Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Priority 600 (pinion gearbox)

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Priority 600 (pinion gearbox)

Old 09-23-19, 03:38 PM
  #76  
Archwhorides 
Senior Member
 
Archwhorides's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927

Bikes: Death machines all

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 63 Posts
Originally Posted by General Geoff
Archwhorides, shoot me a PM when you're ready to sell. I could make a road trip up to Boston and pick it up in person.
Hard to imagine such a plan could work out.
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Archwhorides is offline  
Likes For Archwhorides:
Old 10-26-19, 11:18 AM
  #77  
Archwhorides 
Senior Member
 
Archwhorides's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927

Bikes: Death machines all

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 63 Posts
Originally Posted by JonathanGennick
I'm optimistic that choices will improve in the future. I'm seeing 650b tires on so many bike models these days. My hope is that eventually some aftermarket brand will put out a correspondingly sized studded tire. A Gravdal in 650b x 47 mm would make my day. For now, I agree with you and Dave on the A10s.
NEWS FLASH: 45nrth now has a Gravdal 650b x 38mm tire: https://45nrth.com/products/gravdal_650
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Archwhorides is offline  
Old 10-26-19, 04:47 PM
  #78  
JonathanGennick 
Senior Member
 
JonathanGennick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131

Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 37 Posts
Originally Posted by Archwhorides
NEWS FLASH: 45nrth now has a Gravdal 650b x 38mm tire: https://45nrth.com/products/gravdal_650
Not wide enough. Where's the 47 mm model for bikes like the Kona Dew, the Raleigh Redux, and the Priority 600?

I'll try a set, but I sure do wish that 45NRTH had also released a 650b x 47 mm version.

They did release a 27.5 x 2.1 Kahva. I'll be checking a set of those as well. Maybe I can finesse them in somehow.
JonathanGennick is offline  
Likes For JonathanGennick:
Old 11-04-19, 01:40 PM
  #79  
Magnum PI
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hilo Hawaii
Posts: 76

Bikes: Landshark, Kestrel Ironman, Giant Defy, Redline 925er, Orbea team Euskatel, AMP B2, Landshark e-Tandem, and, well you get the idea.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 17 Posts
Just curious, will 26 x 1.75 tubes fit the 650B x 47 tires?
Magnum PI is offline  
Old 11-05-19, 08:19 AM
  #80  
JonathanGennick 
Senior Member
 
JonathanGennick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131

Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 37 Posts
Originally Posted by Magnum PI
Just curious, will 26 x 1.75 tubes fit the 650B x 47 tires?
I wouldn't be afraid to stretch them to fit if they were all I had laying around. I've put 26er tubes onto 29er wheels and had it work. Normally I prefer something sized to match the wheel and the tire.
JonathanGennick is offline  
Old 08-21-20, 12:49 PM
  #81  
secutanudu
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
For anyone who has the Priority 600 - how annoying is the loud sound from the rear wheel when coasting?
secutanudu is offline  
Old 08-24-20, 06:35 AM
  #82  
JonathanGennick 
Senior Member
 
JonathanGennick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131

Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 37 Posts
Originally Posted by secutanudu
For anyone who has the Priority 600 - how annoying is the loud sound from the rear wheel when coasting?
Adding a layer of grease to the inside of the hub where the pawls live will quiet things down a bit.
JonathanGennick is offline  
Old 08-24-20, 08:44 AM
  #83  
secutanudu
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JonathanGennick
Adding a layer of grease to the inside of the hub where the pawls live will quiet things down a bit.
Yup - priority actually wrote me back (I had emailed them) with a video showing how to do just that. Thanks!
secutanudu is offline  
Old 09-02-20, 03:00 PM
  #84  
LittleG
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 4

Bikes: Orbea Starsip Columbus-2003, Parlee Altum-2016, Priority 600-2020

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I just ordered mine. I am so looking forward to riding it. It will be my commuter/touring/gravel bike.

