Commuter Options - Beef up current bike, second bike, new bike, ebike?
#26
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It has a 32 cassette which was at or near the limit of that model RD. That’s limited by the upper pulley location. But it has a lot more chain wrap available from the extra long cage, so that enables the smaller ring in front.
As for value, Surly occupies a niche. At a given price point, comparing to other bikes, you will find that they have a frame with more features, but components that you might kindly describe as durable. Within their niche they're also making themselves some pricing power with their expletive-laden iconoclastic marketing.
As for value, Surly occupies a niche. At a given price point, comparing to other bikes, you will find that they have a frame with more features, but components that you might kindly describe as durable. Within their niche they're also making themselves some pricing power with their expletive-laden iconoclastic marketing.
The NA market can be much more sloppy as the capital floats around like a breeze. The money is disposable there whereas here it is not.
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Our supermarket war is in the past. I was bagging groceries in the early 90's when we had quadruple coupon days. NEVER AGAIN
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#28
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Then they must not have had any value
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Genesis 49:16-17
#30
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And I wouldn't think american baggers would deal with coupons, but I guess the point is a quadruple coupon day would bring in hordes of shoppers and make it very busy for baggers and checkers alike.
Are there coupons in Germany? I had an Austrian friend in grad school who I remember used to pronounce coupon in french: "coupoh"
Are there coupons in Germany? I had an Austrian friend in grad school who I remember used to pronounce coupon in french: "coupoh"
#31
Banned
Yes. And that "savings" was passed to the consumer.
Same with bikes.
Honestly, the cassette is the cheapest option.
If I was the OP, I would show up with the cassette I indicated (and a crate of beer) and pay the techs to make it work from the bike and the parts bin at the shop. Should be easy enough. I do the same with my turboGolf and it pays dividends.
Over here, people fight hand over fist to prove their better, just give them the chance.
Same with bikes.
Honestly, the cassette is the cheapest option.
If I was the OP, I would show up with the cassette I indicated (and a crate of beer) and pay the techs to make it work from the bike and the parts bin at the shop. Should be easy enough. I do the same with my turboGolf and it pays dividends.
Over here, people fight hand over fist to prove their better, just give them the chance.
#32
Senior Member
Maybe. I guess the EU market is tighter, as in restricted capital (have you even seen a German supermarket market battle?) and if it doesn't exist here it's not good value for money.
The NA market can be much more sloppy as the capital floats around like a breeze. The money is disposable there whereas here it is not.
The NA market can be much more sloppy as the capital floats around like a breeze. The money is disposable there whereas here it is not.
#33
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#34
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You questioned the Acidfast. I don't know if you should be scared, but I am a little
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#37
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Well. It seems this thread is bound to be closed so this is my last post here.
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What you don't mention is how far is your commute or how long does it currently take to commute from your new house. You mention that no bike is in your price range. I see lots of clearance sales in Denver. I would suggest going to your LBS and test riding a Mid Drive Motored Ebikes? What I would look at is charging time? Do you want a class 1/Class 2/ or Class 3 ebike? Class 1/2 goes about 20 MPH while Class 3 goes about 28 MPH? How long does it take to commute now?
I commute on my Electra Townie 21d every other day. It takes me 60 mins to work and 80 mins home. I like my cruiser style. I recently bought a Class 1 bike, I just want to ease my load going home as it is a gradual incline and head winds. I hope to cut my commute times with the ebike. I purchased a Raleigh Retroglide ie new for $1200. We will see how it goes? Good luck, 700 mm tires does well in the snow.
I commute on my Electra Townie 21d every other day. It takes me 60 mins to work and 80 mins home. I like my cruiser style. I recently bought a Class 1 bike, I just want to ease my load going home as it is a gradual incline and head winds. I hope to cut my commute times with the ebike. I purchased a Raleigh Retroglide ie new for $1200. We will see how it goes? Good luck, 700 mm tires does well in the snow.
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thx for getting us back on track alloo
OP, I'm interested to hear how you plan to move forward
OP, I'm interested to hear how you plan to move forward
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Priority 600 12 speed pinion has an awesome gear range, 48mm tires, discs, and is virtually maintenance free. (Not light and fast however). Used e-bike?
#43
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I'm not sure about when the kids on the back, but have you tried getting out of the saddle to attack the hill. I have a couple of hills on the way to work. I leave the back gear in 3rd or 4th and sometimes shift into the large ring up front, get out of the saddle and mash up the hill. It has done wonders for my fitness. Before then I would just get in the small gear and sit and spin. For winter get studded tires. Also be willing to give it up if it gets to bad. I made it till February in northern Indiana before there was too much snow to bike any more. It just wasn't safe. If you like your bike, I would just try different gearing.
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Twist my arm! Although my husband thinks you only need one bike but he only does one thing with his bike and he’s never commuted (he is a pretty phobic road rider and would rather stick to simple doubletrack, gravel, and paved paths).
I’m wondering if I don’t overhaul the Surly and save for a fat tire bike that only comes out in winter when I have no plans to haul a kid or groceries.
I’m wondering if I don’t overhaul the Surly and save for a fat tire bike that only comes out in winter when I have no plans to haul a kid or groceries.
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My oldest kid loved the bike seat at age 2 but during age 3 he got leery of it. He's 5 this Saturday and still not eager to go fast downhill either on his own bike or the tandem. I think this is unusual but a near-tip-over put a scare into him
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Genesis 49:16-17
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#46
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Hi all! Wow. Lots to digest here but I thank you for all of it.
I still haven't found an ebike in my price range that will fit someone my height for the long haul.
