[bikeqld] Commuter bike??

[Dave Ingram]

Ben Guymer wrote:
> Hi all,
>     Well the Road and the MTB are starting to wear out a bit.. 
> After a number of chain and sprocket changes was looking to get a new
> commuter bike so I can wear out my other bikes doing what they're
> supposed to do.  I had a look down at Epic cycles at a couple of bikes
> (scott and Cannondale) and Lifecycle (Langster)  Went for a pedal at
> Epic, the Sub seemed ok, the Cannondale seemed a bit lame.  Haven't
> been for a ride on the langster but singlespeeds seem a bit hot/cold
> around paddington and anywhere else in brisbane that isn't the river ride.
>     Any other favourites?  Any good or bad stories?
>  
I've been riding a Merida S-Presso i8-D for the last six months. It had
an internally geared 8sp hub and hydraulic disc brakes, which was my
selection requirement for year round riding. It can handle hills OK (I'm
a different story though), with the climb up Mt Coot-tha hard going but
the decent was great fun.
    http://www.merida.com.au/en_AU/Bikes.Detail.77

I've put on a Topeak rack, SKS mudguards and a Brooks saddle to complete
the commuter experience :-) Some 23mm high pressure Contis make pushing
the bike easier than with the 35mm hybrid things that came with it.

Taking the back wheel off is doable without having to slacken the chain,
even with vertical dropouts. I had to do this last night, and it is not
as simple as with a derailleur, mainly due to the weight of the wheel.
I've found that the ability to shift while stopped more than makes up
for things, and does make riding in traffic with associated abrupt stops
all that much easier.


Dave.
-- 

David Ingram (VK4TDI)
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Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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