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Yeah I've since taken the wedge off... it was a problem. My seat is too low to be able to put it on properly. But she's a Specialized Dolce; found out at my fitting on Tuesday that the reason why I liked the bike so much is because it fit me perfectly as is!
Glad she's a great fit - that's everything. I've been using a bento box plus stuff dumped in a pannier on my bike with a rack. I want the arkel tailrider, but haven't splurged yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by hipersons
CA
What size is she? :D There's one on sale at my LBS I've been drooling over....I wish I had a bigger bike budget! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by hipersons
hipersons,
To carry extra stuff have you considered panniers off the rear rack? Or:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14883
These available on TE could install on another bottle cage and carry at least as much as an under seat bag.
Sweet bike!! Welcome to TE :)
Thanks for the welcome! My bike is a 48cm, and for some reason my LBS (Wheelworks, for those in the know) sells them for way less than anyone else in the area.
The cage rocket is a neat idea, I might just look into that option. I have definitely though about getting panniers, but I've already surpassed the budget I set for myself for 'extras'. My birthday is in a few months... so it's going on the list. I think I want an Ortlieb, heard great things about them. For my first ride yesterday, I used my favorite messenger bag, and it definitely didn't work out. It kept sliding to my front and interrupting my pedaling motion.
I just can't resist...how tall are you? :) I want to try a Specialized 48cm but it is not in my budget at this time :p
OMG, I would kill for a DD!!! I grew up in New England and the last 3.5 years of living in the birthplace of Krispy Kreme was pure torture (NC)!! I had NO DD's around and a KK on every corner. :eek: Then I move to the Portland area and the closest DD is 43 miles away! :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by Beane
Starbucks sucks. At least I've got a Peet's within biking distance. :)
hipersons - can you get a very small wedge to put under the seat in front of the rack? That's how I have a wedge on my classic and it works to hold emergency stuff that you don't need easy access to all the time (spare tube, tire levers, etc).
Edited to add: you can see it in the photo of my commuter on page one of this thread...
I'm 5'2" and I've been told I have a well proportioned body structure i.e. my legs don't look long but don't look short on me. My inseam is about 29".
The only reason why I got a wedge in the first place was because I thought it would be a good solution to hold my tools and tubes, and I can barely fit what I want in there now, so I don't think a smaller one would work out too well. Thanks for the tip, though. :)
That said, I have thought about attaching the one that I have to the upward part of my rack right below my seat. I'll have to try that when I get home tonight.
Will your wedge fit inbetween the seat post and the rack supports if you velcro the front end to the seatpost and the rear end to the rack itself? Maybe a bungee to hold the back end into that nice space?
I don't like using messenger bags either but I've figured out that the key to not having it slide out front if you don't have one of those extra straps around it is too make sure the long strap is short so that the bag sits high on your back and is close to your body. It took me some adjustments but I finally figured it out. HTH!Quote:
Originally Posted by hipersons
The very first coffee I ever drank was in college. 1999. Starbucks. I never had coffee before, a latte with two sugars. Ahhhh...so that's my staple. That or a capp. I make my own at home, but I loved going to one of the 5 'bucks in S. Lake Tahoe, I think it's a morning tradition because the baristas are so chipper. No wonder, they probably slip a shot of the crackbucks every once in a while. DD is amazing. All over the place. There is a 'bucks in Plymouth.
Wheelworks! AH! I went there during the SUPER sale and I got scared out of there. I did 'order' a bike but I need to get my cash back, because I bought something else. I did note they had a great selection on everything else, but they were just way too busy. AND they had some really good deals 'round the corner on used bikes. I didn't get a really good bike guy either, he didn't know the bikes that well :( I like the one I have down here (pre cape) for tuneups and I ride with them, but they don't have much of a selection. I guess thems the breaks.
And messenger bags. I laughed when I saw that one. I tried one out that I had brought out on the plane from Calif and I went to do that 'sling it to the other side' and there I went. Into the ditch. I think I'll stick to the backpack. I'm just not that coordinated :( Pretty bike Hiperson! almost tempts me to take a ride up to wheelworks and see what they got. I'm around 5 ft 3 ...no I must resist. I have 5 bikes in this house right now and other scattered around the USA. Oh my. Do I have a problem?:D
So....what do you use to make you cappuccino or lattes at home (when you do)? Inquiring minds have exploded many machines in the kitchen and had many rather spectacular failures:)
CA
MDHillSlug and GLC1968, this is exactly what worked, only I had turn it sideways. Hurray!
omg that was my biggest fear!Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeDirtGirl
Wheelworks is great, but you definitely have to hit it at not busy time. IE not the weekends, especially on a sunny day. I tend to go weeknights. The same goes for the sales people. During my quest I must have talked to about 10 people there, all with a varying range of knowledge.
