BobbyG

Between reduced hours, working from home and the need to ferry large, bulky items to the office and back during the isolation/lock-down, I haven't been doing any real commute rides...so I've been riding my other two bikes rather than my commuter.

Without the need to bring a backpack, I've been riding my old 12-speed more. And since I put the smooth summer tires back on my old MTB-based commuter (now with drop bars!) I haven't ridden my actual commuter in almost three weeks.

The 12-speed is a 1984 Nishiki International, with a flexy steel frame and downtube shifters. Light and nimble, albeit kind of spindly, it's a responsive, yet pliant ride. I just love it.

The old MTB-based commuter is a 1997 Nishiki International with big, supple 26x1.85 slicks. Heavy, but fast, and super comfortable, especially now that it has drop bars. I just love it.

But today's ride was my 2015 Charge Plug, Performance Edition (performance cycles). It's a skinny steel-tune frame, but stiffer than the old roadie. Its longer wheelbase and geometry make for a stable, relaxed ride, but fast. It's the perfect blend of the two bikes, but with a more stable, less darty ride...very composed. I just love it.

Okay, so I just love all my bikes. But it was nice to return to my Charge Plug commuter after a few weeks. It is the least entertaining of the three, but it is perfect for commuting. No muss, no fuss, no quirks, just comfort and speed.