I plan to ride the Trans Virginia Trail with it.
LittleG is offline  
Old 09-02-20, 07:57 PM
  #85  
secutanudu
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LittleG
I just ordered mine. I am so looking forward to riding it. It will be my commuter/touring/gravel bike.

I plan to ride the Trans Virginia Trail with it.

I just got mine this week. It’s awesome! Already getting used to the shifting.
secutanudu is offline  
Old 09-08-20, 09:15 AM
  #86  
LittleG
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 4

Bikes: Orbea Starsip Columbus-2003, Parlee Altum-2016, Priority 600-2020

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The Priority 600 that I ordered arrived yesterday (Labor Day). I was so excited that I started the assembly right away, but after installing the handlebars, front wheel, and seat, I noticed that the bicycle was big and high when I straddled it. They shipped a Large (21"), which is the wrong size. I specifically ordered a Medium (19"). Needless to say, I had to disassemble and repack the bike into the box that it came in. I was so disappointed.

One thing I can say about Priority Bicycles, their customer service is excellent. I texted and emailed them about the situation and they responded the same day, which I was not expecting since it was Labor Day.

So, they are shipping a replacement. Let's hope it is the correct size.
LittleG is offline  
Old 11-06-20, 03:59 AM
  #87  
lavalamp
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
love the tout terrain, steel frame, pinion gearbox, built in rack. i asked priority if they would consider making a steel frame-it would be very popular
lavalamp is offline  
Old 11-08-20, 07:11 PM
  #88  
Payton1221
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Hill Country ;-)
Posts: 124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Any idea how it compares from an efficiency standpoint to a chain and sprocket drivetrain or from a Nexus drive? I have their bike with the Nexus which is an awesome, simple, versatile setup but it is noticeably less efficient than a bike with a regular chain and sprocket drivetrain.
Payton1221 is offline  
Old 11-09-20, 12:16 PM
  #89  
Archwhorides 
Senior Member
 
Archwhorides's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927

Bikes: Death machines all

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 63 Posts
I have had several bikes with Alfine hubs and the Pinion seems similar in efficiency (which is a tiny little bit less than a conventional derailleur drive). In extremely cold weather below 15F that factor may increase a little bit in my experience, although I suppose a thinner lubricant in the IGH could resolve.
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Archwhorides is offline  
Old 01-27-21, 08:04 AM
  #90  
seinberg 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: NYC
Posts: 59

Bikes: Checkpoint SL7, Tarmac SL7, Trek Top Fuel, Trek Farley, Priority 600

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
BTW, have you folks tried doing anything to make the Priority 600 a bit, well, less sluggish? I've been using it as a commuter for a bit after a summer of working-from-home and riding a road bike recreationally and now I find the Priority a bore to ride, sadly. It's heavy, unresponsive, and just feels like a lumbering tank. Of course, that's kinda what it's meant to be, but I've been considering removing the fenders & rack and replacing with more lightweight alternatives, and possibly replacing the wheels with 700c and thinner tires. Drop bars would be an even nicer thing to add, but that would look a bit franken-monster with the twist shifter on it Anyway, curious for your thoughts on all this and if you have examples. The other alternative is to sell the Priority and buy a gravel bike -- Checkpoint or Diverge, for example.
seinberg is offline  
Old 01-27-21, 08:34 AM
  #91  
alloo
Full Member
 
alloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 490

Bikes: 2022 Priority Coast, 2022 Priority Current

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times in 99 Posts
Just so you know you can also purchase Priority bicycles from Costco if you have a membership. I haven't seen them in stores just on the website. https://www.costco.com/priority-bicy...100662675.html Ryan Van Duzer also has used his priority bike on long treks across the country.


I hope this helps you to get your dream bike.
alloo is offline  
Likes For alloo:
Old 07-11-21, 01:34 AM
  #92  
jcl123
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Would you recommend it?

