because the original rims had cracked eyelets all the way around. The MTX trunk bag is exactly what I was looking for. Roomy and you can drop the side pockets into panniers for extra storage.

It was a great first ride until I flatted, again. Swapped tubes and made it home just fine. I learned that I'll need to carry more things with me on the commute, more tubes, frame pump, more patches. Other than that, I'm very pleased with my new ride.

-Shin

Texico

I made some changes to my bike at the end of last year to make it more commuter friendly. I swapped the stock FSA Gossamer 50/34 crankset for a Shimano Deore 42/26. The short cage 105 rear derailleur for a mid cage with an 11-32 cassette. Changed the front derailleur from a 105 to a CX70 so that I could move it far enough down for the smaller chainrings. Lastly I added the SKS Chainboard, which I absolutely love.

It's a fun bike to ride, even loaded down for my commute. The 42t chainring with 11-32 is great as a 1x system for where I live, but having the 26t for bailout on tired days is nice.

Here's the bike out for a joy ride with my lady.

High Fist Shin

Very good looking bike. I agree, that chainboard is pretty sweet.

-Shin

JanMM

Have biked to work on recumbents for a decade. In March began using a long wheelbase bike as my commuter.

GamblerGORD53

That too long front fender is going to be trouble when you drop off a high curb, slow or not. I tried mine like that one day and I figured that out soon after. So I chopped off another inch and a half and made a boot flap about 5" clear. I had 2 rear old fenders to work with.

GPH

Great looking bike, perfect commuter that doesn't attract thieves and good tourer as well I guess!

GPH

noglider 

@High Fist Shin, I've found that getting two flats in a day is very unlikely. When it happens, they usually have a common cause such as a wire that should have been removed after the first puncture. To balance my risk and trouble, I carry one spare tube and a patch kit (and of course a pump). If I get a second flat, I'll patch on the road, but I'd rather not. I check my vulcanizing fluid periodically, since an open tube dries up over time. At home, I use a big can of the stuff rather than a tiny squeeze tube, and this way, I avoid opening the tubes.

High Fist Shin

Hi Tom,

You are right, two in one day is highly unlikely. I just want to be prepared because I have had the worst luck. Three rides, three flats and each one was different. Twice it was a wire sliver; one in the rear tire, one in the front and the third time it was glass. I guess I"m getting a bit paranoid. I picked up a nice Topeak mini-pump, some more patches and a new tube. I think I'm all set for now. I'll start the commute next week. 20 miles each way and I can't wait to begin. Thanks for your excellent advise. It is appreciated.

-Shin

ecnewell 

1990 Cannondale
ST400.
This thing has been my daily rider for about 2 years of commuting, and it's like the postal service: it delivers me in rain, snow, ice, you name it. Needs a few tweaks--700c wheels are coming soon--but I've generally got it set up how I like it.

noglider 

That's not an image. This is an image.

ecnewell 

Thanks, I knew I did something wrong. Been a while since I posted a photo.

DocsDad

My wife's commuter. #rideswithcoffee

FargoRider

This is my daily ride, an '04 Eros. I do have a carbon seat post and carbon drops that compliment the buttery smooth steel frame. I'm running 700 x 23 Vittora Rubino Pro Slick tires and haven't had a single flat in the four years using these tires. I did get new tires as the old ones were showing their age, but never flatted.

The frame is a little big so I had to reverse the seat post clamp to move me up a bit. I also ride with a backpack quite often so adding the stem riser helps keep me upright when riding with my hands on the hoods.

djudy

Nice!
I just got my first recumbent ,flevo bike.
How do you see difrence short wheelbase vs long?
And on what kind of roads?

Jaymon1962

My new Raleigh Redux 1 at the office. I'm currently wearing a backpack instead of using saddlebags, etc. Pros and cons on backpacks versus bags/racks?

I will be adding fenders for sure. Not sure what else this bike will need.

FYI: This is my first bike in 15 years. So glad to be back on two wheels.

Bikewolf

Guess your feet too may feel itchy towards the end of your work day :-)

Tombaatar

Backpacks = a sweaty back.

himespau 

I like wald folding baskets with a backpack inside. The lack of sweaty back plus the convenience of a backpack when you get to your destination. Sure it makes your bike heavier, but my commuter rig was never meant to be a lightweight and they're great for grocery trips too and fold up out the way when not in use.

area51bikeworks

I like the pizza as a carrot, I may have to try that!

PatrickGSR94

From the looks of it I would say some sort of medical facility/office, amirite?

I would definitely go rack and fenders, if your bike will accept both.