No snow here in Chattanooga this year, but it does great on gravel. I just got the Fairdale about 3 weeks ago, so its very new. For now, I am just riding it when the temperature breaks 40 degrees. I am getting myself back in shape before worrying about too many accessories on the bike. So far, I absolutely love it. I am not quite ready for real commuting, but thought some folks on this forum might like to see one "in the wild" since there aren't too many Fairdales out there (yet?).

Yet is right - tough to decide if I want to be one of the pioneers but LBS made me a great deal on a 2014 and I'm really liking the Fairdale's I've seen. Plus I like weird!

Do it! Different is good.

Man, Mr. MHMark I'm super jealous of your stable now. Had to get a Vaya to compliment the AWOL? They both catch my eye. Thinking about getting a frameset of either and doing a build up, but the money.. they always want my money.

Actually I wanted to ask what your thoughts of them in comparison. Or rather which is for what. Again. Purdy

The AWOL is a loaner from Specialized, and will be returned when I publish the review. And the Vaya, well... I needed something to test the CX1 group from SRAM. ;)

Ha! Yeh seems good. On loan for how long? I thought I remembered you posting the awol a while ago.. in any case I'd like to read that review when yer done with it.

The AWOL review should be done soon. I wanted to get a sufficient number of miles on it with racks/bags, and that took a little longer than expected.

Oh sir please take yer time. I know that I wouldn't cut anything short if it were my hands on it. I actually have a room mate with an AWOL and was more curious about the Vaya ..though I'm sure they function as similar beasts with similar goals in mind.

Reader's Digest version:

• Front load, go with the AWOL
• Rear load, go with the Vaya

haha thanks. I actually read somewhere about the AWOL being designed for more haul up front, which I think I like. However I'm still torn and again short on the funds.

My winter commuting setup is finally dialed in with the addition of 45Nrth Xerxes tires to my BMC. Had every variety of ice and snow under my wheels on the ride to work today, and the feeling was 97% solid. Also loving the belt drive with IGH - virtually no maintenance even with the Boston freezing slush. :)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=432596

Just got black handlebar tape today. Love it! Makes me go faster. I feel like my bike looks more badass now, so I gotta go fast to look the part :D

I think I'm gonna grab a black seat soon. Debating on trying a pair of white tires. I just like the contrasting black and white, one of the reasons I picked this bike.

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Today:

https://velofinds.files.wordpress.co...pg?w=676&h=676

https://velofinds.files.wordpress.co...pg?w=676&h=676

Roads were dry at least :lol:

Yah, because it's so darned cold!

Nice pitchers!

So did you ride across the ice?

I love the look of those old multicolored Peugeots! My coworker found an old Peugeot mountain bike with a similar look on Craigslist for $40 (the Montreal?), and we fixed it up. It was heavy but had a cool lugged steel frame, and was roughly the colors of the German flag. It's been two years and he still loves it.

Yes I did.

Thank you Tom!

I as well!

This is how my MUP looks like today. Very slushy and sometimes icy, but the disc brakes didn't mind it at all. :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FQ...Qzk=w78-h140-p

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9S...DX0=w78-h140-p

Pics are tiny can't see them. Not clickable.

Yeah, sorry. I took them with my camera phone. I don't know how to edit them.

If they plowed the paths around here I would be commuting.

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I realized that I've only shown images of how I attached the rack on the dual suspension beast. So first is without the panniers, second with panniers, and third is showing my new phone mount (and coffee holder)

This has been my main commuter bike for the last 8 years. 2005 Marin Lucas Valley, posted for the first time with the silver SKS fenders. I chopped about 3 inches off the rear fender so I could easily walk the bike on the rear wheel in tight areas without scrapping it on the ground.

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps31376e98.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3a6ecb79.jpg

I got a repair stand for Christmas, so I've been learning how to do some maintenance on my bicycles. I had Tilly on it today, and decided to take a picture.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=433162