N+1? Do I need one? I want one…

[eminva]

@KayakCyndi 140258 wrote:

Let’s meet up for you to test my 53 Viaje. We’ll see how that fits. If too big we can try to get you on a 50. I’ll probably be on it Thursday and Friday. Live in Falls Church and commute into DC. Message me and we can coordinate.

Let me know when and where and I can bring my 50 Viaje.

[ian74]

@KayakCyndi 140258 wrote:

Let’s meet up for you to test my 53 Viaje. We’ll see how that fits. If too big we can try to get you on a 50. I’ll probably be on it Thursday and Friday. Live in Falls Church and commute into DC. Message me and we can coordinate.

@Tania 140260 wrote:

I’ve got a 2016 Rove ST in S/M that you can try. I’m almost 5’5″ if I stand up straight and inhale deeply.

@eminva 140262 wrote:

Let me know when and where and I can bring my 50 Viaje.

As if anyone could ever doubt the awesomeness that is the BikeArlington forum, seriously, I couldn’t ask to be part of a better community.

I’ll send a PM to you Cyndi, and cc’ eminva on it too. Basically though, let me know what’s best for both of you, I’m willing to ride out to meet you anywhere along your commutes (or in DC).

Tania, I’d love to try out your Rove, that’s exactly the size I would probably be interested in too. Whenever you come through DC on your AM commute on it, let me know!

[vvill]

I’m predicting another Volagi will be making its way into DC/NoVa. I really enjoyed the ride feel when trying those out for the n+1 challenge.

[ian74]

Ok, I think between spamming it on Strava, Facebook, and Twitter most of my BikeArlington friends have seen that I got my N+1. I saved money, sold my video games, and fed Mr. Coinstar and got enough for a bike I test rode and really liked.

I went with a a Salsa Marrakesh, a steel touring bike. So, I might not have taken everyone’s advice, but I did buy a bike that I love. I love the way it looks and rides, which will keep my riding away on it for quite a while. The weight is definitely noticeable, but ride is so smooth, with big cush 38mm tires and a Brooks saddle (my first!), that the trade off is worth it. I love the Brooks saddle without a doubt. I’ve already put 200 miles on it since I picked it up last week and based on my strava times, I’ve lost about 1 mph on the commute in and 0.5 on the way home. Some days a little more, some days a little less. I’m still playing with finding the best tire pressure that rides the line between squishy/slow and harsh/fast. Thanks to the forum members that gave advice, and Tania, Eminva and Cyndi for letting me test ride their bikes. It was very much appreciated.

But look at it! It’s so pertty!

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[KayakCyndi]

@ian74 141792 wrote:

Ok, I think between spamming it on Strava, Facebook, and Twitter most of my BikeArlington friends have seen that I got my N+1. I saved money, sold my video games, and fed Mr. Coinstar and got enough for a bike I test rode and really liked.

I went with a a Salsa Marrakesh, a steel touring bike. So, I might not have taken everyone’s advice, but I did buy a bike that I love. I love the way it looks and rides, which will keep my riding away on it for quite a while. The weight is definitely noticeable, but ride is so smooth, with big cush 38mm tires and a Brooks saddle (my first!), that the trade off is worth it. I love the Brooks saddle without a doubt. I’ve already put 200 miles on it since I picked it up last week and based on my strava times, I’ve lost about 1 mph on the commute in and 0.5 on the way home. Some days a little more, some days a little less. I’m still playing with finding the best tire pressure that rides the line between squishy/slow and harsh/fast. Thanks to the forum members that gave advice, and Tania, Eminva and Cyndi for letting me test ride their bikes. It was very much appreciated.

But look at it! It’s so pertty!

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I LOVE the way that looks! The Marrakesh is a cool bike. I’ve tried to talk my SO, who strangely doesn’t have my same bike love, into one but no luck. That is a bike that is capable of taking you far!

[dkel]

@ian74 141792 wrote:

But look at it! It’s so pertty!

Wow, that’s nice! I love the black fenders and the gumwalls. Very beautiful!

[GovernorSilver]

@dkel 141797 wrote:

Wow, that’s nice! I love the black fenders and the gumwalls. Very beautiful!

What he said! I also opted for plushier ride over speedier ride (not that I have a great engine anyway) and don’t regret it.

