I think my Tri bike as commuter experiment has bitten the dust. I flipped my bike twice Thursday looking for cracks in the frame, a the back end seems to be way noodley loose, creaking under power. I am riding the thing ~ 3 hours per day when in Vancouver.
Then I thought, of course carbon tri bikes have thin walled aero tubing, how can that stand up to the rigors of daily and long riding & potholes etc? I I think that some of the newer frames (better carbon and layup) can do that, but this one is from 2008 or so, and not particularly stiff from the beginning.
I am just getting the yips about carbon in particular, and looking for the smoothest ride but also lightweight. So Ti frames have caught my eye. I use a flat bar trigger shift with custom aero bars - works great.
Tire width and air pressure are probably more important than frame material. That said I’m currently riding my 20+ year old titanium mountain bike on the road and just love its smooth ride and low maintenance. if you can find an old titanium frame or bike cheap you’ll probably love it as a commuter.
Dunno why you are worried about weight on a commuter. My commuters are always steel, it rides nice, is durable and usually has enough mounts to make a viable commuter. My current is my 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker. Surly crosscheck/straggler or the Salsa Vaya are all good choices. This isn’t a race bike, it’s a bike to carry stuff on, lunch, work clothes computer etc, not to mention racks and fenders if you are a committed commuter.
My LHT has a huge dent in the top tube from a theft attempt, had 3 spokes kicked out in another and has over 27k on it. It still rides like the day I got it and to this day if I was only allowed one bike this would be it. Trying to turn your commute into a race is silly, using a heavier bike as a training tool isn’t. That being said if I was gonna pick a material for a commuter that wasn’t steel, Ti would be it.
Edit-correction, we have 3 feet of snow on the ground, my CURRENT commuter is actually my Surly Pugsley, also steel.
I am just getting the yips about carbon in particular, and looking for the smoothest ride but also lightweight. So Ti frames have caught my eye. I use a flat bar trigger shift with custom aero bars - works great. Any experiences out there?
You want smooth for a road bike? 53mm tires plus front suspension and here you go.
My experience? Rides like a dream, and smoother than any road bike on the planet.
I think my Tri bike as commuter experiment has bitten the dust. I flipped my bike twice Thursday looking for cracks in the frame, a the back end seems to be way noodley loose, creaking under power. I am riding the thing ~ 3 hours per day when in Vancouver.
Then I thought, of course carbon tri bikes have thin walled aero tubing, how can that stand up to the rigors of daily and long riding & potholes etc? I I think that some of the newer frames (better carbon and layup) can do that, but this one is from 2008 or so, and not particularly stiff from the beginning.
I am just getting the yips about carbon in particular, and looking for the smoothest ride but also lightweight. So Ti frames have caught my eye. I use a flat bar trigger shift with custom aero bars - works great.
Any experiences out there?
I wouldn’t go with Ti for a commuter, just because it is more expensive if it gets stolen. As for me, I have been commuting for the better part of 25 years and have graduated thru many bikes. My current setup is a cheap aluminum cross bike, with 42mm tires, baskets, and rear rack. Love it.
It ain’t photoshopped: “Wilkinson of Port Sunlight Wheelers on the Wirral was British Best All-Rounder (BBAR) champion in 1996 and currently holds the 12- and 24-hour time trial competition records, amongst his many records and achievements down the years.”
I think my Tri bike as commuter experiment has bitten the dust. I flipped my bike twice Thursday looking for cracks in the frame, a the back end seems to be way noodley loose, creaking under power. I am riding the thing ~ 3 hours per day when in Vancouver.
Then I thought, of course carbon tri bikes have thin walled aero tubing, how can that stand up to the rigors of daily and long riding & potholes etc? I I think that some of the newer frames (better carbon and layup) can do that, but this one is from 2008 or so, and not particularly stiff from the beginning.
I am just getting the yips about carbon in particular, and looking for the smoothest ride but also lightweight. So Ti frames have caught my eye. I use a flat bar trigger shift with custom aero bars - works great.
Any experiences out there?
I have 2 commuters, both steel; 1 Ti road bike which I will ride to work occasionally, and a carbon TT rig.
The Ti bike has the best ride, and would be an ideal summer commuter except Id be paranoid about some dick stealing it.
If youre in VanCity, youll need fenders and a very strong lock, touring wheels tires, a rack, and good light front/rear.
I commute on one of the Moots (Disc Road) its perfect, I run 28mm tyres on it, its fast, smooth and comfortable. It’s also durable enough and versatile enough that I can go gravel grinding on it with no issues. If I only could have one bike I’d probably have it.
Anyway, I commute on Titanium (circa 2000 Airborne Zeppelin) - pictured here with race wheels (which I don’t use for commuting). I don’t use a rack. I wear a backpack.
Nice kit! The Dolan is a real bad-ass bike as well. I wondered about those brakes too. That thing looks sick, but in spirit I am sort of doing a similar thing.
Theft is not an issue for me, and I like to ride “the best” application because I spend so much time on this particular bike. I have C50’s for summer wheels, although my winter wheels have been really good too.
Light and aero are two requirements to keep it easy on the body, and cut down the commute time. However, I am not sure if I can keep up the “tour de Vancouver” unless I up the re-hab, which I am doing. The last round of dueling e-bikes I have a sore back for it. Took a lot out of me :).
I use a back pack, keep supplies at either end. Just carry what I need (spare, small pump, Iphone, allen keys and chocolate)
Standard V-brakes with USE bars? They won´t pull enough cable. I can´t see any travel agents there either.
The triple crank and long cage rear dérailleur are just so out of place with USE bars. I love how odd that bike is. Totally cool. It has the gearing for both Moriarty and Mount Washington on a TT bike!
Hello Simon. As you have probably guessed the levers don’t pull enough cable as standard. I took a drill,hacksaw and dremmel to the pods and bar ends to allow the levers further articulation. With care this allows all the movement needed without compromising the structure of bars or levers. I have done approximately 30.000m on my bars thus modified without problems. Good luck! Regards. W
Dekerf has history @ Rocky mountain. Had 2 RM’s still have a Cardiac (small)
I have no bike to ride tomorrow, unless I gruel it out on the Brodie “fixie”. I should post a vid of the flex on my carbon bike - it’s pretty funny how much rear triangle “yaw” there is when stepping on the pedal. I have yet to find a crack tho.
I stopped by the LBS here, no Ti but the mechanic pulled his Bromax (Brodie Ti) Cx bike out. Impressive!! Disc brakes, awesome frame. It feels -sort of like a blend between carbon and aluminum. In that it is light, stiff but not crazy stiff and has a ton of soul.
He agreed about carbon - goes soft after a few years of hard riding.
