I picked up this Ritchey Breakaway Cross last summer and I'm using it for trail riding, light touring and commuting. It's not my daily commuter because I don't want to add fenders or racks, which would detract from it's functionality on trails. However, it can carry a fair amount of gear in one of my Carradice bags, and it has mounts for front and rear racks if I ever decide to add them. I usually ride it to work 1-2 days a week, on days when I'm pretty certain it won't rain. If needed, I've got some SKS Raceblades that I can strap on it as well. It's also a travel bike, and breaks down to fit in a case that supposedly passes as luggage at airports. Tires are Jack Brown greens, and they are great on roads or trails. I bought the frame used without the original Ritchey carbon fork and added the Soma-Tange steel fork, which I actually prefer over carbon because it has mounts for fenders and racks.

I recently bought this older model Gunnar Crosshairs frame and fork to use as my daily commuter. I swapped parts from my Gunnar Sport for the build and added the Planet Bike rear rack because I couldn't get the saddle positioned right to use a Carradice bag. I would like to use larger tires but had these 25 mm Conti GP 4000s with reflective sidewalls, which seemed like the best choice for commuting in winter and riding in the dark so much. Although it's my main commuter, I opted to leave fenders off for now because I like the look, lighter weight and quieter operation of a fenderless bike. Plus, I've got some SKS Raceblades that I can strap on when rain is threatening and a touring bike with full fenders if I really expect rain. For carrying gear, I've got a Banjo Bros. rack bag.

Try finding a stem for one. There are currently about 10 of them on Fleabay and none of those is over 110mm.

If you need one over 110mm, I question your fit...and I can easily get you a 22.0 stem; what would you like?

Other options:

http://bandlbicycles.com/about/frenc...vice-pg348.htm

From Sheldon - French stems are 0.2mm narrower than others where they fit into the steering column. A standard 7/8" / 22.2mm stem won't usually fit. In many cases, the limiting factor for fitting the stem in will be the headset locknut, rather than the steerer itself. Try removing the locknut before sanding down a stem. If the headset locknut is slightly tighter than the steerer, it can be enlarged easily with a small grinding wheel.In cases where the stem really won't fit into the steerer, a few minutes' work on the stem with sandpaper will usually do the trick. Wrap the sandpaper around the stem, grip it with your hand, and turn the stem round and round until it fits. You only need to remove 0.1 mm, which is 1/250", not much at all!

Of my 7 bikes, I don't have any that has a stem under 120mm. Anything shorter than that makes me feel like I've been folded in half. 130mm to 135mm is more in the range of what I normally use...even on long top tube mountain bikes. My fit is just fine, thank you very much. Not all of us want to ride bolt upright. Personally, suggesting that a 110mm stem is as long as anyone needs without knowing anything about the rider indicates a lack of knowledge about about bike fitting.

As for the kludge from Sheldon Brown, the problem is that it is a kludge.

I meant my initial post on the Puegoet to be tongue in cheek. You are taking it in a whole different direction.

It wasn't tongue in cheek - it was silly. As far as the fit post, that was commentary on your general observations - ramming preferences as facts. When anyone takes you as seriously as Sheldon Brown, you let me know. Bottom line - French bikes aren't a big deal and it's easy to work around.

I'll add one -

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa784b1f1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0646a6cb.jpg

You might want to go look up what the colloquialism "tongue in cheek" means. Of course it was a silly statement. As the great Fog Horn Leg Horn said "It's a joke, son. A flag waver..."

And your preferences are better than mine how? The stem on your pictures above looks a longer than a 110mm. Are you using too long a stem? Or is it just my stem length choice that is in question?

Your comment was meant as a red herring along the lines of "Don't trust this guy, he doesn't even know how long stems should be." It falls flat because I doubt you'll find anyone who thinks that the maximum length of a stem should be 110mm. If you think so that is presenting your preferences as fact.

Same applies to you.

