Wanna talk about commuting by bike?

[gurp13]

I've recently decided I really want to get into this. I'm even looking into getting a bike to ride specifically for commuting. Currently I'm riding a 1993 Trek 830 Mountain Track. It's got a rigid, steel frame, which is nice. But, it's a 19" and a bit too small for me. I need to put some slicks on it, too. I've been looking at some touring bikes. The Trek 520 or the Specialized Sequoia look nice. I like the Sequoia because of the price more than anything. If money was no object I'd buy an Atlantis (through Rivendell Bike Works).

I'm also looking at used bikes. Any suggestions on good places to look for a used touring or commuter bike?

 

[Pain Freak]

Roadbikereview.com

Glen,
I bought a couple road bikes from ebay and got a great deal on both bikes. One I ended up selling for more then what I paid for it, two years and 8,000 miles later. 19" I believe is for someone close to if not 6' tall, I believe. I could be wrong on this though. I have a graph I downloaded from somewhere and I never checked to make sure it was accurate.

 

[gurp13]

Okay, I might be wrong on the sizing now. I did look to see that I should probably get a 51cm bike. I don't know the conversion. Whatever. I'd ride a few more first. My Stumpy is a medium and sometimes I think it's small for me, too.

I'll look at ebay. Think there might be good deals on any closeout models at the LBS's? Since it's a commuter/touring bike I'm not looking for the "latest and greatest" technology on it. Heck, the simpler the better for that bike.

 

[Innes]

I don't know how much the 520 is, but look into bikesdirect.com. I picked up a track bike there last summer and got an awesome deal.

 

[roadkillross]

hmm one of those bikes that has no spokes and goe really fast??

 

[EndoMaster]

With a roadbike fit is really important, make sure you ride as many as you can. The good or bad thing about road bikes is that they come in more frame size increments so you can really dial in the fit, or get more confused with bike fitting.

I recently bought a road bike and learned an expensive lesson because i didnt go with my gut instinct. So to reiterate, buy what feels good and not what a shop says "looks" good.

 

[ShinKen]

With a roadbike fit is really important, make sure you ride as many as you can. The good or bad thing about road bikes is that they come in more frame size increments so you can really dial in the fit, or get more confused with bike fitting.

I recently bought a road bike and learned an expensive lesson because i didnt go with my gut instinct. So to reiterate, buy what feels good and not what a shop says "looks" good.

dood~~ are u ever cumming back to the dirt? whattaa heck is it with this roady crap?:lol:

 

[dirttorpeedo]

Hey Endo...

With a roadbike fit is really important, make sure you ride as many as you can. The good or bad thing about road bikes is that they come in more frame size increments so you can really dial in the fit, or get more confused with bike fitting.

I recently bought a road bike and learned an expensive lesson because i didnt go with my gut instinct. So to reiterate, buy what feels good and not what a shop says "looks" good.

hey endomaster!!! is .....is...that a TURBO SPOKE i see on your avitar? ive got one too, those stupid things are soooo cool...where'd you get it,i'd understand if you dont wanna say in public so not to flood the trails with them......signed another turbo spoke-r....8-[

 

[gurp13]

dood~~ are u ever cumming back to the dirt? whattaa heck is it with this roady crap?:lol:

Fool, I rode San Sevaine just 6 days ago! That was 17 miles of dirt! :lol:

I'm trying to keep the car in the driveway so I can save money, kill my waistline, and have fun on the way to work! You're telling me you don't want to ride a bike to work?! It's an adventure, dood! Cars, glass, nails, and semis everywhere! And, I get to filter a bunch of weakness every ride!

I don't know how much the 520 is, but look into bikesdirect.com. I picked up a track bike there last summer and got an awesome deal.

Good advice. I'm on it!

 

[Franky]

dood~~ are u ever cumming back to the dirt? whattaa heck is it with this roady crap?:lol:

Isn't the Fully loop considered a road ride? :lol:

 

[EndoMaster]

dood~~ are u ever cumming back to the dirt? whattaa heck is it with this roady crap?:lol:

I haven't forgotten about the dirt. I just haven't had any time to ride recently, not even my road bike(I wanted to tag along with someone today on a road ride but had to work part of the day). My job has been keeping me occupied to where I've really been working crazy hours and shcedule.

hey endomaster!!! is .....is...that a TURBO SPOKE i see on your avitar? ive got one too, those stupid things are soooo cool...where'd you get it,i'd understand if you dont wanna say in public so not to flood the trails with them......signed another turbo spoke-r....8-[

No need to go private to discuss this. I'm not ashamed of my affinity for the Turbospoke :-$ I don't own one yet but I saw the link posted on this board and liked it. I plan on buying one to stick on my Mongoose; S.Jackson won't know what chased him down on the Loop.