To answer the question about commute length, it's about 10 miles RT. Most of that is actually on a trail. The problem is the 8% grade for the last 1/4 mile of my commute.
I am definitely going to upgrade the cassette. LBS said it's a pretty simple switch. I talked to the surly dealer first. Should not be cost prohibitive. I'm also going to add fenders at that point.
My decision about what to do in winter is I need to find a small MTB, I think, and add studded tires. I'm keeping a look out on our local swap groups. So far, nothing. Going to add studded tires on that sucker for bad weather days.
Husband has a top-of-the-line Scott. He got it used for a song (it's like 3k bike that he got for 900 bucks almost brand new because I knew it had been sitting at the LBS for 3 months and they wanted it gone). I guess maybe they had trouble moving the huge frame? Not sure. It's been good to him. But he doesn't do that much other than recreational riding.
I still haven't found an ebike in my price range that will fit someone my height for the long haul.
To answer the question about commute length, it's about 10 miles RT. Most of that is actually on a trail. The problem is the 8% grade for the last 1/4 mile of my commute.
I am definitely going to upgrade the cassette. LBS said it's a pretty simple switch. I talked to the surly dealer first. Should not be cost prohibitive. I'm also going to add fenders at that point.
My decision about what to do in winter is I need to find a small MTB, I think, and add studded tires. I'm keeping a look out on our local swap groups. So far, nothing. Going to add studded tires on that sucker for bad weather days.
Husband has a top-of-the-line Scott. He got it used for a song (it's like 3k bike that he got for 900 bucks almost brand new because I knew it had been sitting at the LBS for 3 months and they wanted it gone). I guess maybe they had trouble moving the huge frame? Not sure. It's been good to him. But he doesn't do that much other than recreational riding.
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#47
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There's a BF user that used to be around here, @Sixty-fiver, haven't seen him in a while. I saw once on his website a tutorial for DIY'ing a studded tire by poking lots of small screws through a regular tire. Now that I look for it again though, the website seems to be defunct
#48
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Hi all! Wow. Lots to digest here but I thank you for all of it.
I still haven't found an ebike in my price range that will fit someone my height for the long haul.
To answer the question about commute length, it's about 10 miles RT. Most of that is actually on a trail. The problem is the 8% grade for the last 1/4 mile of my commute.
I am definitely going to upgrade the cassette. LBS said it's a pretty simple switch. I talked to the surly dealer first. Should not be cost prohibitive. I'm also going to add fenders at that point.
I still haven't found an ebike in my price range that will fit someone my height for the long haul.
To answer the question about commute length, it's about 10 miles RT. Most of that is actually on a trail. The problem is the 8% grade for the last 1/4 mile of my commute.
I am definitely going to upgrade the cassette. LBS said it's a pretty simple switch. I talked to the surly dealer first. Should not be cost prohibitive. I'm also going to add fenders at that point.
My suggestion would be to get the biggest battery you could afford, hers is a 17 ah and we have been on 40 mile rides through mountains no problem. She can pedal it relatively easy without using the motor and use the motor when she gets tired or there are hills. If I recall the fenders I put on were from old man mountain fabrication, you could outfit it with what ever accessories you desire to haul things, that is a surly rack if I remember right. I wish you luck on your decision and here we s a shot of her bike.
#49
Senior Member
E-BIKE!! Do it, you will not regret it :)
I vote get a purpose-built pedal-assist e-bike, something with a Bosch or Shimano STEPS mid- drive motor. I bought one by Ghost (sold at MEC in Canada, where I work, and at REI in the US), with a Bosch Performance Line CX motor, and it's the best decision I have made in ten years. I'm still riding, still active, but I'm not rage-quitting on the hills or collapsing in exhaustion halfway through my work week. My bike's name is Dory for her cheerful blue colour and for the way she lets me "just keep swimming".
I do recommend purpose-built over aftermarket e-bike conversions, because in the end you get a more reliable, safer, and more cost-effective vehicle, with better support for replacement parts, better service availability, and better battery life and safety. Bosch e-bike batteries have not had a SINGLE fire in the decade they have made them, and their current battery life is estimated at 8-10 years.
There are a LOT of pitfalls to e-bike conversions, starting with parts suppliers and going through things like frame tolerances, braking ability (you DO NOT want anything short of hydraulic disc brakes on an e-bike, IMO), battery life and safety, and service life. We won't even touch aftermarket conversions in my shop, as there are just too many ways for them to go badly wrong.
You will be able to find a full size range in purpose built e-bikes, as well as a good number of step through or "wave" ultra low step through frame designs - great for smaller riders, but also if you have a child seat on the back or a cargo rack.
I do recommend purpose-built over aftermarket e-bike conversions, because in the end you get a more reliable, safer, and more cost-effective vehicle, with better support for replacement parts, better service availability, and better battery life and safety. Bosch e-bike batteries have not had a SINGLE fire in the decade they have made them, and their current battery life is estimated at 8-10 years.
There are a LOT of pitfalls to e-bike conversions, starting with parts suppliers and going through things like frame tolerances, braking ability (you DO NOT want anything short of hydraulic disc brakes on an e-bike, IMO), battery life and safety, and service life. We won't even touch aftermarket conversions in my shop, as there are just too many ways for them to go badly wrong.
You will be able to find a full size range in purpose built e-bikes, as well as a good number of step through or "wave" ultra low step through frame designs - great for smaller riders, but also if you have a child seat on the back or a cargo rack.
#50
Senior Member
There's a BF user that used to be around here, @Sixty-fiver, haven't seen him in a while. I saw once on his website a tutorial for DIY'ing a studded tire by poking lots of small screws through a regular tire. Now that I look for it again though, the website seems to be defunct