Guilou

After breaking my foot and wrist here in China, I went back to the states for a couple of months and brought back some goodies. Its almost impossible to get these in China. I bought a rear Topeak bag and some Ergon grips, a helmet, a couple of locks, and a rear light that attaches to my bag. I am not sure I really like the looks of the bag, but it sure holds quite alot, especially with the expanded side panniers unfolded. The Ergons are so nice and comfortable, that words don't really describe how good my wrist and hands feels when riding. With my bad wrist, I adjusted them so that my wrist and arm are straight inline. I adjusted my brake levers downward so that I don't need to kink my wrist to use my brakes(did wonders for being comfortable). I also bought platform pedals to replace the junk on my bike, haven't put those on yet.

echotraveler

thats one sexy machine!! it looks great! specially when the sides are expanded!

skadoosh

how do you like your ergons? Are they pretty stable?

JeremyZ

Really nice stuff. I have the exact same bag. If you're like me, you'll like it more every day. It's perfect for us commuters, since it locks on & slides off so easily.

You've got me thinking about the grips now. Where did you get them? From riding a motorcycle before, I know that grips and lever angles have a huge impact on comfort.

Also, where'd you get the little bag for the crossbar? That looks pretty handy for wallet, keys, & cell phone.

Nice pix, nice bike.

Guilou

I appreciate the kind words echotraveler. JeremyZ, I can't remember right now where I got them, but I just searched online at the different bike shops. My rack isn't a Topeak rack, so no quick release, the bag attached nice and easy though. If I ever needed to take my bag with me from fear someone would steal it, my bike would be long gone before the bag. My bike is so out of place here, because most bikes here are old rusted piles of Chinese junk. The Ergons have made a world of difference in making my ride much more comfortable. But, just putting them on didn't help alot. Proper adjustment, getting them just right was the key. Adjusting my brake levers and shifters so that I don't have such an exteme bend in my wrist to operate them was a big factor. The little stem bag is nice, I wanted it for my camera and whatever else I might need handy.

Jasonrp

Wow....that is an awesome looking bike. Really like the sleek flashlight holder and that rear bag.

BarracksSi

That looks a lot like my Bianchi Valle daily-use bike (strangely enough, even though mine looks decidedly European), right down to the top tube bag. I don't have those bar-ends, but I've angled my brake levers & shifters down like you did with yours.

I borrowed a bike from our workplace's recreation department a couple weeks back, and one of the first things I did was turn the levers down. Put my hands on the grips, put my wrist in a neutral position, uncurled my fingers, then adjusted the levers to sit under where my fingers naturally wanted to go. When I took it back a couple days later, I mentioned my adjustment, and the worker said it was all wrong, that the levers should be flat. I responded, "What, so I have to kink my wrist flat just to use them?"

Good-lookin' bike. Keep checking on that rear light, though -- bag straps aren't that secure over bumps, and the directional nature of the LEDs means that it has to be aimed straight back or else it's going to appear really dim.

azesty

I used the same bag in Tasmania for a couple of years, and it is a great bag.

Glad you are back on your bike in China

z

mtalinm

I have the same bag on the back and it is awesome. one fold-out pannier holds a laptop + fresh jersey for the way home; another holds my work clothes for the day.

I also use a small front bag in the very same place. I keep food and snacks in there though - wallet and keys go in the trunk bag, phone goes on my handlebar Blackberry holder

Guilou

Feels real good to be back on my bike after 3 months or so nursing my injuries.

daithi2

7.5 or 7.3? looks good! i need grips on mine, tires of numb fingers. looks alot like mine, just tring to find bags i like.

mtalinm

my Soho came with those grips and they were horrible. I replaced them with Bontrager Satellite Plus, which were half the price of the Ergons but have done the trick. no more numbness...

Guilou

mtalinm did you try adjusting the Ergons several times to find the best position? It took me sometime to find that (position), I originally adjusted them to look good on the bike.

mtalinm

I didn't buy the ergons but the Bontrager Satellite Plus. I did move them up and down a bit (not tightening them so tight that I couldn't) to find the right spot.