Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New bike, and some words of thanks

I'm stopping by the LBS on my way home today to order my Surly X-Check. Originally I was going to get an LHT, but after my fitting session over the weekend, the X-Check is a much better bike for me. I'll post pictures of it when it comes in.
I'm going to give my old commuter bike to the guy at the video store as a Christmas present. He offered to buy it, since his last bike was a rusty p.o.s. since he got it, and it finally fell apart.

I wanted to thank everyone on the Clydesdale forum for the encouragement I get here, the helpful advice, and for making me really enjoy riding. (I had a poor encounter on another forum, and I thought that I should just let people here know that I really appreciate everyone.)

Encouragement is good! I mean, who else is going to tell you to look out the window right now, and get on the bike and ride anyway. Who cares if it's pouring rain?

As to other forums, there's always someone who really doesn't quite understand that a community is better when there's less being mean. I'm sometimes guilty of a curt remark or two, but I regret it when I realise that my post has not come off quite the way I meant it to.

Anyway, that is quite gracious of you to help the gentleman at the video store.

East Hill

Anyway, that is quite gracious of you to help the gentleman at the video store.


I worked for the same video chain before finding my current job (in my field), so I know what they pay. Plus, I'm always over at the store because I tear through movies like a fiend since I watch 'em while I ride my stationary bike in the evening.
He and I have been talking bikes for a while and I know he's going to appreciate and take care of it. I had it for almost 18 years, so monetarily it means nothing for me to give it away. I got my money's worth out of it. It's all about knowing that it's going to someone who's going to give it a good home.

It's easy for many of us to forget how hard life is when you make minimum wage. I've been there, and don't really want to ever go back.

We can't make life better for everyone, everywhere, but we can try to make life a little better for the guy right next to us.

East Hill

I think you're gonna love that x-check.

And I think passing the bike along is the right thing to do. :beer:

I think you're gonna love that x-check.

I've got a feeling you're right. The shop is swapping out the stock bars for Nitto Noodles, and the stock tires for 28mm (either) Ultragatorskins, or Marathon+. I'll put on fenders and my racks, and it's set until I start wearing out the stock parts.
Someday the drivetrain will be compact double Ultegra all around.


And I think passing the bike along is the right thing to do. :beer:

Wouldn't want to pass along that CAAD9, eh? It's good for your karma. :D

I think you're gonna love that x-check.


You're DEFINITELY gonna love that x-check! Just picked mine up 2 weeks ago, and it's an awesome piece of machinery. Good move replacing the tires, though - I was slow deciding what to replace them with, and paid the price after only 50 miles - missed a wet spot on dry pavement as I was pushing through a curve and the front tire washed out on me. Not a scratch on the frame (whew!) but I'm picking up the new tires tonight - still don't know what, but they WON'T be knobbies...

I have an X-check and it's set up for light touring ... I love it. Best of luck.

I have an X-check and it's set up for light touring ... I love it. Best of luck.

I'm setting mine up for light commuting (I only need to carry lunch and maybe some socks since I drive once a week) and for long distance riding (up to double centuries).