Funding a new commuter

[KelOnWheels]

@ebubar 51754 wrote:

Update on my new commuter quest:

Test rode a Kona Jake (53 cm) and another Bianchi Volpe (49 cm) (top contender at the moment).

Jake was okay and was the correct size. I like the idea of disc brakes, but once again the Volpe just feels right (even though
it was a little small). I suspect I’ll find a place with a 53 Volpe, the heavens will part, a chorus of angels will sing and praise my choice.

The Volpe looks like an awesome bike! Plus it comes stock with cross-top levers which is nice. If I hadn’t fallen for the Space Horse I’d definitely be looking at the Volpe.

[ebubar]

@KelOnWheels 51757 wrote:

The Volpe looks like an awesome bike! Plus it comes stock with cross-top levers which is nice. If I hadn’t fallen for the Space Horse I’d definitely be looking at the Volpe.

I love the Space Horse glamour shots. Fantastic advertising!
If they were in my price range, i’d definitely be thinking of an All-City.

[KelOnWheels]

@ebubar 51758 wrote:

I love the Space Horse glamour shots. Fantastic advertising!
If they were in my price range, i’d definitely be thinking of an All-City.

The Volpe is definitely better value for money

[KelOnWheels]

@TwoWheelsDC 50526 wrote:

Regarding gearing, I like having a triple on my commuter (50/39/30 x 11-28). I rarely use the granny, even with a fully-loaded pannier, but it’s nice to have that extra bottom end, since I prefer to remain seated for climbs because standing and pedaling is awkward when the panniers are on. With a compact and a 12-30 though, you can get almost the same gear inches as a triple with a 25 or 28 in back, so double/triple probably wouldn’t be a major consideration if I was choosing a commuter.

So I won’t hate myself for going from a 48/38/28 x 13-30 to 50/34 x 12-30?
It’s not like I ever remember to shift to my granny gear in time to use it on hills anyway, so I might be better off with a double!

[hozn]

@KelOnWheels 51773 wrote:

So I won’t hate myself for going from a 48/38/28 x 13-30 to 50/34 x 12-30?
It’s not like I ever remember to shift to my granny gear in time to use it on hills anyway, so I might be better off with a double!

If you don’t anticipate needing the taller gears, you might also consider a 34/46 or similar. (Maybe for when you need to replace the front rings, since it’ll probably come with 34/50.) I got a cheap Shimano cx50 crankset in this configuration. I love that gearing for the commute — having closer ring sizes is nice. Jumping from 34 to 50 is a big leap (and tends to push the limits of clean shifts).

OTOH I am replacing my front rings on my road bike with a semi-compact setup — 36/52. That should be perfect on that bike where I really rarely need the 34:28.

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