1st touring/commuting bike

I have been waiting to do a post on my new touring/commuting bike in order to give some data on how she rides as well. I sought out to build one this spring because I have dedicated myself to being a full time bike commuter from here on out. Plus I really want to get into bike touring, I figure 22 years of dreaming about it is long enough. So I sold off my racing bike and some misc parts and began my 4 month long quest for parts and frame/fork and other misc items from E-Bay. I ended up with a fairly low budget but good quality bike that is custom built to my taste and desires. I am not going to into the specifics of technological hoopla and the inner working of my mind and thought process, because that would take all day so I will just give the facts.
This is a very big change from riding my racing bike that I have been using as my commuter bike. First this is the first steel frame bike I have owned, and I must say steel is real. It rides a lot more comfortably than the zippy aluminum racer I had. Second it is so nice to not worry about pot holes, ruts, debris, and other road hazards, I have even popped up on a side walk curb or two just to be able to get around obstacles. I even wnet across a gravel parking lot the other day. I love how I sit up high and not always in the tucked position. The one down fall (but not necessarily) is it is way slower due in part to the 700 x 35 tires instead of the normal 700 x 23 size tires that I was used to. Plus the more relaxed geometry does not wind up quick like the racer. I have not out fitted it with panniers yet, but have a trunk rack to hold all my daily commuting gear. I really like the way it rides and can’t wait to take it on my first bike tour. I will be changing some things on it as time goes by but for right now it is on the road and working out well.
Here are the specs:

Frame : Pake Comute 58cm, 4130 tange chromoly
Fork: Unicrown with low-rider rack mounts. (Included with the frame)
Crank: Shimano 105 triple 52 x 45 x 30 (going to change this out, I am never in the 52)
Cassette: Shimano 105 12 x 27
Chain: Shimano 105 hyper glide
BB Shimano: 105.
Rear derailleur: 105
Front derailleur: 105
Shifters: Shimano flight deck 105
Brakes: Avid Shorty’s
Pedals: Look A-3 (to be changed out for more commute/touring specific)
Seat post: Bontrager
Saddle: WTB
Handle bars: FSA 44mm
Stem: Specialized flip-flop
Headset: Crane creek S-3
Rims: Mavic crossmax 32 spoke
Tires: Michelin City protek 700 x 35
Trunk Rack/bag: Topeak
Tubes: Presta valve.
Reflective tape: DOT
Front Light: Cyglo Light Rover II
Rear Light: Cyglo Light Blinky Extreme
Fun Factor Priceless

The photos did not come out that great and don't do the color justice at all, but here are a few





I want the police officer to say "how the hell did you not see him?"

Wow. You have a nice Front lighting system! Very bright.

I use my backpacking light (Fenix L1D) on my bike. I’m a bike commuter also. During the day, I have my Fenix on flash and people tell me they see me for a mile! Good.


“I want the police officer to say "how the hell did you not see him?"”
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-Barry

What did all this cost?

I am into it about $800.00 U.S. for everything right down to the last bolt. So not too bad I feel, considering what it is, and what it is being used for. Oh wait that did not include the shoes and pedals, I had those already.

Ya, I wanted a reliable and brigth light source. I do my comute home in the dark or at dusk most nights. I knew that a regular battery powerd light would not fit the bil so I did some research and sprung for that one. What is really nice is it is re-chargable so I don't waste so many batteries. I us the strobe mode duirng the day as well, makes me more visible.

I am working on a similar bike setup. I found a Chrom molly framed "comfort" bike on Craigslist for $125.00 I plan to change the bottom bracket(it's toast), seat and seatpost and tires. When I first started riding the bike I thought it was slow and was thinking of going back to a road bike until I took it on gravel etc. I think I'll stick with the SC30 for now. I noticed that you have racing handlebars. Do you prefer them over Mt. bike type? I like the more upright sitting position. Although it is slower with wind drag, Ihave less neck aches.

It does seem like alot of money, but then again, with the quality of parts - and mechanics - you have in it, it will last you a long time. I spent over $1,000 piece by piece building my mountain bike, back in 1987 (a fortune at the time!)... I still ride it 21 years later. I bought quality parts that have held up. The only thing that has been changed a few times is my seat, and I just replaced my knobbys with slicks. I could probably buy something alot nicer now, but it is still a quality bike that I enjoy riding. And the pride of having built it myself is still prevalent. You will enjoy this bike way more than anything you could have walked out of a store with, even if you'd had it custom built for you.

MNS

I was also riding in 1987 when I bought my first real bike a Benoto road bike that I put several thousand miles on. I sold it at a yard sale for $50.00 with sewups and several upgrades but it needed a few parts replaced. I had about $1,000.00 in it and used bikes at the time 1995 weren't worth alot. So I thought. Now I'm kicking myself for getting rid of it after looking at a comparable bikes today. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Twice the cost. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I think used bikes will be worth more as time goes on.
There is a guy around here that rebuilds decent old bikes and sells them for $400.00 up. Memphis Craigslist .http://memphisbargainbicycles.com

Hi, Mugs - nice setup!

I don't commute regularly, and have a carbon frame road bike I ride more often, but earlier this summer I fixed up my old steel-frame Bianchi cross-terrain bike, pictured here:



New Shimano A530 pedals (clipless on one side, platform on the other), new cables and shifters, new pads, and - perhaps of interest to you - new 700x28 Continental Touring tires. Faster than the 35s - might be worth a look if you want to get something in between what your racing bike has and what you're riding now. I actually used to have knobby Maxxis 45s on this bike (that's what it originally came with, too).

I use rear panniers and occasionally a bag on top of the rear rack; definitely want to upgrade my lights as a next step if I start riding more at night (I have some Blackburn LED ones that are decent when blinking for making sure I'm seen, but not really good for illuminating the road for seeing clearly).

Keep us posted on how it goes. Have fun out there!

Hahaha... my road bike (haven't ridden it in YEARS) still has sew-ups on it... 3/4 inch slicks on the front, I think 7/8 inch slicks on the back. I built that one from the ground up too, after being given a rather nice Trek frame. I thought about revamping it this summer, but decided to focus on my mountain bike instead. I'll take pictures of it when it stops raining (if it will ever stop raining again!).

MNS

I wanted to keep it "true" to touring and commuting. Plus I am used to drop bars. I did not cut my fork which gave me a pretty up right position already. Also I added a pretty steep stem which reased my to a very comfortable up right position without compromising my bike/body geometry. You have to remember I am used to riding custum fit and or built road bikes so I still like to keep body geometry in tune with kinesthetic peddle stroke and body mas angles in order to be comfortable in the saddle all day. I was able to do all that plus still have an up right right postion, just by simply picking the correct stem in conjuntion with not cutting my fork. Thay way if need be be, I am able to head into the drops for thos high head wind times. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

It is a far cry from the $8,000.00 bike I really want, but I guese if I ever head back into the peliton I would re-consider buying one one like it again....Can you say SEROTTA <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I was thinking of something like that but the tires came with the rims so I will use them untill they are worn out. I think 700 x 28 or 30/32 may be the ticket for in-city commutting but maybe a larger (the 35's) will be needed for touring. Then again my touring gear will pretty much be my Bping gear so were looking at 20 pounds for a 4-5 day trip, (that inlcudes food and water) so I may not need the larger tires because my bike won't be so "loaded" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
AAHH UL Bike touring here I come.

It's right shiney, it is!