My 2011 Trek 7.2 FX WSD

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...gonFeb2012.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...rek72FXWSD.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...09306696_o.jpg

I bought my first real bike when I was 13 and living in Germany in 1994. RS Bikes was a small brand found in Germany, small but popular. Anyway, I bought the Stampede, a nice steel framed hardtail. It was regularly used until 2000 when I bought a used Cannondale Super-V from a friend. I had enough parts sitting around in the garage to build it up as a commuter, which is what it's been doing fantastically. I ordered a set of Planet Bike Cascadia fenders for it. Commute is 17 miles each way into downtown Atlanta. I set it up as a 1x9 with a 46T up front and an 11x34 in back, once that wears out I'll probably go to 11x28 or so. Some 26x1.25" kevlar-lined slicks from Performance, Spinergy Spox wheels, a Deore XT rear derailleur from ~1993, a homemade chain guide for the front. Just enjoying the feeling of getting my soon to be 20 years old bike back under me, giving life back to an old friend. :thumb:

http://blewsclues.com/multimedia/ima...commuter_1.jpg

http://blewsclues.com/multimedia/ima...commuter_2.jpg

i wanna know about that seatpost rack....

Ditto.

Homemade?

I know there's something imprinted on the rack, I think it's just a short chinese name though. I've had the rack laying around since *scratches head*... man... 1995? I think I bought it in Germany at the time. It's nothing special, but it's lightweight, surprisingly strong, and gets the job done, and it didn't cost me additional funds (was trying to put together a commuter with as many existing parts as possible). :) I'm happy to take a couple pictures of it and post them up.

What I love about this thread...No mention of seat to bar drop.

Function and comfort.

Current commuter: Paramount PDG Series 5

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...ommuterweb.jpg

You're right... it's nice that no one mentions it, that's the way it should be, too. Everyone's different. All my bikes have a considerable drop from the seat to the bars, that's the way I like it, I don't like riding like I'm sitting on a chair. Heck, my full-suspension probably has the biggest drop, and I'm comfy.

I like your Paramount, a really nice blend of old meets new it looks like. :)

ah man I would LOVE a bike like that Paramount. Seems like everything on my local CL is either super-expensive, fixie, cheap@$$ big box store bike or kids' bikes. I can't seem to find anything road-oriented at a decent price, maybe $400-$500?

Will brag a little of my good fortune. I got the Paramount from a guy who was moving from Alabama to Washington State. He bought the bike new in Florida in 1992 and had ridden it a total of less than 75 miles. He had moved several times due to work and now was bigger around than he was tall. He decided that it was not worth it to move the Paramount again. He listed it on Craigslist for $150. I called and asked what he would take....If I could get it the next day...$75. That said it did or does have two dimples where the top tube shifted during one of his moves. I was able to touch them up so that they are only noticeable when you are up close and looking.

Just bought this
 

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=270258http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=270259
And while there is talk of good fortune... I just got home with this. It's a 2011 Sirrus. Excellent shape. Tires still good, just a couple small scratches, shifts good, brakes good. Rode it to the house in wet conditions. I am completely stoked. Been looking at the 2012 for a year now and ran across it on CL. $220 with a knog l.e.d. and a SKS removable rear fender. Good deal? Already looking at lights and rear rack to finish it out (for now).

Smokin' deal man, the Sirrus is a great bike. : )

very nice bike.

ah mannnn why can't I find a deal like that on a bike like that on my local CL...

+1 to that

I'm loving my commuter, got it early spring, I've put on about 800 miles on it so far. Here is a pic from The Pierce Stocking Trail in NoMi. It is a Salsa Vaya 3 frame with the components from a Salsa 2, since I just couldn't ride a bright orange bike everyday on my 21 mile commute (round trip), it would of hurt my eyes! Here are the other tweaks: Brooks saddle, Tubus logo w/ 4D tailight, 80mm stem, SKS fenders. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=270365

I have been saying that same thing. I just kept looking. The guy was a student. When we have all the SCAD students leave at the beginning of summer, we have a glut of stuff being donated, sold and left on curbs. I didn't see anything I liked at that time. But this guy was a grad student. He just finished. He was sorry to see it go, but couldn't take it back to London with him. So his loss, my gain. He was happy to see it go to a person that is going to love it like he did. He bought is 8 mths ago as a leftover. It still has low miles. I think I'm going with the PDW space ship/red planet combo. Still looking for a rack.

I may have to get the CL iPhone app that has notifications for particular searches, so I could put in "road" or "hybrid" and any ad posted in Bikes with those words will give me a notification.

Seems like everything on my local CL in the $200-$400 price range are old vintage road bikes (not really interested in them) or near $1K or $3K-$4K road/race bikes.

I may have to go the BikesDirect route when I'm ready to get something else. It's not like I can buy anything right now anyway, don't even know why I'm fretting about it. Guess I'm just jealous of the deals other people find. :p

Here is my baby. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=270415http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=270416http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=270417

My single speed Rampar reborn as my winter commuter: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/7...8819628c_c.jpg

Almost everything came from my stash, or from the used parts bin at the co-op, except for the rims, rear hub (Sturmer Archer 3 speed with drum brake) and the handlebars (VO Porteur). And, if we're being technical, the brazed on bracket for the front roller brake.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8453/7...1afb39f2_c.jpg

I know the cable routing is not terribly awesome (plus, zip ties FTW) but it was the only way that seemed to make sense.

Please be aware of the recall involving the bike:

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...l%20Poster.pdf

CL here in the DFW area has gone completely nuts! People are trying to list old stuff for as much or more $$ than when new!
I'm finding better prices on used bikes at the LBS.

Holy crap, thanks. I had no idea. I don't seem to be affected though as I have the base model which has a steel fork. But, again, thanks.

You have excellent taste. :-)

Here's the latest iteration of my Vaya3. I can't imagine ever wanting to ride anything else.

http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...12-08-28-1.png
http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...12-08-28-2.png

Sweet ride! How do those retroshifters work from the drops? Looks like we have the same pedals, I love those things.

are those hubs red? what are they and where did you get them? i been looking for new wheels

The Retroshifters are totally awesome. One of the best bike investments I've ever made. Rock solid. Reliable. Smooth shifting. Good feathering. The positioning of the shifters is very convenient to use. I couldn't be happier.

They came with the Vaya. :-)

Really well done!