A plethora of silly newb questions!

[steinspinne]

Hey guys! A few months back some of you may remember me posting in the Gen. Forums about my little red Dawes being stolen. Sadly, it was never recovered. But on the plus side, it gave me an excuse to buy a new bike! The BF and I took a couple of days driving around the metroplex to different bike shops and it was like electricity when I first laid eyes on my Marin Kentfield. Beautiful little hybrid, rides smooth as silk, and my first experience with trigger shifters. I'm still fairly green, though, so I thought I would just lump all my questions into one long post instead of posting them individually.

First of all, college is starting back up next week and my bike will be my sole mode of transportation. Has anyone spent money on a nice new bike only for it to be primarily a commuter?

Next, when I had the Dawes, I experienced no tampering whatsoever. I could even leave things in the frame bag without worrying that it would be gone when I returned, and on a couple of occasions left the bike overnight. (Foolish, I know. It will never happen again.) And when the Dawes was stolen, it was not on campus, but at my old apartment complex that was right at the edge of the bad side of town. Regardless, this has made me a bit paranoid. I will be using both a cable lock and a u-lock on campus with the Marin (which is twice the protection the Dawes had.) Still, do you think this is enough? Really just looking for comfort and good student experiences on this one.

Third, I decided I wanted to give clipless pedals a try. So after reading a bit I made what I worry to be a few unorthodox decisions. I ended up buying a set of Crank Brothers Eggbeaters and a pair of Specialized Sonoma shoes (men's style.) First of all, the Eggbeaters are a mountain pedal, and I worry that they are just a little excessive for what will primarily be a commuter bike. I chose them based on reviews and the fact that almost everyone says using them is very intuitive. I'm just wondering if this was a bad decision and I should have gotten something a little more road-oriented like the Quattros or even something by Speedplay.

Do people even put clipless pedals on hybrids? Or their commuters? Or hybrids being used as commuters?

I'm really looking forward to getting some real time in on my new beauty. Just hoping to alleviate a few fears beforehand.

[divingbiker]

Has anyone spent money on a nice new bike only for it to be primarily a commuter?

Do people even put clipless pedals on hybrids? Or their commuters? Or hybrids being used as commuters?

Yes, I spent a LOT of money on my commuting bike. But my philosophy is, this is the bike that I ride every day. Why not ride a nice one? I have a secure bike room to lock it in at work, though, so theft is not a worry.

I don't have clipless pedals on my commuting bike, because I ride in traffic and must make frequent quick stops. I tried clipless when I first commuted, and promptly tipped over when a car came roaring out of a parking garage and I couldn't unclip when I stopped suddenly.

I did have clipless pedals on my hybrid before I commuted with it and before I got a road bike, when the hybrid was my only pleasure bike. So don't feel weird about putting clipless pedals on a hybrid if they will work in your commuting situation.

Have fun with the new bike, and good luck in college! Oh, to be young again...

[uk elephant]

Congrats on your new bike! Shame it had to be because of the old one getting stolen though. But that's how I got my new bike too. And I did spend a lot (in my opinion) on a nice tricross bike which I use for commuting as well as training. I have spd pedals on my bike, but originally (and as soon as I can get a new pair) I had those combination pedals with spd on one side and normal platform on the other side. Definitely the most practical for my use. I can pedal to work in normal shoes, or I can go out for a training-ride clipped in. At the moment I only have spd's which works fine too even for commuting. i just keep a pair of shoes at the office to change into when I get in.

As far as locks go, all I have is a heavy duty tripple kevlar cable lock. Goes through both wheels, the frame and the bike rack (or whatever else I'm locking the bike to). So far so good. And I do lock it up at uni that way too.

[Torrilin]

My bike is a new K2 mountain bike, and I use it as a utility bike. No clipless or clips, mostly cause I don't see the need for most of my daily riding. I may get some Powergrips eventually, but there's a lot of higher utility upgrades ahead of them on the list. There are plenty of other utility and commuter riders around here who do use clips or clipless. It does have lights and a rack, so it hits high on the dork scale. Comfy beater saddle instead of a nice one. It's also an inexpensive enough bike that I can afford to replace it if it gets stolen. Fenders are very useful and improve the dork quotient.

