Commuter Bicycle Pics
01-27-15, 09:22 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,593
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 79 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
01-27-15, 09:42 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
It's a couple things, but you're definitely not wrong! The front fender is a Toba of some sort that I got for free after destroying my original Blackburn Cloudburst (longer than the Toba, but not quite as long as yours) when the original fork decided to suddenly and inexplicably bend. The clearance is also quite tight with the tires I've got on it right now, so there was some snow building up near the stays and then spraying upward.
01-28-15, 04:30 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Willamette Valley
Posts: 105
Bikes: Giant Defy Comp, M60 gravel grinder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Upgraded the commuter with carbon wheels. It's a lot quicker and certainly more fun to ride. 
The seat is next but I have to say that old one sure is comfy.
The seat is next but I have to say that old one sure is comfy.
01-28-15, 10:24 PM
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Formerly Beijing now KC
Posts: 42
Bikes: Not enough
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-29-15, 07:04 AM
Senior Member
01-29-15, 08:18 AM
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 297
Bikes: 2020 Kona Rove ST, 2020 Kona Woo, 2013 Cannondale Caad 10 Rival, 2020 All-City Super Professional, 2023 Kona Honzo, 1991 Bridgestone CB-1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
4 Posts
01-31-15, 12:12 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Lakewood, CO
Posts: 150
Bikes: 2013 KHS 747 (by Lennard Zinn), 1987 Nishiki Sport, 1983 Sanwa 700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
New Wheels!
We had a couple warmer days here recently, and that inspired me to get prepped for the 2015 commuting season. Got a new wheelset (on clearance from velomine, love that company), along with new koolstop salmon brake pads. Is there anything more fun than a new wheelset?
The rims are a marginal improvement over my previous set, (old=Weinmann DA-17, new=Mavic CXP22 with eyelets), but the hubs are the reason for the upgrade (old=no name, "formula" hubs, new=Shimano 105). I know some formula hubs are good, but I think "formula" is not an official brand name, so some claimed "formula" hubs really are just generic cup and cone deallies. My old hubs were not that great, and the dust cap fell off the front hub about 1k miles ago (an indication of their quality). My old wheels were also black, but with a machined (bare metal) braking surface. The silver CXP22s have a more classic, clean look that I like, and the silver highlights the 200mm cranks which is the whole point of the bike. (Search KHS 747 on this forum for more info on the bike) Super excited about the new setup, wish I could be riding it right now, but I cant, so I am making a post about it instead....
So far the wheels do feel stiffer, I am getting more road feel. I used to inflate my tires to max pressure, because that reduced the feeling of a squishy ride, made me feel more in control. But I think with the new wheelset, I might not need full pressure. I seem to have plenty of control/feel without running full pressure. Not sure... still just first impressions. I actually was not expecting these wheels to be any stiffer than the old ones, so maybe this is just a placebo effect related to the fun of a new wheelset.
Oh, and I really like the gunmetal color of the 105 hubs. Looks great in person.
The rims are a marginal improvement over my previous set, (old=Weinmann DA-17, new=Mavic CXP22 with eyelets), but the hubs are the reason for the upgrade (old=no name, "formula" hubs, new=Shimano 105). I know some formula hubs are good, but I think "formula" is not an official brand name, so some claimed "formula" hubs really are just generic cup and cone deallies. My old hubs were not that great, and the dust cap fell off the front hub about 1k miles ago (an indication of their quality). My old wheels were also black, but with a machined (bare metal) braking surface. The silver CXP22s have a more classic, clean look that I like, and the silver highlights the 200mm cranks which is the whole point of the bike. (Search KHS 747 on this forum for more info on the bike) Super excited about the new setup, wish I could be riding it right now, but I cant, so I am making a post about it instead....
So far the wheels do feel stiffer, I am getting more road feel. I used to inflate my tires to max pressure, because that reduced the feeling of a squishy ride, made me feel more in control. But I think with the new wheelset, I might not need full pressure. I seem to have plenty of control/feel without running full pressure. Not sure... still just first impressions. I actually was not expecting these wheels to be any stiffer than the old ones, so maybe this is just a placebo effect related to the fun of a new wheelset.
