rustbucket back into a commuter?

[Crankin]

Wow, I am impressed. I can (barely) change a flat and grease my chain, so I say go for it, because I would be nervous about taking my road bike on the train, too.
I don' t have to take my bike ON the train. Just ride to the station and ride back home. The lbs is across the street and has a rack in front, which I think is safer than locking it at the station. I am just nervous about riding home in the dark. I have a light, not a super duper one, but OK, and a headlamp I can put on my helmet, a blinkie for the back and another one I can put on my back somewhere. I will have to get some reflective bands, too.
Tonight, when I drove home, I sort of tried to look at the route as if I were riding. It's fairly well lit until through Concord Center and there's about three quarters of a mile that is a bit dark, with no street lights. Then, by that time, I'm in my neighborhood.
I commuted a couple of days a week when I was working, 28 miles round trip, so it's not like I haven't done this. But, no darkness was involved and I could change my clothes/clean up. I have campus pedals on my Jamis, so I guess I can deal with going 5 miles not clipped in, although I feel like my feet are flying off the pedals when I ride with regular shoes. Thursday will be my experiment.

[mayanorange]

Cranklin, somehow I missed your msg the other day. Yeah, the LBS lockup sounds like a good idea. I've been looking for reflective bands and rei has some on the outlet website you might want to check out. Sounds like you have the lights under control really- I was at REI yesterday and was playing the planet bike super flash and thought I'd never see again! I'm going to stick with a more normal led blinkie. I guess I don't miss being clipped in mostly because it's new and my frogs don't really feel like I'm attached (which can be a problem at lights when I forget and lean the wrong way for a second! Gives me a heart attack!). Let us know how Thursday goes.

And as for tinkering, it's in my blood- we work on cars, woodworking, houses, everything. I really freak when DH goes into my tool closet since he has not been taught as well and has been known to grab the first tool available rather than asking if I have the right one!

[Crankin]

I guess I missed that gene. My mom had it, but my dad is hopeless with mechanical stuff, just like me. My husband can fix anything and has probably saved us a million dollars over the years.
My riding friend came over for dinner tonight and she convinced me to try the night time riding; if I get really freaked out, there's a sidewalk for the darkest part of my ride. But, I don't think I'll need it. I've determined that it will not kill my a$$ to ride 5 miles without a chamois and as far as the pedals go, that will just be practice. Imagine, I have to practice riding NOT being clipped in.
It sounds like your remodel is coming along. Do you plan to commute in the coldest part of the winter?

[mayanorange]

Stem question for you guys. I took the tape to my roadie and my total reach is 62cm and the rustbucket has a super long quill stem (130 or so with about a 10-20 rise), so it's 67cm. DH's roadie is 65cm, so if we can get it in between 62 and 65, that should work for both of us? Other question is do I get adjustable angle or just a long quill or both so we can adjust as need be? I assume I'll want the bars a smidge higher than the roadie since it's a more upright posture? My road bars are almost even with my saddle now.

Oh wait, I didn't account for the length to the hoods from the stem on my roadie.... hmmmm... now I have to measure again.