I use a single U-lock for parking outside. When I'm at home, the bike is stored in my apartment building's basement. There are large support poles that I can lock my bike to down there, or if I felt really paranoid, I could lock it in my storage area. A lot of tenants have bikes down there, but most of 'em don't ride much.

The city of Madison requires bike registration, so mine is registered. I've also observed that quite a few public bike racks have bikes sit for weeks without being touched. The giant spiderwebs are kind of a clue , ditto seeing the same bike in the same spot every day for weeks. If this were a higher bike theft area, I'd definitely add a second lock.

[sulis]

Congrats on the new bike.

I commute to work and have to leave the bike outside all day. I bought a higher end lock that is not as easily cut as some of the ones you buy in the box stores. Not sure where you got your locks but that is someting to consider. I also bought a lock for my saddle. The bike shop said that as strange as it is, they get many requests for new saddle posts and sadles because they are often stolen. Have no clue why someone would just want to take a sadle, but who can understand the mind of a criminal.

As for pedals, for my commuter I installed a stage/shimano combo pedal. That way I get the both of both worlds...clip in for commutes to work but use the stage for quick trips to the store or when riding the local parkway with the fam (too inconvenient to clip in and out on a busy parkway).

Happy riding.

[wiseowl]

If it is your primary mode of transpo, I see no reason why your commuter shouldn't be as nice as possible! The bike should fit the job, but should also be as comfy, well fitted, and highly functional as it can be! The Trek Portland, which is billed as a commuter-specific bike, is pretty darn nice.

I have powergrips on my utility bike because then I don't have to carry bike shoes around when I get where I am going, or I don't have to carry non-bike shoes with me when I ride. If not for that problem, though, I would definitely go with my normal spd (I don't think having "mountain" clipless on a road-style bike is a problem on the slightest, although I am not sure I would go the other way around, just out of lack of experience). But my routes have little stop and go or possibility for someone cutting me off so I have to bail.

Security is almost a non-issue around here- we have very little theft or other crime. I feel really fortunate to be here!

[mimitabby]

gee, Wiseowl, where do you live?

Sulis, what kind of lock do you have?


Steinnespin, there are no rules about what pedals should go with which bikes. If you're comfy with eggbeaters, put them on your bike. I have a custom road bike with MTB SPD's on them. so what? and fenders!

How much $$ do people spend on all terrain vehicles to drive 10 miles to work and back on a paved highway? I think your costs are well justified.


and I understand that the lock combo you using (two different kinds) is about the best you can do. make sure when you lock it that the different parts are secure (cable going through rear wheel, through frame, if you have a nice saddle, make sure the cable is going through that too)

[northstar]

I have a custom road bike with MTB SPD's on them. so what? and fenders!

How much $$ do people spend on all terrain vehicles to drive 10 miles to work and back on a paved highway? I think your costs are well justified.

I have Crankbrothers Smarty's on my road bike. Love 'em.

And ditto on the costs being justified. My brother was giving me a hard time about what I spent on my bike (which I use constantly and love) when I realized he bought a $6000 snowmobile because he needed it for a long weekend trip last year.

Hmmm...Yeah, that shut him up! (and he quickly apologized sheepishly)

But...coming from a family who has had three bikes stolen in a year if you're going gangbusters with the bike, invest in a very good locking system. And lock it up in a smart spot. Then you won't end up like us.

[bikermomma]

i too have a hybrid that I am riding around for exercise and general fun. I put clipless pedals on mine. I wouldn't have it any other way. I may not be doing races or long multi day rides, but i love being able to be more efficent with my pedaling.

[Trek420]

Yes, I spent a LOT of money on my commuting bike. But my philosophy is, this is the bike that I ride every day. Why not ride a nice one? I have a secure bike room to lock it in at work, though, so theft is not a worry.

I spent lots to paint my commuter

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=powdercoat

But then it's about 15 years old and deserved a day at the spa.

