Commuter world, post your ride here.

[Max]

I have a commuter bike because it can carry all my crap in panniers. My "good" bike is carbon and can't carry all my crap in panniers. I did used to ride my carbon bike to work but it meant wearing a super-heavy backpack. Both are super-comfortable and both have around the same level groupset. I love riding my commuter bike to work and I love riding my "good" bike recreationally. Note the use of inverted commas. In fact, both of my bikes are good.

Max

[Crawf]

I found it interesting to read lots of people have a commuter and a non-commuter bike, the commuter bike being a kind of hard duty one and the good one a weekend ride but I was wondering what's wrong with using your 'good bike' to go to work? I do, and although have a crapier roadie and a mtb, I really don't enjoy riding them as much as I enjoy riding my newer addition. I do ride them if it rains or I feel like making an effort that day. I was just curious because people don't usually have two cars, the commuting and the weekend car (unless you're a tradie and you have a van with signs on it). When I got my first road bike I was asked what I wanted it for, I said to commute. As it was my first road bike, it was fair to sell me a cheap bike. But saying that, as I got into it, I wasn't very happy with it either. I still love that bike and use it to remind me how nice my new bike is, but have to say I always wanted more from it. What I mean to say is, if you're going to commute everyday and it's a pretty long way, why not make it the best ride you can have? People drive powerful cars on the motorway and they can't even get to 30km/h most mornings and afternoons (at least on the centenary motorway!) so what's wrong with using the good bike; a nice car costs a looooot more and people don't hesitate taking it to work. Just curious.

Because in one winter alone, the weather destroyed my rear hub, bottom bracket bearings, cables & housings, front wheel braking surface and numerous sets of pads.
You know a well thought out and durable commuter when you see one.

[caffeine]

For me whilst I'd love to have a garage full of choices, it has been a struggle to get 1 up and running.

There doesn't have to be a hard and fast here I don't think.
If I were aiming for a commuter flat out I would get a tad more comfy and disk brakes.
If I was after speed I would drop bar and carbon.
If I was after leisure I would get wider tyres and probably suspension.

In the end I have my CRX1.
For my level it works as a commuter with rack and panniers, with mudguards the next addition. Take the panniers off and I can still enjoy it at about the max pace my body is capable of. Attach the trailer and it becomes utility for trips to shops or outings/errands or kinder drop-offs with my daughter.

If I lived closer than 23k's from work, had more money to spend on variations, was capable of going 100+ ks at > 30kmh in a group on a carbon steed or a bunch of other things my choice would be different.

[Cruiserman]

Here's mine, clothing change live at work (there is a washing machine and dryer for the kit and work clothes) Shoes live at work and I carry as little as possible to and from. Would not do it any other way my bike has to make me want to ride it otherwise the 6 litre Caprice will make me want to drive it more.


I should get some new photos with the gold shamals on it now. The zipp tubbies are having a rest in the cupboard.

[hitchhiker]

Here's my preferred commuter



Unfortunately I've been having some tyre problems and have switched to commuting on my Marin MTB for the moment

[rusteh]

I should get some new photos with the gold shamals on it now. The zipp tubbies are having a rest in the cupboard.

Was going to say...not exactly sure a bike with tubs comes under the umbrella of commuter

[Cruiserman]

I should get some new photos with the gold shamals on it now. The zipp tubbies are having a rest in the cupboard.

Was going to say...not exactly sure a bike with tubs comes under the umbrella of commuter

Why I commuted on it with the tubs for 4 months till I decided that clinchers would be better for the task - now with Hutchinson intensive road tubeless on it. Ride it every day 26.8klms to work and 27.6k home again fast agile able to win almost every CCR wouldnt have it any other way. The bike HAS to make you want to ride it more than the car (in this case a 275kw 6.0 litre MY 9.5 WM Caprice) makes me want to drive it.

[Trepidious]

Finally got around to posting up my wheels.



Nothing special. I bought the bike, shoes and helmet off a friend a few years back for $200 when he moved east. It's running basic Sora gear and Look pedals which will will be due for a replacement later this year unless I blow all my money on a house... Still, considering it's basically made of alloy and granite it's good fun giving the boy-racers a run for their money in the Commuter Cup and on charity rides.

