mattia76

My setup for the last 9 years has been a 1997 Specialized Hard Rock GX in the sweet Blue color. I loved this bike and so did my kids when they rode as toddlers I the iBert seat around Forest Park. This year I am actually going to be able to commute a couple of days a week to my job, depending on the kids' school schedules.

I looked into upgrades because I love the look of the frame on my bike a lot. But every possible upgrade was a series of dominoes leading to questions about whether the entire upgrade plan would work with the frame.
(Change in Brakes and a front basket = change in fork, etc).
What I really wanted was:
Higher gearing and narrower tires--for, hopefully (doubtfully?) more speed
Better brakes--either discs or v-brakes
Better saddle
Pedals that gripped
Better grips and possibly a different handlebar setup
Fenders and a Rack
Lights

And I wanted it to last for a while.

More and more it looked like was that I would need an entire rebuild, and I am just not experienced enough for something like that, nor was I confident I would be happy with the results when it was finished.
Finally I thought, "hmmm, I bet there have been some improvements in the last 20 years in bike technology. Let's see what's out there."

I stumbled across the Priority website and immediately found what I was looking for.

I am LOVING my Priority Continuum with the NuVinci n330 rear hub and the Gates Carbon Drive. Had it for about 3 weeks and have put 30 miles or so on it. Since it's a mail-order company, you have 30 days to try it out so I have spent time on about half a dozen other commuters as well. The ones I can remember are:
-Cannondale Quick 3
-Kona Dr. Dew
-Fairdale Archer Weekender
-Fairdale Weekender Drop
-Breezer Beltway

I felt the most "at one" with the Quick 3. Smooth and nimble and light as a feather. I've read some negative posts about its components, however.
I was most excited to try the Fairdale bikes, which I got to at Kindred Cycles in Pittsburgh, PA. I could never get used to the shifting on either one, though. The Dr. Dew's shifting was better, but the Orange color was a bit too day-glow for me, even though it was the best all-around non-belt commuter I tested, and the chain would get grease all over my work clothes.

The Beltway Breezer had everything the Continuum Onyx has (IGH, Belt Drive, Fenders, Rack, Hydro discs), and a couple of nifty additions (like the back light is integrated into the rack, or maybe the fender). But the shifting on the 8 Speed IGH was still hard to get used to compared to the ridiculously easy NuVinci n330. I felt like I was riding the exact same bike as my Priority, but would be paying $1650 for it instead of $950.

There was something about each of the other bikes I liked better than the Priority, but they all had enough negatives to make me stick with the Priority as the best all around choice for what I need right now.

If I was going to be just ducking out on a Saturday for a 10 mile ride to Forest Park and back, I think the Dr. Dew might have taken the day.

So now I'm looking for something a bit more light-touring oriented that will put a smile on my face every time I mount up.
Does this addiction stop once it starts?

noglider 

No.

BobbyG

+1...or should that be "n+1"

srestrepo

not a chance. you've already ridden 5 bikes. you can't expect the curiosity to stop there...

NewATBikeComute

My co-worker is wondering why I just laughed.

acidfast7

nice ride ... show us some photos!

and a video of that "bike ikon" on the handlbar when sifting the hub?

mattia76

Arrrrgh
I have to have 10 posts before I can post pics. I'll get there soon.

Classtime 

Cool bike. What's next? A DI2 Pinarello?

mattia76

I'm not sure what that is, but my Sarcasm Sense is tingling.

Classtime 

Don't misunderstand. That is a cool bike. Latest and greatest for its task. As would be the Pinarello.
Waiting for pictures of yours.

mattia76

Here is the old Specialized Hardrock, and the new Priority Continuum. These are actually a couple weeks old. I'll post more tomorrow.

I have removed the fenders and added toe cages and a rear rack to the Priority. After riding today, I got on the Specialized and pedaled around the block and decided to sell it. I just don't like the way it feels now, and can't see myself even turning it into a project bike.


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a1penguin

That's a great looking bike with really nice components. I hope you have a very safe place to park it at work. Once you have a bike you enjoy riding, you find yourself riding more often!

mattia76

I teach at a middle school a couple of miles away from my house, and I can store my bike in my room.

It's a pretty sweet setup.

JDinTulsa

I bought my Continuum just before they came out with the Onyx. I did initially have some problems with the spokes on the rear wheel, but the Priority team was great to work with, and has reimbursed me for all the repairs, including sending me new spokes and having the local LBS completely rebuild the wheel! I've been using it to commute to work 3 days a week and running local errands, and have exactly 400 miles on it after getting to work this morning. It's super smooth and quiet! I'm loving mine!

mattia76

Other than the repairs, have you made any mods to yours?

I've done toe cages and added a rack. I'm going to do a Brooks B67Saddle and some PDW Whiskey Grips.

JDinTulsa

I bought the Priority rack with the bike. It's a good, sturdy rack, but I think it's a touch wider than most aftermarket racks. The Bushwhacker panniers and trunk bag I added don't quite fit right, but are working ok. The first thing I did was get an extension to raise the handlebar, which was (is?) a tad low for my old beer gut! (Ha!) I also added the obligatory lights, a Velo 7 wired computer, Ergon grips, a Mirrcycle bar end mirror, and just installed a Nashbar GCS1 saddle. (The stock saddle was less than a 1/2" to narrow for my old sit-bones, but man what a difference the new one makes!)

So far, it's making a great commuter bike! I've been considering changing to SPD/platform pedals, but haven't decided if it's worth the expense yet.

I need a few more posts and I can put up some pics.

mattia76

What did you get for a stem extension?

Can you show me some pics of how it came out? I am considering this as well.

JDinTulsa

This is the extension I got: WEANAS New MTB Bicycle Bike Alloy Stem Riser

JDinTulsa

Here's my Priority Continuum as of this morning at work:

mattia76

Excellent Rig!
That extension rules. I am ordering one now.

mattia76

The School year is 2 weeks old and I am commuting either 2 or 3 times per week.

Here is the Priority with the full setup.
-Weanas Stem Riser (thanks JDinTulsa!)
-Brooks B67 Saddle
-PDW Whiskey Ergo Grips
-Rack

I have figured out that the toe clips are not for me, but the fenders may re-appear.

blackieoneshot 

Do your students think it's cool/weird/dumb that you ride a bike to work?

mattia76

There are 5 or 6 teachers in my building (including my principal) that bike commute. We were just recognized for being a Missouri Green School so there is a lot of enthusiasm and we are always checking out each others' rides. My school is an expeditionary learning school so we do a lot of learning outdoors anyway, which raises the cool factor.

We are a small district on the edge of St. Louis City, with only about 100 students per grade. Like me, most of them live within 2 miles of their school. I see a lot of them walking to school and some of them ride as well.

The ones who have bikes think mine is awesome. The others like my GTI

Skipjacks

What's the advantage of the belt drive over a chain? Quieter?

rumrunn6

maybe, with an intervention, but no one here is gonna gang up on you