Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Because Lava Domes go for a fair whack second hand (according to the five seconds of googling I did) you might be able to achieve a similar effect with FBNPNA's favourite marmite bike the Cotic Roadrat?

FBNPNA? Forum Bike Nerds _ _ _ ?

Lusting just because it was a slow couple of days at work and I was dreaming about quitting, moving to the French countryside and what my imaginary utility bike would be to complement my imaginary gaudy aggressive late 90s alu roadie.

Lava Domes because I like the way the look, they're fairly decent, the tt in 16" works for me, and because they have plenty of braze-ons. You can still score some good deals on ebay (assuming pickup):

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This one is pretty sexy imo:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Kona-19-Lava-Dome-1996-Mountain-Bike-in-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-Collectors-Retro-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/PEkAAOxycERRj~sC/$(KGrHqFHJEwFFyUfy5QmBRj+sBTpuQ~~60_12.JPG

One more thing on this: is your choice of 1x9 vs. 2x9 directly related to the wheel size choices and if so, how? Genuine question.

1x9 was just related to the fact that the terrain isn't that hilly (I usually manage with an old SS) and I wouldn't be going fast so I thought 9 gears in a wide range would be enough. Especially if it was a more upright cruising and occasional halling bike. 2x9 was based on the idea of having a semi-compact double (something like 48t / 32t or 34t) and using it more for longer distance riding. For something like the Lava Dome which I reckon could take 650B 38mm tyres I wouldn't have thought you require much different gearing to a road bike. I haven't working out the difference in circumference, but from memory I thought a 700c 23mm was only a little bigger than a 650b in 38mm.

#csb