Just thought this was funny. Happened to see the Google Earth car twice the past few months on my way home from work.

So I have a large 29er MTB I'm using as a commuter. Aside from road tires it's a modern day geometry MTB. But I'm planning to make it comfortable. My basic plan was....

1. 8-9.5 inch wide comfort seat with elastomer shocks built in.

2. budget suspension stem with spring options

3. Suspension seat post like Treks pavement suspension post

4. 2-3 Inch rise handlebars with 25-30 degree sweep. A handlebar that brings the grips closer to me. So my reach is closer. Not the ones that have the forward sweep leaving the grip reach the same as before just at a different angle.

5. Wide Flat pedals - My factory pedals are like 3.25 to 3.5 inches squared

That's pretty much is on the comfort side of things. I'm new to bikes so everything is a first for me outside of my teens that was 30 years ago.

I was riding my (e)bike the other day and as I was coming down the bike lane to a right turn but there was a car in my blind spot so I had to reach the end of the lane instead.

We both come to a stop, the car in red is waiting for the incoming left turn traffic and I checked to see if there was room and I pulled up slightly and turned onto the sidewalk. That’s when the car in red laid it on the horn and honked at me. As soon as I got onto the sidewalk I paused momentarily, looked at their car then down at the space in front of their car and the space between me and the traffic and felt there was more than enough clearance.

Was I in the wrong? I was already planning a right turn but I couldn’t get into the lane safely and in my analysis I think the red car just honked out of surprise.

What do y'all think of customizing department store bikes?

Both of these bikes were given to me by coworkers out of sympathy for my vehicle being broke down. I find I still ride them to work(RT 7mi) and errands(16mi) over driving my car. Both are 12 year old Walmart bikes.

Here are mine

)The Black one is a 2014 Genesis Hightide

)The Blue one is a 2014 Schwinn Fifth Avenue

Both of them I've swapped the bars on and changed the seats. I'm a tall guy 6'6' and found that to be mandatory for ergonomics. I've never ridden a larger frame size or a bicycle that truly fits me and my height out of the box. So I just modify them to work. I've been learning so much. Like how the derailleur works and cable management. It's been really fun and rewarding to take what I feel to be an already durable and enjoyable bike and make it more personal. It's a shame I'm experiencing this as an almost 30yr old adult vs a kid, but at least I got money now.

But bottle is big and approx 10inches circular

Im riding a basic 3x7 trekking bike in winter but salt obliterated it. It got so rusty there were multiple holes and whole bike had paint peeling. Drivetrain and all cables rusted. And I was cleaning it from the salt every week.

So my questions are

Should I change to hydraulic disc brakes?

Replace cheap 3x7 for 1x7? I don't use the front derailleur anyways.

Are handlebar mittens any good?

Should I install full chain guard to prevent chain from rusting?

Will aluminum frame handle rust better?

I purchased an ortlieb quick rack, not thinking (clearly) about the components. I can’t figure out or find a rack that I could attach to the frame? Is this even a thing. I live in a rainy city, so having waterproof panniers would be ideal. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Heading South toward New Haven on the trail.

I am a year-round, fixed gear bike commuter on-and-off since 2015. I became a bike guy after losing my license for reckless driving, so I feel like somewhat of an expert on bike commuting and also judging what counts as dangerous driving. I ride mostly in Boston, but I commuted by bike living in the suburbs as well.

I can say without a doubt, the amount of immature, petty and occasionally borderline criminal harassment I have received on my bike has never been this bad. Not even during Trump 1.

The worst was in Boston by the TD Garden. I moved from the protected center lane to turn into regular traffic when a Huge Blacked out GMC Denali floors it from a block away- basically going as fast as he could while getting within arms length of me.

The thing is, this is bad everywhere. City, suburb, rural.

At some point cyclists became more of a political symbol. Then the Iran War and $5/gal. gas prices. Maybe its just me, but some of the worst harassment I've ever experienced have been in the months high-gas prices hit their highest.

So, I think there are a lot of car guys that seeing the end of ability to afford to drive. People are paying $3500 extra just in tariffs and $5000 just in gas. With every other expense going up, its not an unreasonable explanation for petty road rage directed at 'those people'.

Randomly, when I don't wear a helmet I don't get this bullshit. Also, I noticed that wide handlebars get more space from passing motorists too.

I’ve been able to ride dropouts like this as a single speed by adding a half link on the chain but it’s a hassle. I’ve been thinking about adjusting a rear derailleur to have it set up as a two speed, or should I just throw a cassette on there?

I didn’t plan my Trader Joe’s run very well, and only took two panniers. After ditching the boxes for the taco shells and the maple leaf cookies, I thought why not use my water bottle holder for the TJ’s Pringle chip…

But I’m a whore for chips. It started by me thinking “I wonder if I can….” And went to eating half the can before I got home!

My dedicated urban commuter: a Nishiki 307 set up for practical, comfortable everyday riding.

Loads of carrying options, with AtranVelo AVS racks front and rear for plug-and-play baskets. I have four different baskets, depending on what I need to carry.

