Commuting Bike

artemidorus

I've just put drop bars and STIs on my old rigid steel MTB to make it a proper touring/commuter bike. Campagnolo left shifter so that it can drive the MTB FD, and a 105 right shifter. It's got a front v-brake and a rear canti. Full mudguards front and back. 26"x1.3" Conti slicks. Rear rack and a full set of eyes for a front rack. Room for 2.2" knobblies if I wanted to.
It's not quite as fast as the TCR, seems to cruise at 30-35km/h where the TCR would cruise at 35-40km/h. I guess the mudguards, pannier and slightly fatter tyres make the difference. It's very comfortable and sure-footed over bad surfaces where the TCR would have been a little unhappy. The drop bars have revolutionised the bike - they bring me forward and down to a position in which I feel I can really turn the pedals. They've made the bike a pleasure to ride where previously it was a bit of a chore.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

jamesc

I suggest you have a look at the Giant OCR3. Although a road bike, it has a more relaxed geometry. Don't be put off by the drop handlebars, I spend most of my time having my hands on the top of the handlebars near the brakes/shift levers. Braking is no problem, although you can't beat V-brakes or discs.

James

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Bikes:
2005 Giant TCR2
2005 Schwinn Mesa

artemidorus

The drop position is supremely comfortable, it's my favourite. Brakes are right there.
They seem flimsy, but they are not (with the exception of some 700C rear wheels).

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

1id10t

Wouldn't happen to have a picture? I'd be keen to see it. I've been thinking of doing something similar as I have a spare pair of Tiagra shifters and handlebar. I've replaced the suspension forks on my MTB turned commuter and am currently running Geax Streetrunners (1.25). I've even added a 28-38-48 crank and have a spare 11-25 cassette if I want to replace the current 11-30. Haven't decided yet on whether to go ahead with the project.

gclark8

DO IT!!

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Cheers,
George.

artemidorus

Here it is. The road MTB. Shimano and Campagnolo. 105, Ultegra, DuraAce, Deore DX, Deore XT, 600 and Veloce. Steel, aluminium, carbon fibre and titanium.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

1id10t

I think the quote is 'Just Do It'.
Yeah, am leaning towards it.

1id10t

Cool.
Seeing it makes me want to put my own one together. Doubt I could sweet talk my wife into letting me get a cyclocross at the moment so this could be the next best thing. As you said in a previous post I like the idea of having a surefooted bike for rougher terrain but with the more aero position.
Thanks for sharing the picture.

xxamr_corpxx

Wow! I'm very tempted now to do the same thing.

Did you have any issues with STIs and v-brakes? That's the main thing which is holding me back at the moment.

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2004 Trek 1000
2005 Giant Elwood
ACE Folding Bicycle

thepeddler

Hi All,

I am looking at test riding the Giant OCR 3 and the Trek 1000, although I have read some bad reports about the Trek 1000 front derailluer.

It appears that the price I am looking at you will only get Sora level equipment on a road bike, which most people seem to poo-pah, yet the hybrids will give you top level mountain bike type groupsets.

So I guess I have a few options if I want to go road bike with good components. I could either win lotto, not feed the kids for a 2 ot 3 months (lol), or buy second hand.

Hybrid seems to be winning the bike choice race so far.

cluster blaster

Hm, I really don't know what your budget is but you can get a complete Surly CrossCheck for $1495 RRP. That's an awsome bike for commuting and touring too. It will beat any new bike from Giant by miles and miles....

Another good choice is Mongoose Randonneur. I haven't seen the prices lately, but you should be able to get one somewhere in the $1200-1400 range I believe.

Both of these bikes will be fast enough on road and can be taken for some unsealed road cycling. Both can take seriously wide tyres (37mm with ease) and a rear rack. These are strong bikes built to take some beating, both have strong wheels. CrossCheck is better equipped and offers more race-bike like riding position, Mongoose Randonneur is still good enough for most of rides out there and may even be more comfortable for a newbie, because it is has a shorter top tube so you sit more upright.

artemidorus

The STI/v-brake combination is very powerful, but you need to take all measures to prevent the lever from "bottoming-out" on the bar. The rim needs to to be perfectly true and undamaged. The pads need to be as close as possible to the rim without rubbing. The calipers need to be be perfectly centered. I've haven't used it in the wet yet - I'll let you know. If all else fails, you can use a "Travel Agent" or "Problem Solver".
Don't forget that a Shimano left shifter won't drive an MTB FD - you need a road FD, or else bar ends/ drop tube friction shift or Campy left shifter.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

robalert

Very interesting read. This is my experience, Been commuting daily for the last few years from Eastwood to Parra... approx 24-30km round trip depending on route.