Bradley (the bike) is clipless too. I feel you can accelerate out of more trouble than you can brake into if that makes sense.

[northstar]

I ride my road bike to work, but this is Lulu, my errand/runaround town (I guess you could say commuter) bike. Hope this works. She's the sky blue one on the right.
I got her at a used bike shop (after suffering the losses of two newish bikes). Love at first sight. She is also a grown up version of my first bike, a little blue Schwinn with training wheels.

http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsume.../78ccpg23b.jpg

[Xrayted]

You may consider locking skewers. The kit usually comes with a lock for the seat post as well so it doesn't get stolen. I did this on my road bike that I use to ride to work and just about everywhere else. I use Street Cuffs as my primary lock because I'm not so worried about someone taking her wheels anymore. Also, less chance of damage of dragging a big cable lock through her spokes all the time. The U-bolts are great but I like that the cuffs have a holder that fits where one of my bottle holders were so I don't have to carry them in a backpack or hang them somewhere where they will scratch the paint off. She has enough paint missing as it is.
As for pedals, I have spds on the road bike and spd's with flats (I think Performance calls them campus pedals) so I can wear regualr shoes for just tooling around over to the store or something. There are many kinds of pedals that have the dual option. Kitsune has eggbeaters Smarties on her road bike and uses the Mallets on her mtb too. I say if you have one bike with many needs, go with a hybrid pedal that is most useful to you and pick the style (spd, eggs,...) that you are most comfy with. Don't worry about what other cyclists think about you having clipless on her, she's your bike. Do what you want.

Now, the next important step... pics for all of us who love good bike porn.

[segolene]

Egg beaters are a great choice, the advantages being that 1) yes, they are pretty intuitive, 2) very easy to unclip (side twist or straight up), 3) easy to walk (almost cannot tell you have riding shoes on), 4) mud etc...do not get stuck on your pedals/shoes (which matter for me when riding my cycloross)

Good choice and have a great time with your new bike

Seg.

[steinspinne]

Divingbiker: Wow, I've always wanted to see a Rivendell in person. The high amount of detail in craftsmanship is absolutely mindblowing.

It does have lights and a rack, so it hits high on the dork scale.

Whoever said lights and a rack were dorky? You talk about lights, rack, fenders, etc. as though they look dorky therefore make your bike less of a target. Which I could understand with the rack and fenders, but do you leave your lights on the bike? I did that once and they were stolen because of the quick release. They didn't even take the mounting brackets, just the lights. Don't know what they will figure out to do with them.

Mimitabby and Northstar: The more I read the more justified I feel in my purchases. As far as locking it up in a smart spot, it will only be outside when I am in class. At work I can leave it in the breakroom and at home it lives in the dining room. On campus there are dozens of bike racks (At least two or three at every building, the major promenades, etc.) so it's really a decision of whether I want to put it in a high traffic area (so people will notice any shifty activity) or in a place a little more secluded (so it won't be noticed in the first place.) I will probably keep it as out in the open as possible and if people see anything bad going down hopefully they will do the right thing.

Trek: Very nice with the powdercoating job. And I agree as far as accelerating out of trouble is concerned.

Xrayted: I really like the skewers idea. That would definitely make me feel better about not having the seat, pedals, etc stolen out from under me. I'll look into those.

Also to everyone thanks for alleviating my concerns with the eggbeaters. I got them in the mail yesterday and they are TINY. A lot smaller than I thought they would be. Very interesting.

Unfortunately at the moment my camera is lost to the moving gods, but as soon as we finish unpacking and find it I'll post a thread with plenty of pics.

[oxysback]

+1 on the eggbeater pedals. I have them on my bike, as well. I think another plus about them is that someone without cleats will have a hard time riding your bike away (not that that stops them from putting it in the back of a truck...but anyway).

Make sure you read the directions carefully and install your cleats for the easy clip-out option. Mine un-clip like butter! Really smooth, but they don't unclip when you don't want them to. I rode my old hybrid with spd pedals last week and really had a heck of a time with them. Glad to get back to my eggbeaters!