Ultimate commuter? Quite nary but close

When my wife and I agreed to drop one of our cars we knew I needed reliable transportation.  At the time we only had my 1988 Trek 800 that I had converted into a dropbar mountain bike and then hodge-podged a bunch of pieces together on it.  I affectionately called it The Dirty Gertie:

There's Gertie in all her Century riding glory!

There is an up close of her better side

While Gertie was a fun bike and a great learning experience in bike repair, and the black hole that a bike can become for the dollars and time, I realized she was inadequate for what I needed.  To get her into fighting shape for the winter she needed a complete overhaul of her drive line, and what it cost was more than I wanted to spend.  So off to Village Cycle Center to talk about commuter bikes, and off she went to greener pastures and newer butt cheeks.  

I like to think of myself as an educated consumer, however I sometimes wonder if I am annoying to a sales person.  I hope not!

I really like Trek bikes, whether vintage or brand new, and I knew I wanted a 26" mountain bike because I already had 26" studded tires for the winter.  Plus 26" bikes were waaayyy cheaper than the 29er and Fat Tire siblings.  And the 650b bikes....what the crap is that about anyway?  Whatever.  I poked around Treks website and found their 3500 series bikes came with a high (numerical) range of front chain rings which made more sense because I was commuting and not climbing mountains on the bike.  I also wanted disc brakes, which they came with a basic mechanical set; empowered with this info (or armed if you are in bike sales) I went to VCC and started asking questions.

What I found online is the 3700 series and the 3500, but the 3500 was cheaper and the gearing just made sense, in fact I mentioned this to the salesman and he pulled 2 bikes to verify.  We both learned something that day; he learned the 3500 is geared for flatlanders, and I learned that I am glad I read before walking in.

Because when in doubt shouting "I'm ridin heeryah" is better.

I REALLY liked the 2014 3500 because of the coloring.  It is a screaming green with orange and black accents.  I figured I already like to border on the obnoxious so why not go all the way.  However they didn't have my size and weren't getting them in, so I dropped back one year to the 2013 3500 Disc.  I got fitted and took a 19.5" frame.  Looking back I should have gotten a 21.5" since I fit over the frame, now the seat height on my 19.5" is all but maxed out.  However it is still comfortable despite the smaller frame, and if I ever took it out on a dirt trail I'd have frame I won't bottom my nuts out on.  (silent shudders abound)

Sexy matte paint and stickers

Being my first disc brake bike I was interested in seeing the differences between rim and disc brakes.  To say it is night and day would be a lie, there are some differences but honestly I am not comparing apples to apples.  My Trek 1.5 has the Tiagra levers and a nicer caliper for the rim brakes, whereas the 3500 has a bottom shelf mech-disc brake setup that works but I couldn't honestly compare to the better brakes.  While it does stop the same despite any external (read: weather) circumstances and influences, they are lacking in the all out power.  I can lock the brakes up, they are relatively quiet, and the are responsive.  Perhaps I wasn't ready for the level or modulation on the brake levers but I cannot complain, just sometimes feels like I pull more to stop.

The paint is by far my favorite aspect of the bike.  I really like the matte black, green and white.  I really feel Trek does wonders with their color schemes, even for the low end bikes.  I could honestly see myself keeping the frame and outfitting it down the road with all new components.

"Ronto" in all his commuter glory.  And yes the taillight is turned, because 2 year old that's why.

I have named the bike Ronto, yes after the Jawa's transport animals in Star Wars....again geeking out into the Force.  But he is a tough bike that will roughshod over any terrain, at least those scary curbs in Chicago.  The shifting is done with the Shimano SIS Tourney line and is relatively responsive.  I ride this everyday, Monday thru Friday, in all weather conditions.  And with the winter onset in Chicago as I type this, this will become my main transportation when our car is unavailable....which is like always.  But the shifters and derailleurs keep right on clicking, needing minor adjustment at times but nothing noteworthy.

The front suspension fork is a nice perk most of the time, however it is chincy but works for a street ridden transport-use bike.  I have ridden on some minor dirt trails, but I don't see the fork handling too much.  I have thought about going to a solid fork but for now I'll ride with it, after all I do have the Trek Care Plus coverage on it.  The only thing I don't like about the fork is it is a spring loaded fork so it tops out easily, even when "crawling" down a curb or bump.  Also under a hard kick off pedal I have found myself hanging a front wheel because it will kick so hard.  I know I could lessen the pre-load in the spring, and I have, but I am by no means a small man, so less preload means my nose is sagging.  Literally.

