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How many of you guys own bicycles?
- Thread starter H-carWizKid
- Start date
Not to hijack this thread but I've been seriously thinking of getting a bicycle to commute to the office. Can I get something decent for around $500? What should I be looking for in a commuter bike? As you may notice, I am basically clueless about current bike tech - the last one I owned was a Raleigh 10 speed "english racer" from my high school days.
Related question to those who do bike to work: once you get there, how do you deal with the sweat factor?
Related question to those who do bike to work: once you get there, how do you deal with the sweat factor?
Hijack complete!
We got my GF's son one of these last year:
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/codasport.html
He is 13 and has not beat it to death yet, so I guess it would be 'commuter tough'. Check around for a dealer in your area. Jamis does good product, better frames at each price point than many other brands.
Remember you need a helmet, maybe some shorts, a jacket, shoes, etc. if you want to do a commute over a few miles. A shower at work, or a gym that's close is the best way to deal with the sweat. Drop off a few days worth of close at work once a week, ride in, clean up. You can take your dirty close home in a back pack or pannier.
:biggrin: Bike commuting is great, perfect way to jump start your day and burn off the days stress!
Based on a buddy of mine's experience here in Chicago a few weeks ago- I would look around on Craigslist for a nice older Mountain bike on a budget of $100 or so, then get cross tires mounted, and a tune up at your local shop.
My Buddy Jon's Gary Fisher was stolen from our office building a few weeks ago- here is the security camera footage
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No matter how good your lock might be- a thief can get through it. We think this guy used a hand held power drill with a rotary blade attachment. You can actually see the puff of smoke from behind the column when he cuts the Krypto lock.
I am super cautious with my bikes now and have been thinking about building up a beater fixie for commuting to the train.
As for sweat- I don't ride that hard on my commute, but most people pack their business casual clothing then towel bath, and change at the office.
For days when I have to be more dressed up (not often) I skip the bike and get a ride to the train from my girlfriend.
Philip
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OMG! 
Don't lock your bike on the street!!!!
Take it inside!
Don't lock your bike on the street!!!!
Take it inside!
Your fabrication looks pretty sweet!
I was thinking of experimenting with a 3 speed internal gear hub on my commuter build-up, but I had thought I would just use a "left" three speed index/brake lever for my drop bars- you know like the 3 speed shifter for the front rings on a "triple" roadbike?
Just a thought...
Philip
If you try that, I'd be interested to hear if the cable pull is correct for the application.
Having the right amount of cable pull (and a lever with positive detents) can be critical with a 3-speed hub; some of them go into neutral between gears 2 and 3 (it's no fun to have the drivetrain give out when you're pedaling hard).
Hub gearing has its own set of pros and cons relative to derailleur gearing. For my purposes, the Speedhub is great; I like having 14 gears available in sequence with one control.
My favorite was my Cromoly Robinson Cruiser
I like anything with two wheels.
Designed and had this TRI-athalon bike built in 1998. Showed the bike in Vegas.
Hired a pro rider and "Won" the 1999 du-athlon national championship
Frame outlawed for pro competition very next year.
Decided to quit after building 9 total examples...Insurance to high to go into full production. Very costly endeavor but I learned alot.
I have a few frames in my apartment and I enjoy flipping trick parts on and off just as a hobby.
spooler
Designed and had this TRI-athalon bike built in 1998. Showed the bike in Vegas.
Hired a pro rider and "Won" the 1999 du-athlon national championship
Frame outlawed for pro competition very next year.
Decided to quit after building 9 total examples...Insurance to high to go into full production. Very costly endeavor but I learned alot.
I have a few frames in my apartment and I enjoy flipping trick parts on and off just as a hobby.
spooler
Attachments
Campy levers are progressive, with out defined stops. Great for micro adjustments on a front der. I think this would not work well to control an internal hub. Internal hubs have not specific detentes or stops for specific gear selections inside the hub, they depend on the level to correctly move the selector the exact amount.Your fabrication looks pretty sweet!
I was thinking of experimenting with a 3 speed internal gear hub on my commuter build-up, but I had thought I would just use a "left" three speed index/brake lever for my drop bars- you know like the 3 speed shifter for the front rings on a "triple" roadbike?
Just a thought...
Philip
Having the hub slip out of gear is very hard on your crouch and the gears inside the hub!:biggrin:
I used to commute on a Sturmey Archer 4 speed for years, it worked great, but I never trusted it in a full out sprint!
