Commuting Bikes

[RoadRaven]

I commute on my road race bikes (a choice of two).

I would like to get a "commute" bike and pop pannier bags on it so it can carry my diary, wallet etc - I really dislike biking with a back pack on.

[DirtDiva]

You could get a seatpost-mounted rack. Or you could pick something up off Trade Me and fix it up a bit.

[Geonz]

I have two bikes for commuting; a Dutch Gazelle and the ultimate Sport Utility Bicycle:
(yes, that's me ) .

I would not want to ride somethign nice and new and leave it out, even here where I've accidentally forgotten to lock my bike a time or two, much less most places where it's just too easy to vandalize or make off wtih it (at the University here bike vandalism is rampant )

[Jenerator]

I have all sorts of good intentions to convert the old mtn bike/commuter into the ultimate SUB, but I'd probably only commute on it when I had some other hauling errand to accomplish. I'd have to lock it up outside too, as my cube is too small for the extended wheelbase....

[farrellcollie]

I use my raleigh hybrid to commute - it has lights, rack fenders and is the bike I like to use on city streets with a lot of debris and potholes. I keep it in my office. I sometimes ride my roadbike to work but only if I have nothing to carry and am not biking after dark.

[Geonz]

I have all sorts of good intentions to convert the old mtn bike/commuter into the ultimate SUB, but I'd probably only commute on it when I had some other hauling errand to accomplish. I'd have to lock it up outside too, as my cube is too small for the extended wheelbase....

are you sure? It's not *that* much longer...

[Melalvai]

My next bike will be a commuter bike. I'll keep my old one around for really nasty roads and as a backup bike.

My next bike after that will be two racing bikes--one for me and one for my husband.

My next bike after that will be a Rhoades car.

[Jenerator]

are you sure? It's not *that* much longer...

With all the other stuff I have in it, it's a small cube. Regular bike barely fits. An Xtracycle would be overkill for my commute anyway. I don't need to haul much to or from work. I'd use the xtracycle more for shopping & errands on weekends.

[Crankin]

Anyone here ride a Jamis Coda? I am thinking of getting one for commuting/errands. Right now I have a Voodoo mountain bike for commuting and it is just too heavy and slow. Actually, I only use it for errands or trips of not more than 10 miles. When I commuted to work last spring, I used my road bike and I hate riding with a backpack. I will be working at the same place temporarily this spring and I really want to commute at least one day a week. The Jamis is the only thing I can find that's woman specific and has really low gearing (I live on a big hill), and has sizes for small people.

[indigoiis]

You could get a seatpost-mounted rack. Or you could pick something up off Trade Me and fix it up a bit.

I have a seatpost rack I will not be using, brand new (well, I bought it in October) that I am willing to trade or sell for less than I got it for, not including shipping.

[lauren.warnecke]

On where you live, I guess. I use a nice bike for commuting because it's the only bike I have right now and I like to be comfortable even when commuting. You could get a crappy bike to ride and be safe and in pain, or not. If you have some place indoors near you that you can store it go for it. If not, don't. I can't stand seeing those guys rolling shopping carts of nice bikes down the road that you know they ripped off at a college campus bike rack...

[northstar]

When I commute to work out in the burbs, I take my road bike, which I keep locked up in my classroom all day.

When I commute to appointments or meetings downtown (about a 5 mile trip) I take my 1978 Schwinn Suburban. It's a 10 speed with skinny tires and fenders, and I have a rack and panniers on it.

I don't like riding with a backpack, either. LOOOVE my panniers. My next bike will likely be steel with more of a touring setup. (But I'm sure it will be too darn pretty for me to feel comfortable just locking it up downtown...the Schwinn will still have its place!)

[Trek420]

Full report here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17451

[Crankin]

I read the thread on the LHT. I had been looking at Surly, but was thinking more along the lines of the Cross Check. But the LHT looks good. How much do these suckers cost? I can't easily f ind the price for the whole bike, only the frame.
I will have to go over to Harris Cyclery and see if they can get one of these. It seems like it would take a long time, and I probably wouldn't have it for the end of April.

[KnottedYet]

My Cross Check was about $900. (complete bike)
The LHT we took out for a test ride was about $1200. (complete bike)

My two favorite LBS keep Surlies in stock. They don't do big model switches at the end of the year, so I'd be surprised if you couldn't get one before April. And since Surly *is* QBP, I'm sure Harris could get a complete CC or LHT as easily and quickly as my LBS. Look at those beauties... http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly.html Remind me I don't need another bike, please!

These are the complete Surlies: http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes.html My LBSs carry the CC and the LHT. I haven't seen a Steamroller at either yet, but I think the market here is more for bikes with a wide range of gears.