Gravel Bike Commuting

Cool Craig,  sounds like my kind of terrain.  I have a lot of respect for commuters.  My current job/career takes me to far away (home office then on the road).  But,  when home I often ride in utility mode and/or just for fun, stress relief,etc............just as you described.........even with a company van and gas .......I will take it on utility runs

What bike is that ?  Looks nice.....  a GT?   Nice mud gummys (grin( ..........your commute sounds perfect.

I love seeing,hearing about good all purpose bicycles getting the heck used out of them

Here is mine just today before I took a spin with it,   in the arctic temps and snow...........waiting for a thaw  ..........better yet spring :-)
I took my rear rack off, went to the back-pack for a change up and switched back to a skinnier rear (38) tire.............mostly because I was bored.......(grin),  waiting for winter to end on this fine Saturday ......


 

Commuting in rain, snow, mud, and ice at 12am-3am in 20 to -15 degrees....ABSOLUTELY LUV....

Took a "wrong" turn on my way to work this morning... it was well worth it!

I wish my commute had more gravel. Sometimes I ride as far off to the side of the roads just to mix up the terrain a bit.

 
Lots of gravel road choices in my commute.  It is just a little over 16 miles, one way.  Have really enjoyed hitting the gravel after work on the way home!
 
This is my gravel rig/commuter.  It is a 2014 Giant Revolt 1.  It is fitted-out with Clement MSO 40mm tires, SKS long-board fenders and the Topeak rack.  I have the smaller RX bag on it in the photo above.  I have the larger size commuter bag that I use when I need to carry more stuff.  This last week, I commuted by bike four days for a total of 136 miles.  A lot of that on gravel.

 
I live in Northeastern Oklahoma.  Lots of gravel to enjoy!  Lots of fun commuting by bike!
     

Okie Outdoorsman wrote:

 

Did you have to bend the rack struts like that or does Giant have a specific rack to fit?

Definitely had to bend them myself.  The fender stays were straight from the SKS kit.  Hard to see in the picture, but I had to add a stainless steel spacer, and used a longer stainless steel bolt, as well.  Came out really nice, though, and cleared the Avid BB7 brake caliper just fine.  

Gday guys just new here and this is my first post.

Here are a few pics of my commuting machine.

It's a 2012 Trek Superfly that now has Jones Bars and as of today rigid forks off a Krampus.

This was a year ago.



How it looks today



Some commuting photos





And my other Gravel commuter my Merida CX bike

I've recently moved to a more rural area of the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. Fortunately, my new commute to the hospital is full of gravel paths and farm roads. Unfortunately, my commute is now only 7 miles as opposed to the former 17. Looks like I'll need to find "detours" to work! \n \n \n \n \n \nBri

I just picked up my new Raleigh Roker Comp and LOVE it! I live in southern California and commute 1-2 days a week to work. On my way home, I can cut through Laguna Wilderness Area and hit pavement, dirt fire roads, and singletrack.
To work: 21 miles all pavement
Home: 26 miles pavement, fire roads, single track

I have an odd commute. It's 3 miles from home to the office in the morning, but oddly enough, 15-25 miles from the office to home in the afternoon. Seems the better the weather, the longer the commute home. Funny how that works.

That sounds like me.  My commute is about 30 minutes if I'm being direct.  I like the 2 hour commute at sunrise.  Yes - life is good when you like to take the long way home and and arrive with happy endorphins.

I've been commuting on my "Gravel Bike" for the last 22 years:



Technically purchased as a Cyclocross bike but I've ridden it on single track, fireroads, gravel since day one.  I've ridden several 100K gravel races on it as well.

In the summertime I take advantage of the longer days and I ride past my house and out into the local dirt trail system.

Sadly, I discovered a frame crack last week.  I'm building a Macho Man Disc to ride while I wait to see if the crack can be repaired.

Nice bike!  Get that steel fixed!  hard to find something like that these days...

(I know its a real commuter when I see a cygolite and fenders!!!)  ;-)

chas wrote:Nice bike!  Get that steel fixed!  hard to find something like that these days...

(I know its a real commuter when I see a cygolite and fenders!!!)  ;-)

Thanks, and as shown, it still only weighs 24.25 lbs.

I want to convert it to a 1x10 once I get the frame back.  Maybe even get a new set of tubeless wheels.  I should probably wait to convert to a 1x until I get the wheels, then go 1x11.

The last week and a half not riding it sucked.  

 

2017 Salsa Warbird Rival
Used as a commuter on the Streets of Argentina for the past 2.5 years, definitely needed on these rough streets (tubeless). Just got some sweet new fenders. Luckily fenders went on without a hitch, bought locally, fits my 700x40mm tires nicely.  Niterider Lumina 1200 light is crucial for early morning commutes.