no1mad 

IIRC, someone posted about an email they had with Torker/SBS. Apparently, the rear wheels weren't dished properly at the factory (or something like that). The LBS doing the assembly may miss it, but is readily correctable if given a heads up.

jonjoe

i just got mine today and put 15 miles on in pittsburgh and then did a 29 mile cyclocross ride on it and surprisingly it goes good in trails. love the bike, drum brakes are a little week for trails, also i have to buy mustache bars and a fixie wheel

fietsbob

Logo.. does let you shift the bags back, particularly with Ortlieb bags's
adjustable hook mounts allowing Pushing the panniers back..

B&M toplight is a nice bright taillight to mount on the rack.

spamalope

Hi, new here. I was searching for reviews and just general thoughts on the Torker Graduate and found this post.

I'm 90% sure I'm getting one as soon as next week.

For those who have one - curious how you're still liking yours and wanted to ask about your height/build (if you don't mind) and which of the 6 sizes you went with. My LBS has a few coming in next week for me to try out but was curious what others went with to get an idea.

Also, in your search for a rack did anyone by chance try a Topeak Explorer?

Thanks!

jdswitters

5' 9" 52cm.

Somewhere between 500 and 600 miles so far, daily commute and a few longer rides around 12 miles. Not the best bike for commuting but a great bike for money. No mechanical problems so far, chain gets fresh lube once every week or two.

[IMG][/IMG]

fietsbob

You measure the chainline on both ends?

If the chainring is still too close to the CL on the outer portion of the crank,
add shims, between ring and arm.. , they come in various thicknesses, get sets of 5.

critofur

What would be better? Best for the money, perhaps? I've also been looking at the Motobecane Cafe Express bikes...

erg79

Hi all, been posting in the Commuting forum for a little while now and had mentioned that I was in the market for a new bike. I still don't have a brand new bike, but I now have a Torker Graduate! I had been keeping my eye on the Graduate for when I started trying out new rides, and during a lunch hour at work looking on Craigslist I found a recent model (may be a '10, or '11), lightly used, for $70. My initial thoughts were that it was stolen, but the guy turned out to be legit. It's a 54 cm, which is a bit too big for me, but just a little lean to the side at a traffic light and I'm okay--I was willing to overlook that for the price!

Went out for my first ride right now, a short 3 mile loop around the neighborhood. Mostly flat with some gentle incline/declines near me, and I found myself riding in 4 or 5 going downhill and 3 and 2 on the slight inclines. When I came to a moderate climb I was in 2, then 1. Wish there was a gear between 2 and 1, still getting used to 5 gears (I have an old Univega road bike with 10 speeds).

Thanks for the advice on the racks.

jdswitters

Well I just realized that I had posted that my torker graduate was not the best bike for commuting.

Typo, I meant to say touring. I love it for commuting. I ride it every day unless I am doing something that involves more than 15 miles.

Erg79, congrats, that is a heck of a deal, the rear hub is worth 70 bucks or more. There are a few of us on the "new classics" so post up if you have any questions that we might be able to help with.

Post a pic when you get a chance.

erg79

Thanks, need to get it cleaned up a bit. Chain looks rather dirty.

erg79

Alright, some before and after photos:

The guy who sold it to me just rode it from his apartment the subway station (yes, LA has a subway!) and he would leave it locked up outside during the day while he was at work. It has some scratches here and there. I don't think the previous owner ever took a damp rag to the bike at all. Some shots of the rear hub and chain:





After:



Not spotless, but better (I think). Washed off both hubs (the front one wasn't as bad, but wasn't great either), and a few cycles of running the chain through my Park Tools chain cleaner--had to dump out the muck from the first time and put it through again! Then some light lubing of the chain and the pivot points on the bike.



Embarrassed to admit that I didn't notice that the front fender was not on the bike until I got it home! Riding in LA, fenders aren't crucial, but I would at least like some symmetry. Not sure if I can purchase a matching front fender, or if I should get two new ones.



Changes I'm going to need to make: the pedals are pretty uncomfortable, and besides that, they looked rather banged up. I don't mind platform pedals, so just need to find a set that fit the look of the bike. Also, the saddle is pretty uncomfortable, so I'll be looking for a new one. Any recommendations? Will be mainly going on short rides (I have a short commute), nothing too long.

Aside from that, really enjoying the bike! My other bike is an old Univega 10-speed, with drops. While I still have to sometimes work to find the right speed on the Graduate, I feel like I'm climbing on this better than I do on my Univega.

jdswitters

Nice.

Planet bike fenders.

Seat, you are on your own, like trying to pick a wife for someone. I have don't mind the stokc one and had a brooks flyer on it for a few months before that got moved to the touring bike.

Not happy with the pedals much myself, and I have been abusing them. I put some wellgo BMX pedals on another bike and like them so far after about 80 miles.n They are just a bit narrow when I ride with boots on which is every day I commute.

You still have the original tires on, city grippers. A similar tread but longer lasting is ritchey speed max cross. If you never leave the pavement there are even better tires out there.

erg79

Yep, not planning on taking this off road at all. No dirt trails around where I live...only non-pavement I encounter is some sand blown onto the bike path at the beach! What tires would you recommend?

Thanks for the tips on the fenders and the pedals.

erg79

Put a Bontrager BackRack II on my Graduate. I have a 54cm frame, but I had to get a rack for bigger than 54cm frames to compensate for the fender over the rear wheel.

The rack works with the bike since its a nice matte black.