Is that a Blackburn rack on the Gunnar? And what make/model of saddle rack is that?

These bikes have me drooling. I think I like the Ritchey the best...something about those orange bikes, especially when they bridge that look between classic and modern.

The rack on the Gunnar is a Planet Bike Koko. It only cost about $35 at my LBS and is very adjustable. Quite the bargain for a rack and load capacity is 55 lbs.

https://ecom1.planetbike.com/4005.html

Regarding the Ritchey, I had been looking for a Swiss Cross for years but never found one in my size that I could afford. Saw the Breakaway Cross for sale on eBay and bought it for a bargain price. It really suits my needs better than a Swiss Cross because it has mounts for fenders and racks, plus I really like the orange color as well.

Oh wow! I have the Koko on my Amazon wish list, but never actually saw one "in the wild". Looks great! I may end up adding it to my already-ridiculous collection. Good catch on the Breakaway!

Zach,
I commute on a very similar bike this size (Nishiki). The frame seems to be very flexible and could benefit from a second top tube. Do you have any issues with shimmy? I once attached a seat-post mounted rack with 10 lbs on it. This caused a shimmy so horrible that I never even try to put anything in the back anymore...

An update of my daily three season commuter.

FSA Metropolis bars, Paul Thumbies with Dura Ace bar ends, porteur rack with Wald basket, Salsa Delgado rims on LX hubs and dynamo up front, Edulux front light, Dutch frame lock and kickstand.

[QUOTE=fun29er;16224994]Zach,
I commute on a very similar bike this size (Nishiki). The frame seems to be very flexible and could benefit from a second top tube. Do you have any issues with shimmy? I once attached a seat-post mounted rack with 10 lbs on it. This caused a shimmy so horrible that I never even try to put anything in the back anymore...


Never had that problem? But I also never really get rolling on it. But even the one time it has crested, say 25mph, descending a gravel pass in Nelson County it felt pretty rock solid even with 15lbs (of beer) in the seat bag. I use a bag man to support the bag from the saddle, not the post, and the flex of ths steel rack gives the bag abit of suspension.

More imporantly, what is/where did you get that frame bag and can it take a laptop? been looking for one just like that!

I just looked on amazon and bought one - that's a NICE rack for great price! Thanks guys!!

[QUOTE=Zach_Stone;16226783]I'm thinking my issue had to do with the weird weight distribution created by the post-mounted rack. It's good to know that a seat bag should work fine.

The beauty of riding a 27" frame is being able to just hang an actual laptop bag from the top tube! I think this old bag is from the late 90's. It has a metal lining at the top as part of the original design. I removed the handle and riveted (!) the four Velcros to it. Any reasonably thin laptop bag can be attached this way, as long as the top is held up by more than just fabric. If I were using a modern laptop bag without the metal lining, I would probably use a strip of metal from a can of pop and rivet/bolt it to the Velcros from the inside.

This has become my new favorite commuter/utility do everything bike.

[IMG][/IMG]

I thought they'd switched the Safari to discs... wow.

Wow, that's beautiful! What year is that? Is that black leather bar tape?

Haven't done any actual commuting on it but I'm sure it'll be a painful learning experience.

It comes disc ready, It has disc hubs and the frame and forks have mounts. I think thy went with v-brakes to help keep cost down. Is that wow a good wow or a bad wow?

Thanks, It's a 2013 the bar tape is cheap pleather type material.

good wow.

This is over the major highway that runs through my town at sunrise.

W plus 1 for the wet slush and snow... added the fenders and swapped the thumbies for some LX STI's this evening. Things had warmed a little by the time I was on my way back and things were wet and slushy and those fenders were most appreciated.

Bike is late 80's BRC Ricochet hybrid in pretty much new shape... warrants a better picture now.

Planet Bike is the bomb! I've had nothing but good products from them, with great prices and service. I've got 2 PB Superflashes, 3 sets of Cascadia fenders, the KOKO rack and probably other items I am forgetting. They also sell a lot of useful small parts, like tail-light mounts that fit rear racks perfectly.

+1 on PB's awesomeness...on top of Cascadia fenders, I've gotten saddles (A.R.S. 5020 & 5022) and an awesome (though cumbersome) chain lock that does the trick (and also doubles as costume flair when dressing as Ghost Rider).

[QUOTE=fun29er;16226887]That's brilliant! I wish my frame was big enough to do the same (I'm short and stubby). Still looking for better way to carry my laptop other than in saddlebags

Here is a better pic of mine.

[IMG][/IMG]

After 21 years have retried my Trek 700, here is the new commuter rig. It will also do double duty for some light dirt/gravel and touring rides:

LOVE IT!!! That with a rack is pretty much my dream commuter bike!

Thanks. Need to pick out a rear rack (already have a new pannier/backpack). In the meantime have an older bike-backpack that will do.

Nice to see a fellow Safarian... I have really enjoyed mine.