Show us your commuter! Inspired by Andrea's thread...

[Blueberry]

We just got a DD near my house (there has been one near my office, but it's impossible to get in and out of). I LOVE their coffee. I shouldn't drink coffee - I always pay for it. But theirs is GOOD! The donuts are safe from me. Almost always (don't think I've had one in more than 2 years), but the coffee...

[Tri Girl]

Same here.
I was up in MA recently with a D.C. native friend of mine. We were driving from the Manchester (NH) airport to the North Shore (Gloucester) and she kept remarking on the DD's around. "There's another one!" "And another one!" "Oh wow! Another one there, too!"

That's funny, because when I went to Boston 2 years ago my DH and I were amazed at all the DD. We had to get a picture of us in front of one just for laughs. Man, those New Englanders eat a lot of donuts.

[hipersons]

I live in Boston, and it drives me nuts when people try to use DD as a landmark. 'you walk down Treamont and turn left at the dunkins' 'um, do you realize there's about 6 on that street?!?' Not helpful.

[hipersons]

And I almost forgot to post my commuter!
I just got her on friday.

[Blueberry]

Hey hipersons-

Is that a saddle bag under the front of your saddle? Does it hit you when you pedal?? I have a rack that interferes with my ability to carry a saddle bag, and that looks like a creative solution!

Sweet bike - what is she?? I can't quite read the top tube (I got the specialized part)

CA

[hipersons]

Yeah I've since taken the wedge off... it was a problem. My seat is too low to be able to put it on properly. But she's a Specialized Dolce; found out at my fitting on Tuesday that the reason why I liked the bike so much is because it fit me perfectly as is!

[Blueberry]

Yeah I've since taken the wedge off... it was a problem. My seat is too low to be able to put it on properly. But she's a Specialized Dolce; found out at my fitting on Tuesday that the reason why I liked the bike so much is because it fit me perfectly as is!

Glad she's a great fit - that's everything. I've been using a bento box plus stuff dumped in a pannier on my bike with a rack. I want the arkel tailrider, but haven't splurged yet.

CA

[Ana]

And I almost forgot to post my commuter!
I just got her on friday.

What size is she? There's one on sale at my LBS I've been drooling over....I wish I had a bigger bike budget!

[Trek420]

hipersons,

To carry extra stuff have you considered panniers off the rear rack? Or:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14883

These available on TE could install on another bottle cage and carry at least as much as an under seat bag.

Sweet bike!! Welcome to TE

[hipersons]

Thanks for the welcome! My bike is a 48cm, and for some reason my LBS (Wheelworks, for those in the know) sells them for way less than anyone else in the area.

The cage rocket is a neat idea, I might just look into that option. I have definitely though about getting panniers, but I've already surpassed the budget I set for myself for 'extras'. My birthday is in a few months... so it's going on the list. I think I want an Ortlieb, heard great things about them. For my first ride yesterday, I used my favorite messenger bag, and it definitely didn't work out. It kept sliding to my front and interrupting my pedaling motion.

[Ana]

I just can't resist...how tall are you? I want to try a Specialized 48cm but it is not in my budget at this time

[GLC1968]

are you crazy? i would kill for a DD in madison. our closest one is a good 45 mins away. having come from RI (most donut shops per capita in the world and a DD every 2 miles or so) it's really tough. everyone i talk to around here who has ever lived in new england totally feels the lack of DD pain.

OMG, I would kill for a DD!!! I grew up in New England and the last 3.5 years of living in the birthplace of Krispy Kreme was pure torture (NC)!! I had NO DD's around and a KK on every corner. Then I move to the Portland area and the closest DD is 43 miles away!

Starbucks sucks. At least I've got a Peet's within biking distance.


hipersons - can you get a very small wedge to put under the seat in front of the rack? That's how I have a wedge on my classic and it works to hold emergency stuff that you don't need easy access to all the time (spare tube, tire levers, etc).

Edited to add: you can see it in the photo of my commuter on page one of this thread...

[hipersons]

I'm 5'2" and I've been told I have a well proportioned body structure i.e. my legs don't look long but don't look short on me. My inseam is about 29".

The only reason why I got a wedge in the first place was because I thought it would be a good solution to hold my tools and tubes, and I can barely fit what I want in there now, so I don't think a smaller one would work out too well. Thanks for the tip, though.

That said, I have thought about attaching the one that I have to the upward part of my rack right below my seat. I'll have to try that when I get home tonight.

[HillSlugger]

Will your wedge fit inbetween the seat post and the rack supports if you velcro the front end to the seatpost and the rear end to the rack itself? Maybe a bungee to hold the back end into that nice space?

[F8th637]

For my first ride yesterday, I used my favorite messenger bag, and it definitely didn't work out. It kept sliding to my front and interrupting my pedaling motion.

I don't like using messenger bags either but I've figured out that the key to not having it slide out front if you don't have one of those extra straps around it is too make sure the long strap is short so that the bag sits high on your back and is close to your body. It took me some adjustments but I finally figured it out. HTH!