Comments on: Picking a bike for everyday transportation http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/ The Online Magazine of Austin Cycling Culture Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:04:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: L D http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-16248 L D Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:16:33 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-16248 Here's a less pricey alternative to the Electra listed above: http://www.hiwheel.com/antique_replicas/gent_roadster.htm Take a look. Here’s a less pricey alternative to the Electra listed above:

http://www.hiwheel.com/antique_replicas/gent_roadster.htm

Take a look.

]]> By: Dean http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-16247 Dean Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:42:02 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-16247 Interesting article, but I'm dismayed that you chose to leave recumbents out completely as transportation alternatives. I have a Vision compact long wheelbase, fully suspended with 20" tires front and rear. It has Shimano 7-speed hub gearing and a three chainring front derailleur setup for a total of 21 speeds. It's lighter than a Dutch Bike, not much longer, and infinitely more comfortable than ANY bike discussed on this page. I know that Vision is no longer in business, but there is a plethora of fantastic recumbent designs available that make fantastic transportation bikes. After riding this and my long wheelbase Tour Easy (for longer trips), I'll never buy another "wedgie" bike. Interesting article, but I’m dismayed that you chose to leave recumbents out completely as transportation alternatives.

I have a Vision compact long wheelbase, fully suspended with 20″ tires front and rear. It has Shimano 7-speed hub gearing and a three chainring front derailleur setup for a total of 21 speeds. It’s lighter than a Dutch Bike, not much longer, and infinitely more comfortable than ANY bike discussed on this page.

I know that Vision is no longer in business, but there is a plethora of fantastic recumbent designs available that make fantastic transportation bikes. After riding this and my long wheelbase Tour Easy (for longer trips), I’ll never buy another “wedgie” bike.

]]> By: john http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-9382 john Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:16:58 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-9382 To me it seems that the bike should suit the conditions for which it is going to be used. I built up my commuter bike partly around the route I have to take to get to work, and to run errands. There are a few small hills and a couple of dirt trails as well as suburban type roads. I took an Al cyclocross frame, added Deore XT mtb drive train, Avid bb7 brakes, a fast forward seat post, curly handle bars as used on a REI safari bike and then added aerobars. I also have front and rear racks and can pull a trailer. It's a bit of everything. It's fast, carries a ton of groceries, and can ride up any hill without the brakes failing on the way down. When I was in middle school, I lived in The Netherlands. I had one of those heavy green one speed machines. I sold it years ago, and lately have been kicking myself for doing that. Any bike that gets people where they want to go, and makes them happy doing it, is a good bike. To me it seems that the bike should suit the conditions for which it is going to be used. I built up my commuter bike partly around the route I have to take to get to work, and to run errands. There are a few small hills and a couple of dirt trails as well as suburban type roads. I took an Al cyclocross frame, added Deore XT mtb drive train, Avid bb7 brakes, a fast forward seat post, curly handle bars as used on a REI safari bike and then added aerobars. I also have front and rear racks and can pull a trailer. It’s a bit of everything. It’s fast, carries a ton of groceries, and can ride up any hill without the brakes failing on the way down.

When I was in middle school, I lived in The Netherlands. I had one of those heavy green one speed machines. I sold it years ago, and lately have been kicking myself for doing that.

Any bike that gets people where they want to go, and makes them happy doing it, is a good bike.

]]> By: Dave Cherling http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-9380 Dave Cherling Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:43:25 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-9380 Can't agree about hybrids. I use a Dawes 401 every day and it's the easiest and fastest to ride of any of the dozens I get in my workshop. As a somewhat large and old man I often overtake guys half my age pedaling furiously on their mountain bikes. Very satisfying. Can’t agree about hybrids. I use a Dawes 401 every day and it’s the easiest and fastest to ride of any of the dozens I get in my workshop. As a somewhat large and old man I often overtake guys half my age pedaling furiously on their mountain bikes. Very satisfying.

]]> By: ret3 http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-7753 ret3 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:51:47 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-7753 I'm just starting out, bikeless since early adolescence, and got a clearance deal on a GT Aerostream that I'm having a good time with. It's like a less-featured ECB, but with an aluminum frame. Quite comfy, and I'm getting used to the three gears, which is three times what I last used. I’m just starting out, bikeless since early adolescence, and got a clearance deal on a GT Aerostream that I’m having a good time with. It’s like a less-featured ECB, but with an aluminum frame. Quite comfy, and I’m getting used to the three gears, which is three times what I last used.