Good luck on that bike addiction. I hear it's contagious.
great looking bike. Also I can't face any class without 16 oz of caffeine.Quote:
Originally Posted by uforgot
quick question: how short is your stem?
haha I have some friends that I have to bring some DD to every time I go home.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beane
Ya, I only have a 6 mile commute to work so it's perfect for pre-training for my tri's.Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
I'm from WA and now live in MA, and the DD phenomenon has puzzled me since I moved here: They call it Dunkin Donuts, but they sell like 100 cups of coffee for every donut they sell.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
What is so great about DD coffee? Why do people think it's better than Starbucks? (I don't drink coffee at all, but this is a matter of curiosity, since Seattleites seem to think Starbucks is the epitome of the coffee experience.)
I don't drink coffee much (it doesn't agree with me). But...many people say that Starbucks effectively burns their beans, and that this makes their coffee bitter.
I see the DD coffee as good, relatively smooth, plain coffee.
CA
In Tahoe I have a Saeco super automatic or something like that, it's all automated but it gets stuck once in a while. In Mass I just use a Keurig, which makes regular coffee. I had a Krups. I blew it up. The Saeco was kinda pricey. But I saved up for a year. And bought it I did! I'm too afraid to ship it out tho. I whip my milk with this frother thing I got from IKEA. It's just a little beater thing but it works well.
I think the burnt bean thing might be from some of the baristas that make the shots too strong. I had one that was horrible. I turned around and gave it back to them. I like Peets too, but there are none here.
I think I got used to it being strong tho. So going to DD is a weakness, bc who can't leave without a munchkin in their pocket?
Yes, the ditch and the messenger bag. I didn't see it coming at all.
Was going to go for the big commute to work but there is the threat of rain. I'm not into rain gear. I'm in the market for a rain jacket but not sure which. I have a flimsy windbreaker that is mostly good for color, but not sure what to do for rain.
OK, haven't really been following this thread, but re, the DD thing in MA. Yea, people here think it's a coffee place. I'm a native who lived in the SW and FL for a good portion of her adult life. Been back 18 years on June 6th. I hate DD. The coffee is OK, but their ads make me angry. Like people who speak Italian are "snobby" (the ad making fun of ordering Starbucks type drinks). I just don't care for all the leering construction workers who tend to be in there at 6:30 AM.
There are Starbucks in MA. Where are you? There's one in Concord, one in Acton, and in quite a few of the towns in the NW suburbs. I don't usually go there, because I patronize small, independent coffee places where they know me. There are a lot of those around here.
In high school I used to cut class, hike through the woods to go to "Dunkies."
On Long Island we had Dunkin Donuts. No Krispy Kreme. I left before Starbuck came along. DD was where we went for doughnuts! I was rather amazed when people started talking about how good their coffee is. I'm not sure I've ever tried it.
I read that asking for your latte "extra hot" also contributes to the "burnt" taste for the next customer.
Here is my new commuter- Hilda. The KHS stands for Keep Hilda Spinning. :D Right now she is a little Frankenbiked since she stole my Cannondale's front wheel. The stock front wheel is rubbing the fork and I didn't have time to fidget with it.
I am lucky enough to have a large back cubicle to keep my bike in. Our bike racks are in a dark corner of the parking garage, no place for the newest member of our bike family.
Agreed. But I think they put crack in it so that even though its not super flavorful, you must have more, more, MORE!Quote:
Originally Posted by CA_in_NC
My mom is coming to visit from RI in a few days and we will definitely be requesting that she bring some coffee and donuts. It can't be that big a pain to shlep a dozen donuts across the country...Quote:
Originally Posted by madscot13
My friend is studying in Florida. His dad buys the donuts, puts them in foodsaver bags, and ships them down there. I hear the honey dipped ones loose their texture completely, but the taste is still delicious!
It's not the barista that makes Starbucks coffee so 'burnt' tasting...because their espresso drinks are usually fine. It's the actual coffee (the drip stuff) that's gross. I've gotten it as a gift, and it's just as gross when I make it at home.