Up close and personal with the treads.

The saddle is comfortable, especially since I sit up straighter than my roadie, the X1.  The grips and bar layout is nice, and there is some slight adjust-ability to the shifter positions, but I haven't felt the need to mess with that.  The brake levers COULD be slightly longer, but they reach far enough I can easily get 2-3 fingers on them, or rest one all the time.  The ride is nice due to the 2" tires, and the tread holds it's own unless it is really loose dirt or wet, then you can find yourself spinning the rear wheel or power sliding.  The gearing in the cassette and chain ring is excellent in my opinion, I always have a gear whether drafting a truck and needing some top end, or riding directly into a frigid wall of air pushing back at me.  Dang you wind!!

Like I stated above, the only aspect I don't like is the tires.  The Bontrager LT3s are great for dry pavement, hard pack, and non-wet grass.  However if you throw water under them and you aren't going straight you better be prepared for some sliding.  I have found myself on a specific turn at the bottom of a short, but steep, hill sliding when it is wet out.  Also around turns when I haven't slowed and need to lean the bike.  It is almost as if the tread ends and I am riding on the sidewall.  The tires, at least the rear one, seems to like to eat sharp objects despite my best avoidance.  I have found a small steel wire in the tire and a tiny piece of glass....so maybe I just need to ride over bigger pieces?

I have thrown on a top tube bag, run a Cygolite taillight, a Magicshine 808E and Cygolite Metro 360 front light, and Planet Bike's SpeedEZ ATB fenders.  The biggest issue in outfit the bike was finding fenders that fit, and that a rack won't either, but that's for another post.

Overall I am very satisfied with my purchase, more so that Trek has their Trek Care Plus which basically means I am covered for 3 years on anything going wrong with the bike, anywhere there is a Trek dealer.  That's great because there might be some moving about the country in the near future and I am not about to drive back to Chicago to get the bike fixed.

Car-free ≠ easy, but a lot less traffic

So my wife and I have been down to one car for about 5 months now, and I haven't driven myself to work in the same amount of time, and only had to be driven a few times.  We originally went to one car because our ancient Camry with a lot of miles needed more love than it was worth.  Granted my background is in automotive repair, but when it came down to where we were at with my wife being pregnant with our second due at any time, the cost it would have been in a shop, chasing around and ordering parts, and then actually doing the work on a car that was needing another $500 in tires and a windshield.....we decided it was best to sell that car.  So after 180,000 miles we put on it, away he went.

We will miss you Gideon and you'll always have a place in out hearts.....
just no longer our wallets.

I live a little over 4 miles from work (currently, there maybe job changes in the near future), most of my commute is on industrial back roads or a MUP (multi-use path) through a local forest preserve.  The rest is on a well ridden city main street with a marked bike lane, and a split residential and commercial street.  In reality I have more to worry about from wildlife and pot holes then my former fellow "ragin' cagers".  (Side note:  I use that title in jest, simply because I was one at one point)

My trip takes about 18 minutes on average, and I do stop for the lights and stop signs.  If I were to blow either of them I would probably be to work in about 2-3 minutes quicker, really not worth it to me to garner resentment and carry the stigma of a "typical scofflaw cyclist".  I still will filter to the front of most traffic stacks, so I still enjoy that perk.  When I drove my morning drive was anywhere from 15-30 minutes dependent upon NOTHING LOGICAL.  Seriously, it could be dry and sunny, pouring rain, or some mixture of water falling from the heavens and traffic would not be dependent upon that.  An example would be this morning, traffic was backed up about 3/4 of a mile for no logical reason....although I ride right past at about 20 mph, snickering but feeling the former pain.

OK so I fibbed....19.9 mph.  However science has proved that is still faster than "Traffic".

My ride fro the same time as to, but before would take 20 to over an hour.  The hour plus commutes usually came when this rare form of white matter would fall from the skies.  No one could predict it, even though it came EVERY YEAR, we were always surprised (Christmas colors on purpose).  This matter had an effect on anyone who sat behind a wheel operating a vehicle in the form of complete forgetfulness of how to operate said vehicle.  The safest thing was to only let the vehicle idle along at speeds approaching negative.  Granted I haven't ridden this season in the snow, but I'd imagine my commute might extend another 5 minutes.

