Road Bike as Commuter Bike?

[VeganBikeChick]

I'm a newbie road cyclist, but rode a commuter bike for 6 months prior to having my road bike, when living overseas. I purchased my road bike because after moving back, I wanted something with a lot of granny gears to get up the steep hills on my way to work. However, I need it to function as both a commuter bike and a touring bike. Has anyone done this with their bike?

Ideally, I should have 2 bikes, one for commuting, and one for touring, but the budget only allows for the single bike I have. I want to outfit my road bike with fenders and possibly a rear rack for panniers, but I want to have the versatility to take it on group rides as well. Is it going to be a total PITA to have to remove the rear rack/fenders every time I want to use it for non-commuting purposes? I don't intend to ride in races (at this point) but I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb in group rides with my fenders and rear rack.

Edited to add that I sold my commuter bike while I was overseas so I no longer have that bike

Any advice appreciated.

[Tri Girl]

my road bike is my commuter bike. It's a 90's steel Bianchi. It has a rack and fenders. I also use it to do group rides and short tours.
IMO, it would be a PITA to take all that stuff off when you want to ride fast. I mean, I guess you could get a seatpost rack (but that won't hold much weight at all) and ez clip on/off fenders (but they won't allow for full coverage if that's important).
You can make modifications to make it suitable for both for sure. I ride it with the empty rack and fenders when I go on group rides. I don't care about the extra weight- it doesn't bother me. I always feel much faster when I don't have the panniers on the bike- I *feel* like I'm flying- even if I'm not.

[Biciclista]

my road bike is my commuter bike too. complete with fenders, a rack and lights.
oh you're in Seattle too! try to get the fattest tires that will fit on your bike, that will help.

[kfergos]

You won't stick out, especially in Seattle. Every group ride I do, somebody brings a bike with fenders and rack. Plus, REI's website specifically mentions how your make of bike was designed to accommodate commuting accouterments. I'd say go for it -- you'll be in good company and doing recreational rides on a commuter bike will (a) impress people; and (b) build your strength. Good luck!

[jordanpattern]

I'd been planning to use my road bike as a commuter indefinitely (I use it to commute now), but after looking on craigslist and seeing a bunch of totally serviceable old road bikes for under $200, I'm thinking I'll just buy a beater/commuter for riding to work. I realized I don't want or need to put all that wear and tear on my nice bike, and I can afford a couple hundred bucks to avoid it.

[Velocivixen]

Arkel has a quick attachable rack for panniers called the Arkel Randonneur Rack, which looks really cool. If you go to their website there's a short video showing how it (rack) hooks on/off the bike. It might be your solution.

[szsz]

totally serviceable old road bikes for under $200, I'm thinking I'll just buy a beater/commuter for riding to work. I realized I don't want or need to put all that wear and tear on my nice bike, and I can afford a couple hundred bucks to avoid it.

Exactly! I have my 20+ year-old hard tail outfitted for around town. It's the bike I use when we go out to eat or to street fairs or the grocery. I have the tires filled with slime so that I don't have to worry about flats. It's slow and heavy with streamers and a neon rack -- people see me. It's an old steel workhorse and it is the one I would grab if there was an emergency. Peace of mind bike. I don't love riding it but I love that it is part of the stable.

Sorry, off-topic!

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For another bike that I may use to commute short distances I am hoping to be able to find a small basket that is easily attached and removed from the front bars. Anyone ever seen such a thing?

[Sky King]

Ditto for the road bike/commuter Bike

At first I was a little self conscious with my fenders and racks but not anymore. The groups I ride with are not racers but just people who enjoy a group ride now and then and I have zero issues with staying with the group. I suppose I could stay in with a group riding faster (20 mph plus) but just isn't my thing.

I ride a Rivendell Bleriot with Gilles Berthoud Fenders and Saddle plus a Nitto Front Rack and a two Zimbale Canvas Bags. I can ride for miles and miles and still have a smile on my face at days end. Here is a photo of SKY

Encourage you to not stress about it and just have fun.