Time to build another commuter

[Bud]

Hey all-

I've been incommunicado for a while, as work/school/life has been taking over for the last month. Trying to catch up on the forum seems like a lot of work too...

Anyway, I was delighted the other day when my wife said she'd like a commuter bike! So I'm thinking about building one up for her. It's gotta be a bit of a sleeper (has to look crappy) but needs to perform well. She'll be riding it from our house to the Park n' Ride (~5 hilly miles), throwing it on a bus to downtown Denver, then locking it up outside of her office downtown (no opportunity for inside storage there). She doesn't want to ride a total piece of crap, but doesn't want it to be too nice for anti-theft reasons as well. Also, she wants to be able to ride it the long way home on nice days and use it for possible lunchtime rides.

So I can deal with the drivetrain, wheels etc. but I need hints on where to start with the frame. She rides a 56 Orbea Mitis Dama (AL/CF) for her good bike, but I dont think she'll sweat the material too much. Any ideas or leads? As always, cheap is good...

Thanks-

[bironi]

Perhaps an old steel Italian frame and fork. Powder coat something bland. It should be pretty cheap, or buy the old beat up paint job, and ride it that way.

[hypnos]

Atlantis on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Rivendell-Atlantis-56-CM-complete-bicycle_W0QQitemZ230124112952QQihZ013QQcategoryZ98 084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[Kevan]

buy the cheap frame, stretch the stays and you're off and running. Paint it yeller. No self-respectin' thief wants a cheap yeller bike.

A nice yeller bike is another story, take care!

[Ken Robb]

For that ride I would probably choose my 1989 Bridgestone MB3 which I have modified with Rivendell Priest/Albatross bars, cork grips, 26x1/5 Avocet Cross tires, Blackburn Expedition rack w/atail trunk or paniers depending on the load. This gives a very comfy, pretty upright position. Immediately after setting it up I took the bike for a short test ride in my hiking shorts and Topsiders. I didn't come home until I had ridden 25 miles. :beer:

It would probably only appeal to a cool, smart thief and how many of those are around? Those locking skewers that require a special wrench to remove might be a good idea too.

[Bradford]

I'd go with a Cannondale. There are plenty to be found used and they don't rust when rained on. If she is going to leave it outside, it will get wet.

I perfer to commute on a touring bike so I can throw my bag on the rack, and Cannondale makes a nice touring frame. (I rode one for many years of loaded touring and commuting). But, if she wants something more agressive, they make plenty of road frames also.

[Ken Robb]

if you look on eBay under "Rivendell" you will find an MB3 that might be just what I described above. BIN fof $249. It's local pickup in VA. but maybe a forumite there would help you with shipping?

[scrooge]

Kogswell Porteur?

http://www.kogswell.com/products.html

[Bud]

Good suggestions, all. Bradford- I was thinking about a touring bike. I need to start checking craigslist, which is a pretty good source around these parts. Scrooge- the Kogswell looks cool, but that's way too much coin for this project. We're talking _cheap_ needs.

I'll keep everyone posted on ideas/thoughts. Keep the suggestions coming, if you've got one...

Oh- and I was cornfused earlier- she rides a 54 not a 56

[palincss]

If you're looking for quality and low price, it's hard to go wrong with a lugged steel Japanese frame from the 80s. On the iBOB list, they're often referred to as "UJB's" - Universal Japanese Bikes - since virtually the same frame was sold under so many brand names.

As an added benefit, many of these convert very nicely to 650B, which gives you both a nice cushy ride and room for real fenders, both of which are very useful on a commuter.

You might try Craig's List, ebay or even your LBS. One of the local shops here in Arlington for the longest time had this really nice old Fuji America, a 23", I believe, or possibly a 22" that they wanted around $300 for.

[RhinoDave]

Rescued this from a dumpster at a Storage facility. Total investment was changing the handlebars, adding fenders and some parts from the surplus bin. Less than a hundred bucks invested.
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/3/6216570435.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4909093)

This came from a garage sale. Ten bucks for the bike. Only thing I added was the fenders and the rack. Less than fifty dollars invested.
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/12/36109595492.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4354930)
I'd start checking some local garage sales and rummage sales unless you are in a hurry.

[Vancouverdave]

If a new frame is a possibility, I'd go with a Soma Smoothie ES or Double Cross. If used, look for any Japanese made 1980's road bike that is old enough to be built for long caliper brakes--a Schwinn Super LeTour, for instance.

[Bud]

OK so here are some possibilities for a starting point. They are the right size and I can get them for very cheap from a guy locally. I haven't seen them yet, but I think they would all fit the bill.

-Lugged Nishiki
-Lugged Maruishi
-Univega Via Carisma not lugged, has canti and fender bosses. I think this was built as a touring frame?

I think any one of these would work just fine. Anybody have any opinions or preferences one way or another? I'm leaning towards the Nishiki...

[gdw]

Here's another option if you don't buy one of the frames and can wait a couple weeks. CU's spring semester is almost over and the students will be leaving shortly and many will be unloading the possessions which can't be easily moved -bikes- on Craigslist and at yard sales. Check the ads and drive around the Hill and I bet you can find some real good deals.

[Bud]

gdw- nice idea...SInce I'm on campus every day anyway, I'll keep my eyes open.