What I have experienced is pretty awesome.  Mentally I am more clear, I feel happier, have more energy (on most days, I have a 2 year and 5 month old as I type....so sleep is disruptive anyway), and I feel healthier.  Even on really wet days I only lose 1-2 minutes on my commute times mainly because I take turns slower (see the blog about my commuter Trek 3500), but that is probably more because of the tire tread than anything else.  I also look forward to riding to and fro places, and I am enjoying the challenge of riding daily and working out extra (I run and do HIIT).

However it isn't always easier, traveling when going further distances requires more planning.  I have had to ride almost 30 miles for an event very early morning over the summer.  Most of the time it is pretty straight forward, but sometimes travel takes me places I have never been before, i.e. I am looking at my phone or waiting for GPS to catch up to me so I can find myself for that 30 mile trip mentioned just prior.

Although cycling does help one find themselves in an existential kind of way....but that's best for another time.

I now stand here on the edge of everything I've wanted, and I'll find myself....
in wet shoes and a soaked diaper.

.

The other issue comes in when I have to be somewhere, my wife needs to car to shuttle the boys to things, or there is a time constraint.  Chicago has a great public transportation system, when running on time.  I don't mind taking it since I did a lot as a kid and got around pretty efficiently, so as an adult (term applied loosely) I don't mind it.  I do have more heebie-geebies about locking my bike up than I do about taking the train anywhere, because Chicago.

However we make do; recently our youngest had to go in for some surgery on his skull since he was born with some plates prematurely fused.  We made do by borrowing my parent's car for the weekend, which was a huge blessing.  I did, however, find myself hating traffic once again since I was driving into the downtown area to visit them at the hospital.  My normal auto use during the week is usually to and from church and to the grocery store with my family or my eldest.  Otherwise I don't drive, so I "forgot" about traffic and the frustration that it brings, but I surely don't miss it.

While I can find a ton of reasons we should have kept both cars, I don't regret it.  While I can say my mental energy at times has to go towards how to dress, what to bring, how to pack for a day trip, having to plan for all types of weather, and how much longer I need to build in to get somewhere, it has been a blast and I am very excited for the winter.  I know Chicago is known (at least in Chicago....shut up Alaska) for bad winters, I am very excited to be that nutty cyclist rolling on by.  The only goal is to stay upright and continue on safely.

Oh, and do so sans traffic.

What's this all about? Why another blog by a cyclist?

I am sure if you are reading this you have read other blogs, some probably a lot better looking or formatted than this one.  Maybe by people who have been blogging for years or are journalists for a living.  I will tell you I have been blogging for a couple of years, since my first born can into the world in 2012, and I am far from a journalist.  If you don't believe me just wait until you see the spelling, grammar, and other errors that will pop up that I will miss.

Plus I type with a Chicago accent according to my wife, don't know what that exact means or if it is an insult or not......I'll roll with it.

Why do I want to blog about cycling?  For a few reasons.

1. It is healthy.  I dropped over 50 lbs and kept it off because of cycling.
2. It is good for the environment.  Now before you label me a tree hugger I still own a car, I work in the automotive racing industry, and I will eventually own another race car.
3. It is a good financial path.  My wife and I chose to sell one of our cars that needed work.  Why?  Because we live less than 5 miles from where I work, the car needed more work than was worth it (over a grand for a 14 year old car with 200k+ on it), and we don't NEED 2 cars.
4. It is a great stress reliever.  My family and friends notice I am much more relaxed, I don't complain about parking, and the city of Chicago meter parking doesn't apply to me.  Plus what traffic?
5. Did I mention no traffic?
6. I feel I bring a unique view to cycling in Chicago.  I cycle for commuting purposes but also enjoy a fast ride clad in lycra with other cyclists.  I have lived in the city since my birth, and have the viewpoint of being a cyclist AND a motorist (cager).
7. I bring a view on being a bigger guy (6' and 220 as we type this) and know what it is like to ride with groups of the skinny-minny racers in tight clothing while I am not equipped like they are.
8. And other reasons I am forgetting......

I plan on reviewing products, services, shops, paths, and anything else that can bring a Chicago specific and centric view to cycling.  I hope to allow for ideas to flourish in anyone who reads this blog, as well as allow for other riders to know what Chicago for some is all about.  I don't pretend to speak for everyone, nor will I speak for anyone other than myself (duh!), but I am sure many will be able to relate.