Hello, I was searching around for first-hand experiences with the Priority 600, and this thread seems to have the most current or former owners.

So, having owned your 600 for awhile now, would you recommend it?

I was a year-round bike commuter into Boston (hey Archwhorides, I am also in Arlington), about 8 miles each-way and even in the winter if the snow is not too deep. But, after CV19 I am working from home permanently, and I sold my old Frankenstein Gary Fisher. So now I want to get something just for exercise and cruising around with the family, but I am still going to appreciate a good bike.

I have wanted to go belt drive for years as I would go through a chain and cassette every year.
I was considering the $1,800 Montague Allston (with an Alphine 11), but since I don't commute anymore I don't really need a folder.
The local bike shop has very few belt drive bikes, they recommended a $1,500 BMC Alpenchallenge One (Alphine 8), saying it is much better than the Allston, but.....of course they don't have any and don't know when they will. So, this led me to the Priority bikes.... I would probably be happy with the Alphine 11 if I could find one for sale with a belt drive anywhere, but I have read allot about the Pinion and Rohloff hubs.

The 600 is very attractively priced, so much so that I fear that they are sacrificing other things to make it affordable. It does have all the commuter trimmings, and hydraulic brakes.
That being said, I don't mind upgrading parts over time, the only thing original on my Gary Fisher after 12 years was the frame. So as long as the frame is good I am OK, I actually kept my titanium handlebars because they were too expensive to sell with the bike.

If you go this route you are committed because of the custom frame. By that I mean if I were to get an Alphine or even an Eviolo, I could change it out to a Rohloff later (although they aren't perfect either).

Thoughts? If I ordered a 600, it looks like I might be able to get one some time in August. Not great, but maybe it is worth the wait?

Thanks

-JCL
jcl123 is offline  
Old 07-11-21, 06:33 AM
  #93  
seinberg 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: NYC
Posts: 59

Bikes: Checkpoint SL7, Tarmac SL7, Trek Top Fuel, Trek Farley, Priority 600

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
It's a nice bike. Some components are lower end as you say, probably to save money to keep overall cost down on a Pinion drive. Like the fenders are pretty flimsy and rattle around a bit. Many people have experienced the wheels going out of true and broken spokes very early in ownership (I'm one of them and the Priority FB group has many others). Still, where it counts in the drivetrain, it seems very solid. The brakes are ok - not great, but fine. The Pinion and belt have been bomb proof. I rode a lot in NYC this winter through all kinds of gunk - snow, slush, all very salty, and plenty of rain. The bike is dirty but completely unaffected. I think it's an incredible value. The frame seems fine - it's aluminum and a bit on the heavy side but nothing sticks out as bad about it. I've heard of no issues with it.

That all said, see my message above about it being a bit uninspired to ride. It's slow and steady and very planted, which I appreciate on a touring / commuter. But if you're used to a road or gravel bike, it may feel boring. It does to me. So I generally don't ride it very often anymore - mostly sits in our bike room waiting for really nasty days that I don't want to take the road on gravel bike out in.

Originally Posted by jcl123
Hello, I was searching around for first-hand experiences with the Priority 600, and this thread seems to have the most current or former owners.

So, having owned your 600 for awhile now, would you recommend it?

I was a year-round bike commuter into Boston (hey Archwhorides, I am also in Arlington), about 8 miles each-way and even in the winter if the snow is not too deep. But, after CV19 I am working from home permanently, and I sold my old Frankenstein Gary Fisher. So now I want to get something just for exercise and cruising around with the family, but I am still going to appreciate a good bike.

I have wanted to go belt drive for years as I would go through a chain and cassette every year.
I was considering the $1,800 Montague Allston (with an Alphine 11), but since I don't commute anymore I don't really need a folder.
The local bike shop has very few belt drive bikes, they recommended a $1,500 BMC Alpenchallenge One (Alphine 8), saying it is much better than the Allston, but.....of course they don't have any and don't know when they will. So, this led me to the Priority bikes.... I would probably be happy with the Alphine 11 if I could find one for sale with a belt drive anywhere, but I have read allot about the Pinion and Rohloff hubs.

