spircix

Thank you! I agree, it is a great option, especially if you have snowy winters where plenty of tyre and fender clearance is essential.

ausfix

New bike day. Commutes begin next week.

Kedosto

Congrats on the new steed. Sometimes I think I shoulda' went with the Sequoia. I think I'd be happier with the geo than my AWOL. Warning about that seat -- my backside hated the fabric. Perhaps yours will do better.


-Kedosto

ausfix

Thanks.

Yeah, that pseudo-denim fabric doesn't inspire much confidence. I've got some other choices if need be.

emptym

I'd been using this Trek 850 for year-round commutes the past 25 years,


but this beauty from Nua Bikes is on the way:



Been dreaming about a bike like this for almost 25 years!

jimmie65

I'm drooling

noglider 

@emptym, that's really sharp. Is the frame stainless steel?

emptym

Thanks guys. Credit for the great pics (and bike of course), are due to the very talented maker, Roberto Aznar.

The frame and fork are titanium, which I'd been lusting after since the early 90s. The low maintenance belt drive and internal gear hub have also long been a dream. I still can't believe I'll be getting my dream bike after many years. Not sure I'm worthy!

skidder

Just curious, but how the heck do belt-drive bicycle manufacturers get the belt on there? do they weld the rear frame together after threading the belt through, or ??? IF anyone has the answer can you post it?

spircix

Look carefully at the lower part of the seatstay. If you look closely, you can see that it can be split and that on the inside there are screws that hold the seatstay together. That's how you get the belt in there.

bigbenaugust 

So you're getting rid of a Trek 850?

The replacement is a thing of beauty.

Skipjacks

What's the advantage of the belt drive / internal gearing?

Just low maintenance? Lower weight?

Looks like it'd be extremely easy to clean. Just pull the belt off and hose it off. No grease. No oil. No wax. Dirt gone.

RubeRad

I've seen systems also where the dropout is the split, and the axle bolts hold it all together.

RubeRad

Low maintenance yes, but higher weight. Already IGH with a chain is lower maintenance, and with a belt you don't even need to worry about lubing the chain or keeping it clean. Also with an IGH the chain or belt is on a completely fixed track, so it is easy to add a chaincase for even more cleanliness (for your pants, and for the drivetrain). Although if I had a belt drive, I'd want to show it off -- especially if it is as beautiful as this example!

Zephri

My Masi commuter set up for winter.

emptym

Yep, and I think there might be other possible ways.

Thanks! I think I may keep the Trek. Tough to part with after all these years. But maybe!

Definitely low maintenance and general cleanliness. I think you wouldn't even need to take the belt off to clean it with a hose. The weight issue is debated on the internet a lot. Certainly a belt weighs less than a chain. Supposedly the two gears and belt weigh less than a chain alone. But the internal geared hub itself is pretty heavy, so often an IGH, belt, and two gears/sprockets weigh more than a chain system with rear cassette, front gears, derailers, and chain.

@RubeRad, if you know of a good case/guard for a belt drive, I'd like to know of one. Trek and Spot Bikes come with them, but I haven't seen an aftermarket one.

RubeRad

I don't know of anything specific, I would have thought that any chain case would also work for a belt

spircix

Such a beauty. I would never ride something like that in the winter in the city. I would use it as a winter touring bike or something like that. I wouldn't want to subject such a beautiful bike to road grit and salt.

boonie

my new set up with electric assist.

emptym

Thanks. That makes sense. I never had one on a chain bike. Usually use an old Nathan reflective cuff or wind/rain pants. But sometimes I think a case would be nice.

robertorolfo

Thank god they make a variety of bikes for a variety of tastes.

aplcr0331

My commuter is on the trainer. Been there since November, will be there until mid-March. Depressing.

davei1980

2011(? ish?) Specialized Langster
Shimano 105 Groupset
Araya rims
Nashbar 700x28C tires
Cinelli Bars/Stem
SRAM super cork wrap
Origin8 Saddle
HKK chain
Cane Creek Headset
42Tx17T drivetrain

Phamilton

I bought this '88 Fuji Sagres SP last fall for $50 to scavenge parts for my other commuter, an early '80's Raleigh Marathon.

The photos don't do it justice, but the color is a really nice teal, similar to Bianchi's Celeste (which I happen to like). It had been calling to me from the corner of the garage for a while ...

I got bored a few weeks ago and threw it together and not only does it fit a little better than the Raleigh, it's a nicer bike to boot.

The old-school straight seatpost is going to have to go, it's either 4 degrees nose down or 6 degrees nose up. I can't understand how anybody could ever use one, or why they were ever made without a detent at a flat saddle position.

I want to install some 28mm tires, 32s won't clear the fenders and I had some 25s in the garage to get it going. Niagara Cycle has skinwall Paselas in 28mm for $18/ea right now, but only in that size/color. Weird. I've been wanting to try Paselas so I think I'll order a pair. Can't beat that price.

If it works out and I decide to keep it, I may dress it up with purple cable housings and bar tape to match the logos. While I haven't used it for my commute yet, I've put about 50 miles total on it and it rides/shifts/brakes very nicely.

noglider 

@Phamilton, your saddle's rails are not parallel to the top surface. That's OK, and there is no standard angle. That explains why it doesn't work for you, but the seatpost would work with other saddles.