The bikes I have commuted on include...

04 Giant VT3 dual suspension with 700C rims and 28C tyres
Review: To heavy and slow on hills, too much bob, generally, DON'T get a dually for commuting. Ended up wearing out the drivetrain from it and had to replace everything. Why did I do it? I was getting back into riding and had a bad back. The upright position with cushy riding just made it pain free but not helpful with speed or efficiency.

96 Apollo Himalya with 26x1.3 ContiContactSports/Specialised Fatboys, EA50 stem/bar/seatpost, racks/panniers
Review: this has done most of the mileage and is now awaiting a rebuild. The rims are worn from braking, hubs are buggered. I rode in rain or shine. Overall, hardtails are great for commuting because they are very robust, upright seating position and great for racks. Lockout fork is a must for road riding... so I went from a RST381 fork (which was pretty much useless) to a Manitou R7 Super with remote lockout. Upside? Robust, can jump gutters, super stable, amazing pick up at lights, quick handling... Downsides?... heavy, geometry not ideal for standing climbs, 26inch wheels roll slower, stiff, Alivio 21spd doesn't have the topend

'06 Giant CRX1: commute with this bike now and got 2 wheelsets, R550s (11-23 cassette) with MichelinProRace for weekend rides and R500s (12-27 cassette) with ContiGatorskins for commuting. Runs compact cranks 34/50.
Review: I love this bike. Initially, the angles were quite steep compared to my mtb but I got used to it. I've added ski bar ends giving me plenty of hand positions without needing to bend down any further, also can quickly access brakes and shifters. I found the ride is very dependant on the tyres, with 28C, it gives you a bit more security and cushioning but not losing too much speed but I still love the pace of lighter wheels for weekend fast rides. I think it is a very versatile bike. The frame is virtually identical to the OCR but a little stronger and more room in the rear stays and more robust/fogiving fork. Also, you have eyelets which anything from an OCR1 up doesn't have. The Vbrakes are much more powerful than the road brakes. I go on many group ride, hilly ones up to 100kms and it is fine keeping up with the roadies. You won't be in a the lead but you can certainly keep the pace. Apparently the build is strong enough for light offroading. Pros: Fast with control, still not as fast as a drop bar but close..... Cons: a bit flashy to be parked around, can't jump gutters at speed, not as stable as the mtb.

04 Giant Elwood: This is the wife's bike, when I now commute a short distance and don't bother with cycling gear I choose this bike. Essentially, it is only good for up 20km/h crusing around. The Altus level gearing is CRAP, and upright position is hopeless for building up speed or climbing with any pace. The suspension forks are so flexy, I am not game to corner at speed. Pros: supercushy for short distances, park it anywhere cause it is only $350. Cons: weight, quality and so on. Make sure you get something at least Deore/Tiagra level if you are using the bike seriously.

I also have a DMR trailstar but DJ bikes are at best only good for offroading

I have ridden my brother's TCR1, great pace but too harsh and the angles are too severe for my back. Also my gut touches my thighs when I ride on the drops... SO, you can imagine how fat I am

For commuting and non competitive riding, I would definitely go a CRX2 and up or a OCR 2. Of course there are other options available in the other brands but it is too hard to recommend when I have ridden them.

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Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

Wrightstuff

Very similar set up is some way to my 05 Specialized Sirrus Pro which has a compact frame and also the compact crankset. It also has Avid Juicy 5 hydro-disc brakes, which are also very powerful and brilliant for commuting, especially the wet.It also has rack mounts (F&R) to which I could add, but I like to keep the bike wt down and use a messenger bag to hold all the stuff I carry when commuting. I have been using various brand tyres (all 700c x 23) and am using ContiGP4000's at the moment. Had the bike for just two years and done 28k km on it and I love it. Very similar performance wrt speed in groups to the giant, but that is probably me, not the bike. Normally average 28-29 km/h in solo 100+ km rides, so I am happy with that overall performance.

PS, Being the wrong side of 40 (ie, the eyes are not what they used to be!!), and with recent experience with a puncture at night and helping a bloke last night with a punture under a streetlight, I would recommend carrying a spare folding tyre, only adds another 200 gms of weight to carry, but may save a bit of aggro at this time of year.