Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Calling all Pacer owners... let's see them!

I already did a search about the Pacer, but didn't find exactly what I'm looking for. It seems like they make good long distance bikes and overall you Pacer owners like your bikes!

I'm looking to replace my road frame with something that fits me a little better, is economical, and steel. My current bike is a little too long and the handlebar drop is a little racey for my taste. I want something a little more upright. I use my road bike primarily for 4-8 hour rides and I'll probably never race it.

Now I ride a Lemond Buenos Aires (steel frame, carbon fork with threaded steel steerer) built with a dura-ace 10sp kit and weighs about 19.5lbs. The Pacer frame will be a little heavier, but the threadless headset and stem will be a little lighter. I know Surlys are not for the weight conscience and I'm not really a weight weenie, but I only weigh 140lbs myself, so I try to keep things kind of light.

How light are your Pacers and do you guys think I could keep one under 20lbs.with the dura-ace kit?

Bike weight doesn't really matter much, unless you're climbing all day.

You may be able to fix the fit on the Lemond by just changing the stem, get something short and with a lot of rise. There are also bars with shalllower drops.

mine comes in at about 24 lbs, but that's with ultegra, a dynohub, front rando rack, and full honjo fenders. you could probably get it close to 21lb with the DA, not sure.

frame is 2.02 kg i believe. fully loaded (w/ water & clothes for a 600k), mine weighs in at about, gulp, 34 lbs.

i think it's a really good bike for LD/rando rides, as it's comfortable, not too heavy, and not too noodly.

the only thing it really lacks, i think, is better fender clearance. 32's with fenders would be nice, but i'm ok with 25's and fenders (the GB 28's i tried wouldn't fit, maybe they measure bigger than 28?)

overall i like mine a lot!

edit: can't forget the photo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3185738487_a13b24a79c.jpg?v=0

96829

^^

nice paint job!

Sorry, I'm going to go a little off topic here... I don't own a Pacer, never have though it's a bike I've definitely considered. Just thought I'd mention some frames that are very similar to the Pacer but I believe are all a bit lighter, since you're concerned with weight. All are good long distance bikes with "sport touring" geometry and fender clearance but using caliper brakes like the Pacer:
Soma Smoothie ES
Salsa Casseroll
Gunnar Sport (getting into a bit more money...)

There are others, but those were the four that I was considering last summer when I decided to trade in my own steel Buenos Aires for a bike better suited to Randonneuring. By the way, I ended up with the Gunnar, but I think any one of those bikes would have made me happy.

mine is here http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=8439773&postcount=1. i haven't put it on the scale yet.

Sorry, I'm going to go a little off topic here... I don't own a Pacer, never have though it's a bike I've definitely considered. Just thought I'd mention some frames that are very similar to the Pacer but I believe are all a bit lighter, since you're concerned with weight. All are good long distance bikes with "sport touring" geometry and fender clearance but using caliper brakes like the Pacer:
Soma Smoothie ES
Salsa Casseroll
Gunnar Sport (getting into a bit more money...)

There are others, but those were the four that I was considering last summer when I decided to trade in my own steel Buenos Aires for a bike better suited to Randonneuring. By the way, I ended up with the Gunnar, but I think any one of those bikes would have made me happy.

I did look into those as well, but I'm trying to keep my DA brakes. Everything I've read suggests that short reach Shimano brakes reach and will possibly fit (maybe with some tweaking) 25c's with fenders. The Surly seems to have the most tire clearance that still uses short reach brakes of any stock frame on the market. It's also at least $100 cheaper than the other options to start, and I can use all parts I already own.

They also look so clean!

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/p1.reggie.jpg

I did look into those as well, but I'm trying to keep my DA brakes. Everything I've read suggests that short reach Shimano brakes reach and will possibly fit (maybe with some tweaking) 25c's with fenders. The Surly seems to have the most tire clearance that still uses short reach brakes of any stock frame on the market. It's also at least $100 cheaper than the other options to start, and I can use all parts I already own.

They also look so clean!

i was able to squeeze fenders onto my pacer no problem with the shimano brakes i have. i bought what others used and got them on easily. SKS P35 fenders with little modifications. i also made a bracket that works as a quick release for the front fender so i can take it off without use of tools. i transport my bikes on the rear seat of my car so leaving the front fender on all the time isnt practical unless i can take it on and off easily. i have 25c's on there now but some guys up here stuff 28's with no problems.

My 56 cm Pacer weighs 21 lbs, full ultegra. And my wife's 52 cm Pacer weighs 20.6 with Dura Ace front and rear derailleurs and ultegra everything else. So you can make them lighter.

. SKS P35 fenders with little modifications. i also made a bracket that works as a quick release for the front fender so i can take it off without use of tools.


This sounds pretty sweet. Do you have a picture?

Keeping an eye on this. I'm in the same position as the original poster, on a frame that 's too big and looking for a smaller more relaxed frame.

The Pacer is on list, as well as Soma, Salsa and Gunnar. Right now I'm leaning toward the Salsa. Thing that have tuned me off from the Pacer is the limited tire/fender clearance and no rack mounts.

My 56 cm Pacer weighs 21 lbs, full ultegra. And my wife's 52 cm Pacer weighs 20.6 with Dura Ace front and rear derailleurs and ultegra everything else. So you can make them lighter.

wow, nice.

what sort of wheels do you have with those setups?

http://timcreamer.com/bikes/images/PBP_Bicycle.jpg

97224

wow, nice.

what sort of wheels do you have with those setups?

I have some Ultegra/Velocity Synergy wheels with 2.0/1.8/2.0 dt spokes. My wife's bike was weighed with Ultegra/Open Pro wheels but she is getting some Chris King/DT Swiss 1.1 wheels with 2.0/1.5/2.0 spokes this week, which should make things lighter.

This sounds pretty sweet. Do you have a picture?

the bracket looks like this
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j170/fastflyingasian/DSCN0944-1.jpg

on the fork
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j170/fastflyingasian/DSCN0935.jpg

other pics
the hole needs to be lined up so the brake can be tightened up
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j170/fastflyingasian/DSCN0934.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j170/fastflyingasian/DSCN0936.jpg
the bracket fits under the fork with plenty of clearance
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j170/fastflyingasian/DSCN0937.jpg
they are not on here but i use reuseable zip ties (2)
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j170/fastflyingasian/DSCN0938.jpg

So I had been thinking about the Pacer for a while and checking craigslist regularly. I had decided last week that I shouldn't spend the money, but then yesterday I saw a 54cm frame and fork pretty cheap. I called the guy yesterday morning, looked at, then bought the bike yesterday afternoon, and built it this morning. I was riding it about 24 hours after I saw the ad!

I couldn't get it under 20 pounds. This thing is quite the tank, but it was expected and I'm ok with that. The weight as pictured (without water bottle and pump) is 21.4lbs. That does include the clip on fenders, pedals, bottle cages, and half the bars are double wrapped. I plan to put full fenders on there soon enough.

The initial ride around town was great. This fit is just what I was hoping for. It's a little shorter reach and less of a saddle to bar drop than my Lemond. It rides like a steel bike should and the front end is stiffer than the old bike. So far I'm happy with it and I'm hoping to take it out for a few hours this weekend.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3369130402_6ba255068d.jpg?v=0

What do you think?

looks nice!

i love the simple look of those bikes.

http://timcreamer.com/bikes/images/PBP_Bicycle.jpg

Typically that's not the kind of bike I like. But yours looks fabulous. I really like the double headlights. Nice job