Commuto-x bike

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i need a camera

It may well be very practical James, but it's also a bit of a looker.

Probably even more so when in focus ;-)

Maybe just get an iphone 4.

So now you've ridden it for a bit what are your impressions and thoughts? Any niggles or areas of improvement?

It's amazing you've made a great bike look a bit naff, there isn't a single point in any of those photos that's actually in focus!

Maybe just get an iphone 4.

So now you've ridden it for a bit what are your impressions and thoughts? Any niggles or areas of improvement?

really comfortable, feels like fast tank, or the cycling equivalent to one of those 4x4 cars with a ridiculous engine

the brakes are ridiculous, since I have been riding it I am going faster in town because i can stop more quickly. did not expect to be going at greater velocity than on the much lighter fixie skid bike but clearly i ride within my stopping ability

the bike handles amazingly well when not laden, but feels a little sluggish at the rear when the bags are full. can probably increase the pressure in the rear tyre to compensate, if not I may look to putting on a longer stem and shifting my fit triangle a little bit further forwards and down, to move my weight further over the front wheel this will also then enable the bags to come a little bit further forward without clipping my heel and thus bringing the weight in the panniers a fraction further towards the middle of the bike too. will wait and see how i feel in a few weeks before doing this as generally i really like the position as it is dialled in right now.

it feels a little over geared but for getting around town this is not a problem, would have to rethink the gearing for proper touring or off road use. part of this is also the big tyres increase the GI (the bike has a pretty similar gearing to my road bike)

Looks great can I have one? You build I ll pay.

Have been rolling.with panniers since being.back.on bike after smash, find they do slow you off normal start speed, but you get used to rolling at usual speed after short time.

Pretty speccy bike for work that! Enjoy.

You can shift them ortliebs right back on the rack by changing the set up pretty easy, keep feet away from them.

would happily put one together for you. teaching in schools starts tomorrow, so will be laden with spare parts etc and paperwork

the ortliebs are shifted quite far back so are clear of my heels, but am just wondering about moving my mass and the panniers a little forwards so as to have a little less on the rear wheel.

the ortlieb bags are fucking awesome, and the tubus rack is pretty nice too (fuck i feel the onset of middle age getting excited about racks and panniers)

Haha.kids on playgrounds keep us young.
You know sardines? Big circle, rules are keep riding, any feet down, touching.cones and rider is out.instructor keeps gradually making.circle.smaller, until last couple of.kids are virtually track standing.for.the win.
Great game, anyway, play same game with adults-but its called Sumo-youre allowed to push people off.with hands.

Mid january eh? Hmm. Thankyou for offer I've got to clear my yoga accreditation by may though.plan.

How are you finding your brakes in comparison to the ones on my bike James?

pisumo? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwNlHNFIBOI

yep, we have used a similar game for kids (but no contact allowed or straight out)

i also like the emergency stop race - winner is the first to stop with their front wheel on the finishing line - go over and you are out of the race

not wishing to be cynical but hope your compensation may help cover the costs of the bike build

@ dammit

the brakes are similarly awesome, the nokon has made the action much less grainy

am trying to remember were you also on 160 140 rotors?

how are you getting on with the noodles now?

160/160.

Noodles do make it a bit smoother, but I still want a bit more initial bite.

i like the modulation, dial yours in so there is less play before the pads hit the rotor, or even change to a softer compound

to be honest i have locked up the wheels a couple of times, so feel there is more than enough stopping power on 160 140.

It's just a preference thing- I like very strong initially bite and then plenty of modulation.

The brakes have got all the power in the world, I just want more of it at the start!

I will be going for 160/140 on my road ss.

OT, does any of you guys have a black nokon for sale? not too long, most of the brake cable will be inside the frame

it feels a little over geared but for getting around town this is not a problem, would have to rethink the gearing for proper touring or off road use. part of this is also the big tyres increase the GI (the bike has a pretty similar gearing to my road bike)

I laughed at my bike having both a triple up front and a giant megarange cassette. But on a bike on which you are going to carry anything, spin ftw. In the even of a slight gradient+grass+something in the pannier you will be crying for lower gears.

Nice to see the beast in the metal and have a chat yesterday James.

fuck

had a puncture (luckily it had gone flat at home) getting the tyre bead to unlock from the rim was not an easy task. had to put the handle of a chaiwhip up agains the edge of the tyre and a mallet to knock the bead out

not quite sure how i could manage this as a roadside repair

I find the best solution is to push the bead into the centre of the rims (on the spoke hole), and then try and take out one end to removed it.

If you take them out while the bead is infused onto the wall, prepare for unforeseeable consequence.

I have an impossible time trying to fit my tyres to the NoTube rims as there's almost no wall depth inside, tried that solution above and it's piss easy with just hand.

prepare for unforeseeable consequence

Sorry ed, but I want this as a t shirt!

getting the tyre bead to unlock from the rim was not an easy task. had to put the handle of a chaiwhip up agains the edge of the tyre and a mallet to knock the bead out

you sir, are weak, next time ask a passing toddler to help.

Stans rims have a tighter bead lock than usual rims, I was surprised at how much force was required to release the tyre.

Not anymore if you do this;

I find the best solution is to push the bead into the centre of the rims (on the spoke hole), and then try and take out one end to removed it.

Went from using a motorcycle tyre lever to thumb.