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So I’ve recently sold two of my bikes. My dirt jumping bike, and my cross country bike. I now ride cross country on my single-speed 29er, and I’m loving it.. Only problem is that the gear ratio isn’t ideal for riding day to day, and I’d really like something with drop bars.

My commute is mixed. Some road, some gravel, some single track. I used to commute on my 29er with 37c “slicks”, and they provided more than enough control – I never had a puncture either, touch wood.

I was thinking about converting my 29er to a “dingle-speed” two gear ratios, but the same number of teeth. I run a 32/20 for XC, and would probably run a 36/16 for commuting. The chain length is the same so it doesn’t need adjusting, but to be honest I’m a bit of a perfectionist with bikes. Commuting on big chunky tires seems a bit pointless, and ultimately a waste of my energy and money.

Versa VRS-8 Alfine Levers - Allows you to shift an 8-speed internally geared Shimano Alfine hub with road levers - STI style.

So, I think I’ve figured out what I really want from a commuter…

The frame and fork should be a “monster-cross” style frame (cyclo-cross with disc tabs IMO). Ideally I’d be able to tension the chain using an eccentric bottom bracket (EBB) or track dropouts. Shimano Alfine 8-speed internally geared hub on the rear, and a “whatever” QR hub up front with some light 29″ rims and my 37c tyres. Road drop bars with Versa VRS-8 levers, so I can shift the Alfine hub, STI style, without any other messy shifters around the place. The rest of the spec would probably be fair mountain bike in flavour. Crankset, pedals and saddle would be similar to my 29er. Nothing over the top, since it is a commuter after all. The one thing I can’t decide on is whether to run discs or cantilevers. I know canti’s work fine, I just don’t know if I should because I can. Certainly finding a disc specific frame is harder, I just have visions of running this bike with a 2″ wide tyre in the future for some XC fun, and Avid BB7 Road’s would go nicely on it – not to mention handle the winter better as a commuter.

I’ve been on the frame hunt for a while now but unfortunately there aren’t a huge amount of options available, especially for myself living in Australia. The Salsa La Cruz covers some of my needs, just has no way to tension the chain. I’ve considered the Forward Components EBB but to be honest I’d prefer a frame that comes built for single-speed.

Singular Peregrine - Monster-cross styling - Cyclo-cross geometry, disc tabs and eccentric bottom bracket.

The Singular Peregrine meets my needs perfectly, only I can’t justify that sort of money on a frame yet (I’m guessing around AUD$1000 by the time it’s landed here).

It’s challenging, but I suppose it’s part of the fun of building something yourself. I’ll find my frame eventually – maybe I’ll just have to make some trade-offs first.

It’s been pouring for the past week, and while the rain stopped last night, this morning the cold set in. There was a frost on the front lawn which for me is a telltale sign of it being truly cold.

I’m giving myself one week to get sorted for winter. I’m a bit disorganised this year as I’ve had a few years off from commuting year-round, but now it’s time to get it all started again.

My bike is pretty much perfect for the winter commute. It’s single-speed so cleaning the drive-train is easy, and there are less parts to replace when they wear out. I have an awesome set of lights to use when I need to – two for my helmet and two for the handlebars. It’s like daytime when I use those things!

One thing I am missing though, is mud guards – known as fenders pretty much every where else in the world. I had some on an old bike that I had but sold that a few years ago. I should be able to get these by the end of the week with some luck. Fenders are the difference between being covered in crap from the road, or being clean when you get to work. Not all that “cool” but there are times to accept function over form.

Keeping warm and dry is another thing. I’m fairly well organised here, but really need some long knicks for the winter.

For those thinking about commuting during winter on their bicycle, I’d suggest the following:

• A weather proof drive-train (single-speed or internally geared rear hub)
• Mud guards (fenders)
• Quality lights to see and be seen with
• A backpack with waterproof outer layer
• Quality waterproof jacket
• Winter clothes – depending on how cold you have the options of gloves, skull cap, base layer gear, etc.

There are more things to think about, but to me these are the basics. Riding in winter is really empowering. Not being beaten by the weather makes you feel really good about yourself, but it is hard to get started. Next week I’m tackling the beast. No excuses.

After convincing four people in the office to start riding a bicycle to work, and with mum coming off of her bike a few days ago, it’s a hot topic in the workplace. I was talking to a co-worker this morning about driving to and from work and how much it stresses me out.

I enjoy driving. I consider myself to be a good driver. Safe, but able to handle myself at faster speeds and what not. With that said, I’m a lot more sensible now that I don’t have a fast car. When you don’t have the power there to use, you simply don’t need to drive fast anymore.