Bottom line: French bikes are obsolete (even Sheldon Brown says so) and new parts for them are almost impossible to find. I can walk into any bike shop in the US and get a 1" quill stem, a bottom bracket or a headset. I might have to order some of the items but some of them are even going to be in stock. At the very least they are going to be manufactured in the last year. Can't say the same for French parts.

In fact that stem is 110mm on the nose :) I do have stems over 110mm on some bikes...I think you may have missed the point.

I don't ram my preferences as facts...I consider them preferences. Lots of things are obsolete, or aren't sold under current trends - it doesn't make them non-functional, or even especially difficult to use. If you have issues keeping a French bike going maybe you should sell it to someone with more experience and knowledge; it's really not difficult, and many enjoy the ride of French bikes.

When you say "if you need one over 110mm, I question your fit", that's "ramming" your preferences as fact. All I said in my post about finding stems was that none of the stems currently on Fleabay were over 110 mm. Some people want stems over 110mm...including you, apparently. So do I get to question your bike fitting ability?

I fail to see how an observation of the lack of availability of longer obsolete used stems is "ramming" anything. It was an observation. I didn't say that people have to use longer stems or even imply it.

Your reading comprehension could really use some work. Try it again.

Who would have thought this "tude" reaches further than the "41". As evident in the "Sidewalk or Streets" thread & in here.
:rolleyes: ;)
:lol:

I would've thought I could escape it in a forum labeled "Commuting". :D
(Joke if it isn't obvious)

BTW:
I own a NOS Pug, not listed in my bikes list.
Its a 1971 that was bought brand new by my father, never remember him riding it. Could explain the great condition its in.

I'll snap a few pics of my commuter/gravel grinder when the sun rises to get this thread rolling. :thumb: ;)

Aaron, I'm interested in test riding your Koga Miyata more than your racing bikes. We should ride with that and my Bianchi Volpe. They probably are similar.

I think the Volpe is probably a good bit lighter and more "sporty". The Koga Miyata is NOT sporty at all; it was designed as an "adventure tourer" meaning slightly higher BB. I like its ride better than the Miyata 1000s that it's similar too. It's an extremely comfortable bike...and I did build it a little sportier, particularly the wheels. When I do get a chance to take it on a real tour, I'd change the gearing and wheels.

This bike is probably closer to your Volpe - though i ave another goofy build in mind for it:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...167B21A1B3.jpg

Mr. Pot meet Mr. Kettle

Guys, please. We're trying to determine who's bike is hot or not. Take your arguing to a helmet or light thread.

LMAO!!! :lol::roflmao::roflmao2:
:thumb:

Brings back so many memories!

Better yet the "Street or sidewalk" thread... :rolleyes:

Grant Peterson?

I posted a bike - no one has stepped up to an opinion ;)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf0ae3967.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps94007d0f.jpg

Excuse the fingers:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...67/photo-4.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...67/photo-5.jpg

FYI, a standard stem is easily sanded down to fit a French headset. Okay, it may take up to an hour of sanding and testing and sanding some more, but in the big picture, not a hard thing to do.

Aaron, I said I like your Koga Miyata! Sorry I didn't provide enough of an argument for you. Jeesh.

:lol:

Do I have to say something nice about Cannondales now?

hot. i like everything about it - even the elderly spring saddle. color scheme is awesome. i usually hate fenders, but the silver really snaps with the rest of the bike. don't care for the front rack but it goes nicely with the older style stem/bars

Tanks sci guy (and Tom)...it's a fun bike to ride and can do pretty much anything.

FYI -- Someone is selling a Koga Miyata at my LBS in Raleigh, NC. It is quite the bargain at only $400 for a complete bike. Unfortunately it's too large for me.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/4187989844.html

Heck of a good deal - it's a little lower end than mine, but still a great price for a sports tourer.

Here we go :-)
My frankenstein commuting bike. Fuji Newest 2004 frame with 8 speed XTR combo shifters.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/1...a8c23f67_c.jpg

It's not to my taste, but if you like it, it's hot.

Hehe... to be honest, not my taste too :-)