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

[ShawnoftheDread]

Need reflectors

[dcv]

@ShawnoftheDread 133670 wrote:

Need reflectors

and chain guard

[dkel]

@dcv 133671 wrote:

and chain guard

And handlebar streamers.

(Hm. Maybe some streamers would look good on my purple bike. :p )

[consularrider]

Show off.

[hozn]

@hozn 132956 wrote:

That is funny; I *just* ordered a set of Xerxes tires.

Mounted the new tires tubeless. It was not easy.

[dkel]

@consularrider 133679 wrote:

Show off.

If you’ve got it…

[ginacico]

Univega back from the LBS with newly installed Campagnolo triple!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10750[/ATTACH]

Swapped the crankset, two derailleurs, and bottom bracket; all vintage-appropriate Campy parts found on eBay. Plus new cables, chain, and bar tape. This bike hasn’t looked this great in 15 years, and I can’t wait to ride it. (Insert disclaimers about there needing to be less ice and grime, and more bike lanes, before I go ride hills on a road bike.)

[ian74]

So, since I can’t buy more bikes /sadface, I’ve been looking for ways to make my road bike more commuter friendly. I have no braze ons so everything has to go through the axle skewer (my rack) and clip on fenders. I finally found a pair of clip-on fenders that I think are idiot-proof. They’re SKS raceblade pro’s. They showed up on the SKS website in December or so, and I’ve been waiting for a US reseller to stock them. No one has. REI even had a pre-order and then later removed them from their site. So I ordered them from Rose bikes in Germany. Smartly designed and they were cheaper than the MSRP listed at REI. With shipping from Germany they were less than $50. Adding them on was a little fiddly, but I’m happy with they way they work and are adjusted. See this video (it’s very short) for mounting instructions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys7pRkBcZnI

Here they are on my bike:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]11034[/ATTACH]

Took them out in the rain yesterday and my butt stayed dry! Only thing I wasn’t too keen on was the rear fender shifter slightly during my bumpy ride up the MVT, but a simple push on the mounting bracket had them fixed right up. Not too shabby, huh?

[ginacico]

@ian74 135362 wrote:

Not too shabby, huh?

I’ll say! Those crafty Germans.

What I especially like about them is the minimalist profile. Since they don’t go through the frame at the fork and seat stays, you can run big tires and not worry about clearance.

I’ve fretted and futzed with Velo Orange zeppelins so they fit on my Vaya without rattling and driving me nutz (well, usually). But I would totally consider these for the road bike.

[bentbike33]

@ian74 135362 wrote:

Only thing I wasn’t too keen on was the rear fender shifter slightly during my bumpy ride up the MVT, but a simple push on the mounting bracket had them fixed right up.

PlanetBike has a similar model I use: http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7017.html

You might try cinching the straps one more notch tighter, or putting a strip of old tube between the seatstay and the fender mount.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Shoes with boa (and feather).

[KayakCyndi]

Fancy wheels for fancy bike.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@KayakCyndi 136121 wrote:

Fancy wheels for fancy bike.

isn’t that kinda sacrilegious to put Specialized wheels on a Volagi?

😮

[KayakCyndi]

@Harry Meatmotor 136353 wrote:

isn’t that kinda sacrilegious to put Specialized wheels on a Volagi?

😮

Totally. But the price was right. Just a reminder that I need to peel off the decals!

[Harry Meatmotor]

@KayakCyndi 136359 wrote:

Totally. But the price was right. Just a reminder that I need to peel off the decals!

Just don’t tell Mike Sinyard, he’ll sue your a$$!

[Author]

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