The 600 is very attractively priced, so much so that I fear that they are sacrificing other things to make it affordable. It does have all the commuter trimmings, and hydraulic brakes.
That being said, I don't mind upgrading parts over time, the only thing original on my Gary Fisher after 12 years was the frame. So as long as the frame is good I am OK, I actually kept my titanium handlebars because they were too expensive to sell with the bike.

If you go this route you are committed because of the custom frame. By that I mean if I were to get an Alphine or even an Eviolo, I could change it out to a Rohloff later (although they aren't perfect either).

Thoughts? If I ordered a 600, it looks like I might be able to get one some time in August. Not great, but maybe it is worth the wait?

Thanks

-JCL
seinberg is offline  
Old 07-11-21, 10:05 AM
  #94  
jcl123
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Thanks very much for the reply.

Originally Posted by seinberg
It's a nice bike. Some components are lower end as you say, probably to save money to keep overall cost down on a Pinion drive. Like the fenders are pretty flimsy and rattle around a bit. Many people have experienced the wheels going out of true and broken spokes very early in ownership (I'm one of them and the Priority FB group has many others). Still, where it counts in the drivetrain, it seems very solid. The brakes are ok - not great, but fine. The Pinion and belt have been bomb proof. I rode a lot in NYC this winter through all kinds of gunk - snow, slush, all very salty, and plenty of rain. The bike is dirty but completely unaffected. I think it's an incredible value. The frame seems fine - it's aluminum and a bit on the heavy side but nothing sticks out as bad about it. I've heard of no issues with it.
This is helpful, and roughly what I was expecting / hoping. The original rims on my Gary Fisher lasted just six months, I was commuting through Somerville MA, which has potholes that are considered free parking, I still avoid driving there because it is like going off-road. The only solution really was to have custom wheels built that were double-walled and had twice as many spokes for about $250 each. The original brakes were the mechanical-disk type with one piston that pushed from only one side.... I upgraded them to dual-piston hydraulic (another $500) and it was night-and-day. The BMC bike that my local shop is recommending has just an Alphine 8, but even then at $1,500 total just how good can all the other components be? I think the only way I would be happy with everything on a bike from the start would be with a $5K custom titanium bike. And I would probably do that if I used a bike more often than I do.

Originally Posted by seinberg
That all said, see my message above about it being a bit uninspired to ride. It's slow and steady and very planted, which I appreciate on a touring / commuter. But if you're used to a road or gravel bike, it may feel boring. It does to me. So I generally don't ride it very often anymore - mostly sits in our bike room waiting for really nasty days that I don't want to take the road on gravel bike out in.
This is certainly more concerning, I think I know what you are talking about, but I don't know if there is much that can be done about it. I don't see racing bikes and similar using Pinion, it probably weighs more than their whole bike! Only on mountain and touring bikes. But, I wouldn't take a light racing bike commuting either. Priority themselves describe it as a hybrid/jack-of-all, and the tires are certainly big. I don't know if stripping it down to lighter components would fix that or not. On the plus side, if thinner tires would make this better (which I think it would make a noticeable difference) this would be easy to do not having the drive train in the wheel.

Without riding it I can't say if it would bother me, or if you just really prefer lightweight gazelle-like bikes compared to me. I think that is probably the case.... you say you have 5-6 other bikes and only take this one out in adverse conditions. On a clear sunny day it probably feels amazing (by comparison) to hop on a different bike that weighs 1/2-1/3 as much. This would be my only bike, I don't have storage for more than this plus the bikes for my kids and wife.

