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Originally Posted by meanwhile
(Post 11566860)
Yes, you're silly enough to believe this. No, you don't have a good reason for your belief. If you want to understand how foolish you are I'd suggest the MIT Press book "Bicycling Science" - a standard read for any designing a bicycle. As you're probably too lazy to read it, you might skim the dummies version at
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_performance Because people who are taller tend to weigh more, Braniac. And the tyre width you need for a given surface depends on weight. It's bridle path. And a standard cross tyre - intended for a 160lb ish rider - is 35mm. So for a reasonable weight for a 6-6er, 35mm is about right right for a bridle path. 40mm would actually be better - wider tyres are banned from cross racing because they are an unfair advantage and would "de-skill" handling. Unfortunately, marketing trumps facts and empiricism in the cycling world. Especially here. |
Originally Posted by Loose Chain
(Post 11571599)
Yeah, well, like I said, I love my Surly but it is no Pinarello Trevisio, The Surly CC is a tank, the Trevisio Victory is a knife fighter, it is far quicker, far faster, handles much better, but it is a full on road race bike, not a semi-serious cross bike, jack of all trades.
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Originally Posted by noglider
(Post 11573705)
Fair enough, but it makes a Cross Check a good commuter bike, compared with your Trevisio.
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While I agree with you fully, Loose Chain, a flexible person would also be able to commute on pretty much anything. Then again, that's like saying you could walk with boots that have spikes inside the insoles. And you could, if you wanted to.
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We've been talking about the Cross Check a lot here, but there are many CC bikes that would probably fit the bill.
I occasionally rideto work on my Bianchi Volpe, which is considered a light tourer, and I think it's a great commuter. (I have no idea what the difference between light tourer and CC. They seem pretty close to me.) |
The thing that makes the Surly particularly well suited to commuting and errands is the ability to take wide tires/fenders/racks, the rugged, durable steel frame, the geometry is quick enough but certainly no racer but not boring either like the stodgy LHT, the frame has multiple fender/rack eyelets thought it is missing the one on the fork that the LHT gets midway for a front rack, oh well, and, if pressed into racing duty, can make a decent cyclecross bike for the less than serious or beginner and equipped with my light weight set of road wheels, it is a darn nice long distance road machine for a century etc.
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Originally Posted by gerv
(Post 11577740)
We've been talking about the Cross Check a lot here, but there are many CC bikes that would probably fit the bill.
I occasionally rideto work on my Bianchi Volpe, which is considered a light tourer, and I think it's a great commuter. (I have no idea what the difference between light tourer and CC. They seem pretty close to me.) I agree, Loose Chain, and you've described why I like my Cross Check. It's set up as a frankenbike. It has fenders, an old Ultegra drivetrain and super-light wheels. |
My thanks to everybody for your feedback and advice, I've decided to go for the Kona Jake the Snake (2010 model 62cm frame) which I'm purchasing via my employer's tax-saving scheme. Only problem is, I won't get the purchase voucher for another 6 weeks and the UK distributor only has 7 of those bikes left! Hopefully they won't run out...
Thanks again |
I'm late to the conversation.. but have you looked at the Fuji Cross?
Today was my first time commuting to work and my 09 Fuji Cross Pro did great! I added a rear rack and fenders. |
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