Commuting Bikes

[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.