[KelOnWheels]

@Kolohe 67962 wrote:

*raises hand*

Yes, I have the same problem too. The worst place for me is the MVT between the Airport and Old Town where many portions of the trail are below the road grade and so one is looking directly into the lights.

I don’t find it to be as much of an issue in areas of sufficient ambient light, for instance the W&OD between Col Pike and Shirlington Road. Or, paradoxically, on any unlit trail when there is a low overcast, to the point of drizzly fog – the backscatter from city lights brightens everything up sufficiently (the way even a full moon doesn’t).

I bought towards the end of last winter (but haven’t used it this winter yet, I keep on forgetting to put it on the charger) a really high lumen light, which I adjust to an aimpoint centered on the ground a few yards ahead of me. I found that it helps quite a bit to keep the headlights from being quite a blinding, by making the difference in brightness less.

I agree with absolutely everything in this post. (That’s the worst spot on my commute too.)

[KelOnWheels]

@KLizotte 68078 wrote:

Anyone out there have the men’s version and can comment on how “water resistant” and comfortable they are?

Kel, I don’t suppose they mentioned the word “sale” being applied to them any time soon? They are rather expensive.

They’re brand new so I doubt they’ll go on sale anytime soon, but if they do I’ll send out the bat signal

[KelOnWheels]

@acl 67831 wrote:

One mile *is* a tiny bike ride, but it did get me on the bike for trips to the store when it was bbbrrrrrrr out. If I’d had to do a 3 mile loop to get a bottle of wine, I’m not sure I would have.

Srsly. The liquor store is really close to my apartment.

[KelOnWheels]

http://www.twinsix.com/gear/womens-bottoms/three-quarters-w#6

I want these real bad. Apparently the first run is sized large, for anybody that’s interested. I emailed and they told me to order a small. (I’ve got a 41″ hip and wear medium in PI, Zoic, and Club Ride).

[KelOnWheels]

@eminva 67755 wrote:

I am replacing them with a pair of Planet Bike Borealis gloves as recommended by others on the forum. Those look like they would have even more tactile range because the first two fingers are independent. I don’t know if they are as warm as the Pearl Izumi gloves but I will let you know soon.

Liz

I have the same gloves and only got to use them once last year, so maybe this year we’ll get some good winter weather

[KelOnWheels]

@ShawnoftheDread 67094 wrote:

So there’s a 53 cm Viaje at Bikenetic just waiting for me to take it for a ride?

Fight ya for it

[KelOnWheels]

I’ll be there! Probably not till around 6:30 though, so drink slow.

[KelOnWheels]

@myoglobinologist 66609 wrote:

Are fenders something that one can install oneself or should I take them to an LBS? This video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG_WZVS9SUY ) made me think that I should have someone who is relatively mechanically/craftsmanlike inclined do the job.

I am fairly mechanically inclined and installing SKS fenders filled me with rage. Planet Bike fenders are easy peasy. The Velo Orange aluminum fenders I had the LBS do.

[KelOnWheels]

@NicDiesel 66279 wrote:

And I make three.

Jeez, no wonder it’s been so hard to get up my commute hill lately! Get off mah bike, you three!

[KelOnWheels]

@kkentium 65921 wrote:

my missed connection post about getting run off the road got all dislikes. i feel bad for posting it now.

Well we dislike it when you get run off the road! We like you OK though.

[KelOnWheels]

Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace Hooooooooooooooooooooorse

http://imgur.com/a/9exNZ

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3743[/ATTACH]

[KelOnWheels]

@saddlesoar 65239 wrote:

Thanks for all of the helpful feedback.

Kel – anything you don’t like about the SH?

I don’t like that I have only one.

I’m totally in lurve with this bike. It’s my commuter, it introduced me to the joys of gravel, and I did my first metric on it a couple of weeks ago.

You totally should get rainbow streamers.

[KelOnWheels]

@saddlesoar 65230 wrote:

Dismal – I believe the Space Horse is about 25lbs, and it was easy for me to lift over curbs, take up a few stairs. The Volpe seemed slightly heavier. I tried a Jamis Aurora, which is listed at 29 lbs – but seemed WAY heavier. I have shoulder issues, so I don’t think I’d want to go heavier than 27lbs or so.

My 49cm Space Horse with fenders is 27 lbs.

[KelOnWheels]

@saddlesoar 65223 wrote:

Hi everyone – first time poster here.

As the title says, I have not really had a bike since I was about 12. I’ve been looking for a few months now, and haven’t managed to find anything for what I’d like to spend (preferably under about $850). So I’m hoping for suggestions.

I have tried a lot of bikes in a lot of styles, and the two I’ve like best are the Bianchi Volpe and the All-City Space Horse. Here’s why: they are relatively light and fast, the steel is amazingly smooth, I feel very safe on the road due to the slightly less aggressive position, and they can be outfitted to carry groceries or even do light touring. So far I’ve found touring bikes too heavy, commuter/hybrid/mountain bikes too upright/heavy/slow, and I don’t feel in control enough with most road bikes (plus some aren’t designed for panniers).

Does anyone know of any bikes like the Volpe or Space Horse that cost a bit less? Would the quality be so inferior that I’m better off sucking it up and spending the $1300-1400? If it helps, I’m basically planning to use the bike to commute 3-4 days a week, run errands, and would also like to do some long weekend rides and maybe even some light touring.

Your help would be much appreciated!

Oh – and I am a bit leery of trying to find a used bike. I don’t really have the time to search for one, and I worry about stolen bikes.

Howdy!

As a very happy new Space Horse owner (got mine in May), I highly recommend the Space Horse.

The Volpe was also on my list, as well as the Surly Cross Check (the unofficial commuting bike of DC).

As everyone on the forum can tell you, I did a LOT of researching and thinking and question-asking before buying my bike – I hadn’t had a new bike in 20 years and the Space Horse is my first drop-bar bike. I’ll be happy to talk your ear off about it!

The Volpe is a bit better value for money – either one would be awesome!

I originally was looking at bikes in the $800-ish range and decided to go ahead and save up the extra money to jump up to the next price point – if you really like the Volpe & Space Horse I’d say it’s worth it

[KelOnWheels]

I’ll try to make it next week (who knows, I may not have to go to work! )

[Author]

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