Having the hub slip out of gear is very hard on your crouch and the gears inside the hub!:biggrin:
Yeah- racking my knuts is not too appealing
I was thinking the set-up might be a bit exotic, but I have little to no experience with internal hubs. I also priced out some equipment, and discovered that I would triple my budget for this "disposable" project. I think I'll just stick with a basic single gear to ride to the train after all. Single speed is cheap and bulletproof.Philip
Why was it Outlawed??
Because the UCI(professional cycling governing body) sucks and is afraid of innovation...They changed the rules so only traditional double diamond frames can be used, limited to 80 mm vertical cross section for tubes. Many manufactures had to abandon successful aerodynamic designs.
Rules:
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/ucirules.html
This was done to level the playing field, so they said. It became 'unfair' to make better bicycles, so all they were left with was to make better drugs!:wink:
Viva Le Tour de France!
Exactly what Ti-Dave said.
Ti-dave..I also heard that part of the reason was accidents.
Some of the these inovative frames were not adequately tested with some breaking during races..causing accidents.
"Cyclic Machines" (Destruct tests) are used to determine frame durabilty and should have been required. Hey Dave..my Arc design went 1,800,000 cycles ! 500,000 being the industry minimum. I was very proud since the structural design was based on common sense rather than structural calulations.
Over building it (large dia tubes 6061 alm) assured the strength needed for the desired apperance....Not a light frame...wanna build one out of titanium for me Ti-Dave ???:biggrin:
spooler
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I love cycling. I have two bikes.
1. GT mountain bike that feels neglected.
2. 2004 Colnago Dream B-Stay. It is sweet...light...and fast. Love the Italian bikes!!!!
1. GT mountain bike that feels neglected.
2. 2004 Colnago Dream B-Stay. It is sweet...light...and fast. Love the Italian bikes!!!!
- Joined
- 29 April 2004
- Messages
- 1,567
This is worth a look.
Trek 7.3 FX – $529
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1327010&f=26
- Joined
- 29 April 2004
- Messages
- 1,567
I currently ride a Surly CrossCheck that me and the local bike shop built up this summer. It's so great finally having a real bike. It is in commuter duty right now but will move to mud/cyclocross/offroad duty when I pick up a Cervélo Soloist Team next summer for road duty. The Surly is no high-end race bike but it's perfect for what do right now.
I can't afford my dream car yet (NSX) but dream bikes like a cervelo are more in reach.
I can't afford my dream car yet (NSX) but dream bikes like a cervelo are more in reach.
You'd end up with recumbents, etc...
BUT, Your frame looks GREAT and close enough (to traditional) to be accepted (to me)!
Klein Quantum Race. I've replaced almost all of the original components with carbon pieces which has both lightened the bike and smoothed out the ride somewhat. Still has that super stiff and responsive triangle, though!
I ride a few thousand miles per year.
I ride a few thousand miles per year.
The ever changing list...
I owned a few roadies, but my Specialized Langster was stolen in Chicago, I sold my Cannondale Capo, and now I just sold my Specialized Allez Triple to my uncle.
Currently I have
09 Cannondale F5 (just bought this with the cash from the Allez sale)
88 Dyno D-Tour Freestyle bike (tribute build- parts are hard to come by)
P
I owned a few roadies, but my Specialized Langster was stolen in Chicago, I sold my Cannondale Capo, and now I just sold my Specialized Allez Triple to my uncle.
Currently I have
09 Cannondale F5 (just bought this with the cash from the Allez sale)
88 Dyno D-Tour Freestyle bike (tribute build- parts are hard to come by)
P
Custom titanium frame.
Pump is on the back side of the seat tube (allows for water bottle mount on front);
rear brake is mounted on front side of bridge (just to be different):
Whimsical spoking pattern in the front wheel:
14 speed hub gearing (I wouldn't take a derailleur over this for anything):
The gearhub comes with a shifter for MTB bars; no road-bar shifter was available when I bought it, so I made my own out of wood:
Pump is on the back side of the seat tube (allows for water bottle mount on front);
rear brake is mounted on front side of bridge (just to be different):
Whimsical spoking pattern in the front wheel:
14 speed hub gearing (I wouldn't take a derailleur over this for anything):
The gearhub comes with a shifter for MTB bars; no road-bar shifter was available when I bought it, so I made my own out of wood:
You must be kidding me, right???
Come on, I live in Holland. What do you expect
OF COURSE I have a bike.
Although, I must admit, ever since I got out of school I haven' been on the bike much. So I went from 15 miles to and from school every day to almost zero. Must admit that moving into the centre of town also didn't help much.
Come on, I live in Holland. What do you expect
OF COURSE I have a bike.
Although, I must admit, ever since I got out of school I haven' been on the bike much. So I went from 15 miles to and from school every day to almost zero. Must admit that moving into the centre of town also didn't help much.
