Originally Posted by
Sponge1
Thanks all for the input so far!
My commute is roughly 20 miles each way. I live in Phoenix, so no big hills to speak of, just psycho drivers! =)
I plan to commute only once a week to start with, then add more days as I get stronger and better at it. I would like to be able to do the occasional weekend touring ride, no more than 100 mi., and of course cruise the neighborhoods with my kiddos.
If I stick to derailers, what would be a simple and effective setup? I was thinking Shimano 105 series for cost/weight/performance ratio. I like the idea of drop bars w/ shorty brake levers, but I'm not sure if that's even possible with disks.
Keep firing away guys! I need your expertise!
For keeping near the $1K mark, go with the Cross Check complete. Spend the money for a rear rack, a rack trunk, lights, and if you're really stuck on the disc brake idea then save up and swap the X-check fork for a CX disc brake fork as an upgrade in the future.
I'm putting in the mileage that you're planning on (30-40 daily) on a X-check complete and I do lots of hills: here's my list of modifications.
- Trans-It rear rack ($12 on sale at Performance)
- Nashbar front 6-packer rack ($7, Bike Nashbar)
- PB Superflash ($20, anyplace)
- Nashbar Elite rack trunk ($25 on sale, Bike Nashbar)
- SKS P-45 fenders (LBS, $30)
- Kool Stop salmon brake pads (LBS, $16 for both pairs)
- 34t chainring and 11-32 cassette (Bikeman; $60 for both)