Fortunately , Leah, you do have a year to think about this. I suspect, since you haven't definitely settled on which college your son is going to, a tour of the campuses is probably part of your plans. Once you settle on a college, I'm sure you'll visit it. When you're visiting maybe a trip to the student union center is in order where you may be able to suss out the local bike culture as these student centers address many aspects of student life outside of pure academia. It's hard to beat the Clem for its practicality. As others have said, the cost of configuring a beater bought for a few hundred bucks with dynamos, fenders, carrying capacity, etc. can quickly add up. If his Clem is insured (may need to buy a rider) , you do the pitlock thing, he can keep it in the dorm room , he's meticulous about locking it up and it's a bike-commuter friendly campus, maybe all will be well, if he really wants to take the Clem and is aware of the risk. Risk of theft goes up, of course, when it locked up for several hours after dark on or off-campus
On Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 6:00:50 AM UTC-5 Jay LePree wrote: > Hi Leah, > > I could not afford a car in graduate school at the University of > Wisconsin-Madison, so wound up with a Diamond back mountain bike my first > two years and then traded it in for a Specialized Triple Sirrus for my last > two years there. I was OK with both bikes, but after having my saddle and > seatpost stolen on my Diamond back, I learned very quickly to install two > seat leashes. My bikes were stored inside my apartment overnight, so I > overnight theft was not a concern. I used a chain and a U-lock as that > often can frustrate theives as then need two tools to steal the bike. I > would consider purchasing and installing Pitlock skewers to protect the > wheels. I would be wary of mounting bags to the bike. Those would be > easily stolen. Baskets with torx nut hardware might be more theft proof. > > https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pitlock.php > > Jay LePree > Demarest, NJ > T LePree - 2020 ERAU - Commercial Pilot > K. LePree 2023 Columbia U. - Financial Analyst > > That first walk past the high school, when all are away at school, will be > a shock to the system, but it is part of their lives and ours. Milestones. > > On Friday, August 11, 2023 at 5:37:53 PM UTC-4 Wesley wrote: > >> The current best value from Surly is the Cross Check, at $1100 for a >> complete. >> -W >> >> On Friday, August 11, 2023 at 1:00:16 PM UTC-7 Eric Daume wrote: >> >>> The 1x1 isn’t made any more, and they hold their value really well as >>> they seem to be coming somewhat collectible. The replacement is the >>> Lowside, I think it’s about $890 for the frame set. Not really a value play >>> anymore. >>> >>> Eric >>> >>> >>> On Friday, August 11, 2023, George Schick <bhi...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> I'll chime in with yet another recommendation (would be my choice if I >>>> were going to be shipping a kid of to a campus in the near future): a >>>> Surly 1x1. They're single speed frames, rather on the heavy side made from >>>> 4130 chro-moly tubing, powder coated for durability, and can be set up >>>> with >>>> a single-speed cog and chainring of your choice. I currently own one and >>>> use it as my all around utility bike for running short haul errands, etc. >>>> I'm using a Bulletproof BMX crankset, 38-tooth Rocket chainring, and a >>>> Shimano 17-tooth SS freewheel for a 59" gear (perfect for riding around >>>> campus). You can equip this bike with front and rear disc brakes, though >>>> I >>>> would not recommend it for campus use where it can get beat around on an >>>> overloaded bike rack and the discs bent. Instead I'd set it up with >>>> linear-pull F&R brakes. It comes with a threadless fork/steering tube, >>>> though, so you'd need the right length/angle threadless stem and the right >>>> bars to fit it (I'd recommend the VeloOrange Granola-Moose bar for easy >>>> mounting of the bar with a headlight. You could pick any hub, rim, and >>>> tire combination you prefer. Mine has Surly's semi-sealed cartridge hubs >>>> with 28mm rims and 60mm Schwalbe Big Apple balloon tires - again, a >>>> perfect >>>> combo for campus riding. >>>> A web search shows that there are several LBS's around the GR, MI area >>>> who are Surly dealers so you'd be within reasonable reach of one. Anyway, >>>> that's my 2¢. >>>> >>>> PS: