What has changed?

[spidercyclist]

I'd like to know what has changed since you've been commuting. For me, I've been commuting for about 23 years. When I first started commuting, I started on a road bike, then went to mountain bikes. Now I'm back on a single speed road bike 925. It seems that the lights are better now, they used to be no better than strapping a flashlight to your bike. I used to use a backpack, now I use a messenger bag. My commute is shorter, it used to be 12 miles both ways, now it's just over 3 both ways. I'm just curious, how's your commute changed over the years? Happy bike-to-work month. Have a good ride. :)

[fuz]

Well, let's see. I've been commuting for about 3 years now. I started out on a cannondale aluminum hardtail, with 70 mm of headshok suspension, 24 then 27 gears, clipless pedals/shoes, a tiny camel back for clothes, and a couple of water bottles, and meaty 2.1 in mtbike tires.
Now I ride a KHS steel mtbike, with a GT chromoly fork(non suspension corrected), a White Industries eric's eno hub-fixed, no brakes, mks track pedals and toe clips, 1.5 in. slick commuting tires, sks fenders, and a timbuk 2 messenger bag. i still wear a helmet for ever ride, and bikes shorts for almost every ride, but now i have more than one pair. my glove choices have gone from cannondale 3/4 mtbike gloves, to rocket power part gtos full finger gloves, and now i have louis garneau crochet 1/2 finger gloves.
two things that have stayed same are my choice of oury grips(on my third pair though) and and my mavic crossride front wheel.
the roundtrip commute was once 20.5 miles, now it's between 10 and 16.

[bafc23]

When I first started commuting:
I had never been hit by a car.
I had never been chased by a car.
I had never hit a car.
I carried a patch kit, pump and peanut-butter wrench.
I used the wrong gearing.
I wore the wrong clothes.
I was cold/hot/wet/dirty/sweaty when I got to wherever I was going.

Now when I commute:
More than 20 years have gone by.
I have been hit by a car in more than one city.
I have chased a car.
I carry a cel phone, spare tube, CO2 and a multitool.
I rode a fixed gear.
Went back to gears.
I own clothes for every possible condition.
I am cold/hot/wet/dirty/sweaty when I get wherever I'm going.

What hasn't changed:
Having a better experience in transit than everyone in a motorized vehicle.

[RandomV]

I've only been commuting for about two years now. What's changed is that when I started it was on a (believe it or not) BMX bike, and now it's on a 925. I used to only be a fair weather rider, but now I get out there no matter what (except in the winter. I still hate the winter).

Also, I wear a helmet now too.

[LoneBiker]

I dont live in the country anymore, so I dont have miles of attempting to outrun farm machinery taking up the whole road, going slightly faster than me.
-now its cars taking up the road, in a less friendly manner.

Day long bike rides to get home putting you at peace and utter exhaustion.
turned into...
-minutes of escape, usually after the kids are asleep, getting tired way too fast.

A cleaned up, super shiny, Schwinn 10 speed that I had less than 50 dollars in(way too much money back then)
turned into...
A touring bike and a mountain bike valued around 450 dollars each, (considered 'entry level' by most)


An easy hundred miles a week
turned into...
F@@k me! Past myself would kick my ass!!

[OTBSkinloss]

I'm older, fatter, and make more money. I like my job more, and now use a fixie, instead of a ten speed. It takes me longer to heal.

[bigpedaler]

i was on a schwinn 10-spd, riding to my first job so i could save the money for my first car. six miles one way, all on the road, every day i hit 30mph SOMEtime during the ride. averaged 25-30 min. for the trip, having to stop for red lights. when i had that down payment, the bike went in the garage, and i never rode it again; loaned it to a buddy a few months later, it was stolen/stripped by a cousin of his, who paid in pain the (slightly less than i paid for the thing) price my bud repaid me for not returning the bike.

now...

i'm riding a 5.7/5" FS/AM, on the road, on the sidewalk at times (legal here most places), and on trails when the opportunity is there. used to be a 9-miler one way, but new job location makes it about 2+. did the 9, on average, about 38 min. once, did it in 30:30! now, i look for the long way home whenever the temp is above 55 dg, and i don't have to haul something home. i don't own a car this time either, but it's by choice now!

oh, yeah -- the schwinn was 2nd-hand, $55 in 1974; the dakar xlt buildup is $1800 2007 dollars.

[hairygrump]

I'm about to start my 11th car-free year in about 2 weeks, and I've been primarily foot, bike or bus (in that order) the entire time.

My experience is the same as bafc's. At least in the time I've been commuting, nothing's changed as much as I have. I plan things out, let things go, show up early... everything you need to do when the car isn't picking up the slack.

As far as technology or gear is concerned, I've been pretty blown away in the last 2 years by how much new stuff has been coming out to support commuters. the 925's a pretty good example, as is the Novara reviewed in the new issue of DR. I love that we're seeing dedicated commuter bikes that put comfort and usefulness ahead of raciness or whatever else. It makes me wonder how many currently fixed-gear utility commuters (among whom I count myself) will someday switch to those cushy "luxury bikes."

[real_ss_budgie]

my wheel size from 26 to 29
i no longer worry about DUI's
and now i nearly have every commuting clothing so no excuses guvner!! still need booties..plastic shopping bags reek
im fitter happier more productive i am a citizen of the world!!

[dave66]

i first biked to school in gr 8 [1980 i think] 2 miles on the highway on a walmart [ok woolco] 10 speed
i really started cycling towards the end of high school - 10 sp was a 12 sp, and i had toe clips - bought my fist cycling shorts.
not much has changed tho - still commuting on 27"/700c wheels, went from multi gears to fixie
clipless pedals and dedicated cycling fashion [jerseys, shorts, helmet] are the biggest change, but the sense fo freedom and adventure is still exactly the same - exactly.

[davkatreb]

Ain't a single goddam thing changed for me. I still drive (Drive? WTF? This is a thread about BICYCLE commuting. Moderator!! MODERATORRRRR!!!!!!) a damned smog-belching shitbox down the freakin' Interstsate.

F*ck.

[peatbog]

Bad day today, davkatreb? You're kinda freakin' out a bit here!:D

[wigger thomas]

Just changed firehouses to the one near the projects Bill Ketzer writes about sometimes. It's a long downhill to work and a decent climb to get home. My first day is today. I have my car here because I had to bring all my gear down.

Oh yeah,there are sooooo many more fvckin' coffins full of idiots out there.

[rockhound]

Ain't a single goddam thing changed for me. I still drive (Drive? WTF? This is a thread about BICYCLE commuting. Moderator!! MODERATORRRRR!!!!!!) a damned smog-belching shitbox down the freakin' Interstsate.

F*ck.

At least you're working.

[plume_mtb]

I just started commuting again this year after a 10 year haitus sp? got myself a cx bike with slicks... it goes good.

I roll w/ a backpack like I did back in school. No panniers on my bikes now. round trip is 5 miles. :D

[jesser]

I commuted every day last year rain or shine and by the end of the summer it seemed like more of a utility than anything else.

The things i like most about riding my bikes are the people and hittin the dirt. I got in steller shape from commuting and stuff, but i rode a lot less with my friends than ever before.

Was it worth it? Yea i am now a little fitter this year but last year i rode less for recreation.

Maybe i need a commuter bike?

[phlatlander]

...Maybe i need a commuter bike?

I'd say you have earned it. b=n+1