Papa Tom

Good choice on the DX. I originally got the EX, but returned it because it was too small. The DX also has the pocket in the back, etc. You won't be sorry you went with the larger one!

WonderMonkey

Thanks! It's amazing the amount of fretting and energy goes into choosing the right piece of equipment!

ColonelSanders

It is part of the joy of being into bikes.


Later on this year I will be building up a bike from a frame/fork combo and I then get to fret over everything, from whether it will be 10 or 11speed, the crank, the derailleurs, the pedals, the head set, the stem, the handlebars, the seatpost, etc.


So much fretting I will be doing, to make sure I can get it as "perfect" as I can.

General Geoff

I've considered doing a scratch build before, but the problem I keep having is that I simply don't have enough experience with enough different components to make a decision that's confidently better-informed than a bike manufacturer's.

ColonelSanders

I'm not looking to make the best value for money bike that I can, I will be paying a premium for bling in some instances.


And if a manufacturer that also sells just the frame, usually sells the whole bike with Shimano Acera level components, then it becomes a simple matter to go instead with Shimano XT on just about everything there.


Probably the biggest obstacle I am wrestling with, is the frame colour, as effectively there are 4 choices, between models that also either come as a rim brake model or a disc brake model.


Unfortunately the colour I like best is on the rim brake model, so decisions, decisions . . . . . . .

General Geoff

If cost is not an object, and since you're building it up yourself, you could very easily order the frame plain/unfinished and paint it yourself or have an auto shop professionally paint it in whatever color and finish you want. Should cost very little compared to a full car, especially if you give them the bare frame to start with.

Imagine having your bike painted in Mazda Soul Red, or Ford Mystichrome?

ColonelSanders

Heh, interesting suggestion.


Cost is still a factor, just not the most important, or otherwise I would go with XTR gear over XT gear.


Also I like the notion of going with the stock colour the manufacturer paints the bike, rather than change it, if the colour is to my liking.

General Geoff

Suit yourself, mystichrome/chameleon paint is awesome on a bike!

Papa Tom

Hah! You'd get a kick out of an old thread in which I was contemplating purchasing a rack and trunk bag and spent what seemed like a year going back and forth with different models, finding something wrong with everything. I drove the folks here at the forum crazy. Finally, someone said something like "Stop whining, buy the Topeak, and shut up!" That was the best advice I have ever gotten on this forum!

Khb

Another vote for the Topeak. Although I sometimes use the Topeak top bag, most of the time a pair of Ortlieb panniers do the trick. For big shopping trips, I add the Topeak top bag, and a pair of Thule front panniers (no mount points on my bike up front, so I have a Thule up front). The special topeak connector works well; but I like to pack more in the panniers than would easily fit with the topeak (so I went with the top bag only, no stealth panniers). Arkel's connector is better than Ortlieb (and I've got a lovely older Arkel backpack pannier). But I bought nearly all my panniers used, and hardly anyone sells their Arkels ... Orlieb is next best, followed by Thule. My Timbuk2's are lovely bags, but the connectors keep breaking.

WonderMonkey

I'm excited!

USPS will arrive by 8:00pm for item XXXX28969009038306YYYY. Latest status Out for Delivery 02/20/2018

WonderMonkey

Now I'm depressed.

The bag showed up and the zipper that allows the main compartment to expand is damaged. I don't see a way to fix it. I've contacted the seller and I'm sure it will be taken care of, but now I have to reassemble the box, tape it up, drop it off to the shipper, etc.

Papa Tom

Booooo!!!!!

That said (and you're going to want to punch me for saying this after the fact), the zippers on the Topeak bags are definitely not the best quality out there. It hasn't been a problem for me because I go very easy on my gear. Others who tend to really beat on their stuff have had Topeak zippers fail.

I know you're disappointed in the Topeak right now and you might even be questioning your decision to buy it, but trust me, this isn't a deal-breaker! If you bought from Amazon, they will probably ship you a new one and pay the shipping for the return. If not, hopefully the company that sold it to you will handle the return just as professionally. They really should have noticed a bum zipper before shipping the item!

WonderMonkey

I'm hoping they handle it as well. If not then I'll get Topeak involved and let them know they have a seller who is damaging their reputation.

Papa Tom

So.....what happened?

WonderMonkey

It's on the way back to the seller. When they get it they will issue a refund. Then I'll start over again with an order. I'll have it all ready to go so when I see the funds I'll pull the trigger.

Next week is when I was going to do a shortened commute so it would have been nice.

Mlogicom

Always got on well with the Topeaks, upgraded to a Tunis on my tourer, their guarantee is wonderful!

WonderMonkey

I'm paraphrasing the below. It was long and drawn out and very frustrating. It was almost "Would you like some water?" "Sorry sir, I don't like flying in planes." And so forth.

"You can return it, follow the directions sent ..."
"I did and none of the six locations I went too can handle the size of my package" <-- Snicker

"OK I've ordered a replacement, keep the old one. go look at your orders"
"That's the wrong product"
"Thanks! Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

Wash, rinse a repeat a few times, with corrects and "I don't understand, sorry..." here and there... You can return it, sorry wrong thing, please check oh sorry not that item, I thought, etc.

Finally ...
"Oh that product can't be sent an automatic replacement you will have to send the product back, follow the directions ...."
"**Response removed for decency**"

"OK I will arrange for pickup from your home...."

"Waaaiiiiiitttttt a minute, I could have had this picked up from my house?"

" more stuff ..."

AstroEng

I have two MTX Explorer racks - one disc, one regular. The only issue I have is that they barely allow clearance for fenders. Maybe it's my bikes? I don't think so.

I didn't use any MTX accessories for a long time, then my wife bought me the basket. I use it on quick runs to the grocery store. It's quite convenient to shop with.

Papa Tom

I'm not sure WonderMonkey mentioned fenders, but I agree that the rack is set kind of close to the wheel. For your own info, I have seen extenders that enable you to mount the rack substantially higher, leaving room for your fenders.

MotoMark

I’m a big fan of the Tubus racks, I have a Logo Evo on my ANT and I had a Fly Evo on my previous Bianchi.

It’s probably overkill for what I carry but I know if I really have to load it up the rack will be up to the task.

Papa Tom

WonderMonkey: Sorry you are having so much trouble with your vendor. Amazon would have bent over backwards to fix the issue.

Still, when this is all over and forgotten, you won't be sorry for having chosen the Topeak system

alan s 

Online gear that comes damaged is outrageous. Trying to pass on a problem to you. Even reputable companies are doing it. I ordered some cycling bibs from Performance Bike and they came with the original tags removed, which raised my suspicions. Sure enough, the pad was stained with bodily fluids. Someone obviously returned them used and soiled.

WonderMonkey

I've not thought about fenders just yet. When I do, no doubt it will be a massive effort in research, buying, them not working, me throwing them across the road, going to get them, and then just not using any.

WonderMonkey

This WAS Amazon! Normally things go very well, but not this time. I take it as the exception. Generally, I am VERY pleased with Amazon.