ase

Now that I've bashed off and replaced my pedal reflectors, added a bottle cage in the REI parking lot (while thinking, is it really this easy? Huh), and stayed out until past midnight with bike party people, I am thinking about serious upgrades for my commuter bike. Toe-clips and straps, a cargo rack, fenders, and additional visibility options, including fancypants lights have been catching my eye. There are some even flashier wheel spoke lights available too, but I am exercising a little taste and restraint.

My morning commute is starting the slide from foggy early morning into foggy darkness, which is one reason I'm eyeing the fancypants lights. It's likely some classic bike gear is in my future: one of the "please don't hit me" electric yellow jackets, maybe LED ankle-straps, and almost certainly a helmet or bag rear light. Sure, drivers will probably think I look like a dork, but if they're noticing my dorkiness they're not blindly sideswiping me.

The cargo rack is looking more and more appealing as I discover the real estate constraints of a 15" frame. (Most likely spots for the lock bracket clash with the bottle cage. This is a problem.) Ortlieb seems to be the preferred brand for the discerning Caltrain commuter; Ortlieb bags are also a mint. So getting the rack and some bungee cords for a few paychecks may be the way to go. Getting the bike lock out of my bag will be enough of an improvement for the moment.

It looks like I have a summer job: lab work in Mountain View, covering a 4-month employee absence. The Caltrain plus cycling commute is far from ideal, but it's a far stronger option than the alternatives. (Alternatives: bus-bus-Caltrain-walk, or more succinctly commuter hell; getting a car, AKA fiscal misery.) Also, mandatory exercise makes me a better person, and this gives me the budget and reason to buy the bicycle I've wanted since I moved to San Francisco.

Today I tested seven bicycles at four cycling shops. Since bike quality is strongly correlated with bike cost, I found two very nice options at the very top of my price point. Then I found out REI bicycles are 15% off this week. The REI bike I tried - Scott SUB 45 - isn't as nice as the Trek 7.3 FX and Raleigh Alysa FT2 I tested elsewhere, but the price differential goes a long way toward accessories.

Under the hassle and test riding discomfort is a resurgent bubbling, because two very important concepts are in play:

work = money = more options = happiness
bicycle = increased transportation autonomy = happiness

Thus, happiness. As well as comparison shopping.