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Hi
After a few too many winters, the trusty commuting bike is getting replaced. My bike sits out in all weathers during the day having the lubricant washed off it then it's a quick ride home with the salted roads over winter. The salt water conditions destroys the front mechanism as it is rarely used so I'm going to have a bit of a change and try a lower maintenance Alfine 8. Who knows I may even put a chainguard on to give the chain a fighting chance of staying lubed for a few days.
The heart says "get the Cotic" they'll be fun. The Roadrat is just ahead between the two Cotic's in the head is up and the brakes are within easy grabbing reach compared to riding on the hoods of the Escapade...you know what commuting traffic is like! They both, on paper, seem to have a more "engaging" geometry.
The head says "get the Charge" it's cheaper and has an eccentric bottom bracket making puncture repair easier but is it a bit relaxed...is it a bit dull/safe?
My problem is nobody in easy travelling distance has either bike, it's impossible to go and sling a leg over either of them so I'm throwing it open to the Forum. Has anyone had a shot on either/both/all of them. What are the thoughts of the collective forum?
Any thoughts gratefully received.
Ian
No help on your question, but in the same situation so interested in responses. Take it your building yourself from frame?
Braking from hoods isnt an issue in traffic in my experience
Don't know if it is any good to you but have a snot green Cotic X frame with Hope headseat and carbon Kinesis forks for sale? If you check my forum history for ad and pics and email.
Hi DT78
I was going to use my employers cycle to work scheme so buying bits isn't an option.
I've been in contact with Cotic via email...I asked them very nicely if they would do an Escapade build with an Alfine. They were very accommodating, either putting a bar end shifter for a competitive price on OR if I source and supply to them the Versa VRS-8 drop bar shifter then they would use that in the build. This is tempting as it saves me the hassle of un-wrapping the bar tape at a later stage.
As you can guess my "heart" is winning at the present time.
That's really interesting re. C2W. My employer does it, but as I can't really find the bike I want I assumed I would have to build it myself.
Presume you are looking at the 8 speed alfine? I'm thinking the 11, whilst a bit more expensive, would be better range for winter training on road and fireroads.
I've seen your X scud. Very nice, but I believe it doesn't take mud guards which kind of rules it out for me for winter riding.
Yeah, the 8's the one for me. The Alfine 11 would kick it over the £1,000 limit my employer has set.
Scud: Your X is a nice bike but being a bit lanky of limb I need a large and the slot drop-out helps with the tensioning of the chain.
Braking from hoods isnt an issue in traffic in my experience
only looked because I wanted to hear opinions on the charge grater.....
....in traffic when sitting up especially when in a queue find cx style levers for me very useful
[url] http://www.merlincycles.com/tektro-rl721-cx-brake-levers-black-64255.html [/url] easy to retrofit downside is take up space for lights