Comments on: The Perfect Commuter Bike : The Targeted Audience (Me) http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 18 May 2013 21:46:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: mikeylikeybikey http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-142336 mikeylikeybikey Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:03:41 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-142336 Mine is a 95 Cannondale 2.8 Hardtail MTB. My retired mountainbike, which I converted to a Singlespeed. After much experimenting with the best chainring/sprocket/chain tensioner configuration, I'm currently running 36x18 gearing. This combination is good on the road as long as I maintain my fitness,(I have a fairly significant hill on the way home). It even allows me to dump the chain tensioner. I used to run 26" road slicks, but got tired of frequent flats. I've been running the Intense Micro Knobbies for the past year and haven't had a single flat. My suspension fork is pumped up with more air than it needs, so I don't have too much movement. Fenders by PB got installed last Summer, as I was getting more committed to the whole commute by bike thing. I stuck to a mountain bike because this is the kind of riding I do for fun and I already had this bike. I also use 15 yr old NiteRider lights (the batteries only hold under an hour worth of charge, but it's no problem as my commute is just under 5 miles round trip) and a cheap blinky-although my mess. bag has lots of reflective bits on it. We've had way too much wet weather this year, so I have a Fox Technik waterproof shell and I just ordered a pair of ShowersPass breathable rain pants. 5 10 Shoes for excellent flat pedal grip while still being comfy enough to wear all day and extra points for not screaming "bike shoes". Depending on how I feel, I'll add some additional climbs to my route just to get me out of my comfort zone. Oh, and lastly, I log all my commuter miles on http://worldcommute.com Mine is a 95 Cannondale 2.8 Hardtail MTB. My retired mountainbike, which I converted to a Singlespeed. After much experimenting with the best chainring/sprocket/chain tensioner configuration, I’m currently running 36×18 gearing. This combination is good on the road as long as I maintain my fitness,(I have a fairly significant hill on the way home). It even allows me to dump the chain tensioner. I used to run 26″ road slicks, but got tired of frequent flats. I’ve been running the Intense Micro Knobbies for the past year and haven’t had a single flat. My suspension fork is pumped up with more air than it needs, so I don’t have too much movement. Fenders by PB got installed last Summer, as I was getting more committed to the whole commute by bike thing. I stuck to a mountain bike because this is the kind of riding I do for fun and I already had this bike. I also use 15 yr old NiteRider lights (the batteries only hold under an hour worth of charge, but it’s no problem as my commute is just under 5 miles round trip) and a cheap blinky-although my mess. bag has lots of reflective bits on it.
We’ve had way too much wet weather this year, so I have a Fox Technik waterproof shell and I just ordered a pair of ShowersPass breathable rain pants. 5 10 Shoes for excellent flat pedal grip while still being comfy enough to wear all day and extra points for not screaming “bike shoes”. Depending on how I feel, I’ll add some additional climbs to my route just to get me out of my comfort zone. Oh, and lastly, I log all my commuter miles on http://worldcommute.com

]]> By: jamesmallon http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137966 jamesmallon Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:06:51 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137966 I have a svelte steel road bike, a drop-bar steel touring bike singlespeed and a steel fixed gear winter trainer. I always pull out the latter: simple, fast and fun. Unlike the cool kids I run brakes, lights, fenders, frame bags and bottle cages. I have a svelte steel road bike, a drop-bar steel touring bike singlespeed and a steel fixed gear winter trainer. I always pull out the latter: simple, fast and fun. Unlike the cool kids I run brakes, lights, fenders, frame bags and bottle cages.

]]> By: Bike Shop Girl http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137817 Bike Shop Girl Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:05 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137817 Columbus - The 80's Schwinn sounds great. Columbus – The 80′s Schwinn sounds great.

]]> By: Columbus commuter http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137677 Columbus commuter Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:31:06 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137677 My commuter is an 80's Schwinn Voyageur to which I have added fenders, rear rack, some upgraded components. I commute year round, 12 mile round trip, and it meets my needs perfectly. I typically wear bike specific clothing and change in the office. I can get up a pretty good speed on it yet the 1 1/4 tires and steel frame make it a comfortable ride. I like the older steel frame so well that I recently purchased a similar vintage, 80's Motobecane Grand Touring, inexpensively off Craigslist. I change back and forth depending on my mood. I love the older technology of these bikes which is easy to work on. My commuter is an 80′s Schwinn Voyageur to which I have added fenders, rear rack, some upgraded components. I commute year round, 12 mile round trip, and it meets my needs perfectly. I typically wear bike specific clothing and change in the office. I can get up a pretty good speed on it yet the 1 1/4 tires and steel frame make it a comfortable ride. I like the older steel frame so well that I recently purchased a similar vintage, 80′s Motobecane Grand Touring, inexpensively off Craigslist. I change back and forth depending on my mood. I love the older technology of these bikes which is easy to work on.

