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Written by Zach Magoon
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Tuesday, 04 December 2007 |
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Well I did it! I pulled the trigger on a new bike. Al and the gang at the shop dug an '07 Redline 925 out of the bowels of inventory and it happened to be just my size. Gravy. So far, I have a good 50 miles or so on it and here are my initial thoughts.
It's the ideal commuting bike for me. The big selling point was the price. Retail I think is in the $550 range, but with my Bikeman discount, I was able to get it for less which was nice. The parts are pretty standard: Tektro road brake calipers and levers, FSA cranks, flip flop hubs, Welgo flat pedals (which I swapped out for Crank Brothers Smarty), Planet Bike fenders.
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It is taking me some time to get used to the moustache handle bars, mainly because there is really only one hand position. I like to switch up every now and then to release pressure on my hands, but with these things, there's no room to do so.
The ride is steel all the way. Smooth on the road and kind of a beating on the bumps. The fork is nice and stiff and there is very little flexing in the frame or fork even when standing. Which I tend to do on even the smallest hill. The gear ratio is perfect for the flats and I can get going about 14-16 mph, but the hills are a different story. There is no rest for the weary on the hills. You have to stand up and crank. But that's ok--it make for great winter strength training.
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A recent snowstorm has forced me to slap on the studded tires. I had to do some modifications yet again in order for them to fit. The front brake seems to work ok, but the rear one had to be removed. I figured once I go to fixie, this won't be as big of a concern, but for now it's a little unnerving to have just the front brake. Brakes freeze up quite a bit in the winter slush and ice, so it's nice to have two. I can live (hopefully) with just the front. I also had to get rid of the fenders, which is disappointing. My new rain pants from Patagonia will keep me dry. I'll reinstall the fenders in the Spring.
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Mary on the team has let me borrow her very nice Night Rider dual classic. I must say I like it very much. Hell, it holds a charge, which is more than I can say for mine. It does flicker a bit on the bumps, but I may just tighten it a bit more on the bars. I keep both lights on the whole ride home and a car actually flashed its light at me signaling to lower my beams--now that's a bike light! Suck it car.
Zm |
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