Month: April 2008

City Bikes was my second stop last Tuesday (4/8) after the Bike Rack did not have the Swobo in stock.  I test rode a Jamis Commuter 4.0  I unfortunately was there just before closing time and did not have any time to really look around. I went back on Wednesday (4/9) and after test riding a Jamis Coda Elite, and not liking the riding position, I opted for the upright Commuter 4.0.  My decision was based on the internal 8 speed hub and disk brakes.  I did not like the color, not the fact that it had a de-railer on the front.  While it gave it 16 gears, I had many a derailment as a kid.  While I felt like a old man on a cruiser, I enjoyed the seating position and purchased the bike.  City Bikes has a 30 day return policy and since I had derailment this past week and did not like the color or the style of riding, may be returning the bike for a Coda Elite or the Giant FCR 1.  If I don’t like the riding style of the others, I may switch to the 8 speed Jamis Commuter 3.0 as it is $300 less.  While it does not have disk brakes, it is a more neutral color and since it does not have a de-railer, should not drop the chain at all!  While I considered riding to work all the time, I decided not to when it rained and therefore the fenders were no longer a requirement.  While I like the look and the benefits such as braking power, ability to stop in rain, and use when wheels are out of alignment, I dropped my disk brake requirement.  Now I am looking for a lightweight bike.  The Commuter 4.0 is 30.5 pounds.  What would be great is that the bike have the option for disk brakes, but that is something that must be part of the bike frame and those that don’t come with them have not had the mounts necessary to attach the Avid Juicy’s I like.  Perhaps if I become an avid biker, I can pick up a true mountain bike with shocks and disk brakes where they really are useful.  

While I was looking around the Bike Rack for a few hours on Tuesday, I asked Wayne in his opinion, for my needs, commuting and occasional joy rides, which bike under $1000 was the best.  He told me the Giant OCR 2.  They did not have one in my size to test ride at that time and I got into a discussion with another gentleman at the store.  I believe he was the owner, but not sure.  Since I disliked the “Ram Horn” style of handlebars he suggested the FCR 1.  Weighing in at 21 pounds with an Aluminum frame and Composite fork and seat post, I seriously am considering it.  I came back tonight and they had a OCR 3 for me to test ride in my size.  It was very light and moved very well.  I had a very difficult time with the shifting however.  I had never ridden a road bike before and I found myself holding the handlebars between the 2 positions.  The shifting was really cool, but hard for me to figure out.  Pushing the brake handle increased the gear and a small lever decreased the gears.  I am sure it is very convenient and intuitive for a road bike rider, but for a mountain bike rider, it was very difficult.  I think the worst part was that it was in high gear to begin with.  They have an FCR 1 in a box and are going to build it up tomorrow for me to test ride, and likely buy on Saturday.  I am hoping it is still there 🙂

So…I decided not to go to the local Wal-Mart to get a bike this time.  I no longer picked a bike based on it’s color as I had several years ago when I got my yellow Huffy mountain bike.  I checked out two local shops.  The Bike Rack between 14th and 15th on Q St NW since it was so close to me.  It was very small and did not have the bike I was looking to buy with a similar one on order from the factory.  I was looking at the Swobo Dixon.  Yesterday I was finally able to test ride the Otis.  I was soooo disappointed in the quality and ride.  I envisioned the bike to be larger and the twist shifter felt very cheap 🙁  I spent about 3 hours there and test road a Giant Suede, and a Giant Transcend.  The Suede was very heavy, but had a “coolness” factor with plastic chrome hub caps and an automatic shifting 3 speed Shimano Coasting system.  The first one I rode did not shift.  I was told it was likely not assembled properly, but anything that requires electrical power to change gears makes me skeptical about the durability.   The Transcend was cool as well.  I liked the color and the rear rack was actually fashionable in my book.  It was quite heavy as well, and while nice, did not capture my attention at all.  I had my eyes on Carbon Fiber 🙂