pedalist
Maximum Pace
- Jan 24, 2015
- 451
- 575
I'm commuting on a 1984 Raleigh Competition with 531c Raynolds tubes. It's pretty light weight for a steel classic and surely was built as a sports/race bike rather than an everyday commuter.
I really enjoy commuting on that bike (using Schwalbe Marathon 25mm - though it really rides much more agile with regular road tires, but I was fixing punctures almost every other day)...most of the times...until I hit the Berlin cycling pathes or streets.
Actually, when the street conditions are at least alright it's great fun and I'm enjoying zoom through the streets. Sometimes I even choose it over my modern Canyon for training rides at relaxed group rides or when I'm in the mood for cruising not up for serious training or PRs.
Anyway, there are some points that I'm missing on that bike for commuting.
1. no mounts/eyeleds for proper fenders (I'm using Topeak Defenders; SKS Raceblades could be another (maybe better) option): I'm not cummiting in pouring rain, but "regular" rain, snow, wet/dirty roads don't stop me (most of the time)
2. no mounts/eyeleds for racks (I know there're ways to attach a rack to almost every frame, but I don't think the frame of my Raleigh would like a rack and panniers)
3. no clearance for tires bigger than 25mm
4. am I forgetting anything I should consider?!?
So, I was thinking of getting different bike for commuting. But what kind of bike should I get?
I want:
1. fenders
2. rear rack
3. bigger tires
4. fun
The area I live is basically all flat and my commute is all paved (though the condition of the pavement can be pretty bad sometimes). I mostly don't commute for longer than 10km a piece (20-30km per day). I've got no car, so I do all shopping by bike (or at times by bus/train).
Logically thinking crossbikes, gravel bikes or travel bikes (Fargo or the like) seem like good options, but...wouldn't a hardtail or rigid mountain bike (e.g. Marin Pine Mountain) work as well, looking at @bloaker 's Krampus?!?
Most of the time it'd be used for commuting on flat roads. But I'm imaging taking the bike to the forest/hills or even bikepacking on weekends to enjoy different kinds of riding (I usually ride road and commute only) from time to time.
If I had the space and budget, I'd just get a commuter and a hardtail, problem solved. (Letting go if the Raleigh or Canyon is no option. I'd only open up space, but not helping much with the budget (Raleigh) and a road bike (Canyon) is just the best training/exercise bike for where I live - once I get out of the city.)
So, what do I hope from this thread:
- learning what bikes others are using for commuting to feed my brain with new ideas
- learning from others' experiences about what kind of bike worked/didn't work for them
I really enjoy commuting on that bike (using Schwalbe Marathon 25mm - though it really rides much more agile with regular road tires, but I was fixing punctures almost every other day)...most of the times...until I hit the Berlin cycling pathes or streets.
Actually, when the street conditions are at least alright it's great fun and I'm enjoying zoom through the streets. Sometimes I even choose it over my modern Canyon for training rides at relaxed group rides or when I'm in the mood for cruising not up for serious training or PRs.
Anyway, there are some points that I'm missing on that bike for commuting.
1. no mounts/eyeleds for proper fenders (I'm using Topeak Defenders; SKS Raceblades could be another (maybe better) option): I'm not cummiting in pouring rain, but "regular" rain, snow, wet/dirty roads don't stop me (most of the time)
2. no mounts/eyeleds for racks (I know there're ways to attach a rack to almost every frame, but I don't think the frame of my Raleigh would like a rack and panniers)
3. no clearance for tires bigger than 25mm
4. am I forgetting anything I should consider?!?
So, I was thinking of getting different bike for commuting. But what kind of bike should I get?
I want:
1. fenders
2. rear rack
3. bigger tires
4. fun
The area I live is basically all flat and my commute is all paved (though the condition of the pavement can be pretty bad sometimes). I mostly don't commute for longer than 10km a piece (20-30km per day). I've got no car, so I do all shopping by bike (or at times by bus/train).
Logically thinking crossbikes, gravel bikes or travel bikes (Fargo or the like) seem like good options, but...wouldn't a hardtail or rigid mountain bike (e.g. Marin Pine Mountain) work as well, looking at @bloaker 's Krampus?!?
Most of the time it'd be used for commuting on flat roads. But I'm imaging taking the bike to the forest/hills or even bikepacking on weekends to enjoy different kinds of riding (I usually ride road and commute only) from time to time.
If I had the space and budget, I'd just get a commuter and a hardtail, problem solved. (Letting go if the Raleigh or Canyon is no option. I'd only open up space, but not helping much with the budget (Raleigh) and a road bike (Canyon) is just the best training/exercise bike for where I live - once I get out of the city.)
So, what do I hope from this thread:
- learning what bikes others are using for commuting to feed my brain with new ideas
- learning from others' experiences about what kind of bike worked/didn't work for them