Tuesday morning could be coldest day in D.C. in 20 years

[KelOnWheels]

@dasgeh 73925 wrote:

Alas, I didn’t bike to work today. I did bike to lunch (Icebreaker base layer, wool work sweater, fleece + ski jacket; Icebreaker 260 baselayer + work pants; Icebreaker (I should get commission) socks + snow boots, Smartwool liner gloves + work gloves; hoods from fleece and jacket pulled up over my head — wish I hadn’t forgotten my scarf).

I realized that clothing wise, I was fine to bike. But bike-wise is another matter. I have been commuting on 2 bikes: 1) my (Dad’s) Raleigh, which fits very well, but I don’t think has clearance for better tires; and 2) Raleigh Detour Deluxe, my no excuses bike. I love the Raleigh, but I must admit, it is too small for me. It’s just not comfortable enough for the 7.5 mile commute, and I end up dreading the ride home.

So on my bike to lunch (on a CaBi), I swung by BicycleSpace to see what they would recommend for a bike I could use all the time. I was steered toward the Surly Straggler, but might consider another Surly or an All-City… Any thoughts?

ALL-CITY!

A Surly Straggler would be awesome, actually. I want one.

But it’s basically the bike I have just with disc brakes.

But I still want one.

[jopamora]

@KelOnWheels 73946 wrote:

ALL-CITY!

A Surly Straggler would be awesome, actually. I want one.

But it’s basically the bike I have just with disc brakes.

But I still want one.

Are you saying Surly and All-City are equal?

[KelOnWheels]

@jopamora 73953 wrote:

Are you saying Surly and All-City are equal?

Nah, All-City is cooler.

Especially the Space Horse.

[dasgeh]

@jopamora 73953 wrote:

Are you saying Surly and All-City are equal?

Guy at BicycleSpace called them “sister brands”. I was interested….

[KelOnWheels]

@dasgeh 73959 wrote:

Guy at BicycleSpace called them “sister brands”. I was interested….

They’re both QBP brands, so they’re equal in that regard

[vvill]

@dasgeh 73925 wrote:

So on my bike to lunch (on a CaBi), I swung by BicycleSpace to see what they would recommend for a bike I could use all the time. I was steered toward the Surly Straggler, but might consider another Surly or an All-City… Any thoughts?

Both brands focus on tough, steel, urban bikes so either would probably be good if that’s what you’re after. All-City have a bit more of a track/CX/700c focus perhaps, and don’t make any MTBs whereas Surly has a presence in all sorts of bikes. All-City’s marketing seems a bit edgier and “epic”, Surly is a bit more off-beat and quirky.

I think figure out what kind of tire clearance you want, and also if you want flat bar or dropbar and if drops – STI or barend shifters. CX-specific bikes will usually fit up to 35mm comfortably but not necessarily that much more – so that may limit your studded tire choice if you plan to get those at some point. Having disc brakes or not will also influence your options quite a bit, if you have a preference on that.

[peterw_diy]

@dasgeh 73925 wrote:

I swung by BicycleSpace to see what they would recommend for a bike I could use all the time. … Any thoughts?

Belt drive 26er fat tire fixie will take care of you all through the zombie apocalypse.

Don’t brifters suck with gloves/mittens? So I’ve heard… Otherwise, when I go shopping I wish my Cross Check had longer chainstays, and Surly cuts the steer tubes kinda short on their “complete” builds. I’d also like less toe clip overlap. (I shoulda bought a 26er Disc Trucker.) Straggler is one of a few they bother treating for rust, the others you might want to Weigle.

[PotomacCyclist]

50s this weekend. Low 60s on Monday! You won’t need your multiple layers of tights and fleece pullovers that day.

[dbb]

@PotomacCyclist 73982 wrote:

50s this weekend. Low 60s on Monday! You won’t need your multiple layers of tights and fleece pullovers that day.

Laundry day!

[Dirt]

Tomorrow will be plenty fun.

[eminva]

I just ordered my first pair of goggles, and with Amazon Prime, they should be here on Friday. Thus, you can thank me for the fact that after Friday, there should be no possibility of weather cold enough to require goggles for the remainder of the season.

Liz

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[peterw_diy]

@eminva 73992 wrote:

you can thank me for the fact that after Friday, there should be no possibility of weather cold enough to require goggles

Great! Would you please now order some really warm gloves?

[jrenaut]

Had to stop halfway through my commute to get an IV for heat exhaustion. Brutally hot out there. Everyone remember to drink plenty of fluids.

[Terpfan]

@jrenaut 74006 wrote:

Had to stop halfway through my commute to get an IV for heat exhaustion. Brutally hot out there. Everyone remember to drink plenty of fluids.

I tried. The fluids refused to leave the water bottle even when they had come into in a warm fashion at the start of my ride. Damn heat.

[cyclingfool]

@jrenaut 74006 wrote:

Had to stop halfway through my commute to get an IV for heat exhaustion. Brutally hot out there. Everyone remember to drink plenty of fluids.

It was so hot this morning that all of mine had boiled away. Guess I should switch back to water from nitrogen after yesterday.

[Author]

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