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@vvill 50594 wrote:

I feel like if you know you are going to be riding your bike a lot then just a little more money really shouldn’t be *as* a big deal – especially if your commutes save you money, and help keep you healthy. I know it’s not easy to convince others of that, but if you compare it to the most expensive options (e.g. owning/running/maintaining a car) and get people to treat a bicycle seriously as a transportation vehicle (and fitness equipment), as well as a sport/hobby purchase (how they are often commonly viewed) you might be able to squeeze out a bit more. Although, since this is an upgrade from a decent commuter bike, I understand it may be a tougher sell. You could always wait until sale season (usually after summer I think) to see if any bikes you’re after get a bit cheaper, and you might have more in the kitty to splurge then too.

Cyclocross is generally a good choice for all-round speed although as touched on in other threads most touring style road bikes could also serve similar purposes.

Also: I imagine (I have never sold a bike) that when you add things to your bike it can be a tough sell to really get the value you added from the selling price. You might better off keeping your upgraded parts and putting the stock items back on, esp. easily removable items like a rack etc. so you can keep them for your new bike.

Finally – if you’re a WABA member you may be able to get a discount at many LBSs. On a new bike + accessories it might even save you money just to become a member.

I’ll definitely keep this in mind. More bike parts to keep around until we can get an N+1 sized place…

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@lancito brazofuerte 50590 wrote:

The good thing about going for a CX bike to commute on is that the “entry level” models typically have rack/fender mounts. And with the “relaxed” CX geo, tends to be a bit more stable at lower speeds or on crappy terrain.

One model no one has mentioned- All City Macho Man. A bit pricier at $1600 but you do get a ton of bike for the money. I used to work at a shop and we sold tons of the A/C bikes. They have a cool attitude, great dealer service and a very good product. They really do their homework when it comes to well sorted bikes that can do it all (slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean). I own 4 A/C bikes currently, and have my sights set on two more.

Definitely looks nice, but way too pricey. I’d have a lot more options at that price point, but can’t really swing it…unless someone wants to buy a used trek fx for $600!

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My commutes also around 15 miles each way. I find a quick wash up in the sink has been sufficient for me thus far, but I don’t really push it hard on my commute. But the again, my wife often complains that I don’t seem to sweat…

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I’ll echo the thought that its easier than you think. As a relatively new commuter it really shocked me how easy it can be. My goal last August was to ride back and forth on my 30 mile round trip at least once for the year. Now I’m up to around 3 times a week, working up to all 5.

I’ll also add my big motivator:

It’s cheaper than metro. Saves me $11 for every round trip. I can bike commute AND bring home cupcakes cheaper and faster than if I take metro.

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Thanks for the suggestions. I suppose a firm $300 or a soft $350 would be a realistic price.

Budget is right at $1K for a new bike, which would bring me to 1300 max (after selling the Trek)…right at the limit of the Volpe.
If I do more dishes and mop the floor a few times perhaps I can convince the wife to go above budget. Taxes shouldn’t count after all,…right?!:cool:

Surly sounds good, but out of the price range. My relatively muddy, icky (but fun!) commute this morning has me pretty set on a rugged cyclocross now
though, so thats one less decision!

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If you’re looking for a cruiser-style bike for a commuter, maybe the Trek Allant is appropriate?

My wife loves hers (even though she doesn’t ride much after foot surgery). The bike is kind of heavy,
but she can still keep up a good pace!

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@ShawnoftheDread 50366 wrote:

Raise the training wheels a little at a time every week or so. But don’t tell her.

I think this is how I actually learned, albeit without the parents raising the wheels.
If I recall, the training wheels just weren’t tightly screwed down, so if I hit a bump, they got raised up a bit.
As I started riding faster, the wheels got bumped more and got raised up on their own. Once I got
used to going fast with the training wheels, I had hit enough bumps and rocks that the training wheels weren’t
even helping me any more. They’d been raised off the ground by my maniacal riding!

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I can understand why you were frustrated by the red light running…drives me crazy when I see it. As for the rest, I can also see why a group of cyclists might ride together like that. Kind of a safety in numbers thing. Remember that there are a lot of expensive cars being driven through DC and based on my experience, they get some kind of reward or have some massive rich people game centered on intimidating bicyclists (apologies to any expensive car folks on here).

I just always tell myself that when some ELITE biker blows through a red light and I stop and wait, i’m the ELITE one since I can obey the laws and then just catch Mr. ELITE at the next light that he’s unable to illegally fly through.