]]> By: Soulfull Commuter http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137158 Soulfull Commuter Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:59:43 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137158 I have been using my early 90's Specialized Rockhopper. It is a rigid mountain bike. I have a 10 mile commute and I use the full gear range, so I can't see a fixed gear or geared hub bike working for me. I changed the tires to Continental Town and Country, added a rear rack, water proof panniers, fenders and a bell. Also I added a head light and a flashing tail light. I will probably go with a little narrower tires when these are ready to change. This bike works well for me although the same effort that would average 15 to 17 mph on my road bike only gives me 12-14 mph average. Some of that is due to the greenway trails which are kind of twisty and sometimes I have to slow down to share the trail with people on foot. But this bike is heavier than some and that would make it less desirable for a weekend camping trip at least on the road. I have been using my early 90′s Specialized Rockhopper. It is a rigid mountain bike. I have a 10 mile commute and I use the full gear range, so I can’t see a fixed gear or geared hub bike working for me. I changed the tires to Continental Town and Country, added a rear rack, water proof panniers, fenders and a bell. Also I added a head light and a flashing tail light. I will probably go with a little narrower tires when these are ready to change. This bike works well for me although the same effort that would average 15 to 17 mph on my road bike only gives me 12-14 mph average. Some of that is due to the greenway trails which are kind of twisty and sometimes I have to slow down to share the trail with people on foot. But this bike is heavier than some and that would make it less desirable for a weekend camping trip at least on the road.

]]> By: John @ Smithrides.com http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137031 John @ Smithrides.com Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:47:27 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137031 I am astonished at the amounts of cash invested in some of these commuters. I have a train ride in the center of my commute (except for some dry / frozen days when I can do it almost all on trail)... So I am limited to a couple hundred bucks tops and even that hurts when it gets stolen from the train station. I hit the police auctions for old road bikes and strip them down to single speeds for simplicity and to avoid maintenance issues. In the winter I switch to a 29er w/ Hakkas for the snowy trails. My Karate Monkey ($450 on Craigslist) was ideal for this but I donated that to support the local bike thieves last month. Continued on: http://www.smithrides.com/?entryId=c320335f7abb93cb58913fd765ccb79b I am astonished at the amounts of cash invested in some of these commuters. I have a train ride in the center of my commute (except for some dry / frozen days when I can do it almost all on trail)… So I am limited to a couple hundred bucks tops and even that hurts when it gets stolen from the train station. I hit the police auctions for old road bikes and strip them down to single speeds for simplicity and to avoid maintenance issues. In the winter I switch to a 29er w/ Hakkas for the snowy trails. My Karate Monkey ($450 on Craigslist) was ideal for this but I donated that to support the local bike thieves last month.

Continued on:
http://www.smithrides.com/?entryId=c320335f7abb93cb58913fd765ccb79b

]]> By: Kirby http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137014 Kirby Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:21:58 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137014 Ian: I use Cane Creek Ergo Control II bar ends on my mountain bike and really like them. Very comfortable, gives me a more natural hand position and is very easy to install. http://www.canecreek.com/component-other?product=ergo-control Ian: I use Cane Creek Ergo Control II bar ends on my mountain bike and really like them. Very comfortable, gives me a more natural hand position and is very easy to install.

http://www.canecreek.com/component-other?product=ergo-control

]]> By: BluesCat http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137013 BluesCat Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:04:12 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137013 Ian: Trekking handlebars are just the ticket for multiple hand positions on your MTB/Hybrid: http://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/13/57/05/78/bcbutt13.jpg You can use your current brake lever/shift lever setup, just transfer them over to the Trekking handlebars. Ian: Trekking handlebars are just the ticket for multiple hand positions on your MTB/Hybrid:

http://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/13/57/05/78/bcbutt13.jpg

You can use your current brake lever/shift lever setup, just transfer them over to the Trekking handlebars.

]]> By: Ian http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-137007 Ian Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:32:25 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-137007 I ride a Kona Blast with road slicks on it. My commute is unfortunately through a rough part of town and the fat tires and stability of the MTB have been a major plus. I have had to hop a curb or plow through a major pothole on many occasions and the Kona just eats it up. I also commute in a really hilly area so the granny gears get a lot of use. The only downsides that I have come across are a lack of high end speed and multiple hand positions. Still for my all urban, short haul (4 miles each way) commute the MTB has been great. Just make sure to get a good front and rear lighting, road slicks, and some fenders. I ride a Kona Blast with road slicks on it. My commute is unfortunately through a rough part of town and the fat tires and stability of the MTB have been a major plus. I have had to hop a curb or plow through a major pothole on many occasions and the Kona just eats it up.

I also commute in a really hilly area so the granny gears get a lot of use.

The only downsides that I have come across are a lack of high end speed and multiple hand positions.

Still for my all urban, short haul (4 miles each way) commute the MTB has been great. Just make sure to get a good front and rear lighting, road slicks, and some fenders.

]]> By: BluesCat http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/11/02/the-perfect-commuter-bike-the-targeted-audience-me/comment-page-1/#comment-136998 BluesCat Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:50:42 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3641#comment-136998 I actually have two commuter bikes: a long wheelbase recumbent and a Giant Yukon hardtail mountain bike which has been converted to a touring/commuting bike. For the sunny, dry, hot weather which is the norm in Phoenix, the recumbent is the perfect commuter bike. The recumbent has road tires on it, and that is the reason I have the Giant as a fall back for when the streets have foul weather debris on them or I want to journey off the pavement. As soon as I wear out the OEM tires on the recumbent, I'll be looking for a tire with a little more tooth in it. My blog has a description of how I converted the Giant from an off-roader to "The Roadley." I actually have two commuter bikes: a long wheelbase recumbent and a Giant Yukon hardtail mountain bike which has been converted to a touring/commuting bike.

For the sunny, dry, hot weather which is the norm in Phoenix, the recumbent is the perfect commuter bike. The recumbent has road tires on it, and that is the reason I have the Giant as a fall back for when the streets have foul weather debris on them or I want to journey off the pavement.

As soon as I wear out the OEM tires on the recumbent, I’ll be looking for a tire with a little more tooth in it.

My blog has a description of how I converted the Giant from an off-roader to “The Roadley.”

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