Comments on: Bicycle commuting http://earlyretirementextreme.com/bicycle-commuting.html --- a combination of simple living, anticonsumerism, DIY ethics, self-reliance, and applied capitalism Fri, 25 May 2012 19:02:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: steve http://earlyretirementextreme.com/bicycle-commuting.html/comment-page-1#comment-3249 steve Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:01:21 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/bicycle-commuting.html#comment-3249 I commute on a drop-bar touring bike that has a rear rack and two rear Wald wire baskets that make it easy to both fill the baskets (with backpack and lunch bag and extra clothing) and to strap something on top (typically, I have been using a simple cardboard box as a "trunk" and bungeeing it to the rear platform It can fit anything I can imagine taking with me on my commute as well as most of what I would shop for, plus it's free and I can just pick up a new one from the receiving dept at my job when it starts to look sad. A simple cardboard box is amazingly utilitarian, but it took me 15 years of utility cycling to realize it!). I don't do any sport biking, but do my 2000-2500 miles of utility cycling every year, 12 months of the year. This is in New England. The advantage of the touring bike is that I have room to fit fenders and a homemade mudflap on the front wheel, so even in the rain, snow, or slush, the wet stays off my feet and off my drivetrain. That means I really don't have to even clean my drivetrain much more than once every 6-8 months, and I don't have to lube it more than once every two months. I commute on a drop-bar touring bike that has a rear rack and two rear Wald wire baskets that make it easy to both fill the baskets (with backpack and lunch bag and extra clothing) and to strap something on top (typically, I have been using a simple cardboard box as a “trunk” and bungeeing it to the rear platform It can fit anything I can imagine taking with me on my commute as well as most of what I would shop for, plus it’s free and I can just pick up a new one from the receiving dept at my job when it starts to look sad. A simple cardboard box is amazingly utilitarian, but it took me 15 years of utility cycling to realize it!).

I don’t do any sport biking, but do my 2000-2500 miles of utility cycling every year, 12 months of the year. This is in New England.

The advantage of the touring bike is that I have room to fit fenders and a homemade mudflap on the front wheel, so even in the rain, snow, or slush, the wet stays off my feet and off my drivetrain.

That means I really don’t have to even clean my drivetrain much more than once every 6-8 months, and I don’t have to lube it more than once every two months.

]]> By: fathersez http://earlyretirementextreme.com/bicycle-commuting.html/comment-page-1#comment-94 fathersez Sat, 05 Jan 2008 12:19:31 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/bicycle-commuting.html#comment-94 You have not just saved $600. You must be way fitter now and have probably reduced some healthcare costs also. In addition you are setting a great example. To paraphrase a credit card advert..."That is priceless". You have not just saved $600.

You must be way fitter now and have probably reduced some healthcare costs also.

In addition you are setting a great example.

To paraphrase a credit card advert…”That is priceless”.

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/bicycle-commuting.html/comment-page-1#comment-93 Jacob Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:23:52 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/bicycle-commuting.html#comment-93 I use clipless mountain bike shoes even though I use a racing bike. MBT shoes are good for commuting because the cleat is embedded in the sole, so you can walk normally without clickiticlicks or scratching the floor. I use clipless mountain bike shoes even though I use a racing bike. MBT shoes are good for commuting because the cleat is embedded in the sole, so you can walk normally without clickiticlicks or scratching the floor.

]]> By: Amanda http://earlyretirementextreme.com/bicycle-commuting.html/comment-page-1#comment-90 Amanda Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:59:02 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/bicycle-commuting.html#comment-90 I'm a huge fan of bike commuting. If you factor in the money you could save if you incorporated this into your regular exercise routine in lieu of a gym membership the savings are even greater. I've never considered clipless pedals. Once the snow melts I'll be looking to give them a try. I’m a huge fan of bike commuting. If you factor in the money you could save if you incorporated this into your regular exercise routine in lieu of a gym membership the savings are even greater. I’ve never considered clipless pedals. Once the snow melts I’ll be looking to give them a try.

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