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What type of bike do you commute to work on

post #1 of 126
11/4/04 at 11:32pm
Thread Starter 
During the winter I started to ride my fixed gear bike to work. With the shorter days my fixed gear gives me a better work out.
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post #2 of 126
11/8/04 at 3:57pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

My ride is 22 miles each way (I try to get in at least 3 round trips a week).

I find my Trek 1400 to be just fine. Fair amount of gain on the rides each way, and with "only" a double I get a great burn!

Concern now is COLD. Boston is getting chilly in the AM - need to upgrade my tights before parts start freezing off....


I will add that I just moved up from 700x23 to 700x25 - wanted a bit more sturdy tire but still want a road feel.
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post #3 of 126
11/8/04 at 4:03pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

I voted for road bike but some may consider it a hybrid, not exactly sure where the line is. Marin Mill Valley which is a flat bar road bike. 700 X 28 tires, 9 speed Tiagra with 12-25 rear and triple in the front.

I use this as my beater bike for family rides (towing trailer bike) and my commute which is done whenever possible. This is my first winter commuting (central PA) so we will see how long I can stay on my bike.
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post #4 of 126
11/9/04 at 11:18am

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

A Specialized Allez is my "car". It is getting frickin freezin out here Mr. Bigglesworth. Although I'm sure Charleston, SC can't hold a candle to Boston! Enough layers of clothing though and I'm usually OK. Sometimes it's hard to gauge how much though since you warm up alot during the ride. Top of my head is always cold though from the vents in the helmet. Thought about getting one of those helmet covers from performance.
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post #5 of 126
11/9/04 at 6:06pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

A pair of performance Ultra tights with some windbreaker pants over them and your set all the way down to freezing! I am still looking for a truly windproof jacket that I don't sweat to death in. Anybody know of any please let me know.
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post #6 of 126
11/10/04 at 11:18am

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

I've got one from REI - not the top of the line water and wind proof one, but the one below that. Until today I could wear just a short jersey with it and be fine (has pit zips to let most of the moisture escape).

I said until today - when it was 25 degree (F mind you) when I left ... and windy

Used a short jersey, a long jersey, a brushed "fleece" type shirt from EMS and the wind jacket. Worked great ...

Still haven't gotten the tights worked out - parts are still frost bitten

I'll pick up a pair of those Ultra tights - thanks Guap!
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post #7 of 126
11/14/04 at 2:33pm

I alternate between an upright and a recumbent

I've got about a 14 mile round trip bike commute, often I do it on a short wheel base recumbent, Haluzak Leprechaun and then I'll switch to one of my upright bikes for a while.

Lately I've been commuting daily on a Rivendell Rambouillet with full fenders and a Nelson Longflap bag in the back to carry my "stuff".

I work at at REI and during the winter months when the warehouse if really full with Xmas stuff I have trouble stashing my 'bent so I use the upright bike as I can find a place to hide it easier than the recumbent.
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post #8 of 126
11/15/04 at 10:32am

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

I use a Brompton T3. I used to travel between 12-20 miles a day in all weathers. This has got to be the most versatile form of transport I've ever used! It had a home in my office under my desk. It's been on train and ferries and in cars with no problems and it's so easy to fold-unfol-fold. However, due to job change it's sitting in my car boot ready to be taken out King of the RocketMen style whenever I need to travel short distances at work (i.e under 5 miles each way and not carrying large boxes). This arrangement suit me fine but I'm always looking for opportunities to ride it
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post #9 of 126
11/19/04 at 9:03am

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

I have a Specialized Sirrus, now that I have almost replaced all the parts, ugraded the wheels and hubs ( old ones wore out ), the bottom bracket fixed etc it is looking good. I do a 19 mile round trip, all year round here in Ireland, so does not get really cold, but get a lot of different types of weather.
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post #10 of 126
11/20/04 at 2:49pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

A 2002 Jamis Nova cyclocross bike. It's not particularly light, but the steel frame and wider tires (37mm stock, since replaced with 32mm street tires) reduce wear on the rider.
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post #11 of 126
11/29/04 at 8:47am

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

I ride 22 miles a day and I am using the same cheap mountain bike that I bought when I was first looking to see if I would stick at it. I am looking into getting a lighter hybrid for the new year though
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post #12 of 126
11/29/04 at 2:35pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

I have a Jamis Coda. Hybrid, flat handlbars. Cost around $900, so not into the reallly fancy range, but waaaaay lighter and easier to pedal than the fat tire Trek 4500 I used for a couple of years. My ride is now 8 miles each way, and I cross 10 (count 'em!) watersheds, so it is up and down and up and down. I need a bigger granny gear; my worst hill is when I am almost home...at the end of the day, I am tired and the obligatory stand up and pedal gets old when I am feeling lazy.

But Texas weather is accomodating; my hat is off to you northerners in the winter!
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post #13 of 126
12/4/04 at 11:06pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

Quote:
Originally Posted by jcafcw
I ride 22 miles a day and I am using the same cheap mountain bike that I bought when I was first looking to see if I would stick at it. I am looking into getting a lighter hybrid for the new year though
I ride a 2003 Gary Fisher Tiburon hybrid (stock) without front suspension. It's about 18 to 20 lbs (guesstimate). They run $400 to $475 Canadian, depending where you buy. Running at about 70 psi, I have been doing 40k 3 or 4 times a week over the summer with an average of 24 kph, while taking it easy... in addition to about 20 k per day of putzing around. This is my first bike with trigger shift, and I have fallen in love. An idiot running a red light caused me to break my ankle in three places. Within two months of having a plate and 9 screws to fix my ankle, I was riding, and at three months I was back to the 40k . Compared to cheap, heavy steel, the light weight of aluminum is almost effortless. Aluminum rocks, if you're willing to take the VERY stiff ride. For the winter commute (Montreal, Canada) I am getting a steel studded front tire for more control on ice. Today it was -9C (about 19F? correct me if I'm wong, pls) and wore running shoes, 2 pair cotton socks, cotton slacks with nylon shell splashpants, a synthetic turtleneck with a brushed fleece pullover and a nylon shell jacket with large mesh lining, a balaklava, fleece gloves with rubber overgloves, and an ordinary vented helmet. The only thing that got cold were my thighs. I think I'll get longjohns. If you're running 22 miles a day (32k?) with a cheap steel MTB, consider yourself up there with Hercules. I salute you, strong and tenacious one!
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post #14 of 126
12/14/04 at 8:13pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

I commute daily on a Cannondale T2000 touring bike. For normal backup I use my Specialized Crossroads. During real bad winter storms I will ride my Specialized FSR Enduro Comp mountain bike. It’s disk brakes stop when wet. Annual commute 2,200 miles.
Phil Lux
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post #15 of 126
12/17/04 at 5:19pm

Re: What type of bike do you commute to work on

Quote:
Originally Posted by PALux
I commute daily on a Cannondale T2000 touring bike. For normal backup I use my Specialized Crossroads. During real bad winter storms I will ride my Specialized FSR Enduro Comp mountain bike. It’s disk brakes stop when wet. Annual commute 2,200 miles.
Phil Lux
I'm a "spring, summer, fall commuter (for many reasons, one of which is night blindness). When I do commute it is on my RANS Tailwind recumbent. The one way distance is just over 17 miles. It allows for a nice "attitude adjustment time" on the way home.

'bent Brian
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