 

[dirttorpeedo]

ooohhhhhh...

No need to go private to discuss this. I'm not ashamed of my affinity for the Turbospoke :-$ I don't own one yet but I saw the link posted on this board and liked it. I plan on buying one to stick on my Mongoose; S.Jackson won't know what chased him down on the Loop.[/quote]


you can get them at turbospoke.com i officially dont know hoo sells them in america.a friend gave to me the one ive got,he got it from the interbike show in vegas. \\/

 

[gurp13]

And, getting back on topic...

I've been commuting this week. I missed today because I had a killer migraine headache yesterday and went to sleep at 6pm or so. I forgot to set my alarm and awoke about 1/2 hour before work. Ooops! So, I had to quickly get ready and get to my classroom. Otherwise, I've gone every day. It's gettting easier. I just have to develop my routine. Been ironing my shirt the night before and I also filled the camelbak halfway with ice to help me stay cool on the way home.

The other day, Monday, I think, I was about 1/4 mile from home or so, and caught a breeze that made me go, "Damn, that's cool. No, that's cold." I had goosebumps. In 105 degree weather. Can you say heat illness?

I ordered fenders (Planet Bike Freddy Fenders) and some semi-slicks (Continental's Town and Country). That should help my commute a bit. My knobbies were throwing up gravel and water. I keep getting grit on my face.

Oh, and here's a funny story. I was riding through a neighborhood on my way home, pulling about 14.5 mph uphill (a very slight grade). And, it was hawt! So, I see a kid just ahead come out of his driveway on a BMXer and pull a wheelie for a couple pedal turns. From the yard, as I pass, I hear, "Hey, yo, race that fool!" I smiled and spun a little harder. 15mph. Not fast but too fast for you on your BMXer from Walmart, punk! :bang:

 

[gurp13]

Oh, you need some bike porn...

Well, it's porn if you're a Fred.

Personally, I'm proud of how Fred my commuter is looking. I have a reflector on the front tire, but not the back. My trunk and panniers are honky-tonk badonkadonkalicious. But, the piece de resistance has to be my fenders from Planet Bike. Or, the black ring-a-lang bell on the handlebars. That's good, too. So, there you go. My Trek 830 commuter bike. I bought the bike back in 1991 to ride on the dirt, and now it's reborn. If only I hand some flame stickers to put on the front fender...

View attachment 1072

View attachment 1073

 

[Pain Freak]

Glen I got nuthin with the attachment. And I wanna see the bike!!!

 

[Skeeter]

Fix that attachment, I'm dying to see this rig

 

[Jordansrealm]

me too!

 

[dirttorpeedo]

glen ive got a cannondale v-800 f/s as my fav. for commuting.rain or shine the old dog keeps coming back,even with the EXAGE rear derailr.yes exage,from my 1st mtb.hey been cut off yet? some fun eh?

 

[gurp13]

Dirty, you should post some pics, too.

Here's the attachments I tried to post.

The bike is basically all original. I did some more research and I guess it's a 1994 model. I thought it was older. The drivetrain is all Shimano stuff. Alivio Deore, I guess. I think the chain is SRAM, though, oddly. I'm getting a new seat tomorrow, a WTB Speed V Sport mainly though because I hate sitting on a gel and I think it looks stupid. I was ignorant when I bought it. I also put those little bar ends on there, but I hate them and want some real ones that go forward and curve in. Or, I'm thinking about getting trekking handlebars. I'll see. I also want to replace the pedals. They're currently some kind of plastic platforms. Might go clipless. We'll see.

In a stroke of luck, it drizzled on my morning commute so I got to put those fenders to good use. They work, but they didn't keep the street grime off my socks which I had to wear dirty and wet at work yesterday. I learned, though, that I should bring a pair of socks to ride and another to work in. Good lesson.

 

[Skeeter]

Gurp thats a PIMP rig, have fun commuting. I think you need to add a basket on the handlebars to finish off the look