Commuter Bicycle Pics
Virgo
I’m making this into a proper commuter. Here’s the skinny:
- Gravel bike
- internal geared hub (Shimano Alfine 11)
- Crank Bros flat pedals
- Selle Anatomica X saddle
- Planet Bike Beamer 700 headlight
- Bontrager Flare R City tail light
- Garmin GPS mount
- Giant snap-on fenders
- Plastic bottle cages
- Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock
- Greenfield kick stand
- (future) Topeak MTX rack and bag
Ridden approx 3,000 miles total before stolen
Commute was 12 miles each way on road in traffic, 4-5 days a week, including a month or so on studded tires
3 x 7 Shimano w/ Suntour bar end shifters
35mm tires (studded tires were 38)
2 bottle cages
Whichever rack was lying around the garage
SKS Bluemels Matte 45mm full length fenders w/ mudflaps (a necessity for my particular commute)
“Saved” approx 8 minutes each way after the drop conversion versus stock upright bars.
It would have been a lot more fun to ride at 29 lbs than 39 (as pictured).
Last edited by Phamilton; 05-31-24 at 09:25 PM. Reason: Too many words
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Western Massachusetts
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Former around-town-cruiser, now in commuter service
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Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
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Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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Very nice '95, sorry it was stolen. How did it reach 39 pounds, gravel in the tires? Never mind; hi ten with cro moly seat tube.
Virgo
Add fenders, rack, lights, water, and coffee
The drop swap was a negligible net weight change because those Tektro brake levers are sort of heavy
Yeah it was a pretty bike and sturdy bike but it was on that bike I learned that hi ten not suitable for daily use for this rider. I only paid $25 for it but I dumped a bunch of money into it.
Last edited by Phamilton; 06-05-24 at 10:48 PM.
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
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Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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All dolled up my RockHopper is 28 lbs., not exactly a lightweight race bike.
Getting ready to start the Critical Mass ride.
Getting ready to start the Critical Mass ride.
AND a steel seat post. It was like 30 lbs with the kickstand
Add fenders, rack, lights, water, and coffee
The drop swap was a negligible net weight change because those Tektro brake levers are sort of heavy
Yeah it was a pretty bike and sturdy bike but it was on that bike I learned that hi ten not suitable for daily use for this rider. I only paid $25 for it but I dumped a bunch of money into it.
Add fenders, rack, lights, water, and coffee
The drop swap was a negligible net weight change because those Tektro brake levers are sort of heavy
Yeah it was a pretty bike and sturdy bike but it was on that bike I learned that hi ten not suitable for daily use for this rider. I only paid $25 for it but I dumped a bunch of money into it.
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Virgo
Last edited by Phamilton; 06-08-24 at 08:47 AM.
Virgo
[/QUOTE]
This one more or less replaces that one as fair weather commuter. It might get skinwall tires and a front basket if it doesn’t get stolen.
This one more or less replaces that one as fair weather commuter. It might get skinwall tires and a front basket if it doesn’t get stolen.
Last edited by Phamilton; 06-08-24 at 06:56 AM.
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Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
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This one more or less replaces that one as fair weather commuter. It might get skinwall tires and a front basket if it doesn’t get stolen.
[/QUOTE]
Nice. My lightest bike I haven't weighed, but I'd guess not much more than 20 lbs. It helps that it's 16.5" and stripped down for offroading (which I don't really do).
[/QUOTE]
Nice. My lightest bike I haven't weighed, but I'd guess not much more than 20 lbs. It helps that it's 16.5" and stripped down for offroading (which I don't really do).
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aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Hey, [MENTION=390976]Phamilton[/MENTION], it's nice to see you back. I'm glad you're riding so much.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“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.
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Happy banana slug
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Senior Member
You are correct. I am 6'3" and I love the small bike in traffic, stairs, halls, doors, car racks, etc. I never ride hard so the strength isn't much of an issue. Getting the crate to fit in under the seat is also nice. 26" wheels. My previous bike was big and did ride a bit better, but it was a beast to even get through a door. The top tube was also obnoxiously high for stop and go.
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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Very good points. May I ask what it is? I can't quite make it out.
You are correct. I am 6'3" and I love the small bike in traffic, stairs, halls, doors, car racks, etc. I never ride hard so the strength isn't much of an issue. Getting the crate to fit in under the seat is also nice. 26" wheels. My previous bike was big and did ride a bit better, but it was a beast to even get through a door. The top tube was also obnoxiously high for stop and go.
Senior Member
It is a 1990's Diamondback. Very few original parts left other than the frame. A priest at my church bought it new to ride around and didn't take it with him when he moved on. It sat outside for many years until I decided I wasn't stealing it, I was cleaning up the property.
Edit - Not like I go around stealing stuff like it suggests. I work park time for the church and keeping up the grounds was part of my responsibility.
Edit - Not like I go around stealing stuff like it suggests. I work park time for the church and keeping up the grounds was part of my responsibility.
Last edited by ScottCommutes; 06-24-24 at 03:20 PM. Reason: Clarification
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Newbie
These were my commuter rigs in the late 2000s to early 2010s. Top is a Fuji Del Rey conversion fg. Bottom is a Bikesdirect Motobecane that was originally canary yellow. My commute was 42 miles per day with 550 feet of decent/climb 5x per week. On Mondays I'd bring my clothes/food for the week on the MB. Then used my fg the next 4 days. Did this for 6 years from 2006-2012. 10,000+ miles per year commuter miles. Then a 50-100 miler on Saturday as I lived right off The Natchez Trace Parkway. It has gentle rolling terrain. Usually on my fg. For another 2500-3000 yearly miles. Sometimes, my ex would ride with me on Saturdays, so it was pretty relaxed
Needless to say I had to change out primary drive train parts at least 2x per year on the fg. It was a fun time. It's only in retrospect I realize how insane it was putting up those kind of numbers. lol At the time is was just normal life. Sold them both upon moving to New Zealand in 2016. Kia ora, everybody. 🇳🇿
Last edited by Kiwisaver; 06-24-24 at 03:45 PM.
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Temporary Sentient
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I like ol' 26" mountain bikes as commuters. Spent a little over a decade on a borderline small Trek 800 Sport getting too and from schools I worked at. Not long after "retiring" found a different mtb in a much better size and still riding it everywhere (lots of grocery runs and general cycling).
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On the road
I like ol' 26" mountain bikes as commuters. Spent a little over a decade on a borderline small Trek 800 Sport getting too and from schools I worked at. Not long after "retiring" found a different mtb in a much better size and still riding it everywhere (lots of grocery runs and general cycling).
When I moved to the big city, I was thinking maybe a folding bike would be a good idea because I can carry it inside the subway. Turned out to be a disaster during rush hour.
So I cycled the whole trip and upgraded to 26er. Really happy with it.
Not to mention it looks cool on a fat tire
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