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bike to commute to and from work

By 2012TranceX1 - Posted on 21 September 2012

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

hi guys I'm looking for a bike that i can commute to and from work on, its my first job.

im allready a keen mountain biker on my trance and its not suitable for riding to work on.

i am located in lesmurdie, and my job is in cannington
(for people who don't know the ride down from lesmurdie is very steep and obviously I've gotta get back up it.)

i was looking at road bikes but i am open to suggestions including brands, models etc

any response is welcome, thank you

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MTB Gear

consider a surly pacer

Submitted by monkey1 on Fri, 21/09/2012 - 22:40.

i commute from mundaring way to the airport on a surly pacer. as i go on the bridal / heritage trail i put 33mm CX rubber on and it still gets along well on the road. if our on the road all the way the simple steel frame makes for a comfy ride.
You'll get fit quick if you get into it.

how much did it set you back,

Submitted by 2012TranceX1 on Fri, 21/09/2012 - 22:55.

how much did it set you back, if you dont mind me asking

and what would you think of me putting a different wheel set and some road rubber on the trance

I was in a similar situation

Submitted by jimnobob on Sat, 22/09/2012 - 08:45.

I was in a similar situation at the beginning of the year - didn't feel the Trance or TCR were right for the commute plus it was a good reason to go N+1.

I ended up building a bike from scratch and ordered all the bits over the web especially as there are such good deals out there (Merlin, CRC and Wiggle in particular). It also allowed me to upgrade a few bits on the Trance and move the older bits across to the commuter bike.

Giant Talon frame (geometry similar to Trance so knew it would fit), new XT brakes (they're just too good and great price), Shimano MT55 wheelset, Big Apple Tyres (for great grip and puncture resistance), 203mm rotor on the front (I go the very hilly way so like the stopping power), Topeak waterproof saddlebag plus a few other bits and pieces.

It's not light but I use the commute ride for training so that's actually a benefit. The good thing is it's tough and can be ridden no matter what the weather. I also like the fact that I can charge along on rough roads where most people are watching for the potholes. And that makes the ride just that bit more fun!

Anyway, some food for thought for you especially if you like tinkering with bikes. Not sure of the total cost but it would have come in under the $1k mark.

Commuting options

Submitted by Cotic Tony on Sat, 22/09/2012 - 09:11.

http://all.global-riders.net/files/imagecache/pr...

I built a beach/pub bike from an old Apollo 26"mtb found in bulk rubbish & old stuff that I had lying around & with 1.5" slicks it goes fine.

For something a little more special & if you can lock the bike up at work securely I'd be tempted to stick 29er wheels on a 26" MTB frame & use either fat road race tyres or cx tyres. I found that 28mm x 700c rubber clears the bridge of all of the forks that I have. (See the link above)
Alternatively build up something from scratch using sites mentioned above & basic components.

On One uk make pretty good wheels for the money for this sort of project.

I commute on a HT mtb, and

Submitted by hawkeye on Sat, 22/09/2012 - 10:05.

I commute on a HT mtb, and its great for the puropse. Thw disc brakes work in all weathers. I lock the fork for out of saddle climbs. It also has pannier rack eyelets so when i finish this secondment and need to be able to lug a laptop, i can.

I have 29er wheels with Conti road slicks, but you need to take care with potholes... i get probably half a dozen pinch flats a year and the last dinged the rim. Currently awaiting arrival of a Morningstar Rim Rench to fix.

For now i'm back on 26" rims and 2" rubber and enjoying the playfulness. You also score more point in Silly Commuter Racing

If i didn't have secure bike parking I'd be looking for the scruffiest hardtail i coild get in the right size and fit cable discs if it didnt already have discs. Peeling paint and ripped saddle and general ugliness will reduce attractiveness to thieves, along witha a solid Kryptonite NY Fahgeddaboudit U-lock.

Erina Bikeworx have a medium

Submitted by unclebullbar on Sun, 23/09/2012 - 06:51.

Erina Bikeworx have a medium Kona Paddy Wagon for $400.

Another plus for a hardtail

Submitted by hawkeye on Sun, 23/09/2012 - 14:43.

Another plus for a hardtail (26er or 29er) is that if your weekend bike needs a service then you have a backup you can ride on the trails.

FWIW

Submitted by Oldernslower on Sun, 23/09/2012 - 18:42.

I don't commute except to my favourite coffee shop which is 15k away. So I set out to build a 'commuter/shopping trolley/mtb' bike as i didn't like the road bike or riding on the roads much. Got a single speed 2nd hand frame with eccentric hub (stumpjumper), and a geared hub. So no front or rear derailleur. Just getting used to it - very different from riding a FS mtb - so much so i did an OTB last time out on the dirt - my fault not the bikes.

Depending on what size frame you need you can build one for around $1700 (mine was more as had a rohloff hub and new parts). If you get 2nd hand wheels and brakes can cost a less. The geared hub has a low gear equivalent to my 29r S-works (which has a 20 granny ring {20x36} )

Wanted a belt drive (no maintenance) but getting a split frame was a bit hard.

FWIW

Cyclocross

Submitted by skulptor on Mon, 24/09/2012 - 20:08.

I ended up with a On-One Dirty Disco Cyclocross Rival carbon from On One in the U.K.
An urban beastie...absolutely love the bike , all terrain and quick n light.

CX Bike goodness

Submitted by dangersean on Tue, 25/09/2012 - 09:21.

everyone should own a CXer, perfect in between bike and sturdy commuter to boot.

mate, since you have a CXer have you thought about (or even know about) the national CX series which will finish up this weekend locally at Terrey Hills?
Why not give it a crack and enter one of the support races? http://mwmtb.com/wp/ncxs2012/
Dont have a Cxer yet? there is an any bike category too.
Feel you need to be rewarded for going up, or don't want to race? perfect for spectators and there is also a fricken beer tent!
Gotta look after the kids? there is also a free kids race on the Sunday
get amongst it!!