Building a commuter

[ozpete]

Now I have a nice steel frame I am turing into this summers commuter, but am I better sticking the rather pedestrian 7 speed STX gear back onto this, or moving the 8 speed LX / XT stuff off the Balance FS550 I just picked up. but will not see action ant ti9me soon due to the rather unfortunate rear suspension these things have? What I really need to ask, does a commuter need the nice gear, or will any old crap do?

 

[Pierre]

If you're going to be commuting day in, day out, in all weathers, I'd say cheap and simple is best. Singlespeed if you can get away with it, if not go for 7-speed and thumbies.

Not sure what it's like round your way but I'd advise a Londoner to keep the bike grubby and the moving bits clean (ish). A shiny bike attracts thieves, a dirty bike covered in tape and stickers and sh!t, less so. But do look after your chain - leaving it full of cack will just make it wear out faster.

HTH!

: P

 

[hamster]

The stuff with lots of steel in it like STX goes on and on for ages. The only thing that's worse compared to the higher-end stuff is weight. So it's ideal for commuting, and will probably outlast the upmarket bits anyway.

 

[chriscl]

I second Pierre above; singlespeed is the way to go, with semi-click tyres (I went for Schwalbe CityJets on mine).

Unless you have large changes of gradient, you'll be surprised how well a singlespeed will go, and how much abuse they can take when the weather gets grim (as invariably it does, in this country!)

 

[bm0p700f]

Single speeds are the way forward. They are almost zero maintance.

 

[saltyman]

yep, i have a single speed trek, on semi slicks. never needed anything bar brake pads in 11yrs!

oh, i treated it to some new handlebar grips a few years ago

 

[Rod_Saetan]

I would build a single speed out of parts bin stuff, then slowly decide its just not good enough and stick loads of pimp bits on it and then realise that its just too good and too nice to be commuting on so start another cheap parts bin single speed build.

Repeat.

 

[drystonepaul]

Full mudguards make alot of sense on a commuter too.

For gearing I agree that you should tailor it to your route. A single chainring set up or a singlespeed often works where the hills and gradients aren't too great.

I used to do a commute which involved about 900 ft of climbing and then about 600 ft of descending on the way to work and the reverse on the way home.
I ran a 50/34 double chainring set up on the front and an 11-24 seven speed cassette on the back with thumbshifters. With slick tires it was pared down to be exactly what was required for that route.

 

[Pierre]

This is the point where I really wish fotopic was still working... my commuter is an Orange C-16R with slick tyres (Conti Sport Contacts, the choice of couriers), bullhorn bars and fixed wheel (42x14 on a 15" frame, incidentally). It sounds like a complete dog but it's actually a brilliant ride!

: P

 

[Pierre]

Found an old pic on fixedgeargallery, when it was covered in gaffer tape and reflective cloth stuff (and had really crap bar tape!) - it's now got a Chris King headset and I stripped all the cack off and re-coated it with ambulance tape, although most of the time it's coated with a thick layer of road gunk, but I keep the moving parts working.

: P