Took the studs off my Giant Seek1 this week. Some nasty rain today, and my car is in the shop. Exactly the kind of day I wanted my Seek1 set up with road tires. This bike makes a capable short distance commuter. I did 5 miles in cold rain this morning, and got another 5 miles home this afternoon with just a passing shower. I wouldn't object to going twice as far with this bike.

The Seek1 will never become my favorite road bike. It's heavier, and the flat bar and geometry just isn't as nice as a typical road bike for me. The Alfine hub has good range, but gear steps are not as uniform as with a cassette. If I put some toe retention on it, and fiddled with the fit, I can improve it some, but road bikes will be preferred when I can.

Those Shimano hydraulic brakes are fantastic! Modulate well, stop like no rim brake could even when dry. That alone makes the Seek1 my favorite foul weather bike for sure. Add on that I can run the Nokian 240 studs in the winter, and I am happy with the purchase.