Oh, and I really like the gunmetal color of the 105 hubs. Looks great in person.
Last edited by H.S.Clydesdale; 01-31-15 at 12:47 PM.
02-01-15, 12:28 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northeastern USA
Posts: 255
Bikes: 2007 Bianchi Castro Valley, 1985 Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
These are my two commuters.
The orange one is a 2007 Bianchi Castro Valley, a workhorse ready for anything with Carradice saddlebag in the rear and Wald front basket. Lots of changes from stock, notably drop handlebars and Shimano bar-end shifters, Brooks B17.
The white one is a 1985 Specialized Sequoia, used for fair weather commuting when clothes have already been transported, and also used for most of my weekend rides. Great CL find, changes include wider handlebars, Suntour barcons, Selle Anatomica saddle, Acorn saddlebag, new 105 rd, new tektro brakes, and other drivetrain parts swapped out in the last year or so.
Both ride great, but the Sequoia is zippier, a better climber. The Bianchi makes short work of my 32 mile (round trip) commute, which is mostly flat.
The orange one is a 2007 Bianchi Castro Valley, a workhorse ready for anything with Carradice saddlebag in the rear and Wald front basket. Lots of changes from stock, notably drop handlebars and Shimano bar-end shifters, Brooks B17.
The white one is a 1985 Specialized Sequoia, used for fair weather commuting when clothes have already been transported, and also used for most of my weekend rides. Great CL find, changes include wider handlebars, Suntour barcons, Selle Anatomica saddle, Acorn saddlebag, new 105 rd, new tektro brakes, and other drivetrain parts swapped out in the last year or so.
Both ride great, but the Sequoia is zippier, a better climber. The Bianchi makes short work of my 32 mile (round trip) commute, which is mostly flat.
Last edited by Johnny Rebel; 02-01-15 at 12:32 AM.
02-01-15, 12:46 PM
kipuka explorer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hilo Town, East Hawai'i
Posts: 3,297
Bikes: 1994 Trek 820, 2004 Fuji Absolute, 2005 Jamis Nova, 1977 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ah wonderful fresh snow...that brings back so many great memories . 
__________________
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
02-01-15, 01:04 PM
contiuniously variable
02-02-15, 09:37 AM
Senior Member
02-02-15, 10:47 AM
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
02-02-15, 12:31 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,347
Bikes: Felt TK2, Felt Z5
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 943 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
20 Posts
Framed Minnesota 2.0 on my commute home last night, some of it was riding, the last mile was pushing because it hadn't been plowed and we got at least a foot.
02-02-15, 12:53 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
No snow here in Chattanooga this year, but it does great on gravel. I just got the Fairdale about 3 weeks ago, so its very new. For now, I am just riding it when the temperature breaks 40 degrees. I am getting myself back in shape before worrying about too many accessories on the bike. So far, I absolutely love it. I am not quite ready for real commuting, but thought some folks on this forum might like to see one "in the wild" since there aren't too many Fairdales out there (yet?).
02-03-15, 09:23 AM
Senior Member
No snow here in Chattanooga this year, but it does great on gravel. I just got the Fairdale about 3 weeks ago, so its very new. For now, I am just riding it when the temperature breaks 40 degrees. I am getting myself back in shape before worrying about too many accessories on the bike. So far, I absolutely love it. I am not quite ready for real commuting, but thought some folks on this forum might like to see one "in the wild" since there aren't too many Fairdales out there (yet?).
__________________
I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
02-03-15, 11:06 AM
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-03-15, 01:51 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: TX
Posts: 69
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Man, Mr. MHMark I'm super jealous of your stable now. Had to get a Vaya to compliment the AWOL? They both catch my eye. Thinking about getting a frameset of either and doing a build up, but the money.. they always want my money.
02-03-15, 01:55 PM
Old. Slow. Happy.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 1,797
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
02-03-15, 01:58 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: TX
Posts: 69
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ha! Yeh seems good. On loan for how long? I thought I remembered you posting the awol a while ago.. in any case I'd like to read that review when yer done with it.