Forum menu
...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">
[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.
[img] 
[/img]
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.
been using this for 5 years 10 miles each way into central london
[img] 
[/img]
just upgraded to this, mostly coz I wanted discs but may swap to some rigids if I find the forks too bouncy
[img] 
[/img]
Commute is a bit of road, cobbles, off road bit of sand at the beach due to the recent stoms.
[img] 
[/img]
Coyote HT4 circa 1998.
Here's mine. Looking at sorting out more of a cx bike for the summer, as the commute is 50:50 off:on road.
[img] 
[/img]
"Blue Steel" - eBay came up trumps:
[img] 
[/img]
Alfine 11, XT disks, Shimano dynamo & TopPeak top rack.
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.).
[img] 
[/img]
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.
3 speed Sturmey-Archer, V brakes, nice wide tyres on a springy steel frame. Clean trousers and whatever shoes you need when you get there. Even better, drivers give me much more room than when I'm on MTB or roadie.
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[img] 
[/img]
SS Subway DIY jobby
[img] 
[/img]
Alfine 8 speed, disc brakes, mudguards, rack, panniers, saddlebag, ergon grips, slime tubes, lights...
Not pretty, not light - but perfect for commuting.
Did 6 years on a fixed before this, so it feels nice 8)
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 🙁
Poor camera photo but it is a Kaffenback with MTB components transfered including 26" wheels. Works as my tourer also. Very comfortable over long distances.
[img] 
[/img]
Kaffenback, use it as an everything bike so commuting, light touring and general road riding
[img] 
[/img]
As much as I commuted, this is what I used as my do it all going to town bike.
Coincidentally the frame is in the classifieds.
[img] 
[/img]
Did someone say the 'G' word...
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8453275677_2144bf2b9f_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[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">
[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">
[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 🙂
Kaffenback here too: [img] 
:large[/img]
Temporary front wheel btw, robbed from my Solaris 🙂
[img] 
[/img]