Need advice on a good year round commuter bike for Chicago - The Chainlink2024-03-28T22:49:48Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/need-advice-on-a-good-year-round-commuter-bike-for-chicago?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A1072429&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHonestly, even for racing and…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-18:2211490:Comment:10726322017-08-18T15:18:15.066Zadhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AdrianRohrer
<p>Honestly, even for racing and fast club rides, many people are switching over to 25mm tires. As your 23mm tire wears out, I'd recommend considering just replacing it with a 25.</p>
<p>That said, just from the small profile pic, I'd bet you'll have issues getting anything larger than a 28mm tire on your current setup (if that size even) given the bike's fork and seat-stay clearance, and even then you very likely won't have room for full fenders. It would be worth talking to a local bike…</p>
<p>Honestly, even for racing and fast club rides, many people are switching over to 25mm tires. As your 23mm tire wears out, I'd recommend considering just replacing it with a 25.</p>
<p>That said, just from the small profile pic, I'd bet you'll have issues getting anything larger than a 28mm tire on your current setup (if that size even) given the bike's fork and seat-stay clearance, and even then you very likely won't have room for full fenders. It would be worth talking to a local bike shop about what will fit. </p>
<p>For commuting, I personally wouldn't run anything smaller than 28mm, and I think something around 32mm (which is what I ride) or above would be even better. </p>
<p>Honestly, if you have the room and funds, I'd recommend keeping the nice bike set up for long rides on 25mm tires, and grab a solid commuter bike that you can ride with larger tires (32mm or above), a rear rack, and fenders. You could potentially spend so much in converting your current bike (new handlebar, new shiffters, new wheelset, etc.) that it likely would come out i the wash anyway. I'm admittedly a big fan of having multiple bikes rather than trying to get one bike to do everything, however. </p>
<p></p> I used to commute year-round…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-18:2211490:Comment:10724382017-08-18T13:29:28.296ZJennyhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JennyT
<p>I used to commute year-round on a Trek 750 Multitrack. I loved that bike so much! Pretty speedy, too, especially if you put slightly thinner tires on it.</p>
<p>I used to commute year-round on a Trek 750 Multitrack. I loved that bike so much! Pretty speedy, too, especially if you put slightly thinner tires on it.</p> I have one bike which I use b…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10724342017-08-17T23:42:09.886ZSteve Fietehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SteveFiete
<p>I have one bike which I use both for commuting and club rides on the weekend, and switch wheel sets for each purpose. However, I have a steel frame bike which can handle carrying a fair amount of weight, and i do not have high end drive train components like you probably do on your KHS. </p>
<p>For commuting you need a bike which can have a rack mounted and handle the weight put onto it. Also you should get fenders to protect the bike from dirty, salty, gasoline infused water spray when…</p>
<p>I have one bike which I use both for commuting and club rides on the weekend, and switch wheel sets for each purpose. However, I have a steel frame bike which can handle carrying a fair amount of weight, and i do not have high end drive train components like you probably do on your KHS. </p>
<p>For commuting you need a bike which can have a rack mounted and handle the weight put onto it. Also you should get fenders to protect the bike from dirty, salty, gasoline infused water spray when you ride on wet roads.</p>
<p>I am concerned that a carbon fibre frame racing bike could hold up under the stress of carrying stuff on racks. It is just not what it was made for.</p>
<p>If you do decide to only get new wheels, then get the biggest ones which will fit along with a fender. My commuter wheels have 40mm tires, and I *rarely* get flats. When i rode on my 26mm Compass tires I frequently got flats.</p> What size tires would you rec…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10726132017-08-17T21:47:27.327ZSiobhan Doddshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SiobhanDodds
What size tires would you recommend? I currently have a 25 on the back wheel and 22 or 23 on the front.
What size tires would you recommend? I currently have a 25 on the back wheel and 22 or 23 on the front. I LAUGHED.tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10725072017-08-17T21:21:15.057ZCaikenhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Caiken
<p>I LAUGHED.</p>
<p>I LAUGHED.</p> Thanks for the advicetag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10726912017-08-17T21:19:13.967ZSiobhan Doddshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SiobhanDodds
Thanks for the advice
Thanks for the advice Totally agree and yes I would…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10724292017-08-17T21:17:57.618ZSiobhan Doddshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SiobhanDodds
Totally agree and yes I would be able to store the bike inside
Totally agree and yes I would be able to store the bike inside Do you use the current bike t…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10725032017-08-17T20:46:28.310ZdaWillinChihttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JustWill
<p>Do you use the current bike to race?</p>
<p>If not, then why bother buying another bike?<br/>Just buy a new set of wheels specifically for commuting, add fenders and a rear rack, and replace the tri-bar.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Do you use the current bike to race?</p>
<p>If not, then why bother buying another bike?<br/>Just buy a new set of wheels specifically for commuting, add fenders and a rear rack, and replace the tri-bar.</p>
<p></p> The nice folks at The Recycl…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10726072017-08-17T20:32:39.633ZFran Kondorfhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/FranKondorf
<p> The nice folks at The Recyclery, Working Bikes, or West Town Bikes should be able to help you get a solid commuter for a good price.</p>
<p> And don't forget to add on some fenders in addition to a rack, crate, or panniers.</p>
<p> The nice folks at The Recyclery, Working Bikes, or West Town Bikes should be able to help you get a solid commuter for a good price.</p>
<p> And don't forget to add on some fenders in addition to a rack, crate, or panniers.</p> I assume your concern on Crai…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-08-17:2211490:Comment:10726022017-08-17T19:42:13.243Zadhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AdrianRohrer
<p>I assume your concern on Craigslist is based on the bike maybe being stolen, and I think you can help mitigate that risk by trusting your smell test and keeping a few tips in mind when checking out ads. If the deal seems too good to be true, or the seller seems off, trust it as a red flag. </p>
<p>Bike Index put out a pretty good article regarding how to spot shady ads that's worth a read:…</p>
<p>I assume your concern on Craigslist is based on the bike maybe being stolen, and I think you can help mitigate that risk by trusting your smell test and keeping a few tips in mind when checking out ads. If the deal seems too good to be true, or the seller seems off, trust it as a red flag. </p>
<p>Bike Index put out a pretty good article regarding how to spot shady ads that's worth a read: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://files.bikeindex.org/stored/dont_buy_stolen.pdf" target="_blank">https://files.bikeindex.org/stored/dont_buy_stolen.pdf</a>. </p>