I have a 16T White Industries SS freewheel FS if that would work >>>> >>>> On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 6:47:48 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>> Ding! wrote: >>>> >>>>> Wow, this thread has generated a lot of response, and I’ve enjoyed >>>>> reading every post. It’s such a shame we have to go to extremes to avoid >>>>> bike theft - carrying heavy u-locks, being so choosy about parking and >>>>> locking, replacing parts, making the bike ugly, choosing to ride an >>>>> undesirable bike so we can preserve our desirable bike… >>>>> >>>>> Then there’s the other variable - how careful is the kid going to be >>>>> with the bike? Well, bikes are not precious to him. He likes his bike, >>>>> sees >>>>> beauty and usefulness in it, but please do not bore him with too many >>>>> details about it. I don’t think he will worry about it like I would; and >>>>> that may lead to carelessness that gets his bike stolen. But also, he has >>>>> the Mr. Magoo-like quality of walking through life blissfully unaware of >>>>> the evil that lurks around every corner and arriving unscathed at his >>>>> destination. >>>>> >>>>> The campus in question does not have a lot of bike pirates roaming >>>>> about, although yes, I know they exist everywhere. But they are not >>>>> prolific on this particular campus. I’m still undecided about what bike >>>>> to >>>>> send, but any bike that goes with him will get skewers that are locked >>>>> and >>>>> nuts that prevent the theft of stem, saddle and seat post. Hexlox makes >>>>> all >>>>> these products, if anyone is wondering. We’ll have good u-locks, too. >>>>> >>>>> And thanks to Jim for the mention of coverage under homeowners’ >>>>> insurance. I’ll be looking into that for sure. >>>>> Leah >>>>> >>>>> On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:04:07 PM UTC-4 nlerner wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Similar to Mackenzy, I’ve been bike commuting to college campuses for >>>>>> many decades, the last 30 of which have been in the Boston area. I’ve >>>>>> never >>>>>> had a bike stolen likely because (1) I use a decent lock and (2) never >>>>>> park >>>>>> it outside overnight. I have colleagues who would never leave their >>>>>> bikes >>>>>> outside at all and schlep them up to their offices, navigating too small >>>>>> elevators and lots of doorways, but I’ve never seen the need. Sure, >>>>>> bikes >>>>>> get stolen around here all the time, but I’m convinced those are the >>>>>> ones >>>>>> easiest to steal, e.g., unlocked on a porch or in a backyard or part of >>>>>> a >>>>>> larger home break in. >>>>>> >>>>>> Now that doesn’t mean I necessarily endorse bringing the Clem to >>>>>> college as it will likely get thoroughly trashed from daily wear and >>>>>> tear >>>>>> (bike racks are not bike-friendly spaces). But I’m also always looking >>>>>> for >>>>>> an excuse to build up a commuter for colleagues. >>>>>> >>>>>> Neal Lerner >>>>>> Brookline MA >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 5:07:52 PM UTC-4 Mackenzy Albright >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm amazed at the amount of discouragement of use of the Clem as a >>>>>>> college commuting bike. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I've worked at universities a good chunk of my life and commuted >>>>>>> with high(er) end bikes and never had any issues. I like riding nice >>>>>>> bikes >>>>>>> - which is why I own them. I've parked in high foot traffic zones (in >>>>>>> front >>>>>>> of libraries, security, etc.) or bring my bike inside ( absolute in >>>>>>> downtown Vancouver) when possible or parking my bike is in eyesight >>>>>>> (outside my old office at a bike rack in UVIC). Just the standard back >>>>>>> wheel lock with cable around the front wheel. Nothing fancy. (no QR >>>>>>> seat) >>>>>>> Never ever ever leave them parked over night. I always avoid dark or >>>>>>> hidden >>>>>>> area's, especially near residence halls or maintenance buildings. >>>>>>> Granted - >>>>>>> some universities and colleges are more sketchy than others. I've found >>>>>>> eventually other cyclists with nice or similar bikes will start parking >>>>>>> around you. It's a little heartwarming. My biggest issue is the >>>>>>> occasional >>>>>>> bike jammer - which leads to fender misalignment or dents. Scratches >>>>>>> etc. >>>>>>> It's the life of a bike. