Confessions of a blue collar commuter - Part 2

Observation #4:  It's going to be commuted on, not raced

 

Its important to remember that we are trying to find a good tool that will primarily be used for "getting around".  Now whatever that may mean to you, I think its fair to say that most of us enjoy a spirited ride from time to time regardless of how city oriented our bike might be.  I find myself getting my legs warm and really picking up pace on my commuter bikes and like to build them accordingly.  Being that most of my riding actually takes place during commutes means that I want to get the most out of such rides.  Balancing utility with sport for me is important being that I don't want to gravitate one way much more than the other.  Though I might want a semi-aggressive geometry out of a bike, or maybe a more overall light weight package, I try my best to make these things possible without unnecessary sacrifices.  You wont see me commuting on aluminum frames for example, or low spoke count wheels for that matter.  Bridging the gap between utility and performance is always a delicate balancing act and depends entirely on the type of riding you will find yourself doing. 

 

 For me 95% of my in city commutes are done on good to decent condition pavement with the occasional hard pack dirt or gravel trail thrown in.  Conditions such as this have me coming back to a middle ground that is somewhere between the ultra light single speed and fixed gear bikes I once rode, and the heavy, often overbuilt fully rigid "mountain" bikes that I spent the last four years almost exclusively using.  I now enjoy more than ever a well balanced, steel road bike frame with tubing of average thickness: not so much that the ride feels dead yet not so little that everything I lean the bike on translates into a dented tube.   I use tires that are considered "thick" by traditional road bike standards (28-30mm) that offer me the traction and comfort I seek. 

 

My Univega frame and fork was found in excellent condition.  This bike was built up mostly with
 parts that I had from other bike projects. Though moderately priced, like the Fuji bike the quality components
are easy to find, replace and swap if and or when the time comes.

 

Observation #5:  Commutes change, and so should our bikes

 

Since heavily commuting via bike over the last six years, I have had a handful of jobs all over the city of Albuquerque.  From the north east heights and Rio Rancho, to the International district, North valley and Corralles.  The length of the rides, roads commuted, loads carried and weather conditions encountered have all contributed to changes in what I have found as optimal (and fun here lets not forget).  Being that I keep encountering many of the same variables, I have managed to settle on the two main commuter bikes to get around.  They both exhibit very similar handling characteristics, have nearly identical ergonomics and all in all feel like closely related relatives.  One bike (the red Fuji) is set up with a slightly larger frame, longer wheelbase, and thicker tubing for front and rear racks with quad panniers to carry light to mid weight loads.  I utilize taller gears in the cassette to compensate for the extra load. This will be the bike I hop on whenever I need to get around with more than just the essentials.  From laundry and groceries to anything in between for the long days out and about, this bike will get it done.

 

For equally long but less load bearing rides, I have built up a second bike (the blue Univega).  This bike is slightly more compact and aggressive than the Fuji, giving it an overall quicker and snappier feel.  The tubing is slightly thinner and the wheel base shorter.  The gearing is not as big as the Fuji's being that only a saddle and handlebar bag will be outfitted to the bike (tools and snacks in the front with phone, wallet and keys in the rear).  Similar brakes, shifters and derailleurs are utilized on both bikes to give a very seamless transition between the use of both bikes.  I wanted the two of them to feel as close as possible to one another within reason, while maintaining their own individual personality (color schemes, accents and such).  Having two commuter bikes seems essential being that no time lag is necessary if something catastrophic occurs with one of the bikes.  If it comes to it I can even outfit the Univega with racks to compensate if something happens to the gear hauling Fuji.  The parts are 100% cross compatible, from the seat post size and crankset bcd (bolt circle diameter) to the headset size and bottom bracket width.  A back up or replacement part for one bike is a mirror for the other. 

Observation #6:  No work, no pay, no play

 

For me, getting stuck out there with no option is a non-option.  I need to be able to figure out a quick solution in order to make it to work in one piece.  Be it back up city bus schedules memorized or a secondary bicycle which I can transition to, any fail safe is better than none at all.  If I can secure myself any extra preventive measure I certainly will.

Though I have had, and continue to enjoy so much fun commuting all over the city year round, I do very much understand that it is a privilege more than anything to be able to do so.  To have a job to commute to and from is the reason for the commutes in the first place, and by keeping the wheels spinning, both literally and figuratively, I can further solidify more joy filled riding down the road for myself.