Originally Posted by
snarkypup
I'm fairly certain our definitions are different, remembering the thigh thread and your picture there (I will never, ever forget that thread, for so many reasons). I just mean: can I haul groceries up the mile-long moderate grade near my house. Currently, I can easily pedal the Panasonic up it, but not the Raleigh. The Panasonic, however, does not DO groceries <insert snotty sniff from bike>. The Raleigh does not DO hills, at all. With lowered gearing, it would do that hill, if I stood up and pumped and nearly killed myself. I want a bike I don't have to stand up and pump.
But am I climbing over 3000 feet on Snoqualmie Pass? No. Will I ever do that, on any bike? No. So that's what I mean by substantial. Like, neighborhood-substantial.
Then what you seek is eminently build-able.... but not by you, given your stated skills/abilities. Which means that you either need to find and buy a satisfactorily fitted bike, or else buy/specify the parts you want and commission a custom build. That will cost you a lot more than the $800 for the cremecycle you posted about.
Also - it's nice to be singularly remembered.... even for something "suspect"