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I am of the opinion have a wonderful bike to have a wonderful ride >>>>>>> everyday not to hide in the garage. On the counterpoint - if one is >>>>>>> going >>>>>>> to be riding to the bars or parties or potential overnight >>>>>>> parking...this >>>>>>> is where the shenanigans will happen. It could be good having a "bar >>>>>>> hopper" single speed or something of the sort if biking is desired in >>>>>>> these >>>>>>> situations. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 1:50:41 PM UTC-7 Ian A wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Have you considered a Brompton for a college bike? The folding >>>>>>>> nature of it means it can always be safely inside with your son. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> IanA Alberta Canada >>>>>>>> On Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 8:54:39 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> It nearly kills me to say it, but my older son will be heading to >>>>>>>>> college in a year. Freshman aren’t to bring cars to campus, so that >>>>>>>>> leaves >>>>>>>>> buses, bikes, and your own two feet for transportation. My boys have >>>>>>>>> grown >>>>>>>>> up riding Clem Hs; this son rides a 52 cm cast-off from my husband >>>>>>>>> (who >>>>>>>>> doesn’t ride, sigh). >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> My 6’3” Dad had a blue 59 cm Clem on order when he died suddenly >>>>>>>>> in 2020, and his blue Clem has sat, boxed, waiting for my boy to grow >>>>>>>>> into >>>>>>>>> it. I lugged the gargantuan box up from the basement last week to see >>>>>>>>> how >>>>>>>>> if the bike would fit. “Now that I’ve obtained optimal height,” my >>>>>>>>> son is >>>>>>>>> fond of saying… >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Anyway, he’s 6’1” now (likely still growing) and I need him to >>>>>>>>> decide if he wants to stick with his old Clem H (that he was fond of) >>>>>>>>> or >>>>>>>>> settle into this Clem L. Because whichever bike he chooses is getting >>>>>>>>> new >>>>>>>>> wheels, dyno and fenders and going to college with him. At first he >>>>>>>>> was >>>>>>>>> opposed to the idea of a new Clem; he liked his old Clem, thought it >>>>>>>>> looked >>>>>>>>> cool. But after the - as he calls it - Big Bike was assembled, he >>>>>>>>> really >>>>>>>>> began to like it. “It looks elegant,” he said. It really does, all >>>>>>>>> long and >>>>>>>>> lithe, in blue and silver. He put his saddle and bags on the bike and >>>>>>>>> we >>>>>>>>> test rode it tonight. He said, “I am really liking the Big Bike. I >>>>>>>>> like >>>>>>>>> that my knees don’t have anything to hit (geez, were his knees >>>>>>>>> hitting his >>>>>>>>> bars?!) and it looks elegant. It feels more at home now that I have >>>>>>>>> my old >>>>>>>>> saddle on it.” >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I have mixed feelings about sending him to college with this bike, >>>>>>>>> because it’s so nice. I also doubt he’ll be able to get it on a bus >>>>>>>>> bike >>>>>>>>> rack - and I have no idea how often he will want to do that. His bike >>>>>>>>> life >>>>>>>>> is totally unknown at this point. All I know is that I’m getting him >>>>>>>>> dyno >>>>>>>>> because the kid has never remembered to charge a light in his LIFE >>>>>>>>> and I >>>>>>>>> will not sleep at night without it.The 52 takes 650b wheels and the >>>>>>>>> 59 >>>>>>>>> takes 700c, so I don’t want to buy the wheels until I know which bike >>>>>>>>> he >>>>>>>>> really wants. But as of now, he wants his new bike. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I know people will say we should just get a beater. I know why >>>>>>>>> that would be advisable, but I also hate to think of a Clem >>>>>>>>> languishing >>>>>>>>> when it could be serving a noble purpose. I’d love for him and his >>>>>>>>> Clem to >>>>>>>>> journey through undergrad together. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I am wondering…has anyone gone to college or sent their kid to >>>>>>>>> college with a Clem? What do you have to say about it? Photos in the >>>>>>>>> next >>>>>>>>> post… >>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>> >>> >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/204d0567-e0d1-4d7d-b3a3-77c90da3e9c9n%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/204d0567-e0d1-4d7d-b3a3-77c90da3e9c9n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. 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