Who's been commuting on the same bike for a long time?
05-01-18, 11:05 PM
#26
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I can’t do big miles and I get bored.
05-02-18, 05:58 AM
#27
Senior Member
I have been commuting on the one and only bike I have since Feb 2011. I am not sure of mileage because I do not track that information. Mileage varies day to day especially from winter to warmer weather months. The bike is a Vita Specialized. I also do short tours on it.
05-02-18, 07:23 AM
#28
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My 1997 Nishiki Blazer was my sole commuter from 1997 until 2009, when I acquired a 1984 Nishiki International. I rotated between those until 2015 when I added a Charge Plug. The Blazer received numerous character changing upgrades over the years, higher gearing, longer cranks, additional hand grip positions and tires, tires, tires! Others like fenders, rack and lighting, don't change the ride characteristics, but do modify the experience.
The Nishiki International 12-speed was left basically unchanged for nine years until last month when I fit a new rear gearset which added lower low-gearing and fixed an axle problem. Well, I did switch from 700x23 mm tires to 700x32 which took some of the harshness out of the ride.
The Nishiki International 12-speed was left basically unchanged for nine years until last month when I fit a new rear gearset which added lower low-gearing and fixed an axle problem. Well, I did switch from 700x23 mm tires to 700x32 which took some of the harshness out of the ride.
05-02-18, 07:35 AM
#29
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I've only been commuting for about 10 years, but I still have the first bike I bought and I use it for commutes now and again. The much maligned GMC Denali, though only the frameset and brakes are still original. My road bike commuter, a Nashbar build, is I guess 7 years old and I honestly expect to keep it, until I'm done.
05-02-18, 07:41 AM
#30
meh
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I've used my Kona Dew Drop as a commuter since I got it in 2010, I've tracked 17,000 miles on it. I typically have a different winter commuter bike, but the Kona's done some snowy and cold rides.
Footnote: I'm a little disappointed that the last 3 years have had me working from a home office. No daily commutes, but I'm getting out daily for fun or errands or training or all the above.
Footnote: I'm a little disappointed that the last 3 years have had me working from a home office. No daily commutes, but I'm getting out daily for fun or errands or training or all the above.
05-02-18, 09:08 AM
#31
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By the way, I picked up a bike from a neighbor who said it had been left in his basement by a tenant who said the neighbor could keep it. It looked rough. As I was working on it in my basement, getting it ready for sale, the original owner saw it and said it was his former bike. He could tell from the wear signs. He said he had commuted on it at least 60,000 miles. I never heard of anything like that, and I totally believed him. The bike was worn in every way, but it still rode OK. So I'd like to hear of someone putting more than 60,000 miles on a bike.
I don't remember who said, "Date the components, marry the frame," but with that mindset, you can ride a bike for a very long time.
05-08-18, 09:53 PM
#33
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Since I started bike commuting regularly May 2013 I have used a few different bikes but 3 of them have the most commuting miles. My easy motion ebike was my first real commuter now has studded tires and used only in the winter during icy/snowy weather, total commute miles around 4500 mi.
I bought the Catrike Road August 2014, I used this while my Velomobile was being built to get in shape for the recumbent riding position, total commute miles around 2000, now rarely riddin. I stopped riding the Catrike when the Velomobile arrived November 2014, it has been my main commuter with around 21,000 to date.
I ride in all kinds of weather which tells which bike I take, still mostly I ride the Velo. I am not sure if this is allot of miles but I have enjoyed riding them! I only drive if it's a time commitment, and when I do drive I miss the feeling of riding the bike
I bought the Catrike Road August 2014, I used this while my Velomobile was being built to get in shape for the recumbent riding position, total commute miles around 2000, now rarely riddin. I stopped riding the Catrike when the Velomobile arrived November 2014, it has been my main commuter with around 21,000 to date.
I ride in all kinds of weather which tells which bike I take, still mostly I ride the Velo. I am not sure if this is allot of miles but I have enjoyed riding them! I only drive if it's a time commitment, and when I do drive I miss the feeling of riding the bike
05-08-18, 11:18 PM
#34
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Starting in 1980, with a couple wild guesses on the years...
