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...so a new commute coming up, 6 miles, on potholed country roads and with a possible couple of forest roads. Needs to carry a pannier and full mudguards.
Thinking a road/tourer/cx bike with good brakes...
Inspire me - the cheaper the better!
I have one of these on order at the moment...
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/day-one/day-one-disc
What I've learnt about commuting in the last year-
1. Panniers are very convenient but I hate them offroad- backpack ftw if offroad
2. Mudguards are a must
3. 8spd alfine is great- low maintenance, good in traffic(can shift when stopped). If the shifter being backwards annoys possibly the 11spd might be better
4. Rim brakes suck in the winter. I've got some spiked schwalbe winter marathons which are great in the snow. But I can kill a set of v brake pads in a couple of salty/gritty/snowy rides. Discs all the way
5. I'm getting bored charging light batteries so I'm tempted to try a dynamo light- on the todo list for 2013
I've got a Cotic flat bar roadrat alfine btw
This is my commuter;
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66302152@N05/7334547694/in/photostream/ ]My Commuting bike[/url]
BUT I do love the look of that Genesis CX bike!
theroadwarrior - I was thinking along similar lines - esp. brakes, but it won't be enough off road, and will be used to pick up so shopping etc, and I have a rack, so panniers are a go.
I had an alfine (7sp) and while OK, was not great. It was one of the first ones, so maybe there have been improvements.
Sabbath September
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/8071397707_4833b2031e.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/8071397707_4833b2031e.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/8071397707/ ]Possibly needs a clean 🙂 #abused[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simondbarnes/ ]simondbarnes[/url], on Flickr
Fixie! (depending on the forest roads?) Chains/rings last forever and no worries about frozen freehubs when it gets cold.
Currently doing about 25 miles a day on this beauty.
Really don't feel like I need discs and brake blocks are cheap and last ages. If crud is wearing 'em out set them further away from the wheels.
Boardman hybrid team (no pics). Commute is either 100% road or 10% road / 90% well surfaced paths. I use a backpack and saddlebag. I don't carry.much weight so have never bothered with panniers.
1996 or so Lee Cooper frame running SS with an assortment of 'classic' bits (LX v-brakes with the parallel push stuff, red DX levers, etc.).
Although more often than not I use the BFe for commuting duties just so I can go the long way home and include a few off-road bits.
Always use a backpack - just don't like the feeling of weight on the wheels.
Cheers all - I was wondering the retro/cheaper old bike thing as well..
If I am being honest, I would love a Gryphon, but that becomes lots of money 🙁
Did someone say the 'G' word...
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8453275677_2144bf2b9f_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8453275677_2144bf2b9f_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/8133348@N03/8453275677/ ]Day 1[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/8133348@N03/ ]oxym0r0n[/url], on Flickr
Our Kona Ute.
Drivers give it a wide berth.
Most people just want to ask about it, have a closer look.
Does the school run then takes me on to work.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7558582866_80f28fa210_c.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7558582866_80f28fa210_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/7558582866/ ]IMAG0774[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/7717130314_30028fd34d_c.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/7717130314_30028fd34d_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/7717130314/ ]IMAG0802[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr
30 years commuting here. 2 things that will make it a hell of a lot nice.
full length mudguards and punctureproof tyres.
Amen to that Tony 🙂












