What makes a commuter?

[vladamir]

What defines a commuter; utility, use, engine? What do you need in a commuter and why? What wheel size and frame style do you prefer and why-Do you like MTB's, classic 27", 700c, road or touring etc.?? Are some aspects specific to particular climate, geography etc. What is universal? Is your commuter your primary ride and with a few changes in components becomes your cx bike or urban machine?

Discuss:

[OTBSkinloss]

I've commuted on everything from my fixie to my 7" free ride bike. It all depends on the weather, what I fee like and what I plan to do after work. I don't have a bike specifically for commuting. I just have regular bikes that also commute. So I guess my answer would be.
I dunno. :confused:

[bdee]

In my case the distance plays a huge factor (~ 45 round trip) and I only ride to work once a week. These two factors lead me to simply use my road / 'cross bike with a backpack style bag. I also use it for errands around town (groceries, post office, beer run, whatever..). If I had a shorter commute that I rode every day I think I'd use panniers and a SS - possibly a Surly KM with big slicks.

[vladamir]

I think I ride about 12 miles round trip on my daily commute to and from work.

I've got a cx hardtail, a SS 27" with flat bars (i've got slicks and knobbies for it) and a 700c touring bike with nice big michelin transworlds, full fenders, rack, drop bars, the works.

I was thinking about which bike I ride and why.

9 times out of 10 I'll ride the mtb even though I have to modify it for real commuting duty. I'll switch out the knobbies for road tires, add lights when needed, clip on fenders when needed pull the kid trailer when picking up the kiddo on the way home. In the winter I even swap out the susp fork for a rigid.

I love the SS and it's great for a quick jog across town to the bar or coffee shop but for commuting it just doesn't do it for me.

The touring bike seems like the best bet but I feel less in control and even though the tires are pretty wide they never seem wide enough.

[fxdwhl]

Over half my miles for the year are comutting so I'd guess I'd lable myself as one before anything else. Makes the daily grind bearable.

Modified my crosscheck once again for the most recent setup. Giant Wald basket and comfortable position. Porteur bikes rule. Getting the weight off your back and the ease of drop & go make baskets awesome.

[rockhound]

I've got a cx hardtail, a SS 27" with flat bars (i've got slicks and knobbies for it)

What kind of knobbies do you have in a 27" tire? I've been looking for some.

[vladamir]

Serac makes a cross tire and are available at ACME bicycle company in KC. I went cheaper and have been running a tire manufactured by Kenda and marketed/sold and branded by Pyramid. It is a good tire and inexpensive. The tread pattern is the same as the 26" front IRC Mythos. It doesn't wear particularly fast but is fairly sticky. Tan gumwall with black tread. 73 PSI Max. I can find them at Midwest Cyclery and Forces of Nature. If you cant find them let me know and I'll pick some up and send em to you.

And of course you could get some from: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/630.html

[hophead]

What defines a commuter; utility, use, engine? What do you need in a commuter and why? What wheel size and frame style do you prefer and why-Do you like MTB's, classic 27", 700c, road or touring etc.?? Are some aspects specific to particular climate, geography etc. What is universal? Is your commuter your primary ride and with a few changes in components becomes your cx bike or urban machine?

Discuss:
My first commuter was a full suspension mtn bike with road tires. A couple of years ago, I built a singlespeed frankenbike out of an old lugged steel Schwinn frame that a buddy found at the dump. Mine's the one on top. Ain't she purdy?:D

[doubclik]

what makes a commuter? For me, a few things. I ride into NYC in all seasons, and all weather, so my list reflects this.
disc brakes (been cut off by too many cabs not to)
700's (started on a mtb, but was too slow for the distance)
gears (hats off to all those SS's climbing the Williamsburg bridge, but that aint me)
reliable clipless (Time ATACS in my case)
lots o' lighting (to be seen, not to see)
slicks in the summer / knobbies in the winter (more for the road sand buildups than anything else)
camera (after all, it IS New York...)

[Teamfubar]

To me, anyone that rides a bike instead of taking a car is a commuter. I commute about 3-4 times per week for a 14 mile round trip. My commuter is my CX bike, with 700x25 tires with a kevlar belt for some flat protection. I use my Timbuk2 DeeDog bag (called boringly a "large" now) for my clothes change. My light system is a older Niterider Classic that comes on and off as needed. I also have the tires set up on some "commuting" wheels that I can just swap with my other wheels with some knobbies for riding her off road.

[Ripp]

I agree with TFubar, if you ride to do things (get to work, buy food/beer, whatever) most Americans do in a car then you commute.

My personal "town" bike is also my touring bike. A Bianchi Volpe technically a CX bike. Had MTB riser bars on it for the first 10 months I owned it, till I went a 5 day 250 mile tour of the Black Hills region, which I had the drops put back on for. The drops are still on it 2 months later, not too sure I'll take them off.

