My ideal commuter bike - but where can I buy one?

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Permalink Reply by Angus Kingston on April 6, 2009 at 1:40pm

Hi,

That is quite a list! I have not heard of a Spot Highline. You could look at Surly or Masi. Surly website lists Lifecycle on Kensington Rd as a distributor. I have never seen any models in there.

It's easyish to find bits of those specs. Giant CRX will take SRAM, steel frames on Masi, Disc breaks (I don't really care for the extra cost) and I have just got my first rack and panniers - in fact this mornig was my first ride with it and it was a great improvement - but fitting it wasn't as easy as I thought so it's good to get that checked out.

I am also not a fan of drop bars and really wonder why so many people buy bikes with them. I have this old Ricardo that I have taken the bars off and replaced with flats. It was easy because the gears were on the downtube.

Fenders are not a dirty word!

AK

Permalink Reply by Luke Hallam on April 6, 2009 at 5:57pm

Angus,

I've checked out Surly and Masi. Masi haven't responded and the Surly 1x1 could possibly be built up to suit but at a cost.

The Spot Highline is so close to what I want except for the 3 speed hub. I climb New Norton Summit Rd every time I commute so I need a few more gears to make the climb a bit easier.

As for discs, once you've used them it is hard to imagine using anything else, particularly in the wet.

I agree, fenders is not a dirty word. If bike fashion was a bit more practical around here more people would ride. The Ricardo looks great for commuting, flat bars or not.

Check out Rivendell if you want some good old fashioned steel bikes with lugged frames.

For those into internal hubs Hubstripping.com is a site that provides loads interesting information.

Luke

Permalink Reply by Angus Kingston on April 6, 2009 at 11:10pm

Holy hell! Up Norton Summit every commute! Do you do it in Jack Bobridge's time of 11'50".

There are some beautiful steel frames by the small handmade companies in the US. They are often featured in Urban Velo.

Permalink Reply by Luke Hallam on April 7, 2009 at 1:14pm

Yep, afraid so. I do Norton Summit in Luke time. That is whatever it happens to take on the day. Some days its easy. Some days it isn't. My aim is to be able to do it five days a week but that appears to be a long way off at this stage.

Thanks for the link to Urban Velo. Will check it out. I've got a list of manufacturers web sites a mile long but still can't find my ideal bike unless I go custom made.

Luke

Permalink Reply by Luke Hallam on April 8, 2009 at 10:31pm

Using the excuse that I needed some pedals for my wife's bike I went into Lifecycle on the way home this afternoon. I was actually hoping to get a little closer to resolving my wish list above. However, every bike they offered required modification and the end result was always a compromise.

I must say I like the look of the Avanti K.I.S.S 29. Very similar to the Spot Highline. With an i-Motion 9 hub it would be very close. Trouble is it doesn't have rack mounts or fender mounts. Sweet looking bike though.

The search continues.

Permalink Reply by Paul Hamon on April 15, 2009 at 12:34am

-Steel frame (ride comfort and durability)

SURLY?

-Rear rack (hate carrying stuff on my back)

TUBUS LOGO, I got 2 they rock!
http://www.tubus.com/index/lang/en/rubrik/Rear%20Carriers/artikel/L...

-Disc brakes (big downhill on the way too work)

AVID BB7 mechanical, top of line...

-Fenders (want to ride all year round)

Plastic composite, I've bent a wheel before and the fenders survived.

-Comfortable position (getting old :-)

Thudbuster suspension seatposts.
http://www.thudbuster.com/products.html

-Relaxed handling (good on the decent and climbs well)

Ergon Grips.. they rock....
http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/grips/gc2.html

-Internal rear hub with a good range of evenly spaced gears for the climb home (and belt drive if I can get it to minimize maintenance)

Belt, not sure... Rohloff speedhub :)
http://www.rohloff.de/en/products/speedhub/

Permalink Reply by Angus Kingston on April 15, 2009 at 12:53pm

As a friend once said to a guy admiring his Colnago

"...but you still need to pedal"

:-)

Permalink Reply by Paul Hamon on April 15, 2009 at 5:08pm

yup...

i would recommend the grips! I have some they are SO comfy.
i would recommend the rack, it's very robust and quality.

plus you can move the rack onto another bike later, like a touring bike and well as the grips!

Permalink Reply by Luke Hallam on April 17, 2009 at 9:50pm

OK, the search has taken an interesting turn towards a Surly. Which one? Well, that is a question I'm still trying to answer. It's between a Long Haul Trucker and a Cross-Check. The Long Haul Trucker obviously being the full touring rig and the Cross-Check being a cyclocross bike that has the ability to run fat tyres, a rear rack and fenders.

Both have bar end shifters which will be something new to learn and both have cantilever brakes. Canti's aren't quite the discs I was after but I've realised I don't actually use the brakes that much going down the hill :-) That is going to get me into trouble one day but I do enjoy a fast corner.

There are no 62cm LHT's in Australia so I'd have to wait until Jun/Jul for one of those. There is one 62cm Cross-Check in a colour Surly call Beef Gravy Brown. It is not a colour I would choose.

Where does that leave me? Undecided. Not being able to ride either makes it tough.

As for racks and panniers, I've read and been informed that you can't go past Tubus and Ortleib.

At this point I have to say that Lifecycle haven't been the greatest help. I get the impression they are out of their depth when discussing touring oriented bikes and just want to sell me anything rather than listening to my requirements. I have received more help from Cheeky Transport in Sydney despite the fact they know they won't sell me a bike.

Permalink Reply by Luke Hallam on April 18, 2009 at 9:29pm

I woke up at 3am last night thinking about the Surly Long Haul Trucker. This is the normal sign that I have subconsciously determined which bike I should buy. We'll see I guess. I'm keeping an open mind and am certainly open to alternative solutions.

Permalink Reply by Angus Kingston on April 19, 2009 at 12:27am

I think you really need to go and ride one, preferably not at 3am. I wonder if we can putout and APB (tweet) to see if anyone else in Adelaide has one for you to test?

Permalink Reply by Bio-Mechanics Cycles & Repairs on April 28, 2009 at 4:33pm

Hi Luke,

If you're still looking for a suitable commuter/tourer, we've just taken on Surly, Salsa, and KHS, and may be able to find a suitable option for you. In addition to the Cross Check (just arrived in stock... and on special!), the KHS TR-101 might also be worth a look; it's all ready to go as a touring bike, including racks and fenders.

We're open 8.30 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 3 pm Saturdays, or you're welcome to shoot us an email if you've got any queries. :-)

Bio-Mechanics Cycles & Repairs
Shop 3/249 Wright St, Adelaide
Ph: 08 8410 9499
www.bmcr.com.au

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