After much deliberation, I decided on the Giant FCR 1. With an aluminum frame, v brakes, and a carbon fork and seat post, at 21.3 pounds, it was a better ride than the Jamis Coda Elite. While the Jamis weighed only 3.7 pounds more and had my favorite brand of disk brake, the steel frame did not seem to make the ride any smoother. In order to cut the weight I decided I could pass on the disk brakes and internal hub.
While I did get soaked without fenders, it takes me 14 minutes, as apposed to 18 to get to work. I can also see myself riding for fun more than just to work. I liked it so much I chose to ride in the rain to work the day after I purchased the bike!
I do want to say that City Bikes is a great place! They give everyone 30 days to try out their bike purchase and gave me no trouble when I returned it. I truly was not happy and their policy has made me very happy even though they don’t carry the Giant brand.
Today I signed up for Bike to Work Day…..now that I have a bike. I am looking forward to meeting so many more that bike to work as I do.
Oh… remember why I got a bike in the first place? Well, the bus route has changed quite a bit and last night the bus that was behind me most of the way home, was taking the old route. It passed me half way home, but I still beat it to the bus stop as I travelled up Mass Ave 🙂 Needless to say, even if the bus route goes back, biking, while good for an old man like me turning 30 the day before Bike to Work Day, saves me time.