Fuji Royale on and off for 8 years
Schwinn Super Sport for 7 years
Trek 560 for 6 years
Specialized Hardrock for 9 years
Schwinn Continental for 3 years
Motobecane Grand Jubile for 3 years
Priority Eight for 2 years
So two years on a Priority Eight is the answer.
FWIW, the Hardrock was the most versatile bike I've ever owned. With two sets of tires it covered commuting, cyclotouring, sport road riding, and trail riding. The Priority is marginally better as a commuter, but can't touch the Hardrock in the other areas.
Fuji Royale on and off for 8 years
Schwinn Super Sport for 7 years
Trek 560 for 6 years
Specialized Hardrock for 9 years
Schwinn Continental for 3 years
Motobecane Grand Jubile for 3 years
Priority Eight for 2 years
So two years on a Priority Eight is the answer.
FWIW, the Hardrock was the most versatile bike I've ever owned. With two sets of tires it covered commuting, cyclotouring, sport road riding, and trail riding. The Priority is marginally better as a commuter, but can't touch the Hardrock in the other areas.
Last edited by downtube42; 05-08-18 at 11:27 PM.
05-09-18, 01:13 AM
#35
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I've got a Kona Jake that I've been commuting on for a bit over 10 years in a "Ship of Theseus" kind of way. I bought it new in February of 2008, I think. This is he oldest picture I could find of it.
Over time I upgraded it bit by bit. With the first year I replaced the stock 9-speed Tiagra components with 10-speed Ultegra. Some time after that I upgraded the wheels. Later still, I bought a new fork and wheel so I could give it a front disc brake.
When Kona came out with a disc version of the Jake in 2013 I bought one, but compare this with the previous picture and you'll see it has the same from wheel and maybe even the same fenders, so it's kind of the same bike with a few upgrades, right?
Of course, the bike has continued to evolve. Now it has a carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes and an 11-speed drivetrain.
I put just over 9000 miles on my original Jake in its various incarnations, and currently have about 6800 miles on the 2013 edition. I've commuted on other bikes in this time too, of course, but this "one" has been the workhorse of the stable.
Over time I upgraded it bit by bit. With the first year I replaced the stock 9-speed Tiagra components with 10-speed Ultegra. Some time after that I upgraded the wheels. Later still, I bought a new fork and wheel so I could give it a front disc brake.
When Kona came out with a disc version of the Jake in 2013 I bought one, but compare this with the previous picture and you'll see it has the same from wheel and maybe even the same fenders, so it's kind of the same bike with a few upgrades, right?
Of course, the bike has continued to evolve. Now it has a carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes and an 11-speed drivetrain.
I put just over 9000 miles on my original Jake in its various incarnations, and currently have about 6800 miles on the 2013 edition. I've commuted on other bikes in this time too, of course, but this "one" has been the workhorse of the stable.
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05-09-18, 02:19 AM
#36
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I joined this site because of the bike in my avatar (Tempest) and since I've been devoid of a car for most of that time, and Tempest has been with me since day one, no others that long, that is basically my commuting bike.
That's 11 years next month!
That's 11 years next month!
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05-09-18, 07:39 AM
#37
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Not me, I purchased this bike when I started this job, just under five years ago. It looks a little different than in this picture; but essentially the same bike.
05-09-18, 07:45 AM
#38
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i have!
I have been commuting for the past 6 years on "the yellow bike" as the security referred to it at the last building. I have over 21,000 miles on it. I have replaced the wheels 3 times, chain rings once, cassette, brake pads, and chain . I have to replace the jockey wheels but the derailleurs are original. not bad for a Bikes direct bike. well I tried to upload a picture but the new systems just puts and X.
my commuter
my commuter
05-12-18, 10:45 PM
#39
Senior Member
Same frame with several modifications. 10+ years on my Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 steel touring bike. I still love it - it's an e-bike now.
05-16-18, 11:23 AM
#40
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I rode a $300 Giant hybrid for about the first 12 years of commuting, for a total of about 38,000 miles, before giving it away and buying two other bikes to replace it with.
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05-16-18, 12:54 PM
#41
Full Member
Longest been 16 years. (But that was before I recognized I was a biker, weirdly enough.)
