What do you ride when.......

[JDEcho]

I have a road bike and I have a MTB. Both have clipless pedals therefore they do me no good when I just want to ride down the store or??? Lately I've been riding my Old School Haro BMX but lets face it it's not fast or comfortable enough to go very far. So I'm looking at an "Urban" bike. So far I've narrowed it down to The Novara Buzz a 26 inch wheel bomber or something like a Trek Soho, a more refined fast roller. My wife thinks I'm crazy for wanting yet another bike but I don't think she understands each bike has it's specific use. Am I crazy? Should I just be happy with what I have or adapt one of my bikes for "Suburban" rides? Any opinion on an "Urban" bike? I hate riding my MTB on the road even though I can lock out the fork and my speedplay pedals on my roadie make it difficult to walk around with the required shoes. Any suggestion? Joe

[Shorty]

A third bike isn't crazy, especially if you want something to run errands on and all you have is a nice road bike and a nice mtb.

For this type of work, I'd go with something older and used. I've never liked locking up an expensive bike outside a bar or store. Check out craigslist, the Hub Bike Co-op (the Minnehaha Ave store), or other shops that have used bikes.

It's also a great opportunity to try and build up a bike from scratch (if you've never done it and want to try).

You can easily build up a bike that is cool, yet doesn't look fancy and won't attract the usual bike thieves.

[nigel]

Here is my short ride bike.
It's converted to a 4sp and the tires change to knobbies in the snow.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/83/235241139_2deba98dc2.jpg?v=0

[Danimal]

Specialized has come out with the Globe line some nice rides in the line of commuters. Check here...

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=34069 (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=08Globe)

[b_rogo]

Of course you need another bike. Maybe two; one nice townie for summer and one beater for winter. I have an old Bridgestone MB2 that I've owned since new that's now equipped with fresh powdercoat, a 6spd drive train and cruiser bars for summer, and a beater Raleigh 27" wheeled frame that has fenders and 700c 'cross tires that's fixed-gear for winter travel.

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/bstone12-07.jpg

no current pics of the raleigh yet

[igor]

It is nice to have a city cruiser. I got one and because I commute to work most of the year on it, it gets ridden the most. I just took and old mtn. bike and made some modifications.

[Ala Carte]

. So I'm looking at an "Urban" bike. So far I've narrowed it down to The Novara Buzz a 26 inch wheel bomber or something like a Trek Soho, a more refined fast roller.

The new SOHO S is really cool. Its got a matte black finish with blacked out decals, and a fixed/free rear wheel. Super nice chaingaurd setup too. I think its around $500,

[Renegade]

winwood makes the decksters that clip into spd's
dimension makes a plastic traditional toe clip that you bolt cleats to the bottom of and then clip into your pedals.

[manual63]

If you wait a few more months, the Civia will be available.

Civia Cycles (http://www.civiacycles.com/)

High performance commuting machines....they are!

[JDEcho]

Building a bike would be cool. I've redone a BMX before so I feel confident I could build up an Urban bike. Bummer thing is I gave my old Raleigh M-80 to my father in law a few years back. That would have made a good platform for an Urban. I've cruised Craigslist a bit and found some potential candidates. I didn't know the Soho had different models. I rode one a few years ago at the Bike Expo and loved it even though it was a 9 speed then. I've thought about changing to a platform/ spd clip, a Shimano 520 or???? I do have small narrow plastic platforms for my SPD's I could use but they are so narrow they aren't much better than going without. I do have an old Raleigh 27 inch bike that my Grandpa bought new in '74. It's a 10 speed and in decent shape. I'll have to look at that and see what I could do to make it a good Urban bike. Anyways thanks for all the replies and if anyone thinks the old Raleigh has potential let me know where to start on it. Thanks, Joe

[b_rogo]

... I'll have to look at that and see what I could do to make it a good Urban bike. Anyways thanks for all the replies and if anyone thinks the old Raleigh has potential let me know where to start on it. Thanks, Joe

Here's a pick of the first incarnation of my Raleigh: http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/raleigh_fix_002.jpg

It looks different now, but gives you an idea of one possibility. I started with a frame and fork and built the rest up. The only weird part I ran into was a 70mm bottom bracket shell. A cheapie Shimano sealed 68mm unit works OK in there.

[taylor p.]

The new SOHO S is really cool. Its got a matte black finish with blacked out decals, and a fixed/free rear wheel. Super nice chaingaurd setup too. I think its around $500,
+1, no need to pay extra for gears when your just going to use it to make short trips to the store etc.

[JDEcho]

Here's what I have if anyone is still keeping tabs on this thread. A Schwinn Varsity and a Raleigh Record. Also is a pic of a bike I like and my winter beater/commuter. I'm not sure what to do. Whether or not to go S.S. of leave it as is or update the geared components. Leave the 27 inchers or add 700's? Original crank or???? I'm tearing it down this week to have it blasted and painted so I kind of need a plan sometime soon. Money is an issue but if it's not done to my satisfaction I won't ride it and I want to ride it. Any ideas on which step to take after the tear down or any parts for sale? Thanks, Joe