I’ve also fitted a raised stem and swept-back handlebars for a more relaxed, upright riding position. Brooks saddle, frame bag, continental Contact Urban 40mm tires, Front rack and baskets.

Not the flashiest bike, but a practical city workhorse that does exactly what I need it to do. Njoy!

I used to feel anger when drivers pass me too close or park in a bike lane. For some reason I don’t feel it anymore. For example, I was riding uphill on a narrow road a behind me huge truck was honking at me and I just kept going up. He passed me angrily, but I didn’t feel anything back. Is it dangerous?

I might find where to crosspost. Maybe suggest. Currently I've got a Topeak bag with velcro but the two straps on the front (or back if you switch the bag around) only lines up on one side. So I can velcro the left side so it doesn't slide forward. The horizontal velcro underneath holds decently. But I need ways to fasten the bag better. So rather than asking a one off question, I hope you understand and appreciate the underlying extent that I'd prefer to ask extensive options and plan to get bunch of kits or being aware whenever I need any.

I have a few setups or may change it up later. But for doing meal deliveries, the zipper on this topeak is quick enough I can get a bike lock out quickly. It matters.

So while I could get a different bag, etc, any option can't drawback to different problem. So unless I am shifting this bag to another bike, etc, or there's a bag that works perfectly, I might lean toward focusing on improving this setup. While also certainly asking more overall ideas what pannier bags to buy next time.

For example I'd love to know some secure but easily removable ties like those silicone Nite Ize ties or something like a round cord that can tighten. The Topeak bag has a plastic loop I want to basically tie down to the rear of the bag. Branch it left and right so it holds. One anchor point on the Topeak, two anchors down to the rack.

I'm not sure how to secure the bottom velcro any better.

The bike pannier rack comes with its own bungee strap. And the rack is long enough I can maybe remove the Topeak bag and attach a small box, think like personal pizza size box, etc. And then try to re-attach the Topeak bag, tip up one side so the pizza box is strapped down and able to wedge the Topeak a little crooked sitting over top on the rare occasion I get an order like that.

Otherwise eventually I can post my other setups and ideas for other commuting. I've got one of those Styrofoam cases. And might eventually get an Ortlieb XL for grocery runs or travel.

For now, really I'm just wondering if there's a cheap off brand or extremely good pannier bag or way to strap this Topeak down. If there's also a list of kinds of straps I can buy. TPU straps, or ways to custom add my own anchor points to the bag, or add a Topeak quick release somehow to this bag.

Or anything I'm not thinking of to have capability to carry small pizza box and still have my utility bag and side panniers, without carrying it in one hand. Not good. Or spending too much time to rig it and not very secure. I would love to know a bunch of options and just buy a ton.

Edit: also my U Bar lock is rattling around and damage some stuff in the pannier bag. I might need to stop bringing that for some shorter trips, or add padding, or secure it somewhere on the bike. If I at least strap down the pannier bag better it might only rattle inside, not the whole bag sliding.

A part of the morning commute to work.

I've been riding my solid frame bike for a while today. It feels good on pavement and has some speed, but as soon as I hit the slightest bump or bit of uneven ground, it feels like I'm being shaken to pieces. Just going over a slight bit of grass, my hands rattle and my hips ache.

Is there a way to manage uneven ground on a fixed front fork? I keep debating getting front suspension, but I often see people say it wastes energy and offers no benefit. But given how my arms feel, I can't believe it's identical in feel or handling.

Does anyone commute with front suspension? How do you find it?

I got a lightweight 10.000 mAh powerbank last month and it's been a game changer for me, especially on long rides. Best thing is, if you got a light with tight straps you don't have to unbuckle it every time it dies.

The only other pannier I've ever had used a bungee hook and tensioner like this. I just purchased this Blakburn pannier for $15, and can't figure out whats going on with these two straps which go though the metal ring and hook. Is their only purpose to set a lower limit to the hook, or maybe to synch it down? I tried to search for any videos or images of this being used but couldn't find any. Thanks in advance if anyone knows or can help!

I recently put a dash cam into my car, both forward and rear facing just because of all the knuckleheads that are on the road these days and to protect myself legally. I've been thinking about doing the same thing on my bike, given decades of interactions with cars that felt pretty unsafe, but so far no injuries, thankfully. My car dash cam is pretty much on autopilot, comes on when I get into the car and turns off after a few minutes of leaving the car. Is there an easy way to do the same thing for a bike? What have people done to do the same thing while on a bike, suggested devices or products?

Michael

(photo from a ride last week just for fun)

I'm struggling to decide if I should risk the ride home or get an Uber home in a couple of hours when I finish work.

I'm currently looking at a 30mph headwind for most of the gently uphill ride home this morning. The really sketchy part will be the river bridge (about 850 feet) as even on calmer days the wind can give you a bit of a wallop.

Aside from the wind, I'm not super keen on leaving my bike at work as it's about to be my weekend.

What do you reckon? Would you go for it or just get a taxi home? (The clocks changed tonight so I'll be leaving work about 2 hours before the bus route even starts)

Edit

Thanks for the advice and quick responses! I've decided to just go for it! Wish me luck!!