Your latest bike purchase?

[dkel]

What was the last bike you bought? Why did you buy it?

My last bike purchase was a Cannondale Quick 2 that I got at the end of November. In September I had gotten my old 2001 Trek hybrid out of the back of the garage to start commuting by bike, and after really getting into it, I realized I needed something a little more dialed-in for the rigors of commuting. The Quick was a perfect choice, because it is much nicer than what I had been riding, but similar in style: a hybrid, upright riding position, very stable handling, and generally familiar territory for a newbie like me.

So here’s why I’ve started this thread: five months and 2000 miles after my Quick purchase, I’m starting to think I need another upgrade (I’m really looking at the Surly Straggler, but that’s for another thread…really, really looking hard at the Straggler…with jealous eyes and a covetous heart…). Am I crazy to want a different bike so soon? I’ve learned a lot recently: much from doing all that riding, and at least as much from being involved in this forum. I’d like to think I’m being sensible and purposeful about my needs, based on all I’ve learned, and not just succumbing to n+1 frenzy. So tell me: why did you get your last bike? What did you get?

Topic

[americancyclo]

@hozn 116699 wrote:

eliminate (?) dropped chains in the woods.

You run GP4000sII in the woods?

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Phatboing 116852 wrote:

What shoes? I’ve been hoarding good platform-pedal shoes, because there are too many that look like skateboard kid shoes.

Technically, they’re….uh….skate shoes.

http://www.adidas.com/us/zx-vulc-shoes/C76980.html

[hozn]

@americancyclo 116854 wrote:

You run GP4000sII in the woods?

Ha, no. I run the big 42mm (Specialized Trigger) tires in the woods. Rode w/ @GuyContinental and @GB this AM; it was awesome — no dropped chains, no chain slap (at least nothing significant).

I will say, though, that I love the GP4000S tire. I ran that on the gravel at Poolesville and have run it on the couple-mile section of deep gravel at Diabolical Double last year. And I’ve ridden them on the Brandymore castle “shortcut” a few times I trust this tire far more on rough terrain than those Challenge Strada tires.

I was thinking that one of these days I would actually ride the 25mm tires through Lake Fairfax for fun. I might take a spare tire with me, though, since I think that’s pushing my luck.

[jabberwocky]

@hozn 116856 wrote:

I was thinking that one of these days I would actually ride the 25mm tires through Lake Fairfax for fun. I might take a spare tire with me, though, since I think that’s pushing my luck.

I actually rode my old CX bike with 28mm Paselas (at ~110psi) through Lake Fairfax many times. Its doable, though I do think people who actually find that fun are mentally ill. :p

It did teach me to be VERRA CAREFUL picking lines through the rocky stuff over by the lakeside campground though.

[hozn]

@jabberwocky 116857 wrote:

I actually rode my old CX bike with 28mm Paselas (at ~110psi) through Lake Fairfax many times. Its doable, though I do think people who actually find that fun are mentally ill. :p

It did teach me to be VERRA CAREFUL picking lines through the rocky stuff over by the lakeside campground though.

This is awesome; you’ve convinced me that I should try this. What’s the worst that could happen !? (Probably dented rim, honestly; that’d kinda suck.) I’ll probably skip the newer more technical north sections.

[jabberwocky]

@hozn 116859 wrote:

This is awesome; you’ve convinced me that I should try this. What’s the worst that could happen !? (Probably dented rim, honestly; that’d kinda suck.) I’ll probably skip the newer more technical north sections.

My favorite “cross bike offroad” story is the time I had a last minute client meeting in The Reserve (between Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Roads sort of between McLean and Great Falls). My bike and I got a ride there with my boss but was on my own to get home because he had a plane to catch. In my full work clothes, with a huge roll of architectural drawings sticking out of my panniers, I rode down Old Dominion to Georgetown Pike, then to the top of the CCT and all the way down to Lake Fairfax and on to the W&OD, all on my old Redline CX bike with road slicks.

I think that one trip fully cemented my intense dislike of drop bars offroad.

[Rockford10]

New bike!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]8722[/ATTACH]

2012 Salsa Vaya, all tricked out. Some of the trickery has been removed and more will be replaced (hate the dual pedals!). But, it’s great!

[Powerful Pete]

@Rockford10 – Need.More.Pictures.

And do I spy a Brooks saddle?! Awesomeness.

[dkel]

@Powerful Pete 116885 wrote:

@Rockford10 – Need.More.Pictures.

Yeah, man! That pic stinks! Doesn’t nearly do the bike justice.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Me too.

[ShawnoftheDread]

…

[TwoWheelsDC]

@ShawnoftheDread 116888 wrote:

Me too.

Rule 8.1 compliant. Also, I thought you were going to go with a SRAM drivetrain, but maybe I’m imagining that…

[ShawnoftheDread]

@TwoWheelsDC 116890 wrote:

Rule 8.1 compliant. Also, I thought you were going to go with a SRAM drivetrain, but maybe I’m imagining that…

? Tires, tape, and saddle are all black.

I wanted SRAM Force, but other considerations overruled my wants.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@ShawnoftheDread 116891 wrote:

? Tires, tape, and saddle are all black.

Right, in compliance with Rule 8.1…and really, 8.4 as well.

[KayakCyndi]

@ShawnoftheDread 116888 wrote:

Me too.

Very, very nice!

[Author]

Replies