[QUOTE=f1xedgear;11863832]I've been cyclocommuting on the S3X daily over the past two months. So far I love the thing. I can't comment on durability yet, maybe after a year's worth of riding...It's performing as I hoped it would, so far.



Did you have to mount the shifter here or did you have the option of mounting it on the handlebars? Mounted where it is it would seem a little chancey for urban commuting to me. By that I mean taking one's hand off the hbrs and reaching down and behind one's leg while riding to shift. Though I DO like the idea of the shorter cable length for less adjustments. My commute is 20 mi, mostly rural and I spend alot of time in one gear, so I think I could mount it there and be alright. The thing I like about this system is the idea of being able to drop down to 75% in the event of a headwind. And I've got a 500 ft difference in elevation on my way home w/an 18% grade on one big hill. So, I believe the 67.5% gearing would really help there. I'm doing switchbacks as it stands.

Did you build the wheel yourself? If so, what were the spoke lengths used? I build my own wheels which is why I want to know.

I ride fg 2-3 times per week w/a seatpost rack and trunkbag. My gearing is 48x16 lightly loaded. While not experiencing any type of knee trauma...yet, I thought I'd get a head start on the prevention. And for around 150.00 assembled I feel like I'd have a pretty nice, versatile fixed conversion.

Btw, is the shifter indexed or friction? Sorry about all these questions, but I'm thinking of asking for one of these for Christmas and have to justify the expense.