I realized the Orbea Satellite didn't really cut it for a commuter. Disc brakes get in the way to securely mount a rear rack plus fenders, and the bike is too expensive looking to leave it outside unattended. I was always nervous about getting it stolen.

So I decided to get me a cheapo commuter, and repurpose the Orbea to pure MTB duty.

Second hand market here is nonexistant, and I didn't want a Xmart bike, so I got me a cheap new Conor AFX 8500 V.

The Conor has a Taiwan-made 6061 T6 frame, wich is more than I expected, and full Alivio gearset.

After mounting all the bells and whistles, there's the final configuration:

-Conor AFX 8500 V
-2 x Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 26x2.00
-Aluminum rear rack
-SKS fenders
-Wire basket
-Cateyes HL-EL530 and TL-LD600-R
-Kalloy cheapo horns
-Brooks Flyer
---- 35 pounds. So far so good.

Then add 3 Abus locks: Granit X-Plus 54, Steel-O-Flex Granit X-Plus 1050 and Millennio 895, with a combined weight of 10 pounds.

So I ended with 680 € worth of fully equipped 45 pounder commuter (ouch!) So much for cheap. Anyway, it's cheaper than the Orbea's retail price, and I already had all the addons.

But I already love it. I can bomb in and out of curbs, ride over potholes, cobblestones, etc... without worrying of the bike folding under me.
Also, I keep the Marathons at 50 psi front, 60 rear, so the contact patch on pavement is under 15 mm wide. When I'm on the bike lane it goes smooth and fast.

I'm tinkering with the riding stance. I'm aiming to get the lowest possible stance without going dropbars.

Here's some crappy phone pics: