Purchased the 2x9 version of this bike in May of '08. Promptly changed out the stock tires for some 28mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Changed the 36t chainring to a 40t as the terrain in this area didn't call for it. The bike has over 23,000 commuter/utility/errand/touring miles on it w/one recent rebuild. Replaced the headset bearings, chain, bb, cassette, rear der(Ultegra 6700), brake pads, cables, saddle and hbr wrap. Got a Parallax rear hub and re-built the rear wheel as the stock generic one had worn out it's welcome. The front's still going strong. Replaced and packed the bearings. Have a Delta Universal Mega Rack, Jandd front bags on the rear and a Sunlite medium sized trunkbag. I'm on my 3d rear SMP while the front has plenty of tread left after 22,000 miles. My lighting consists of a Cycolite Hotshot under saddle surrounded by several Sette 316 PBSF knock-offs. The front has a NR Mi-Newt Cordless 150 w/ Sette Glo emergency backup. 32h 500 Alex rims, btw.

Solid, no frills, no snob appeal, low maintenance commuter. It's essentially the same bike as mine w/a triple. You'll get many years of satisfactory service from it.