I use a backpack or a PAC M-bag depending on how much stuff I'll be carrying. I also have a cool fender made by SingleTrack Solutions that is just a piece of stamped plastic with wings that snaps into place on any rail type saddle. It lets me use it when needed and can even be stored in either bag just in case.

[rockhound]

Serac makes a cross tire and are available at ACME bicycle company in KC. I went cheaper and have been running a tire manufactured by Kenda and marketed/sold and branded by Pyramid. It is a good tire and inexpensive. The tread pattern is the same as the 26" front IRC Mythos. It doesn't wear particularly fast but is fairly sticky. Tan gumwall with black tread. 73 PSI Max. I can find them at Midwest Cyclery and Forces of Nature. If you cant find them let me know and I'll pick some up and send em to you.

And of course you could get some from: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/630.html

Thanks Vlad. I had already ordered tires the day before you posted this...:(

[real_ss_budgie]

i ride 6/7 times a week on the SS KM and i reckon its the dogs bollocks for all round chumpy goodness

18/32 so i can conquer mt. lofty
upright bars for a relaxed feel
700 x 32c burroughs for a wee bit of dirt

wack a pair of mudguards and it'll be perfect in the wet instead of getting to work with a wet arse

[rocko]

I also have a cool fender made by SingleTrack Solutions that is just a piece of stamped plastic with wings that snaps into place on any rail type saddle. It lets me use it when needed and can even be stored in either bag just in case.

Thanks for posting on that fender, that thing looks pretty handy.

Any chance for a more detailed review?

[poison idea]

after getting bored commuting with my geared and fendered 700 roadbike i switched my olden Giant Rincon over to a 45/15 rigid with kenda slicks. i've got a rack for hauling cases of beer/grocceries but a 12 pack or smaller fits in the messenger bag. the road bike is faster and more nimble and climbs better, but the mtn bike is just more fun (and comfortable). unless i've got major distance/weight/time/safety concerns i try to use the bike instead of the truck. the gearing dictates that i will not be keeping up with traffic unless its inner city and i will not be climbing up Pioneer Ave but i kinda like that i had to shake myself out of my old routes and paths and reexamine how to get from point A to B. oddly enough i prefer the winter commute to the summer and rain doesnt bother me too much.

[Ripp]

Thanks for posting on that fender, that thing looks pretty handy.

Any chance for a more detailed review?


It keeps 90% of the spray from the back wheel off you, not as complete coverage as a larger harder to remove/replace fender but I've never wished for more protection. I've had mine on and off bunches of times and it still holds firm. It works, what more can i say.

[rocko]

Perfect. Thanks.

[bremerton ryan]

I commute to downtown Seattle every day I work during the summer, as well as to class at UW on my 16.5 inch xc bike. I'm poor, so I use this bike for everything. I don't think I want a road bike because I jib off anything I see. I have a few drops I take on the way to class and to work and I can try to manual whenever the urge strikes me.

It's also hilarious when I motor past some corporate dude riding a full on carbon/titanium/lighter than the toilet paper I used this morning ultra-super roadsaucer. I flash a huuuuge grin when I pass.

I use the same backpack I use skiing, day hiking, and on singletrack.

[longhaultruker2]

i had been riding a 2000 trek 6000 w/ slix and a rack (coupla times a week @ best:o),but a few weeks ago was hurt and took a week off,then when i came back to work,we started-what will last gosh knows how long- these 15-18 hour days a few times per week,and i was afraid to ride thinkin what if i hadda come in @ 0600,then didn't get off till after midnite?i wouldn't feel like climbin that last hill!

sooo,i decided to drive to work w/ my bike in the bed (4 banger mini truck-gas saver:rolleyes:) today,and i left the truck there(i can park there as long as i like,or at least as lonmg as i work there)...now any day i get "done" @ a decent hour,i can ride,but if we get shafted (inside joke...when we gotta work late,it's cause we're pourin concrete down a shaft mine;)),and it's waaay late,i can drive.and i thought that all up on my own too:p.

anyhoo,fell off subject,i ran my monocog today,but bein monday,i had 5 sets of uniforms to haul home,plus my cooler (holds 6 gatorades),and that was a little hard on the neck in my m-bag (yea,a lil stuffed too).think i'm gunna get one of those qc racks,easy on 'n off fer when i ride trails.

the ultimate fer me would be to buy an extra-cycle conversion fer my old trek (or that nashbar 50 buck frame thas been hangin as wall decor in the dinin room fer months:cool:).i like the m-bag,but w/ a cooler filled w/ a days worth of drinks and a bad spine (well,neck portion),that'll get old.hey,nashbar has a qc rack on sale...