I like disc brakes for all-weather commuting and these are quite common on hybrids as well a a few cyclo-cross styles.
I prefer the rear brake to be mounted on the horizontal chain-stay tube where it doesn't interfere with the pannier rack. The usual MTB disc position on the seat-stay is harder to integrate with racks.
Your idea of a separate bike for winter is good. You will need a backup bike for when your main bike is out of order.

Budget for all your accessories:
rack, panniers, lock, lights, helmet .
Bike racks come in Front and Rear types. Racks need to be simple, stiff, well triangulated and solidly attached. I like 3 legs, an open framework top for lashing large objects, and a rear lamp bracket.

The brand is not too important. In your price range, all bikes are made from decent Taiwanese aluminium frames manufactures in a handful of big factories with Shimano components. There may be minor differences in components level. Generally Giant, being the biggest manufacturer, get the best deals and highest spec.

I am 6 feet tall. I measured my inseam using the book-pressed-against-crotch method lol (found it here: http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-482383.html), and it is 33 inches.

In any case, I tried a few bikes and I ended up getting the Giant Escape 2. I tried the large frame which was too big (not enough room between the top tube and my junk), then I tried medium and it seems to be a good fit.

Bikesdirect doesn't ship to Canada, and the girl at the LBS said the Giant Escape City was discontinued. So I bought the Escape 2 (cheapest one) and I'm planning to add the fenders, rear rack, etc.

It's a really fun ride! So much lighter than my old crappy mountain bike from Canadian Tire!

I got rim brakes instead of disc brakes, just because of the price difference between the Giant and the bikes with disc brakes. Hopefully this is ok for riding in the rain, I guess I'll find out. :)

Good for you, Latercar!

I think you're up for a celebration!

Everybody say, "Hip Hip Hooray!....Hip Hip Hooray!" for Latercar!

Yeeaaay for Latercar! He's the proud owner of a new Giant Escape bicycle!:love::lol::speedy::lol::love:


Congrats, Latercar! :thumb:

Hells YES! Just in time, too. I just heard gas is supposed to be 1.50/liter by the time summer rolls around!

Pics or it didn't happen.
:D

It is already $4.40/gal here in Chicagoland.

lol Why would I lie about having a crappy MB?:lol:

So that's like $1.16/liter (i think). That was about where we were last summer. You guys still have it "good," though that is obviously a relative term when it comes to gas prices haha

$4.50 most places in LA around my area. There are the strange places that seem to jack it up even more (I've seen $4.79), but people still go there. Hopefully more will be getting around on two wheels...

Congrats to latercar, and yes--pictures please!