My wife is 5'2" and 100lbs soaking wet, and not a serious biker. I just bought her a Specialized Turbo Vado SL, it's an e-bike but the "SL" stands for super-light, you really wouldn't guess it was an e-bike at first glance. It only has a 30-mile range but that's way more than she needs, and I can lift it with one hand. I did this so she can turn up the assist and keep up with me, I am even hoping I will have to keep up with her. It took me close to a year to finally get my hands on one though and I finally pick it up this week.

Maybe an e-bike is the only way to get the best of both? I don't know. You could add one of those rear-hub e-bike retros onto the Priority 600, it would add allot of weight, but with that gear ratio it might completely fly. I am sure this is already endlessly debated on this forum and others.

Well, tell you what, if you are in NY, if you want to unload your Priority 600 I might be interested. My biggest issue right now is that I have no bike at all, and I am starting to wonder if I am going to find one before the summer is over. The bike shop says they don't think supplies will return to normal for a couple of years! They said I might be able to get the BMC bike they recommend in maybe a month or two, they get them sporadically.

Part of the reason I am still thinking of going forward with one even with your concerns is that it is still just $2,300.... my Gary Fisher was $1,100 stock about 15 years ago and I probably put at least $2,500 into it in upgrades over the years, not including replacing worn parts. It won't me my last bike for sure, and maybe with different wheels it might be exactly what I am looking for.

Very frustrating though....

-JCL
jcl123 is offline  
Likes For jcl123:
Old 07-11-21, 11:31 AM
  #95  
seinberg 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: NYC
Posts: 59

Bikes: Checkpoint SL7, Tarmac SL7, Trek Top Fuel, Trek Farley, Priority 600

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
Yeah, what you say about different riding styles may very well be true. There are a lot of very happy 600 riders on the Priority Facebook group. If you're not used to zipping around on a super light road/race bike then it probably won't make much of a difference to you. I did explore trying to lighten up the Priority but in the end decided it'd be easier to just get the gravel bike, which is now my primary commuter (except in really bad weather). I also do a bit of racing so really like the feel of a super fast bike.

The Specialized ebike will definitely have you playing catch up by the way, assuming she cranks up the assistance - they're shockingly powerful, especially up hills, so I think you'll enjoy the rides with your wife as you try to keep up

I'll let you know about selling the 600 Certainly not opposed to the idea given it mostly sits unused these days.

Originally Posted by jcl123
Thanks very much for the reply.


This is helpful, and roughly what I was expecting / hoping. The original rims on my Gary Fisher lasted just six months, I was commuting through Somerville MA, which has potholes that are considered free parking, I still avoid driving there because it is like going off-road. The only solution really was to have custom wheels built that were double-walled and had twice as many spokes for about $250 each. The original brakes were the mechanical-disk type with one piston that pushed from only one side.... I upgraded them to dual-piston hydraulic (another $500) and it was night-and-day. The BMC bike that my local shop is recommending has just an Alphine 8, but even then at $1,500 total just how good can all the other components be? I think the only way I would be happy with everything on a bike from the start would be with a $5K custom titanium bike. And I would probably do that if I used a bike more often than I do.


This is certainly more concerning, I think I know what you are talking about, but I don't know if there is much that can be done about it. I don't see racing bikes and similar using Pinion, it probably weighs more than their whole bike! Only on mountain and touring bikes. But, I wouldn't take a light racing bike commuting either. Priority themselves describe it as a hybrid/jack-of-all, and the tires are certainly big. I don't know if stripping it down to lighter components would fix that or not. On the plus side, if thinner tires would make this better (which I think it would make a noticeable difference) this would be easy to do not having the drive train in the wheel.

Without riding it I can't say if it would bother me, or if you just really prefer lightweight gazelle-like bikes compared to me. I think that is probably the case.... you say you have 5-6 other bikes and only take this one out in adverse conditions. On a clear sunny day it probably feels amazing (by comparison) to hop on a different bike that weighs 1/2-1/3 as much. This would be my only bike, I don't have storage for more than this plus the bikes for my kids and wife.

