Thanks Andy! The tape makes more sense when you can see the decals and cable housings: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...r-Build-Thread

This bike is a lot of fun so far. :)

What is the advantage of running a slightly larger rim in the front? Back when I used to ride a mountain bike in the old (almost) pre-suspension days, we would run something like a 26x2.10 tire on the front for a little "air suspension" while running a 26x1.95 in the back to dig in and bite a bit more. Nowadays there seems to be a trend back in rigid mountain bikes to just run the fattest tires you can squeeze into a frame. I have an old Stumpjumper Pro ('94), that will get made back up into a mountain bike at some point. I do like how those Hookworms look, but I'm not sure my Stumpy could take rubber that fat.

With spring I have been knocking the dust off my bikes and decided the Blizzard needed to get out for a bit... not a regular commuter and a bike that has always been camera shy.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...zard%20(4).JPG

Those 2.3 Kendas and suspension were pretty much perfect when I decided to take some of the side streets which are worse than most of the trails this bike usually sees.

Bought a "new" crankset today and with that marks a rebirth of the kuwie, she will get a much needed coat of paint and a few new parts, will post some pics when I get some work done. I may even bump the original kuwie build thread and add to that. Neat cranks though 50, 45, 34 gears, I really like the idea of the close ratio which should fit my commute pretty good, they look nearly new with very little wear.

http://i.imgur.com/ySF3ICj.jpg

are these the grand cru rando bars? if so how you like?

Sixty Fiver,

Right on. Spring has sprung in your neck of the woods. Good for you, good to hear.
Righteous MUP/trail system you have there. Is that part of your regular commute ?
If so, how sweet.

New front rack/bag on my Salsa Vaya:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8...40a9584e_n.jpg


The rack was absurdly easy to install, and there's no interference with the fenders, disc brake, etc.

If I commute to the co-op on the south side I can drop into the river valley and ride the trails and singletrack for a good bit and usually extend my ride by some significant amounts... our park system is the largest in North America and is a wonderful place to ride.

There are paved paths, groomed trails, and plenty of places where a bicycle like the Blizzard really likes to play... it is a monster on singletrack.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=308661

Here is my rig - 2013 Salsa Vaya 2, with a Salsa Wanderlust rack and weather proof panniers. Nice and secure at work in our dedicated indoor bike room. Finally able to ride in - mainly due to travel and weather.

Shawn

What brifters are you using with disc brakes?

Campy Centaur 10s. Brakes are BB7 Road version. Works great.

This bike has the older GB ("Gerry Burgess") Randonneur bars. I do have the Grand Cru Rando bars on my fixed-gear -- wanted more reach and drop for contrast between the two positions. I like them both a lot. :)

My Sporterra with new SKS Longboard fenders.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4f3ea91b.jpg

Rear rack to follow.

Nice! I love Sugino GTs, and that's a clever triple setup. :thumb:

here is my commuter bike finished and running fine> My bike is a parawan mtn bike by next came out as a 18 speed changed rear wheel to a 7 speed cassette and left the front stock changed out knobbies and put on pan racer pro v 1.50 width by 26 inch changed out stock bars and added a set of trekker bars added back rack and bottle cage and a set of over nite panniers to haul stuff and I do plan on a over niter this spring trying to find a comfy seat for my bike next and I don't like brooks but here it is comments please

It better follow, otherwise you'd be going in reverse.

But seriously, those fenders are great. There aren't many fenders that long. I bet the length makes a difference.

:D


I sure hope it does. I am kinda hoping it rains here today, so I would see how well it works.

SKS weren't kidding about the Long part of these fenders.

lot of tower blocks out that way, i'm a little surprised.

thats a nice set up u got going on... but that seat seems quite big, too big in my opinion.. try something a little smaller, maybe a "womens" design which are a little wider in the back. That is what I have on one of my bikes and its pretty confy..

Looks Urban Ready! Some people I know have had issues with Next quality and weight (when compared with higher zoot bikes) but that's merely relative. As far as saddle, why would you not be interested in Brooks? I sit on a B17 and it is very comfortable. But it looks great!

Hi! Been lurking a while and finally decided to post.

I've got a crazy-long commute (about 90 miles RT) that could be done mostly by train if there was some way from the train station to my work. I'd been thinking about getting a hybrid to handle that, but decided to keep saving for a tri bike, instead. But while I was perusing Craigslist recently I discovered an older (about 1993, I think) Hardrock MTB that was available super-cheap, and I just couldn't resist. I'm no closer to a race bike, but I'm having a great time with my new commuter:

http://leannepowers.com/forumcrap/hardrock3.jpg

The bike itself was in GREAT shape for its age--I really only had to swap out the seat, tires, and pedals, add the rack/panniers, and then make a few drivetrain adjustments. Everything there is stock, and the gearing is perfect for my very-hilly neighborhood. The next addition will be a pair of fenders (recommendations would be appreciated) and then I need to address the handlebars; maybe new grips (these are splitting), or maybe I add bar ends, or something--I'll know better after I've been able to ride it more. Meanwhile, I put the bike through its paces yesterday back and forth to work, and after riding road bikes exclusively for the past 20 years or so I'm re-discovering how much fun it is to be able to ride through dirt and jump off a couple low curbs. :-)

Wow, great find! Older mountain bikes like that look really versatile.

Very nice! I used a 1993 Performance M303 mountain bike for commuting for years and years. Good rigid old mountain bikes are ideal for utilitarian use. If you put skinny high psi tires on them (like Tom Slicks 90 or 100 psi) they go pretty fast, too :thumb:

Finally I can post in this thread!
I found a late 90's Giant Rincon on craigslist, that I added a bunch of stuff to for day rides and commuting. My commute will be 11.5 miles each way. Haven't done it yet, but am looking forward to giving it a go. These were taken on our ride today down the greenways in Knoxville along the Tennessee River.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8...4caab9_c_d.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8...6df408_c_d.jpg
I added:
[Syracuse] Orange bar tape
Topeak Explorer rack
Soon I'll be ordering a Topeak MTX trunk bag EXP with expandable panniers
Topeak Aero Wedge Pack for day rides
PDW Spaceship headlight, and Red Planet taillight (not currently attached for daylight ride)

I just wanted to add mine to the thread, and I just got it so it's still a work in progress:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=309301


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=309302

Very nice rig.

That is Strathcona... a city that was absorbed by Edmonton in 1912. It used to be served by an inter-urban streetcar that now runs across the top of the high level bridge and the light rail takes you south to the University which also has quite a number of apartment towers.

A good portion of the area has been designated as a Provincial Historical area and retains much of it's early 1900's architecture which is primarily brick.

There are multi use paths on both bridges, most commuters ride over the high level which has two MUPS, the one on the east side used to be a dedicated bicycle lane and would like to see it returned to that status as the bridge has such high traffic.

The LRT bridge will take you across but keeps you in the river valley... it is a decent climb after you cross that to get up to the University.

+1

post apocalypse bike, i like it

Some grocery shopping with my son and wife helped me top 100 miles of commuting via bike last week.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=309341

Well the saddle is a problem im 230 pounds and I just really never been a fan of skinny lo pro seats. After I loose about 50 to 60 pounds I might try a different seat. But rite now it is kinda comfortable can't ride a long time on that seat. I guess I could get a skinnier padded seat just don't know what to get I thought about a gel seat but don't know if it would be any better I guess I gotta toughen up that area to be comfortable on a skinny seat.