Commuting full-suss

[neslon]

Due to a strange set of circumstances, I found myself running out of bikes this morning, and the easiest option was to get the full-susser out. I know this normally brings on heaps of scorn from 'proper' commuters, but it was a lot of fun. The bike has only ever been out in the country, so this was its first taste of tarmc proper. All the carp roads that have been giving me grief because of my wooden tyres were wafted over effortlessly, the upright position was a relief and having disc brakes was tremendous. OK, its not the lardiest of its type (Giant Anthem) but its heavier than the other bikes, but that didn't matter. Slower? Yes, but who cares? I think I'll use it again, even when the bairns art project is over, I learn how to replace a shagged free-hub and unseize an STi shifter, and my mates girlfriend gets her written off bike replaced and gives me the hard-tail back.
Cycling is (or should be) inclusive and tolerant.

Unless you are one of those imbecile student muppet ninja tossers who deserve to impale themselves on a 4x4 or bust a rim jumping the kerb or.. <pant>... I'll just get a pint of medication, must be off.

 

[Panter]

Good stuff

A mate of mine runs an Anthem, and I've got to be honest, for a full susser, it's a pretty lightweight, nimble thing

 

[fossyant]

Watch the tyres on corners if got 'real' off road tyres fitted........ which way.........zzzzzzzz

 

[dav1d]

I had a full suspension bike, though admittedly, it was a BSO from Toys 'R' Us: Kinetic Sabre. It was slow, heavy, hard to ride and chavs loved it (got a few people trying to steal it, two chavs near me kept trying to steal it, but stopped after the time I nearly ran them over!).

Not had any other suepnsion bikes, fixed up the old Peugeot Carbolite (yeah I know a lot of people don't like it but it does the job and it didn't cost much to get it sorted, still got most of the original parts working fine). It's light (to me anyway as I am used to riding the awful bike above) even with the triple panniers filled. Nobody wants to steal this bike either. lol Will be getting a new (well secondhand) bike too, but I actually like riding the Peugeot! Though it is a bit too small for me and the handlebars can't be adjusted anymore. The bike shop said the seat could do with highering, but I'm confy at the moment on the bike, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[Piemaster]

I found myself running out of bikes this morning,

You obviously haven't got enough then. You know what to do.

 

[upsidedown]

I do it occassionally and love it too. The thing that always gets me is how wide the bars feel.
Wouldn't want to do it for long though.

 

[junglegusset]

I use my hardtail Reynolds 853 Kona to commute everyday. I do this because a) Although I quite fancy a road bike (I think they should still be called Racers meself) I dont have the inclination to spend the money really. I f I had money to spend on bikes I would buy another mountain bike because I like mountain biking.
9 miles of my commute is on canal towpath
c) I have always ridden montain bikes, I love them, I love the idea that you can take off down footpaths and bridleways and pretty much anywhere else you want to go at a whim. Since I am lucky enough to live somewhere relatibvely rural this can happen fairly regularly.
d) With semi-slicks on and when I'm in good shape I can keep up with 80 percent of people on road bikes anyway (obviously the 20 percent I can't keep up with are the all the riders who post on Cycle Chat). I did the London to Brighton once, I know it's not really a race but I was surprised at how many people I passed who were on racers (of course a lot of racers passed me, and I passed more people who were riding mountain bikes, a lot of them very high end machines).

If anyone whines at you because they do not think you are using the best bike for a particular purpose then they don't really deserve to own a bike because they have missed the point of cycling completely. Although they can be used as transport bikes are essentially toys. Very beautiful, and very useful toys that you never grow out of if you really understand them.

 

[upsidedown]

If anyone whines at you because they do not think you are using the best bike for a particular purpose then they don't really deserve to own a bike because they have missed the point of cycling completely. Although they can be used as transport bikes are essentially toys. Very beautiful, and very useful toys that you never grow out of if you really understand them.

Well said

 

[Norm]

There's always huff'n'puff spoken about the right tool, whether it's a fitter who says that nothing other than Snap-On will work, or a photographer who needs a different lens for every occasion.

IMO, there are bikes designed for a purpose but that doesn't mean that other bikes don't work. Unless you are doing something pretty extreme, most bikes will fit most purposes.

(Although that doesn't mean I'm dipping out of any potential N+1 discussions, just in case the wife reads this )

 

[tradesecrets]

Racers ... I haven't heard that term in a good while ..

 

[Bristol Dave]

I was behind a chap on a full suss a couple of days ago. He was hopping and jump at every chance and looked to be having a whale of a time. Made me smile too.

BD

 

[Flying_Monkey]

bikes are essentially toys. Very beautiful, and very useful toys that you never grow out of if you really understand them.

Hate to say this, but that's about the least helpful idea possible (besides being historically not at all true). Sure, a bike can be a toy, as can anything depending on how it's used. But it's the idea that bikes are just toys that ends up with drivers saying that adults shouldn't ride them, that cyclists are somehow inferior, not 'serious' and that we shouldn't be allowed on the roads. My commuting bike is my transport - and that is 'esentially' what they have been since their invention.

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

Like to ride a full suss on my commute now and again; keep the front & rear air shocks on stiffest setting - works a treat.

Has helped me stay seated and spin up hills - due to 'pogo stick' effect if standing.

 

[BentMikey]

Of course bikes are toys, but so are cars, very often. It's all in the mind of the beholder.