My wife is 5'2" and 100lbs soaking wet, and not a serious biker. I just bought her a Specialized Turbo Vado SL, it's an e-bike but the "SL" stands for super-light, you really wouldn't guess it was an e-bike at first glance. It only has a 30-mile range but that's way more than she needs, and I can lift it with one hand. I did this so she can turn up the assist and keep up with me, I am even hoping I will have to keep up with her. It took me close to a year to finally get my hands on one though and I finally pick it up this week.

Maybe an e-bike is the only way to get the best of both? I don't know. You could add one of those rear-hub e-bike retros onto the Priority 600, it would add allot of weight, but with that gear ratio it might completely fly. I am sure this is already endlessly debated on this forum and others.

Well, tell you what, if you are in NY, if you want to unload your Priority 600 I might be interested. My biggest issue right now is that I have no bike at all, and I am starting to wonder if I am going to find one before the summer is over. The bike shop says they don't think supplies will return to normal for a couple of years! They said I might be able to get the BMC bike they recommend in maybe a month or two, they get them sporadically.

Part of the reason I am still thinking of going forward with one even with your concerns is that it is still just $2,300.... my Gary Fisher was $1,100 stock about 15 years ago and I probably put at least $2,500 into it in upgrades over the years, not including replacing worn parts. It won't me my last bike for sure, and maybe with different wheels it might be exactly what I am looking for.

Very frustrating though....

-JCL
seinberg is offline  
Old 07-11-21, 07:16 PM
  #96  
donoharm
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Toronto
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Archwhorides
I pulled the trigger on the 600 today as my winter commuter (ordered 650b studded tires too, it gets icy around here). I'll be psyched to try out this ride, particularly as the thermometer drops.
Hello from Toronto. What is the widest tire that you can get on your 600? I'd like to put winter tires on one I'm thinking of buying when it starts to snow...

Last edited by donoharm; 07-11-21 at 07:34 PM.
donoharm is offline  
Old 07-12-21, 02:01 PM
  #97  
jcl123
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by seinberg
Yeah, what you say about different riding styles may very well be true. There are a lot of very happy 600 riders on the Priority Facebook group. If you're not used to zipping around on a super light road/race bike then it probably won't make much of a difference to you. I did explore trying to lighten up the Priority but in the end decided it'd be easier to just get the gravel bike, which is now my primary commuter (except in really bad weather). I also do a bit of racing so really like the feel of a super fast bike.
Yeah, since I am not commuting anymore, just fitness and rides out with the family, I would probably be OK.

Originally Posted by seinberg
The Specialized ebike will definitely have you playing catch up by the way, assuming she cranks up the assistance - they're shockingly powerful, especially up hills, so I think you'll enjoy the rides with your wife as you try to keep up
That's good to hear, I want her to be encouraged to ride.

Originally Posted by seinberg
I'll let you know about selling the 600 Certainly not opposed to the idea given it mostly sits unused these days.
Yes, let me know if you are serious about this soon, I could meet you half way or in CT somewhere.
I almost got a BMC Alpenchallenge w/Afine 8 IGH yesterday, but someone beat me to it by like an hour.
I have several bike shops keeping an eye out for me. So right now, I am debating if I should put in a reservation for a new 600 for August, or just say ^%$%! the belt and live with another chain drive so that I at least have a bike at all to ride with the family.

-JCL
jcl123 is offline  
Old 07-13-21, 05:01 PM
  #98  
Archwhorides 
Senior Member
 
Archwhorides's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927

Bikes: Death machines all

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 63 Posts
Originally Posted by donoharm
Hello from Toronto. What is the widest tire that you can get on your 600? I'd like to put winter tires on one I'm thinking of buying when it starts to snow...
My experience was that the WTB 650b x 47 Road Plus tires that come with the bike pretty much fill out the fork and fenders. The 45Nrth Gravdal studded 650b x 38mm leaves room to spare.