Fitting the mudguards was an interesting process, not pretty but the effectiveness can't be argued




The Fulcrum 7s are working a treat after I broke 4-5 spokes on the original Mavic rims. The next upgrade will be the lights as the front mounted Cat Eye unit is good for flashing but not for picking up all the sticks, branches and potholes that frequent the northern Perth PSP route. I'm suffering 'beam envy' at the moment when I see the more effective options which are available. That if someone tucks in behind me I lose my night vision and effectively ride blind...

[eeksll]

I found it interesting to read lots of people have a commuter and a non-commuter bike, the commuter bike being a kind of hard duty one and the good one a weekend ride but I was wondering what's wrong with using your 'good bike' to go to work? I do, and although have a crapier roadie and a mtb, I really don't enjoy riding them as much as I enjoy riding my newer addition. I do ride them if it rains or I feel like making an effort that day. I was just curious because people don't usually have two cars, the commuting and the weekend car (unless you're a tradie and you have a van with signs on it). When I got my first road bike I was asked what I wanted it for, I said to commute. As it was my first road bike, it was fair to sell me a cheap bike. But saying that, as I got into it, I wasn't very happy with it either. I still love that bike and use it to remind me how nice my new bike is, but have to say I always wanted more from it. What I mean to say is, if you're going to commute everyday and it's a pretty long way, why not make it the best ride you can have? People drive powerful cars on the motorway and they can't even get to 30km/h most mornings and afternoons (at least on the centenary motorway!) so what's wrong with using the good bike; a nice car costs a looooot more and people don't hesitate taking it to work. Just curious.

Pretty much what I classify as my commuter bike is the one with a rack so I can use panniers.

However, I understand what your saying, I ride my road bike every chance I get. I'll pretty much organise to carry everything I need for the week on one day with my "commuter" which means Ill ride my road bike every other day. Usually Ill just ride my road bike and carry a small backpack with my lunch in it (maybe wet weather clothes as well).

Only exception is if it is very heavily raining and riding the road bike just would not be any better anyway, then Ill ride my commuter. Or if I am doing something which will require me to park my bike outside/in public unattended then Ill ride the commuter.

[GraemeL]

We were commuting on a MTB, the wife and I then decided we wanted something a little faster and easier to ride. We were looking at a flat bar, but sort of got pushed persuaded into a roadie. I am glad we did, but the little lady isn't, being 50+ I thought it would take ages and we would have problems adjusting, but so far so good it will take time to get used to them.

Anyway we commute to work 4 days a week and not having lugs we can't have panniers but I bought a couple of Carradice Barley bags to carry the stuff, anything bigger gets transported on the Monday.
I really enjoy riding this bike, when I first got it I thought it was going to be a real pain, because I felt every bump in the road, but I am getting used to it now and still learning how to ride it properly.





Graeme

[maDKient]

Having a breather on the Anzac Bridge.



Self portrait dear friend shot!

[maDKient]

^^^ dear friend was not what I wrote ^^^

[Aushiker]

^^^ dear friend was not what I wrote ^^^

You can edit your own posts.

Andrew

[Aushiker]

Anyway we commute to work 4 days a week and not having lugs we can't have panniers but I bought a couple of Carradice Barley bags to carry the stuff, anything bigger gets transported on the Monday.

How are you finding the Barley bag? I am waiting for one from Wiggle but it seems that they are hard to come by ... looking at mid-May at this point.

Andrew

[Crowella]

Hello all. Recently purchased a Specialised Sirrus. Still needs panniers for the commute but none the less, here she is Decided it was woth getting involved in bikes since I was commuting by bike to the train station and then cycling from my arrival station to Uni to save time and money.

Also gives me some good fun riding for fitness

[wookie661]

while your at it with the panniers, ditch the pedals quick and get some mtb shoes and pedals.

that way you can still walk in them comfortably and they work a treat.

[Nobody]

while your at it with the panniers, ditch the pedals quick and get some mtb shoes and pedals.

that way you can still walk in them comfortably and they work a treat.

