creating a commuter bike

[rubysoho]

I have one bike, a 2008 Ruby Elite, and with the spike in gas I'm looking at commuting this summer... and probably keep doing it after that because I just figured out I can cut my gas bill in half each month! Buuuut... I'd prefer to have more substantial tires because of some of the roads I need to travel (lots of loose gravel, potholes, etc... not to mention all entrances to my work place are only heavy gravel) along with needing baskets/somewhere to put clothes and food. Shiny/attention getting safety stuff on the bike... etc...

Is there a tire that would fit my RE? Or is this a good excuse to buy a different bike? ;) I've been wanting to hit some of the wooded trails nearby my house anyway...

I'll be making the trip with my Ruby soon - but will be planning ahead to have what I need at work. However if this becomes the norm I'd want to either outfit my Ruby or look at potentially getting a different bike. The more I think about commuting to work the more it seems like a fantastic idea.

So... the options:

1. Outfit the Ruby (cost?)
2. Buy a second bike (preferrably used)

[Blueberry]

I vote for buy a second bike (says the person with 11 bikes in a 2 person home).

Why?

Commute miles can be hard on a bike. You'll have to do a lot of fiddling to get things just right on your Ruby and you'll be making her do things she wasn't really designed for.

Some changes will be hard to take off for a fast weekend ride.

No matter what you do, your carrying capacity/tire size is limited. I'd recommend 32's for the commute you describe, and I bet you can't fit more than a 25 or 28 on your Ruby.

Theft - how secure is your workplace.

New bikes are fun:)

Lots of good commute options:

Surly LHT or Cross Check (steel, take racks, take wide tires, can be found used)
Folding Bike (Bike Friday, Dahon, etc. - lots of options, a wide variety of prices - may be able to come inside with you and gets you a travel bike option).
Jamis - some nice touring bike options

Depending on the length of your commute - maybe a mountain bike/hybrid?

[rubysoho]

commute is about 24 miles, round trip. I'd love to have a multi-purpose bike that could hit some trails that the Ruby can't go on. I originally thought about outfitting her like a cx bike - I'd need to change at least the fork and brakes to accomodate that. So if it takes $500 to outfit the Ruby then I'd think I would rather buy a cheaper "utility" bike.

[Blueberry]

If that's the case, I'd definitely go with a new/new-used bike. With a 24 mile round trip - I'd definitely be looking for drop bars - but others have a lot more tolerance for flat bars than I do.

[Chicken Little]

New bike. Better yet, well used, but new to you, bike.
I don't think you'll be able to fiddle enough with the RE to make it usable.

[Jo-n-NY]

I have a 07 Ruby Pro and now that early mornings are lighter I also plan to commute to the train station. I will not use my Ruby as I never lock her up. Even in the nicest areas here I am so afraid of some kids that have nothing better to do vandalizing her and the train station seems to be the place to ride and do tricks on skateboards.

I am just about done in making some changes to my mtn bike (smooth tires, rack etc.) to use to commute. I have been running errands on it. I now just need a kick stand as I don't even plan to leave this bike at the station, but down the street in "the town" where there are stores so I can lock it up to a lamp post since my town of Bellmore doesn't even have bike racks.:eek: I feel parked in front of little quaint shops there is less of a chance of someone doing something to it.

To answer your question, I would get a 2nd bike. If I find commuting/errands by bike is working for me, I will eventually invest in a lighter bike.

~ JoAnn

[Tri Girl]

I would say a new bike- dedicated as a commuter or other "adventure" bike.
Like Blueberry said: you'll be asking the Ruby to do things she wasn't designed for.

I found a steel Bianchi Eros frame on eBay for less than $100 and built it up myself as a commuter. Stronger rims, wider tires, rack, fenders, drivetrain, lights, etc. I spent a little less than $700 building my tank. I LOVE it! Although it's heavier than my other bikes, I get good mileage on it, and it's rugged and durable and can take the abuse.
Now when I get on my 18 lb tri bike, I feel like I'm FLYING! :)

Never a bad thing to get another bike... (says one of the enablers).:)

[rubysoho]

Jo-n-NY, would you use your Ruby if you didn't have to lock/leave her? I'm lucky in that my bike can come inside with me.