DD coffee is just plain old smooth coffee. It's got a good flavor, but it's nothing fancy at all. Perfect for those days that you really do need your coffee by your side all day long. :o It also makes AWESOME iced coffee. Plus, their donuts are WAY better than Krispy Kreme. KK's are too sweet and greasy for my tastes.
my bike is the second from the left; orange.
This is the bike rack i had installed last year at my office. It's full now
http://www.sersale.org/bike/bikerack.jpg
Mimi, That rack is a terrific idea. And full!
What kind of rack is that? It doesn't look like the bikes are locked in place; is that true?
Oh!! What a fun thread!
Here's a picture of mine. The furthest I have to go is 7 miles and that's only sometimes. Otherwise, most of my riding consists of 2ish miles to the gym and back. I recently got the basket for those trips to the store when I run out of milk, etc. That store's near the gym. Also, there is a Subway restaurant almost exactly a mile from me. I LOVE living close to stuff!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/commbk_l.jpg
THAT is about the coolest thing EVER!Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
most of the bikes are not locked because our building is secure. but if you look carefully there is a double bar next to each bike which you can lock it to.Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
Yes, the rack IS full, and it's all commuters, some coming from over 30 miles away.
here's a link showing this bike rack system:
http://www.bikeparking.com/vertirack/index.html
Those racks are really cool. I think it's awesome that they're filled up. (It almost looks like an art exhibit. :) )
Ladyrunner, your bike looks like so much fun to ride. Love the basket!
Wow! That's impressive! Is that all biking, or a hybrid commute?Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
All biking. the guys who are taking buses and biking I would never include in a description of a "30 mile commute"Quote:
Originally Posted by CA_in_NC
the guys putting in the miles are on a winning team for the cascade bike to work month challenge.
then there's me with my 4 miles each way.. :D I have the shortest commute of all of them.
and it is a work of art! second from left, custom Davidson, furthest right, De Rosa, third from right, a Marinoni.
It's a terrible picture (taken with my phone), but here's my workhorse. I use it for all my errands (grocery shopping, library, pharmacy, etc), and I've commuted on it before, and will do more in the fall. This is also my touring bike that I'll do some touring on this summer. It's kind of an all purpose ride, and I LOVE it! :D I've put some silly stickers on it to hopefully deter theives since it's definitely not shiny and new (although it performs like a brand new bike). Best $40 I ever spent. :)
Mimitabby, that is AWESOME!!! Nice work!
It reminded me of the Coolest Office Ever and what they did with their bike storage room. :D
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1128/...52875f5e73.jpg
-- gnat! (If I can't have that room, how about the one with the octopus couch, then?)
Mimi if you were trying to make me jealous it worked!!!! I love that rack. I love the fact you have a rack indoors that you can put your bikes in. I wonder if other places are going to catch on. The place I am consulting at right now was 'contemplating' showers for their renovation but it got canned. Oh please. A cubicle size shower room. What could it hurt? There is a guy that used to run at lunch. He would shower in the woods with a 'camp shower'. No. We won't be doing that.
No, you don't don't drink the drip coffee at crackbuks. Only the latte or capp for me. Beyond that it turns into Dairy Queen with all the whipped stuff and syrup.
You know what cracks me up? People that think there are no calories in that stuff. I was reading this one website where this woman said "I had no idea it had 600 calories" about one of the whipped cream extravaganzas. Uh. Whipped Cream. Caramel? No? hahaha...
I just can't deal with DD because when I go in there I want to give all those lonely donuts a home. SOOO LONELY.
Can't you get the coffee in the store? They sell DD coffee in some of the grocery stores out west, I believe I saw it in Safeway. There is are not many DD out west. I think there's like 10 in CA!
And where can I find a cup holder for my bike? Seriously, there was a guy at a bikeshop in Tahoe that had one. Now I have a need. And a hamburger bell.
We do have the coffee in a few stores here, but its not the same. Maybe its the styrofoam cups (i know, horrible for the planet) or maybe the crack they put in, but ya hafta get the stuff from a DD.Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeDirtGirl
I'm sooo sad I don't have my newest commuter built up yet. She's a sexxxy steel dark green Soma double cross and will have moustache bars, brooks saddle, drive train from my old univega carbolite... I will bump this thread and post a pic when she's alive. For now I ride a trek 7.5fx disc (aka the cop bike). she gets the job done.