Hello from Montreal!
 

I've been away from bikes for close to 10 years. In a past life, I assembled bikes, repaired them, sold them and, even did a stint in amateur road racing. In my garage I still have a circa '89 Cannondale SC600. This was the model with the 3.0 criterium frame and the alluminum fork. Originally this bike was equiped with Shimano 105 but over a couple of year of riding and racing, it was mostly upgraded to Dura-Ace (pre-STI). Of course, that was a long time ago! Although there is nothing wrong with the bike, I find that a criterium geometry'd frame to be way too commited a ride for my current needs.

Fast foreward. I was looking for a bike to ride the bike paths with my wife and perhaps take my son, who will be close to a year old this summer, along in either a child seat or a tow-trailer. Comfort and stability were bigger concerns than weight and handling. More or less, I was looking to get some exercise. I therefore purchased a Marin Fairfax: The bike is a hybrid, but a spirited one. I am thinking that I might try commuting by bicycle to work this summer. Once I get into better shape, who knows, I might just decide to break out the Cannondale again...

I am very much looking foreward to learning from fellow forumers and also to getting back on the saddle.

Regards,

Hoang from Montreal.

Welcome - I have been out a couple of times in the past month to check out the drop bars I fitted over the winter on my hybrid - great improvement when facing headwinds. I went up Mt Pleasant in Westmount to check the condition of my legs, and found they were totally powerless. I hope to start commuting next week, when they have unlocked the gates on the sidewalk/bikepath on the Jacques Cartier bridge.