Cool beans. Betcha didn't think that you'd set off WWIII when you started this thread, huh?
Some of the 'Holy War' topics came into play here, primarily the aluminum vs steel and the drop vs flat/riser handlebar. Stick around and you'll discover others. Hint: Don't go into A&S and ask about helmets...
Hehe well, I was expecting something like that but not to that extent so I still was kinda surprised. I guess aluminium vs steel topic never gets old
You've just got to become the best bicycle mechanic that you possibly can become, due to your location. You want to become as mechanically independent as possible. Eventually, the only thing that a LBS will be able to do for you will be to sell you either a component or an accessory. Working in a bicycle shop for one summer will allow you to pick up a couple of skills, at least. It will also help you to understand where your mechanical weaknesses are. Then you'll know better where to focus...
I understand your point here but unfortunately the part time job is not doable at all for many reasons. I simply won't have enough time for it - besides my current work, I also have to invest good amount of time into researching certain things and the amount of things to reasearch is huge. The little time left I hope to spend biking in mud
That's not the only reason, this plan is impossible for me even if I wanted to. I basically don't expect major problems here. The way bikes works doesn't look like rocket science to me and I think that by observing bike and playing with things as well as doing some reading on the web, I'll be able to solve good portion of problems. What I can't solve, I am hoping to forward to one of the local bike shops and ask to stay and help with the fix so that I could observe and learn how they apply that particular fix that I couldn't make myself.
Eugene, it's really going to be most important to find a MTB that already has a rack mount. The rack mount will be instrumental in installing a rack that will be carrying somewhat heavy beverages. You can't just attach any ole rack to the back and say that you're done. This somewhat heavy load will place stress onto both your bike and your rack. If you can't find a MTB that has eyelets or mounts for a decent rack, then you'll have go after-market.
Basically racks is something I wanted to ask about because this is not completely clear to me. When I was in a LBS on saturday and also later when I talked to a person with MTB, I've got an impression that rack/eyelets is not a problem and that practically every MTB comes with that. It's not critical but it would be nice to use a rack because I agree that 1 gallon of milk might not be that comfortable in backpack and also because I might want to toss a tent and some camping stuff in those bags. So I've been wondering if something like this is possible
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/image...annierbags.jpg
Which bike feature should I look for to tell that a given bike has decent rack?
For example the
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/moun...us-29-comp-12/
how can I find out that it has the good rack?
Something just struck me that probably be worth considering- the weight off the bike. And another reason to opt for a backpack over panniers for the commute, anyway. And why is that you ask? Take a look at the pics in the OP. He's planning on cutting across pasture land. Which means unless he obtains a key to gates from the property owner(s), he's gonna have to lift that bike up over a barbed wire fence or the metal gate. And the backpack lends itself to fence jumping than panniers do.
It's not that bad, that territory is not THAT private
Basically it goes something like this: I leave my work place which is located in tech park and go along one of the many ground roads; the road becomes less nice and eventually I end up in that field; I keep walking and then in some time I stumble upon some tree with a very worn off sign that says that it is provate property; I keep walking and later when exiting the field I stumble upon gate (huge horizontal log) that has a yellow "private property" thing too. And that's it. I mean there is not fence or anything, the gate just stands alone in the field. I actually know that this is private property only because I have explored the area - during my first few hikes I didn't stumble upon private property signs and just crossed that field without knowing that this is someones property.