Still figuring out my own saddle situation. I think a piece of the puzzle for me was realizing I wasn’t really riding with a 45 degree lean that the current saddle (Specialized Avatar) was designed for – referred to as “relaxed road” on at least one website, “performance” on another” and “classic road” or something like that on the Brooks site.. I was riding closer to a 60 degree angle, so the pelvis was not sufficiently rolled forward to be supported by the saddle on the intended areas. I don’t have any issues that really prevent me from riding at 45 degrees, as long as I don’t slouch too much. I just have to get used to that lower angle.

My Renegade is in the shop for the complementary tuneup. When it’s done I’ll ask them for some help with saddle adjustment (fore-aft, etc.) and making sure the fitting is still suitable for that 45 degree position.

[DismalScientist]

@ian74 141792 wrote:

But look at it! It’s so pertty!

Top tubes should be horizontal. Maybe if you put a 24″ wheel in front, it will fix it for you.:rolleyes:

[hozn]

That’s a really beautiful bike. Black w/ gumwalls really is a stellar combination.

And with the bar-end shifters, you could easily upgrade to https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.php?catid=206&productid=1207 if/when you feel the urge. (vvill says the Hylex brakes are awesome.)

I think putting the Brooks saddle on a bike makes a clear statement about the bike’s priorities (i.e. comfort, distance, classic style — not speed, weight, or fleeting trends). It’s always refreshing to see a bike like this.

[KLizotte]

Oh…..so classic! That is one distinctive looking bike. You should be able to ride well in the mucky muck too with the tires and fenders.

Now if only you could ditch the helmet and wear a beret!

[AFHokie]

@KLizotte 141804 wrote:

Oh…..so classic! That is one distinctive looking bike. You should be able to ride well in the mucky muck too with the tires and fenders.

Now if only you could ditch the helmet and wear a beret!

[IMG]https://goo.gl/images/mC95FQ[/IMG]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[sethpo]

@vvill 140333 wrote:

I’m predicting another Volagi will be making its way into DC/NoVa. I really enjoyed the ride feel when trying those out for the n+1 challenge.

I’m going to be selling my blue steel Viaje (57cm) w/ under 500 miles, Athena 11-sp, FSA carbon cranks, BB7s very soon. I’m thinking I’ll ask $2k (retail as built is about $3k) on the open market but would happily give a “friends of the forum” discount to know that it’s going to a great forever home.

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[Steve O]

@sethpo 141814 wrote:

I’m going to be selling my blue steel Viaje (57cm) w/ under 500 miles, Athena 11-sp, FSA carbon cranks, BB7s very soon. I’m thinking I’ll ask $2k (retail as built is about $3k) on the open market but would happily give a “friends of the forum” discount to know that it’s going to a great forever home.

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ooo..ooo…ooo. I’d be tempted to give this a test ride (maybe a tad big for me), but then I would probably buy it. I have a friend who says, “Just lie down until the feeling passes.”

[sethpo]

@Steve O 141845 wrote:

ooo..ooo…ooo. I’d be tempted to give this a test ride (maybe a tad big for me), but then I would probably buy it. I have a friend who says, “Just lie down until the feeling passes.”

Come on over, Steve O. Free beers with every test ride! What could go wrong?

[Steve O]

@sethpo 141851 wrote:

Come on over, Steve O. Free beers with every test ride! What could go wrong?

First question for Seth – Why? Such a nice bike. Almost new. Why are you selling?

Now for everyone; help me think this through.

In the past when I’ve occasionally entertained thoughts of N+1, I usually think one of these:
A) Crabon road bike. For recreational riding on Saturdays, Skyline rides, Kill Bill, Tuesday nights, ex-Boomer’s hill ride, etc. (In fact, speaking of Boomer, perfect would be his Trek that’s hanging, lonely and unused, in his basement in Falls Church, but guarded by his vicious dog, Bandit. That would be a good one. Boomer, are you there?… BOOMER!)

Cheap mountain bike. I’ve never done mountain biking, but it looks like fun and I could give it a whirl. If I get hooked, I can get a more expensive one. This also would double as useful during bad winter riding conditions – better than my 3-speed I use now.

But this Viaje is more of an upgrade/replacement for my current Fuji steel frame touring, all-around bike, which I’m not unhappy with. Do I re-purpose one or the other somehow? And if so, for what?

[Author]

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