[rubysoho]

would something like this be good? (thinking used)

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/11_codaf_gn.html

[radacrider]

As others have said, a second bike, that way, when ready, you can just jump on the nice, fast bike and go, rather than undo for fast riding, redo for commuting. I have two bikes, my fast road bike and my, what I call, SUB. It started life as a mountain bike, but I never really took it off road. For being heavier, it rides fast and is fun. Here's some pics if you want ideas on possibilities. http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeheelgirl/sets/72157626439068685/

[eofelis]

I'm with Blueberry, go with a second bike.

I just today did the first ride to work on my new back-up commuter bike. It's an old Novara Randonee frame that I had built up with drop bars. I'm getting pretty serious about bike commuting and having a back-up commuter bike will be handy. Plus it's fun having a whole herd of bikes! I'm up to 6 now!

I also have a Ruby too, a 2007. I may ride it to work in the summer for fun occasionally, but it's mostly a road ride machine.

If you know your size well and can do some assembly work bikesdirect sells some good bikes that would be great commuters. People talk about them on other forums. The Windsor touring bike looks interesting and I think it's only around $600.

[Tri Girl]

If you know your size well and can do some assembly work bikesdirect sells some good bikes that would be great commuters. People talk about them on other forums. The Windsor touring bike looks interesting and I think it's only around $600.

+1 on bikesdirect. I've had two friends order bikes from them and they've been GREAT! The bikes are fantastic and VERY reasonable!

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_sprint_disc.htm

I've had my eye on this Motobecane Cafe Sprint for commuting. It has disc brakes (great for touring and commuting in the rain), and has all the eylets you need for fenders, racks, etc. Throw some drop bars on there or keep the flat bars. AND it's only $600. I'm berry, berry tempted...

[rubysoho]

I am glad to hear that bikesdirect is a reliable resource. I've been checking out their bikes for the last year or so.

I think what I will end up doing is using the Ruby, as is, temporarily as a commuter. If it works out then I definitely want to find a second bike.

Thanks for all the replies!

[Jo-n-NY]

Jo-n-NY, would you use your Ruby if you didn't have to lock/leave her? I'm lucky in that my bike can come inside with me.

To work, YES, absolutely. If the company stayed on LI instead of moving to Manhattan I would have had a lovely commute on her to work as I would use a little back pack to carry my lunch and book. <sigh>

[redrhodie]

would something like this be good? (thinking used)

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/11_codaf_gn.html

Yes. I think several of our members use that bike as their commuter.

Edit, I commute mostly on my road bikes. I have a cross bike with a rack and disc brakes that I use when it's wet, or I need to carry stuff, but if it's nice out, I'm on a road bike. I keep a lot of stuff, clothes and food, at work, so I often don't have to bring anything. I also have a small handlebar bag that's big enough for lunch.

[Geonz]

Whilst I think in general humans consume too much, a second dedicated commuter bike will mean you consume less in the long run - especially since it will mean if one bike is unridable for some reason, you've got a backup.
I've got an SUB of my own and was really afraid I'd get buyer's remorse ... instead, I ended up selling my car.
http://probicycle.com/uticyclist/sj_xtracycle_s.jpg

Since then, Trek's come out with a rather nifty Transport -- yes, the price tag challenges the "oh, get a beater and just ride it" -- but a well designed utilitarian bike really *is* useful and does the stuff that it's hard to do on a "regular" bike.
http://bicyclecenter.biz/images/library/large/gf_trans_11_m.jpg

[OakLeaf]

For a commute that long, you really don't want to have to deal with a backpack, and that means you want luggage ... and that means you need a new (-to-you, at least) bike with a metal frame. :)

I'm in a very similar boat right now. I may just spring for that commuter this year...

[Tri Girl]

that Trek Transport is SAWEET!!!! Oh my, I think I'm in love...

[Kitsune06]

How does the Trek Transport compare to the Surly Big Dummy and the Kona Ute?