I was going to say the same thing only maybe change to studded MTB/BMX flats. The pedals you have will slip and/or roll under your foot when you hit an unexpected bump. You could also get some clips & straps or "street straps" for the other pedals. There are many options out there, just change to anything but what you have.

[GraemeL]

How are you finding the Barley bag? I am waiting for one from Wiggle but it seems that they are hard to come by ... looking at mid-May at this point.

Andrew

We bought ours direct from Carradice, it took 10 days to get here. The bag is very well made, we also bought the Bagman QR support. I didn't want to have the bag attached to the saddle loops because it would swing around, you have a tie that attaches to the seat post but the bag will be pulled in on an angle and I was worried about it hitting my legs.

The Bagman support works well but it could have been designed a bit better. It uses a clamp that clamps onto the seat rails but is it too narrow and it has to be fitted to the narrow part of the seat, this doesn't leave any room to adjust your seat backwards or forwards. The fitting clamp should have been designed to fit the rear of the seat rails where it is at it's widest, this would allow for full seat adjustment. I am thinking about having a clamp custom made because I had to alter my seat slightly and it is annoying me.

I find it just the right size and can fit quite a bit of stuff in it.

Graeme

[Crowella]

Good idea. Little strapped for money at the moment but I have considered something tin regards to pedals/shoes. Slipping sucks as I discovered yesterday in the rain

[wookie661]

when money is your friend again, check out cellbikes.com

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-M32 ... ike-Pedals

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-PD- ... ike-Pedals

I have both pairs, the first on my road bike and the second on my hybrid/commuter.

My shoes are
http://www.cellbikes.com.au/M077-SPD-Sh ... ike-Riding

So if you buy the shoes and the second pair of pedals they are 129.

Thats what i got and they are a treat.

[jasonc]

when money is your friend again, check out cellbikes.com

get these instead. if you go for a quick trip down the shops you can without wearing your cycling shoes

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-A53 ... ter-Riders

[wookie661]

when money is your friend again, check out cellbikes.com

get these instead. if you go for a quick trip down the shops you can without wearing your cycling shoes

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-A53 ... ter-Riders

They are fine, although the first pair i posted are single sided. And cheaper too.

They look a treat on a flatbar bike, with the polished cage.

[casual_cyclist]

I found it interesting to read lots of people have a commuter and a non-commuter bike, the commuter bike being a kind of hard duty one and the good one a weekend ride but I was wondering what's wrong with using your 'good bike' to go to work? I do, and although have a crapier roadie and a mtb, I really don't enjoy riding them as much as I enjoy riding my newer addition. I do ride them if it rains or I feel like making an effort that day. I was just curious because people don't usually have two cars, the commuting and the weekend car (unless you're a tradie and you have a van with signs on it). When I got my first road bike I was asked what I wanted it for, I said to commute. As it was my first road bike, it was fair to sell me a cheap bike. But saying that, as I got into it, I wasn't very happy with it either. I still love that bike and use it to remind me how nice my new bike is, but have to say I always wanted more from it. What I mean to say is, if you're going to commute everyday and it's a pretty long way, why not make it the best ride you can have? People drive powerful cars on the motorway and they can't even get to 30km/h most mornings and afternoons (at least on the centenary motorway!) so what's wrong with using the good bike; a nice car costs a looooot more and people don't hesitate taking it to work. Just curious.

I have a number of bikes because if one breaks down I don't want to be stuck without a bike. I don't have a number of cars because if my car breaks down, I will always have a working bike and I mostly ride. I don't necessarily ride my "worst" bike to work but since it's only a short ride (<9km) I have more options than for a long ride. For example, I have fun riding a MTB with full off-road tyres to work but I wouldn't ride the same bike for a 100km ride.

FWIW my car broke down a couple of weeks ago and I still haven't booked it in for repairs. Having no working bike would inconvenience me more than having no working car.

[lang]

My commuter now:

[vaeske]

my current ride since 2 weeks ago. I found it at Salvo's Red Hill for AUD$5. Got a mechanic at my LBS to rebuild it using as much old parts as I could salvage. $270 later. here it is. rides like a dream. I love this bike.