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. 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