Put me in traffic though, and I end up frustrated, and often in disbelief at how terrible other road users are at driving. About two months ago, I sold my car and try to rely solely on my bike, and public transport. I used to work in the city a few years ago, and literally rode every day of the year. Since changing jobs, the distance has doubled and I ride far less than I’d like.

While I do have the soft option of driving (mum’s car, as she doesn’t drive it to work), I try to ride as often as I can.

Why do I ride to work? It’s relaxing. Sure, physically it can be demanding, but mentally it gives me time to think. To me, the ride is a wind down. Plenty of time to ponder my thoughts and figure out what I want from life. I can deal with things in my head so by the time that I get home I have some clarity. It gives me a lot more energy to use too.

Cycling is low-impact exercise (maybe less so when you ride like I do), and it’s great for your health and general well-being. It has been well proven that fitter employees are more productive while at work, and take less sick days during the year. It’s a win win for both the employer and the employee.

Now sure, it’s not as easy as just making the decision one day to go and ride to work. Incidentally I saw a girl riding home from the city yesterday that had obviously made that decision. Wearing a short skirt and knee high boots while riding a bike isn’t very convenient by the looks of it, but it was a sight to see. So it’s not as easy as just jumping on the bike and riding to work, but it’s not that hard to get started either.

A general list of things for riding to work include:

1. Finding a safe place to lock your bike, and getting a good quality lock.
2. Making sure you have comfortable clothes to ride in (very important during winter).
3. Finding a good route to ride (I try and stay off of main roads).
4. Having an emergency kit (multi-tool, pump, tyre levers, spare tube).

There are other things to consider, but usually they are easily fixed. Most workplaces have showers now, and if they don’t I have heard of people using baby wipes or just a sink and towel to wipe themselves down. A comfy backpack is good too, and setting your bike up to suit your situation (mud guards, panniers, lights, seat height, etc) help you to get comfortable, but this is something that will develop over time.

While fitness may be a challenge at first, it really doesn’t take long to “get up to speed” either. After riding to work the first time on a singlespeed I thought I’d made a bad decision. Two weeks later though I was riding it as easily as any other bike.

If you are sick of the rat race and want to slow your day down a little, give it a shot. Commuting by bicycle is a great way to mentally unwind, get some fitness, and save some money too. I love it, and I’ll be riding for as long as I can. Maybe even in Copenhagen next year!

My ride in today was perfect. Around 20 degrees, so I wasn’t hot or cold, little or no wind to slow me down, and it seemed like almost every traffic light was in my favour.

All of this is out of my control. Some days it’s the complete opposite.. Freezing cold, or boiling hot with a strong head wind and having to stop and start constantly at the lights. It’s nice when things just work out though. Gives you a real big boost for the day!

One thing that is in my control is the bike that I ride. For those that know bikes, it’s a Haro Mary SS. In it’s standard form it’s a 29er, but with smaller tyres for commuting it’s more like a 28er. I run carbon forks on it too for a bit of forgiveness over the bumps. The most important thing though, is that it’s a singlespeed. I first made a singlespeed about four years ago when I wanted to start riding to work in the city. Back then I spaced a 9-speed hub with one cog and did it the cheap way just to try it. Within one ride I was convinced… The best way to commute is on a singlespeed (assuming it’s relatively flat for your commute). Since then I’ve had four singlespeed bikes.

The simplicity is awesome. You’re never in the wrong gear, your chain never comes off, it’s quiet, you get better pedalling efficiency, and it requires much less maintenance and just makes you feel more in tune to the bike. You’ll find within weeks you’ll be much stronger in the legs too!

To quote the great man Sheldon Brown:

Riding a singlespeed can help bring back the unfettered joy you experienced riding your bike as a child. You don’t realize how much mental energy you devote to shifting until you relinquish your derailers, and discover that a whole corner of your brain that was formerly wondering when to shift is now free to enjoy your surroundings and sensations.

I’ve got great tyres on my bike too. Continental CountryRIDE’s. I’ve pulled all sorts out of these tyres now, and still haven’t had a flat. Usually saying that sort of thing is bad karma and you’ll get a flat on the ride home, but I know I won’t. This helps even more with commuting, when you’re not thinking 100% about the riding. It’s less of a concern if you ride over some glass or a three corner jack.

It’s taken me a long time, but I’ve learned that the trick to commuting on a bike and enjoying it is to set yourself up on a simple bike. Make it comfortable, sure, but keep it simple and it will reward you in more ways than one.

Ride on.