I’m looking for a bit of inspiration for my commute (15-mile round trip: a mix of tarmac and cobbles).

After adding a lighter roadie to my stable, I’ve experimented with a drop bar singlespeed build and then a geared flat bar build for my Cotic Escapade.

Both builds have merit, but the frame is too short for flats and so I’m looking for some inspiration to help me decide on whether to go back to a drop bar geared build – or swap to a dedicated flar bar frame. 🙂

Kona rove al . drop bars but with secondary brake levers which are good when sitting up in traffic – which is only 3 miles till i get out of dyce onto the trails 😀

Probably not ideal for your case, but you did say inspiration. My commute is 4 miles each way through a city, and this does me great.

Fixed

Left field

Low maintainence (IGH Pompino)

Faster replacement

I’ve got one of the below fitted with SKS full length guards and have also changed the wheels and tyres to Mavic Aksium and Conti Gatorskins. TBH it is a lump of a bike, and the handling on tight turns is dreadful. Plus side is it is stable.

I’m of the opposite opinion to trail_rat as I find the secondary levers pretty pointless, even in traffic.

Any excuse!

Surly Troll with Rolhoff – minimal maintenance, loads of fun, a bit slow but it just works. This bike can carry a lot of stuff comfortably. Built it as a touring bike – low top tube is ace and framebag fantastic.

The Straggler is also a hoot and its quicker but the mech doesn’t enjoy the winter so tends to be used when its dry or frosty. Surprisingly quick on the road and can handle some very rough stuff (Scar House descent on Nidderdale loop)

Commuterised Arkose 2

My Cannodale Badboy 8 Ultra

[url=https://flic.kr/p/D4Jnaa]DSC_0278[/url] by andysredmini, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/DsCYG2]DSC_0279 (1)[/url] by andysredmini, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/z3tyBb]Untitled[/url] by andysredmini, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/z3tza5]Untitled[/url] by andysredmini, on Flickr

Genesis day one alfine 8. Bought because I wanted something low-to-zero maintenance, but unfortunately my city isn’t amenable to singlespeed (ie it’s hilly af). Has been very reliable despite being left in the back yard throughout 2 winters.

Lovely to ride, and I’ve also used it for some touring and some proper cyclocross rides when my mtb was out of action. Main issue was the crappy versa 8 shifter and avid bb5 brakes (I replaced the brakes, still suffering with the shifter) but Genesis have changed those things on the 2016 version.

Andy
That Cannondale is a very sorted out looking thing*,very nice.
Does it have bolt holes for gaurds?

* apart from the pedals 😉

No pics but when i lived in London used to ride a kona explosif painted black with pace rc31 forks, disc brake (front only unfortunately) and specialised 26×1″ tyres pumped to 100psi and XT 46T front chainset on the original square taper BB (that is still going). Was really speedy and manoeuvrable. A bit like a cobbled together version of that Cannondale.

Lots of commuters here without mudguards, no way I could commute year round like that

The only thing mine is missing is a dynamo hub, but (multiplte) USB chargeable lights are fine with me

Also prefer to have the bike carry the weight rather than me – often stop at the supermarket on the way home from work, plus carry a laptop and papers etc twice a week

yep first things i did to mine were fit an SP front hub , a pair of PDW full metal fenders and a b+M IQ-x front , senseo top light rear and a cycle 2 charge.

But its also my touring bike

My commuter / town bike…

Only used for short journeys hence the flat bars. Gears as it has to tow a trailer with two kids in! Discs are pretty good as there’s sometimes quite a bit of weight to bring to a stop. Guards are indeed a must, wouldn’t want to get covered in road muck on my way to work.

If you’re looking for inspiration, how about this I spotted in a clients bike park? It’s got all the bases covered 😉

whats going on with that collection of metal tubes at the bike trying to be a pannier rack mrblobby ?

That’s a Basil extender rack. Means I could get the panniers on when I had a hammax kids seat fitted. Past tense as it broke after about a year. Use shown in this photo (seat’s actually a lot lower now than in that photo before anyone comments!)…

If I was building up a new town bike now I’d be very tempted by a long tail like the xtracycle or the big dummy. Mostly so I can sit two kids on the back in a hooptie thing. A trailer is a PITA around here with our crap cycle infrastructure.

For the OP, if I had anything other than a mile or two to do, and didn’t need to tow or carry much, then no question it’d be drop bar.

Used to use my 1995 cinder cone ss but got mucky wet and sweaty. Got this now

nice Cannondale but isn’t the front wheel off true? (pointing riders left in the photo)

cappuccino coloured(read brown) Roadrat. not fancy with the colour but super comfortable on asphalt and gravel.
been upgraded over time and now fitted with Hartje Otis tires and full fenders for asphalt commuting. (for sale)