[bikeqld] Commuter bike??

[Ben Guymer]

So I ended up getting a Specialized San Francisco 2, from Lifecycle:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39274

Probably not dissimiliar to the Merida spresso i8-D but with a 3 speed hub 
which is a bit lighter than the 2kg Alfine hub. (I wasn't so keen on the 
weight of the 8 speed - had a look at a giant or GT or something which had 
one but it really felt like I'd nail the back wheel if I got a bunny hop a 
bit wrong)

The mechanical discs seemed pretty lame (could squeeze them onto the grips 
without lifting the rear wheel ) so I'll change them to a better set of 
hydraulic discs.

Ben


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Ingram" <bulk at ingramtech.com>
To: "Ben Guymer" <ben at ultramotive.com.au>
Cc: "BQ list" <bikeqld at bikeqld.org.au>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 6:53 PM
Subject: Re: [bikeqld] Commuter bike??


> 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)
> To avoid spam trap, send email to dave at ingramtech dot com
> Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
> W: http://www.ingramtech.com/
> MH: QG62lm
>
>