Riding to and from work. Other cycling primarily for transportation. Carrying stuff. Picking a bike. Related issues.
11
votes
6answers
1k views
I keep breaking my road frames - why?
I've gone through four frames in the last decade or so, all from different manufacturers, all steel but both lugged and welded. Every one of them has eventually developed a crack, been repaired and ...
14
votes
9answers
1k views
How to keep the pants from getting dirty
If it is wet, not necessarily pouring rain, it is easy to get the bottom of the pants and the shoes dirty. My tires have protective platesfenders, yet it is not enough. If there a way to avoid that?
26
votes
8answers
639 views
How can I be visible in the dark when I'm signalling a turn?
My bike and I are fairly visible at night--white light in front, red light in the back, bright yellow fenders, reflective tabs and a light on my helmet. I use hand signals to alert motorists when I'm ...
22
votes
6answers
2k views
What headset/radio products exist for bike-to-bike communication?
I commute to work by bike, sometimes I share the journey with a co-worker. The problem is because of the wind and distance between the bikes, it's very hard to hear what the other person says.
It ...
31
votes
7answers
2k views
What advanced cycling skills are useful for a commuter or city rider?
I'm a commuter; I mostly ride around the city to get to work, go shopping, visit friends, and stop by the pub. I have basic cycling skills down; proper mounting and dismounting, signaling turns, ...
17
votes
6answers
2k views
How do I change a road bike into a commuter bike?
I have a road bike that I commute to work on, just a 9km trip each way. I also have some tightness in my lower back, especially since I usually sit in front of a computer screen. My wife wants me to ...
13
votes
3answers
5k views
When and how tight should you adjust your clipless pedals?
So I'm new to clipless pedals. I got some Shimano ones, with Specialized MTB shoes. They are an SPD clipless pedal, and the shop adjusted them as loose as they go to unclip from them. Myq questions ...
28
votes
5answers
2k views
Are slick tires worth it for commuting?
I commute to work on a Marin San Rafael on roads over a mix of flat to steep roads. My bike came with "700 x 35c with Puncture Protection" semi-slick tires:
In the bike shed at work I noticed ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
Is it possible to fit a chain guard to a bike with derailleur gears?
I've been slowly going through the process of converting my old hardtail mountain bike into a commuting bike. One of the things that I'd like to do is to fit a chain guard so that I can ride the bike ...
1
vote
0answers
136 views
Best cargo storage on a commuter bike [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Pros and cons panniers and messenger bags
I commute about 5 miles each way to work. I usually travel light; I don't carry much with me other than the contents of my ...
13
votes
2answers
531 views
Passing cars on the right, and later merging into their lane
My commute takes me along a fairly busy road, with 4 lanes of traffic and parked cars along most of it. There are no bike lanes, but in some places, it's wide enough that I can easily pass traffic on ...
16
votes
3answers
252 views
Submitting road data to Google
I have really enjoyed Google Maps cycling directions but find it lacking a lot where I live. I really want to update the maps with new/better information but I don't know the what, how, or where.
...
3
votes
26answers
896 views
Which bus networks allow you to transport a bike?
In the UK I have never seen a public bus system that allows you to take a (non-folding) bike on the bus. (There are long distance coaches that do allow bikes, however I am asking about local busses.)
...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
How close do I have to be for effective drafting (while commuting)?
I commute and want to draft another bike, but still have room to stop when someone opens a car door in front of the rider in front of me. At what distance does drafting significantly reduce drag? Are ...
14
votes
2answers
959 views
How much motor do I need for my electric-assist bike?
I take my twins to preschool by car, and I'd like to switch to doing it by bike.
There's a hill, and we're heavy, and I'm not in great shape, so it's hard. I've done it a few times, but I always ...
7
votes
1answer
96 views
Online stores which stock larger cycling gear?
I'm trying to find a source to purchase large-sized bicycle gear. I'm having a hard time finding all sorts of gear. I've been looking for padded mountain bike shorts, but can't find anything that ...