This topic/question reminds me of sane words said on these rollin’ fora:
“Bikes are for riding, not collecting dust. Especially the shiny ones.”
Indeed, don’t be afraid of scratches etc.
This topic/question reminds me of sane words said on these rollin’ fora:
“Bikes are for riding, not collecting dust. Especially the shiny ones.”
Indeed, don’t be afraid of scratches etc.
05-17-18, 08:48 AM
#42
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Morphing to this one
DSCN0465 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
through this one
93590004 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
and this one?
DSCN0167 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
They are all the "same" bike just everything has been changed...several times
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05-17-18, 12:48 PM
#43
Senior Member
Eighteen years on this one.
Sixteen miles a day, probably average 4 days a week at least over the years.
Year round. Roughly 60,000 miles.
Sixteen miles a day, probably average 4 days a week at least over the years.
Year round. Roughly 60,000 miles.
05-17-18, 01:04 PM
#44
Jedi Master
I've been commuting on the same Schwinn beach cruiser since 1992, but it's not really a fair comparison to some of the others. My commute is only about a mile-and-a-half to the train station and I travel a lot for work so only go into the office 30-40 times a year.
05-17-18, 05:43 PM
#45
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Commuting on a 1997 Trek 820 for 15+ years. I bought it used and rebuilt it with new front suspension and SRAM 5.0 group set to use as my mud/wet weather mtn bike in 1999. Swapped tires and added rack to use as a commuter in late 2002. Added trailer hitch to pull my 1 year old son in late 2003. Switched to steel fork, front rack, and dialed in for trailer/commuter/all conditions touring rig in 2004. Pulled all three of my sons as infants and toddlers in Chariot and Burley trailers. Pulled all 4 of my kids behind on Adams Trail-A-Bikes. Many part swaps, wheels, rebuilds. Still in use as a commuter/touring rig 18+ years later.
Approx. 50,000+ miles on the frame. 2 bike computers kept reasonable track of the mileage. Will post pics as I haven't bothered to take any photos of this bike in quite some time. Still in the rotation and ready as go to ride.
I also commute on a 1983 Univega SporTour, a 1991 Bridgestone MB4 (personal fav), a 2010 Origin8 CX700 custom build, and a Bike Friday triple family traveler.
The Bike Friday triple was/is my family mover and main ride for at least 3-4 years raising kids. Outfitted with front and rear racks and highly adjustable for different size riders.
Approx. 50,000+ miles on the frame. 2 bike computers kept reasonable track of the mileage. Will post pics as I haven't bothered to take any photos of this bike in quite some time. Still in the rotation and ready as go to ride.
I also commute on a 1983 Univega SporTour, a 1991 Bridgestone MB4 (personal fav), a 2010 Origin8 CX700 custom build, and a Bike Friday triple family traveler.
The Bike Friday triple was/is my family mover and main ride for at least 3-4 years raising kids. Outfitted with front and rear racks and highly adjustable for different size riders.
Last edited by AusTexMurf; 05-17-18 at 09:42 PM.
05-17-18, 07:56 PM
#46
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The type of bike I commuted on then.
The bike I use for commuting now.
I am commuting on the same type of road bikes that I commuted on when these "vintage" bikes were new. That count for anything ... besides me being an old geezer?
Last edited by cycleheimer; 05-17-18 at 08:08 PM.
05-18-18, 12:27 PM
#47
Virgo
Thread Starter
I think it counts. I ride an old 12 speed. I think it's well-suited for commuting and more people should use them, but it doesn't seem to be a common sentiment. I haven't been riding mine for a long time, but it's 35 years old (I'm 36).
05-18-18, 12:35 PM
#48
Virgo
Thread Starter
That's really nice, what is it? I ride mine for a couple days and it's filthy, I barely try to keep it clean anymore. Of course, it doesn't clean up quite as well as yours.
05-18-18, 02:00 PM
#49
Senior Member
05-19-18, 10:58 AM
#50
aka Tom Reingold
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@Phamilton, I discovered furniture polish in a spray can is great stuff for cleaning bikes. I know it sounds weird.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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