]]> By: elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-6414 elliott Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:19:41 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-6414 mjh, It's a custom touring bike from <a href=http://www.vanillabicycles.com/ rel="nofollow">Vanilla Cycles</a> out of Portland, OR. mjh,
It’s a custom touring bike from Vanilla Cycles out of Portland, OR.

]]> By: mjh http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-6400 mjh Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:32:49 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-6400 Just a nosy question-what make and model is the pictured touring bike? Just a nosy question-what make and model is the pictured touring bike?

]]> By: elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-4127 elliott Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:46:17 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-4127 Tony, Like some of the other bikes suggested in this thread of comments, your BMX may be fun, but it is not a practical bike for the everyday transportation needs of most people. As for the conversion to gearing, you might look at <a href="http://bikehugger.com/2009/07/the-girlfriends-bike-new-geari-1.html" rel="nofollow">this recent Bike Hugger article</a> about converting a Bmxish bike to three speed Sturmey Archer internal hub. Tony,
Like some of the other bikes suggested in this thread of comments, your BMX may be fun, but it is not a practical bike for the everyday transportation needs of most people.

As for the conversion to gearing, you might look at this recent Bike Hugger article about converting a Bmxish bike to three speed Sturmey Archer internal hub.

]]> By: Tony Anderson http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-4126 Tony Anderson Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:45:09 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-4126 prob going to get a right ribbing here but here goes . . . im 48 and still love BMX bikes after having them as a lad and for the last 5 years . . and i have a specialized fuse 5 really dont want to give it up . . it fits in my vw camper great and is used for canal paths, parks, beaches, camp sites etc also trying to keep up with a GF on a mountain bike . . . Ive been looking into the possability of fitting gears (im getting old lol) but not a fan of deralliers (spelling) looking above you have listed folders with 20" wheels . with hub gears :)hmmmm which if any could i have fitted to my 36 sp rhyno lite wheel? (110mm between rear drop outs) will i have to have the rear widend? would it make a difference? how many gears? . . ive scanned and scanned to find info for anyone doing this before :( maybe im the only one mad / stupid enough to try :) if anyone can advise me (nothing rude ta) would really appreciate a mail buddah.mickey@hotmail.co.uk .. Tony prob going to get a right ribbing here but here goes . . . im 48 and still love BMX bikes after having them as a lad and for the last 5 years . . and i have a specialized fuse 5 really dont want to give it up . . it fits in my vw camper great and is used for canal paths, parks, beaches, camp sites etc also trying to keep up with a GF on a mountain bike . . . Ive been looking into the possability of fitting gears (im getting old lol) but not a fan of deralliers (spelling) looking above you have listed folders with 20″ wheels . with hub gears :) hmmmm which if any could i have fitted to my 36 sp rhyno lite wheel? (110mm between rear drop outs) will i have to have the rear widend? would it make a difference? how many gears? . . ive scanned and scanned to find info for anyone doing this before :( maybe im the only one mad / stupid enough to try :) if anyone can advise me (nothing rude ta) would really appreciate a mail
buddah.mickey@hotmail.co.uk .. Tony

]]> By: elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/01/picking-a-bike-for-everyday-transportation/comment-page-1/#comment-3434 elliott Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:29:53 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=38#comment-3434 Jeff, Just because a bike is fast, doesn't make it a good transportation bike. I have often in the past ridden a very fast road bike with a messenger bag. Did it get the job done? Yes. Would I have been more comfortable and able to carry more stuff on a Dutch bike or touring bike? Yes. Your fixie may be fun to ride but I would not recommend it to the general population wanting a good bike designed to get them and their stuff from point A to B. Jeff,
Just because a bike is fast, doesn’t make it a good transportation bike. I have often in the past ridden a very fast road bike with a messenger bag. Did it get the job done? Yes. Would I have been more comfortable and able to carry more stuff on a Dutch bike or touring bike? Yes. Your fixie may be fun to ride but I would not recommend it to the general population wanting a good bike designed to get them and their stuff from point A to B.

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