Commuter Bicycle Pics
#7026
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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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.
#7027
Kid A
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA
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+1 that's a nice old varsity. I'd love to find one around here for cheap to fix up and ride around.
My daily ride:
Just a Surly frame with all parts I've either already had or later picked up. It's geared extremely low 44/32/22 13-32t cassette b/c I pull a trailer sometimes. I found that I hated my b17 saddle and had already cut the head tube too short...damn. I liked the b67 and drop bars, but needed to get them higher...so I went with an ugly stem riser -- that is hideous, but amazingly comfortable. Best bar/saddle I've ever ridden.
Notes: downtube friction shifters, planet bike fenders, wald 198 gb basket (love it), minoura fork-mounted flashlight holder.
My daily ride:
Just a Surly frame with all parts I've either already had or later picked up. It's geared extremely low 44/32/22 13-32t cassette b/c I pull a trailer sometimes. I found that I hated my b17 saddle and had already cut the head tube too short...damn. I liked the b67 and drop bars, but needed to get them higher...so I went with an ugly stem riser -- that is hideous, but amazingly comfortable. Best bar/saddle I've ever ridden.
Notes: downtube friction shifters, planet bike fenders, wald 198 gb basket (love it), minoura fork-mounted flashlight holder.
#7028
You gonna eat that?
Check the city dump. That's where I found this one- for free. All it needed was tubes, tires, and a little cleanup. It even had the fenders when I found it. I converted it to a townie style, changing out the drop bars for upright bars and putting a mattress saddle on, an I also added the baskets and saddle bag. I did put a different derailleur on the rear (mid-80s Suntour aR), and just over a week ago I finally took the old steelie wheels off and put on a set of alloy wheels. Everything on the bike, though, I either got free (including some stuff from BF members) or had laying around. The only purchase made specifically for the bike was the vintage Schwinn-approved touring saddle bag.
#7030
Senior Member
Sweet! Did that frame come belt-drive-prepared, or did you actually have to do some frame hacking?
#7031
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Finland
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No, I cut drop-out and did some rod-welding .
#7032
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: STL
Posts: 413
Bikes: trek 560, specialized langster, specialized stumpjumper, felt bmx, GT pro series
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https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5024953134_aeede96b16_z.jpg
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.
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.
-Connor
#7034
Senior Member
#7035
i'll probably break it
Join Date: Jun 2008
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No, I cut drop-out and did some rod-welding .
truly amaze. internet hero.
#7036
On a Mission from God
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Thibodaux, LA
Posts: 2,010
Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial
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Even with a chain, that bike would be awesome. Good job with it!
#7037
Born Again Pagan
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
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No, I cut drop-out and did some rod-welding .
#7038
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
U.A.V. V 2.0 - just fitted new wheels and faster rolling tyres after a failed theft attempt screwed up the ones I was running.
#7039
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 21
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100% form: it avoids all the dorkiness associated with bar end and helmet mirrors (which I've tried).
After or before the commute the bar end and helment mirrors always get banged on the walls, rack etc. and it it just a pain in the a$$ to adjust the angle everytime I start to ride.
100% function: With this though it is well tucked away from everything (but your knee, depending on reach), gives a clean view of everything behind you when you are on your upstroke on the side the mirror is mounted. It works like a charm. Gives the illusion of a clean setup too!
Zefal Spy btw.
Last edited by clarinetcola; 09-27-10 at 02:40 AM.
#7040
Senior Member
Alright, that's cool If that works, I might actually think about getting a mirror as well. Ah well, I'll think about it, might not even be a bad idea as nearly all my distances are commuting rides.
#7042
Kid A
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA
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100% function: With this though it is well tucked away from everything (but your knee, depending on reach), gives a clean view of everything behind you when you are on your upstroke on the side the mirror is mounted. It works like a charm. Gives the illusion of a clean setup too!
#7044
always rides with luggage
I had just read that Surly is making the LHT in the 26" wheel size in larger frame sizes now.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#7047
Gouge Away
A recent temporary move has forced me to ride through a kinda rough area of Springfield, Oh to get to work. So I traded a guy some mountain bike parts for a 1985 Fuji Espree frameset to build up a more stealth commuter. Felt the Trek 520 was a bit of a tempting target. The frame is in nice shape except the headset was a little rough, so I had the LBS put a new one in. Other than that and a new Tiagra FD and rear gear cable I had all the parts for a seven speed build. It's a little heavier than the Trek, but the quad butted Valite tubing gives a nice smooth ride. Here she is shortly after the build. I am going to be adding some SKS fenders I have soon.
#7048
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
#7049
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
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Are you going to add it to your stable or pass it on once it's perfected?
What tires are they, and how do you like them?
What tires are they, and how do you like them?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#7050
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Tyres are Schwalbe Hurricanes... fast, smooth, and over the last 10,000 km have been bulletproof.
The bike is local, 1:1, and I freaking love it.
Definately a keeper and it it will look so good after it gets new powder.
The bike is local, 1:1, and I freaking love it.
Definately a keeper and it it will look so good after it gets new powder.