15
votes
4answers
867 views
Equipping a commuter bike
My commute is a bit over 5 miles each way through the city. It's not that long a commute; in traffic, it takes about 35 minutes door to door, and I'm never far from public transit that I could use in ...
2
votes
1answer
621 views
Where can I buy a Bianchi Pista Concept?
I would like to buy a Bianchi Pista Concept 2005...2009 like this one:
http://velospace.org/node/24912
Where can I find this bike in London, UK? And what should I check before buy it?
Also, How ...
9
votes
3answers
9k views
Upgrading straight handlebars to drop handlebars
I have a two-and-a-half year old Giant FCR 3 (with a road-bike-like frame and thin tires; it's somewhere in the loosely-defined "hybrid" range) that I use to commute to work, twenty-five miles ...
21
votes
10answers
3k views
For a long (25mile each way) commute, what kind of bike should I look at?
I'd really like to be able to commute to work. It's a long way though - 25 miles away. Too far for every day, but maybe I can cycle it once or twice a week.
I tried it on my old mountain bike a ...
40
votes
33answers
2k views
What do you wish someone had told you before your first commute?
Four times a year I teach a workshop called "Be a Bike Commuter" for the local university's community education program. It's mostly based on my experience and information from the League of American ...
12
votes
5answers
9k views
How often should I grease and repack my hubs and bottom bracket?
I am commuting 7 miles a day (round trip) in all weather in New England (temperate, moderately wet climate, cold winters). Overall I am putting about 1000 miles per year on my commuter bike, a 2009 ...
5
votes
2answers
424 views
bike suggestions for a commuter who takes an occasional long road ride
I'm shopping around for a new bike. I ride 4-10 miles a few times a week and an occasional ~50 mile road trip. I'm looking for recommendations on bikes similar to a SE Lager, Surly Steamroller, or ...
12
votes
5answers
1k views
What should I look for in choosing wheels for a road bike?
I have a commuting/touring bike and my riding is a good bit of commuting mixed with weekend rides of up to 50 miles.
In my lame knowledge, I'll assume that lighter wheels can be had when you spend ...
3
votes
2answers
595 views
purchasing a bike
I live in Queens, NYC. I am thinking of buying a bike for casual ride probably during weekends and sometime for commuting to the city.
Can anyone recommend which and what type of bike should I buy ...
8
votes
15answers
386 views
What do you do to make positive you remember your water bottle? [closed]
I commute 11 miles to work, and at least once a month, at about mile 2, I'll look down and notice I left my water bottle on the counter at home!
What tricks do you have to make sure this doesn't ...
10
votes
6answers
2k views
How many effective gears do I have on a 21 speed bike?
I have a 21 speed bike (a hybrid commuting bike). But AFAIK, this does not mean that I have 21 different gear ratios. Is there any way to calculate the different gear ratios?
9
votes
6answers
2k views
Best chain lubricant for commuter/utility bikes?
What's the best chain lubricant for a bike used for riding in normal(ish) clothes, year-round?
I've been using Tri-Flow, but that tends to leave black greasy/dirty stains on pants, shoes, etc. I've ...
47
votes
16answers
4k views
How to clean up at work after a commute?
I would like to bicycle commute to work, but we don't have showers or any place I can change. How can I clean up and carry clothing? My office is business casual, but I need to look neat and ...
29
votes
21answers
3k views
How can I make my bike (and myself) visible at night?
By winter I will be commuting on my bike at night. How can I make my bike as visible as possible to all car drivers?
18
votes
2answers
438 views
How to wash a bike properly?
I use my bicycle in a typical urban commute setting. No extreme MTB, but it still accumulates some dust and grime.
How should I wash my bicycle?
30
votes
3answers
1k views
Periodic Maintenance Task for Bike Commuters
What are the periodic maintenance tasks (weekly, monthly, annual, every X miles) that anyone who relies on a bike for transportation (typically in urban/semi-urban environments) should be performing? ...
