Eugene_B says:
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
I know exactly what you mean. I just can't understand how people can't see that which is so painfully obvious!
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.
I'd just like to make certain that you're capable of repairing and maintaining your own bike independently, and not having to depend upon those in business, at your LBS.
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
You know the 29er HT MTN bikes seem to seriously lack the proper eyelets and mounts, needed for the convenient attachment of both racks and fenders.
This is not the case with the Surly Ogre MTB. Perhaps the Ogre was eliminated a little too soon. From its geometry, it's still a MTB. However, it's a rigid HT MTB without the suspended fork. The Ogre promises to be slightly faster than the Talus 29ers recommended, because it has a rigid fork (more energy going forward). Just like the Raleighs, it will also have an adequate number of eyelets or mounts, wherever needed, as well.....Just a thought...
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.
I dunno, some people take it very seriously when you trespass upon their private property. I'm sort of the share-the-land kinda guy. I wouldn't mind your taking a short cut. However, some people think that stepping a foot onto their private property is like a perfect stranger, mounting their bicycles without permission. You could end up seriously injured or worse. If I were you, I'd find out who the property owners were and I'd either give them a call or a visit, just to get their informal approval. Otherwise, you're gambling in my book. You have no idea what the mental status might be for all of the family members attached to that property. Everybody might be alright with your trespassing, except for Grandpa "Shotgun" Hatfield!
Don't gamble with your safety...
PS.
You can always depend upon Surly and Salsa, when it comes to the proper number of eyelets or mounts.
You could definitely do this with the Surly Ogre 29er MTB:
www.bikeexchange.com.au/images/lhs/pannierbags.jpg
You could also do it with the Raleigh Talus 29er Comp:
www.dirtragmag.com/reviews/review-raleigh-talus-29
This is how you would install a rear rack: 
www.ehow.com/video_4415602_install-rear-rack-bicycle.html
Topeak Explorer 29er Rear Rack (with disc mounts)
www.rei.com/product/832784/topeak-explorer-29er-rack-with-disc-mounts
Basic Information on Installing Rear Racks on Bicycles:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2H73FPryFY