Neil_B

Very nice. Have you been getting it dirty? The bike looks nice posing in photos, but that's not what a bike is for.

Nola_Gal

Yep, I've been riding it!

I've been thinking about maybe putting fat tires on it to make it comfy to ride around town. I'd like it to be my 'utility bike' of sorts...you know, for a quick run to the drugstore, blockbuster etc. Our streets are pretty potholed...I'd have to swap out the 700c wheels for 26" or 650b to do that. I don't know that I have clearance for anything bigger than 28's as is...

Anybody have any thoughts on that idea?

Also, I was thinking about you Neil when I was riding today. I'm not used to the downtube shifters and have been riding it 'single speed' until I get more used to it!

dahoss2002

Thats a nice road bike so I wouldnt use any bigger tire than would fit your wheelset. You can always use that bike as a backup to your new bike. If you really want bigger tires, try to find a decent used Mountain Bike. Prolly cheaper than changing wheelset.

zoste

Cheaper and easier. I don't know if you could get brakes that would work going from 700 to 26: the rims would be too far from the brake bosses.

Nola_Gal

Thanks everyone! I just got back from the LBS. It looks like it will be Panaracer Crosstown...28 on the back and 32 on the front. A little more money than I wanted to spend but they seem to be tough tires and no worries about expensive trial and error ordering on the internet. They had wheels set up with them on them so they fitted them to my bike to make sure they'd fit. They have to order the 32 so I'll drop the bike off later in the week and let them install them.

I also walked out with a pair of Shimano RT80's! I had been having a lot of trouble with my Pricepoint shoes and excruciating pain in the ball of my foot after about 30-40 miles. If all works out, I'll consider it money well spent and a successful shopping trip!