Great bikes! Love the reduce, reuse, and recycle theme of the Specialized and the clean lines of the Mercier. Kudos! :thumb:

http://i.imgur.com/GyO07.jpg

After I get my Velo Orange Model 1 leather saddle in, I figure my only bike will finally be complete! (well, maybe some reflective sidewall tires. And new bottle cages. And a third chainring....)

Everytime I see a singlespeed cross bike I want one.

^ If it's not too hilly where you ride, go for it. I love the San Jose for commuting, but I'm a bit weary to even do some light touring with it. Currently running 42x17 so I'm not sure how well I can climb with it if I'm carrying a load.

I think I like the look of the singlespeed more than I like the function. I would have to gear down a 700cc bike so much to be where I would like it that it might be ridiculous. I had a 26" Redline Monocog and the 36x18 gearing was good for me but I sold it to try and cut down on my bikes. I have 90's hybrid bike that I am going to try a few configurations and one of them might be singlespeed. I also have a singlespeed mountain bike frame I might build up one of these days. Right now I need to get some flips and bikes for friends done before I tackle another personal project.

Slicks will help, but the best way for me to put it is that mountain bikes are simply not optimized for use in triathalons. They're bulky (create a higher profile to the wind) and the gearing is lower than optimal.

It would be like using a 4x4 truck at LeMans. sure, it could drive the route, but not nearly as efficiently as the cars that are designed for speed.

Since the bike leg of a triathalon is essentially a "time trial", it is illegal to draft off of another rider. It is you vs. the wind. Every bit of aerodynamic advantage will make a difference. The riding position is low and sleek. The bicycle is devoid of superfluous "stuff" poking out to grab the air.
So, sure, putting slicks and an aerobar on the mountainbike would get you around he course, and would perhaps be a good way to see if the triathalon thing is for you, but it would be inherently limited, like driving a jeep at an autocross.

With a total re-build of a mountain bike frame, you could create an aerodynamic machine with better gearing, but would more or less require replacing every component. With that, the time and money would be better spent getting a more appropriate racing (or tri-specific) bike for the purpose.

So, my Vaya got a roommate. I sold my CC frame and found this for sale the same night. Still need to swap out the pedals and stem to drop the bars a bit.

http://www.watsonfx.com/masi.jpg

Sweet!
If you're dropping the bars, another saddle might be a better choice.

Here's my Globe Vienna 3 Disc. I've added a computer, under seat bag and fenders. I'll be adding a rear rack and pannier next.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...e/601fb353.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...e/ef69d950.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...e/3e068022.jpg

and my custom badge, complete with a Bob Marley quote

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...e/384d7903.jpg

^Wow the front of the front fender looks really close to the tire in the picture. How much room is there?

Me too, but then I think "Well, I still like 26" wheels better."

Was thinking the same thing. The bars are already lower than the seat, wide sprung saddles usually aren't good for that.

Any reason for LOWERING the bars? If anything I'd be raising them.

My guess is that the bike looks like it has pretty sporty geometry, which lends itself to a more aggressive riding position.
I'd do the same on that bike - maybe 3-4" drop for my body. I'd probably put a mustache bar or shallow drop bar on it, though.

bad news, I was sprinting yesterday out of the saddle and the chain snapped and was flown away with huge force, I smashed my foot against the road @ ~20mph and my groin on the top tube, the bike swerved uncontrollably but I managed not to crash.

No idea why the chain snapped, it seemed ok to me. My left big toe is injured but slowly healing, just swollen to hell. :(

Oh and yes it's really heavy, they use steel components not even aluminium ones, the frame is probably hi-ten steel of the heaviest variety. Pipe tubing.

I don't care, I've loved it so far except for the chain failure, it's fun and extremely cheap.

Those pictures are as nice as the bike is. What're you shooting those with?

Good lord, I've never seen a "Comfort bike" look so badass. :thumb:

Yeah, my Vaya is built for serious comfort, so I am wanting to do something edgy with this bike. I have a Fizik saddle, but I have a thing for Selle SMP saddles, so I might go that direction. I was thinking about moustache bars, but I am leaning towards track bar drops.

Thanks.

Canon 40D, Sigma 17-70mm, Canon 430exII flash


lol, thanks

Yeah, I actually raised it a little since those pics.

Ouch! Sorry to hear that. Get well, kabex!

Please Sticky This Thread, It uses to be & a lot of other sub-forums have there photo thread stickyed it just makes it easier to find one thread people love to view.

Sorry for being so big.

My eyes! My eyes!

My prudish adherence to something resembling proper spelling and grammar! My prudish adherence to something resembling proper spelling and grammar!

Ride your bike more and you will get smaller.

Sorry I'm dyslexic.

Just started commuting a week ago. Just once a week until the kids are done with school. Then I'll slowly build up to 2 then 3 days a week. Its a 10 mile commute one way on a mountain bike with semi-slicks


http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/4585/bikevc.jpg



Yes, that is my curious cat checking out the bike

Thats a pretty sweet bike.

My new commuter

[IMG]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...3/075-Copy.jpg[/IMG]