Welcome team commutercycling!
Let's get this started!
I wanted to start by posting a pic of my commuter ride... Embarrassingly, I'm new enough to snapzu that I don't yet know how to post pics at a discussion head (or even if it is at all possible).
Instead I'll describe my ride and my commute: I ride ~16km each way daily on a 1980's vintage PUCH Pathfinder. I'm rather proud of my ride as I got it for about the same price as a couple of pints at a general merchandise resale shop. My Pathfinder has been with me for about a decade and has survived several cross-country moves. Over the years I've outfitted it with all manner of lights, new fenders recently, and a pannier rack to carry all my swag.
What is your commuter bike story?
8 years ago by Jackalope
with
9 comments
Join the Discussion
I love commuting on my bike although it is a bike commute in a roundabout way. I live ~30 miles north of Boston. In order to make it affordable to work in the city, I have a wicked cheap parking space in Cambridge (to park in my building is $385/month) a couple of miles from my office. I looked into folding bikes and didn't like them until I found my paratrooper. It's a full size folding bike and handles really well. Haven't had an issue with the snow this past winter or the resulting potholes. I'll try and post a photo as a snap in the tribe.
"Wicked cheap" eh? Boston status verified! Wow, I didn't know that full size folding bikes existed! the paratrooper is an intriguing looking configuration: see it here Looks similar to a mountain bike, how is it as a commuter bike on the roads? Doesn't look like it accepts panniers or baskets. How do you carry your gear to and from work (I schlep my briefcase and a change of clothes). Thanks for your interesting post! Would you like to be a mod?
I didn't know they existed either until I started looking at reviews of folding bikes obsessively. I can't remember what site I found them on but I was in lust as soon as I saw it. It is more of a hybrid than a strict mountain or road bike. It handles the pothole really well and has a very smooth ride. It is a 24 speed so it works well with some of the steeper bridges I have to cross getting over and around the Charles River. I have a kick ass day bag that I use to carry my gear. It holds my laptop, my morning coffee, 1 liter water bottle, full change of clothes for those rainy days, and my lunch. The biggest thing I love about this bag is the mesh support that keeps it off my back and allows air circulation. And sure! I would love to be a mod!
EDIT:
The other thing I forgot to mention is the other reason I went with folding bike is because this is allowed on the commuter train during rush hour. I wanted to make sure I had as many options as possible.
Welcome to team mod! I'll make it official as soon as I figure how which buttons to press! Btw, how easy is it to lug the paratrooper around in 'folded mode' ? I didn't notice any handles or grips...
yay! and yeah... the interface here is interesting. I am still figuring out terminology. I do, however, like this place so much more than reddit or facebook. so much cleaner and less crap.
I too am new. The formatting help displays offscreen on this mobile device, so here's a pic of my bike: http://imgur.com/Cz32qPt It's a Raleigh Misceo 2.0, a hybrid bike with an aluminum frame and Shimano disc brakes and gears. I've flipped it, highsided it, and given it more abuse than it deseves and there's barely a scratch. I commute on it most days in Minneapolis, MN. To descrive the utility and enjoyment I get from this bike, after work I can sustain 18-20 mph on roads, and then ride on gravel, beach, and mud. As a 210 lb guy who has killed mountian bike rims, this 33lb bike does what I chose it for; it comfortably survives my fun and still works efficiently too.
Sweet ride! And I like your cycling philosophy: fun and efficient rides! Would you be interested in moderating for this tribe?
For me, cycling should always about enjoyment. Utility is just another plus. I use my car(seldom), but I enjoy my bike.
I am willing to help moderate. Thanks for the offer.
Thanks for agreeing to be part of team mod! I'll make it happen as soon as I figure out how!