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Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. I made it to the metro (~2 miles) without incident. I’m thinking i’ll take the tire in to a LBS to get their opinions on long term rideability.
Might just need a Park boot (those are nifty looking, definitely picking some up for the flat-pack) if i’m lucky. I’m heartened to hear that they can work “longer term” for a small
little blemish like mine.
Also might try those tubes that I can fill with the sealant.
If I end up getting a new tire, any suggestions from the folks on here?

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http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/3761463071.html

Looks to be a great deal on a Kona Jake. This one doesn’t have the disc brakes like the 2013, but that color scheme is pretty snazzy IMHO.

http://2k12.konaworld.com/cx.cfm?content=jake – About $300 off the price of a new one.

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Wow…there are no words…

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@lancito brazofuerte 50209 wrote:

Fist address the tire. Using an old shop rag or tshirt, run it inside the tire. Hopefully it won’t snag on anything sharp. If no sharp stuff is in the tire check out the small puncture you referenced. Does it allow the tube to bubble out of it? when fully inflated, does the tire bulge? If no to both, keep riding it. A bit of added insurance is a sticky tire boot. Park Tool makes the nicest ones and can be had for almost free from any decent LBS.

One other thing to look for is the rim strip. Check to make sure it is aligned over the spoke holes in the rim and not off center or crooked at the valve hole. If your rim strip is kinda boogered, Hit up the LBS for some cloth rim tape. 2 rolls (both wheels) is usually around $8.

Next, using your rag/tshirt/wife’s apron, run it along the inside of the rim. Hopefully you won’t encounter any snags. It’s very rare but I have seen come crazy bad rims from the factory.

If all is well, pull the trigger on some new tubes and make sure you air up accordingly.

If the puncture on the tire is more of a cut and bulges a bit when inflated, dump it and get a new one. Or two. I know my bike OCD would go all Rain Man if I has mismatched tires.

Hope this helps

Culprit looked to be a small piece of glass sticking in the tire. Puncture is perhaps 0.2-ish cm, so doesn’t look like the tube is new tube bulging. Tire looks nice and non-bulgy. Spinning pretty good. Gonna leave it overnight and might try riding the 2 miles to metro tomorrow to test it out with more testing for the weekend.

Thanks for all the help to all of you! If I’m able to keep things working on this bike with your expert assistance perhaps I can convince myself i’ll be able to maintain a nicer bike!

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All right, home and inspecting the tire!

I found the likely culprit. The tire itself has a puncture in it. A tiny little sliver that must be allowing sharp little rocks in to puncture the poor little tube.
I inspected the outside of the tire, saw what might be a weird little sliver, lined it up with the now flat and removed tube and found my puncture.
Oddly, I can’t do the same with the first punctured tube. Still have NO IDEA what the problem with that was. Can’t find ANY leaks, even when lining things up all scientific-like. It looks a little silvery towards the bottom, so i’m wondering if there might be some pinching or something rubbing silvery material from the inside of the rim or something…checking the tape and tire interior for that next.

For now, where to go from here…
Can I patch this tire at its sliver for riding tomorrow?
Do I need to get a new set of tires?
If so, any recommendations?

I am looking to get a new cyclocross commuter, so I’m hesitant to spend too much on this bike as I’m planning to sell it towards said new curly handlebar commuter.

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@bobco85 49981 wrote:

This is from my ride from Sunday afternoon. A nice 42.3 mile ride after having slept in (Sunday is my designated lazy day of the week), I finally got to experience the multi-colored wonder that is the Anacostia Tributary Trail System! Shown are the Custis, C&O Canal, Capital Crescent, Georgetown Branch, Sligo Creek, NW Branch, Anacostia River, Metropolitan Branch, and Mount Vernon trails with a few bike lanes/sharrows and government buildings as well. I’ll definitely be heading that way more often on future trips, especially since there are more trails to ride!

[video=youtube_share;B6DL0s0THLM]http://youtu.be/B6DL0s0THLM[/video]

Its like reliving a chunk of my commute any time I want now!

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@consularrider 50013 wrote:

This morning’s commute was over before it started. I was switching the bike I was going to ride and coming down a step, I caught my foot and twisted my ankle. At the ER thry told me the x-ray shows an avulsion fracture, and that I’ll be off the bike for six to eight weeks.

Hope you heal up quickly!

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