What's your commuter of choice?

ruchai

Giant Revive, I found it's very comfortable. You do not need special dress riding one. Choose the model with 8 speed deraileur.

ruchai

Giant Revive, I found it's very comfortable. You do not need special dress riding one. Shoose the model with 8 speed deraileur.

CapeCodCyclist

I currently alternate between three bicycles depending on weather forecast:

1) My "most often used" commuter is a Trek 7500fx, all stock except for spd pedals, Blackburn Expedition rear rack, Serratus AquaNot 46 rear panniers, Jet Lites Starfire Single-beam headlamp, SKS P45 front and rear fenders, and rack mounted PlanetBike tail light. This set-up allows for changing weather conditions, a comfortable, upright riding position and plenty of road speed with 700c wheels.

2) My Spring/Summer, "nice-weather-guaranteed" ride is a Bianchi Volpe touring bike. Because the frame is steel, I try not to ride this bike in wet, salty road conditions. Aside from rear Blackburn Expedition rack and above mentioned lighting (depending on commute hours/time of year), this bike is all stock and a very comfortable ride.

3) My alternate, nasty-weather beater is an old Raleigh M50 mountain bike. I ride this one in the most foul conditions. The front suspension is nice for dealing with the numerous post-winter pot holes riddling the New England road ways. The addition of PlanetBike Freddy Fenders, a Blackburn Expedition rear rack, spd pedals (pedal straps in winter) and the above mentioned lighting system make this a perfect winter ride. My only complaint is the rim brakes which are in dire need of an upgrade.

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Marx SS

My commute:
Apollo Everest MTB 1990. Converted to single speed.
Drive: 44/16
8 speed chain
Multi-speed front chainwheel 44t.
DMR single speed convert (16t).
Handlebars; Easton Scandium DH (65cm end to end)
LX Deore (circa 1990) 5 spider crank.
Race line Hemisphere 26 x 1.95.
DMR Singlator chain tensioner.

lpschafer

I've now relegated the Iron Horse to my second commuter in my stable. My new love is a Surly Karate Monkey built up with Mavics new Speed City 700c wheels with Avid disc brakes, Lx cranks, XT derailuers. This frame puts power to the ground. Even seated I can rocket away from a standstill. With the disc setup, there plenty of room for 26"/2.0 mtb wheels and tires or 29"/47mm wheels and tires. The only problem I had was mounting a rear rack with disc brakes. I had to use seat stay clamps but it seems to work OK. I have about 2K miles on the Mavics and haven't had to true them or adjust the bearings. They are tubeless capable but I haven't tried it yet.

cd667

If it's a long commute, I swear by the comfort and practicality of my Dawes Galaxy tourer. 531st frame, handbuilt wheels - Raddoneur bars, brooks saddle, Mavic T520 rims, Deore hubs, wide ranging gears for when you aren't really up for it, not in the least bit flash (mine is an awful purple colour, with full panniers and mudguards the uninitiated might think "old man's bike") but a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing - a mountain bike wouldn't have a cat in hell's chance of catching it on an open road.

Around town, though, I'd suggest an old steel frame mountain bike with road tyres - I bought a Giant Track at the weekend, which looks promising - not as harsh as the current crop of Ali bikes, and far better at stop/start traffic than a touring bike. Also far less likely to get nicked than £1000 worth of tourer.

cbgold

Giant Revive.

Commute 4 days a week. Monday I drive and bring a weeks worth of clothes in with me and take the last weeks home.

zoridog

My all weather beast is a 1991 Fuji mountain bike with stainless fenders and Topeak rack/bag combo. I built it up last year with a new headset, new cassette, new chain and cables.

The commute is just over 17 miles (roundtrip) of rural hills, city traffic and loose pack service roads. I would prefer a touring bike but my two wheeled tank is all I really need.

montyfive

2004 giant cypress sx freddie fenders with mud flaps,stem ext to give even a more upright postion in the city. rigged a mt bike rack with some extension pieces to fit straight sont like tilted racks 23 inch frame gives me the 1970 feel that im higher, faster, and cooler than most city commuters.. going only 18 miles per day and im just havin fun lights are those planet bike jobs the blink front and back and if anyone can find me one great pannier to replace my rack bag that would be great see you all in the early am good luck

GAJ

I have two cyclocross bikes I use. Lemond Poprad with full fenders and gears, Suly CrossCheck built up as SS with full fenders. Alternate tires depending on conditions. I'm in Alberta and ride year 'round.