I noticed that Schwalbe is making a 650b x 2.25 Ice Spiker Pro studded, but that translates to a 57mm wide tire, which (I'm guessing) may have too much volume.

Also noticed that 45Nrth is making a new Kahva 27.5 x 2.1 studded, which translates to 53mm wide, which potentially could fit.

Priority is very helpful, they would probably worth checking with.
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde

Last edited by Archwhorides; 07-13-21 at 05:13 PM.
Archwhorides is offline  
Old 07-13-21, 05:39 PM
  #99  
Archwhorides 
Senior Member
 
Archwhorides's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927

Bikes: Death machines all

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 63 Posts
Greetings jcl123 !

The 600 is a great bike; I think the component compromises made for price-point were very smart.

Pluses:
  1. Pinion shifting
  2. Excellent cruiser - lower the 650b tire pressure and make those Somerville potholes disappear!
  3. Very stable, predictable ride
  4. Bombproof in all weather conditions.
Negatives:
  1. Heavier and more sluggish than it's urban hybrid brethren (=boring)
  2. I did have a few broken spokes before long - replaced them and re-tensioned the wheels; were fine ever-after.
I replaced the 600 with an e-bike, but I still have and ride my BMC Alpenchallenge 01 Alfine 8, now five years old, which has held up remarkably well through many harsh winters, and is still a buttload of fun to ride. Something to note is that the less expensive Alpenchallenge frames (One and Two) are quite different from the 01, which is lighter and more maneuverable. On the other hand, the One and Two both accommodate more conventional fenders, which addresses my biggest knock on the 01 (the extremely tight tire clearances and flimsy Curana fenders). I load up my panniers and broke many spokes on the BMC until I rebuilt the rear wheel with triple-butted Alpine III spokes.

Originally Posted by jcl123
Hello, I was searching around for first-hand experiences with the Priority 600, and this thread seems to have the most current or former owners.

So, having owned your 600 for awhile now, would you recommend it?

I was a year-round bike commuter into Boston (hey Archwhorides, I am also in Arlington), about 8 miles each-way and even in the winter if the snow is not too deep. But, after CV19 I am working from home permanently, and I sold my old Frankenstein Gary Fisher. So now I want to get something just for exercise and cruising around with the family, but I am still going to appreciate a good bike.

The local bike shop has very few belt drive bikes, they recommended a $1,500 BMC Alpenchallenge One (Alphine 8), saying it is much better than the Allston, but.....of course they don't have any and don't know when they will. So, this led me to the Priority bikes.... I would probably be happy with the Alphine 11 if I could find one for sale with a belt drive anywhere, but I have read allot about the Pinion and Rohloff hubs.

The 600 is very attractively priced, so much so that I fear that they are sacrificing other things to make it affordable. It does have all the commuter trimmings, and hydraulic brakes.
That being said, I don't mind upgrading parts over time, the only thing original on my Gary Fisher after 12 years was the frame. So as long as the frame is good I am OK, I actually kept my titanium handlebars because they were too expensive to sell with the bike.

If you go this route you are committed because of the custom frame. By that I mean if I were to get an Alphine or even an Eviolo, I could change it out to a Rohloff later (although they aren't perfect either).

Thoughts? If I ordered a 600, it looks like I might be able to get one some time in August. Not great, but maybe it is worth the wait?

Thanks

-JCL
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde

Last edited by Archwhorides; 07-13-21 at 05:46 PM.
Archwhorides is offline  
Old 07-13-21, 06:09 PM
  #100  
donoharm
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Toronto
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I just pulled the trigger on a Priority 600. I've never purchased something where I was cross shopping an item with others that cost 3 times the cost. Compared to every single other pinion gearbox bike out there it is such a good deal, my plan is to ride it and if I don't love it, get a custom (titanium?) frame made and gradually build my dream bike on the pinion/gates platform. In the meantime, I will definitely experiment with changing up the tires and ride this year round in Canada's winter.
donoharm is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.