Originally Posted by
Bikedued
I would have to save for quite a while, but I kind of want one of these now!
,,,,BD
I've owned mine for three years, now. Of my four bikes, it's still my favorite.
Originally Posted by
bjoerges
The Portland used to be an awesome bike. Used to be 105 drivetrain w/ BB7 brakes for about the same money (and without a stock rack). Last year they dropped quality of components quite a bit and turned it into a poor seller. Now they upped the brakes back up, but it's still a mediocre drivetrain. I think it should be priced closer to 1300-1400 (since the Tiagra equipped 1.5 is 1,100. I think the BB7 upgrade and wheel swap isnt worth much more than 300.
It was two years ago that they dropped it from 105 to Tiagra, then put those crappy brakes on it.
Anyway, at first, I too thought the change from 105 to Tiagra was a downgrade. Now, I'm thinking it's an appropriate choice. The Portland is designed to be an all-seasons, all-conditions commuter. As such, durability is a consideration, as well as ongoing maintenance costs.
Over the past three years, I've grown pretty tired of replacing the chain two to three times a year. In the wet, gritty commuting environment, 10-speed chains just don't last as long as 8 or 9-speed. Plus the cost! Even if you go with Nashbar chains, 9-speed chains are half the price. Once you step up to name brands, the spread gets even wider.
That's why I now view the 9-speed drivetrain as appropriate. It's a commuter, not a stage racer.
As for the cost, if you think of the frame as merely something to keep the components from falling to the ground, it's overpriced. But have you actually ridden a Portland?
The value of this bike is in the frameset, not the components. I have a Reynolds 853 bike that rides
almost as nice as the Portland. I have a Lynskey-built Litespeed that doesn't ride nearly as nice. An everyday commuter that rides better than top-quality steel and top-quality Ti is certainly worth a few bucks.
Coupled with the geometry and how it it handles, I'd pay your $1300-$1400 for the frameset alone. $1650 is a bargain with components.
With the return of the BB7 brakes, replacing the paired-spoke wheels for more normal ones, and the addition of the rack, the 2011 Portland is back on my "Recommended" list.
As for the fenders, yeah, they're spiffy looking, but ineffective. Full fenders are cheap and easy to install. I moved the "fenderettes" to my previously fenderless backup commuter. I put them back on the Portland when I put the cross tires on and go fire-roading with it.