Any bicycle commuters out there?

[wkilleffer]

Strange question on a forum devoted to cars...

Anyhow, I started commuting by bicycle and bus last semester in an effort to maybe save us a little money. Not sure if I actually saved any cause I ended up buying another bicycle. But I did lose some weight and felt more energetic overall.

There are just a couple of problems with the new ride. It's a Haro Flightline Sport MTB which I outfitted with thinner slicker tires and a shorter rise Salsa stem to make it a more suitable commuter. It has mechanical disc brakes front and rear, and therin lies the rub. The rack I have for my old road bike is not compatible with a rear disc brake bike.

Riding with a backpack on is quite uncomfortable, especially when riding uphill as the pack saps my wind by pulling back on my shoulders. So, having a rack that can handle some weight is a necessity.

But wait... there's more... I have a heavy duty OnGuard Brute STD U-lock for the bike that weighs at least 4lbs. Once I have a rack, I'd like to be able to hang or mount the lock to the rack in such a way that it's safe and doesn't interfere with riding. That will make it easy to keep it handy for any riding occasion. There is a rack manufactured that comes with an integrated lock, but I don't need it. Already got a lock, and the one included with that rack doesn't look all that durable. No theft insurance protection either like that offered by OnGuard.

I've asked this question on a bike forum before, and the responses just weren't that that great, at least not for my purposes. It seems this group is more acquainted with the idea of creative problem solving and might could come up with a neat and useful solution. I can provide pics of the bike and lock if they would help.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thank you,
-Bill

 

[Steve_S]

Having a hard tail will help you greatly with this problem. I can't comment directly in the interference with the disc brake without having it here in front of me, but in the "old days" we ran into problems with racks not fitting properly, and frames without attachment points (such as road racing bikes) where the owner wanted to mount a rack. The solution was rubber-coated clamps which would attach to the seat stays. You could use these clamps to mount the rack higher up, above the disc. There is a chance that the rack might then sit too high, in which case you will either want to shorten the rack stays or buy a rack designed for a smaller frame. With the appropriate brackets, you can attach the front of the rack to the seat post to allow it to move up higher if needed. technically you want it as low as possible for stability and space savings.

There are a few ways to mount your U-lock. You can use a bracket which holds it inside the frame triangle, where the vertical water bottle would sit. If you don't have room for that, find some velcro straps with a d-ring on one side. (see HERE for example) These are the kind that go through the d-ring and then pull back on themselves. You can tighten them much more than a straight strap. With three of these straps you can securely hang the U-lock from the side of the rack, securing it to the side rail of the top platform, and to the stays themselves. Be sure to mount it on the left to avoid hitting the drive train should it for any reason fall.

 

[DrEntropy]

By now, Bill, you should know NO question here is "strange" per-se.

My pushbike is an old Raleigh "Super Course II" but I've not looked into stowage options. Surely there's someone here with parallel interest in cycling!


...anybody here remember/familiar with Dr. Paul Proteus? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

 

[Steve_S]

What am I, chopped liver? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazyeyes.gif

 

[racingenglishcars]

I use the Danish style rear wheel lock (example), and a coiled cable lock that I simply hang over the main bar. I also park in a bicycle celler at the office and in my garage at home. When I'm out in the town, I always lock it with both locks. I have used the big U locks, but find them cumbersome and not versatile enough. They're heavy and don't reach around a nearby post. The Danish style rear wheel lock is always in place, lightweight, easy to use and above all, strong. It doesn't prevent the bike from being lifted away, therefore I use the cable lock. Mostly if anyone wants to take a bike, there are many others to go for that aren't locked to a post. Ome other major thing. The bike isn't flashy. It is dark and looks dirty. Nevermind that it has campy rims, shimano hubs, brakes, crank, brooks seat.
Also I use baskets both front and rear. It looks like an old woman's bike that way, but also inconspicuous, and it can carry a whole lot of stuff if I need to. The back one is for my backpack, and I have the lights mounted directly to the basket.
Here is a picture of it, (complete with high handlebars due to a hernia operation last year)
BTW, I do a little more than 20km a day on it.

 

[DrEntropy]

What am I, chopped liver? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazyeyes.gif

Didn't see your post 'till now, Steve!!

Tho you beat me by five minutes I'd left the screen in "reply" and posted, then left th' forum... everso SORRY!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif

 

[vagt6]

I commute on a motorcycle year-round, not quite the same as a bicycle but a few of the same "principles" may apply!

A hard tail or rack and/or saddle bags are a must for a two wheeled commuter, IMHO. Also, please consider that in a crash, a back packs tend to rip your arms out of the sockets! Back packs are a definite no-no for motorcycle riders and compromise rider safety on a bicycle as well.

You'll find that a smallish rear rack with saddle bags attached will come in extremely handy. You may fit laptop, extra clothing, etc., in the rack or bags. And unless you're racing, the extra weight shouldn't be a significant burden.

Let us know what you decide, and watch out for the cell phone yakkers!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif

 

[wkilleffer]

Yeah, I ride a motorcycle sometimes as well. It's a little easier for commuting purposes sometimes cause all I have to do is use a few sturdy bungee cords or a cargo net to fasten my pack to the pillion seat. It's out of the way there and unlikely to get away.

Now, as far as my Haro bike goes, there are braze-ons for the top attachment points of a rack. These are roughly on the same level as the rack's platform. Then, legs come down from the platform that are supposed to attach somewhere on or near the rear wheel dropout. Problem is that since the bike has a rear disc brake, the rack I have from my old road bike won't fit. So, I'm on the prowl for a suitable rack.

I'd considered using some kind of bracket for stowing the lock inside the triangle, but it's a heavy lock and most brackets seem less than capable of hanging in there for the long haul. But the velcro strap to the rack idea is good, if I can find the straps and the rack.

Some people say that you should leave your U-lock fastened to whichever rack you use on a regular basis, but I don't see that as an option. I want to have the lock with me just in case it's needed.

Now, as far as the Danish lock goes, which one is it on that website? Though I think I might see it mounted on your bike near the rear brakes.

Thank you,
-Bill

 

[jlaird]

Now I like his bell. Bet that gets lots of attention on the freeway. LOL

 

[Steve_S]

As noted above, the rack you want is made for a smaller frame. The stays will be shorter and allow you to attach to the frame's seat above the disc brake. If it has to go so high that the rack no longer lines up with the braze-on attachment point at the top of the seat tube, use a bracket to attach to the seat post. They are just two pieces of strap steel (don't use aluminum) which attach to a clamp around the seat post. The only disadvantage is that the rack's platform MAY be slightly smaller.

 

[racingenglishcars]

I think for a rack I would use, like Steve says, one for a shorter frame and smaller wheels, or else a standard one that you cut and weld to fit.

The lock I use is the first one on the list, with short legs (arch). The second is with long legs, third to fifth are large for mountain bikes.
I like it for the same reason you didn't notice it. It's small and out of the way... and always there.

Im glad you like the bell Jack. It came from a 100 yen shop in Osaka. They are required here and I didn't have one. I saw it in the shop for that cheap price and just had to have it.

 

[Monkeywrench]

Bill,

I live close enough to school that I walk, but a few of my friends ride and there are a ton of bicycle messengers where I live (Philly). Have you tried searching online on what those guys are doing?