Time to delurk, new to Alaska and bike choice paralysis
So I think it's time for a first post here! I've been reading through the Team Estrogen forums for a good while off and on while back in Europe. I'm German, lived in France for 12 years and in London, UK for another 5 before, in February this year, getting a job in Fairbanks and crossing the pond.
Bikes were my primary means of transport between ages of about 8 and 25. My first self-earned money, at 16, went into a white Peugeot mixte with 10 gears. I didn't ride much for a few years in Paris, had a few cheap hybrids stolen both in France and the UK, and most lately got back to regular riding on the streets of London on the best purely city bike I've ever come across (a VSF Fahrradmanufaktur S300 with a Shimano 8-speed hub gear, hub dynamo, heavy as a tank: http://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/?page_id=2055). When I left, it went to a colleague, who loves it.
Now I'm in Alaska, live 30 miles outside Fairbanks on a road that stretches to the East for 30 miles flat, to the west for 30 miles hilly, and want to get started riding on it. I was thinking of a bike that could introduce me to road riding, be sturdy enough for the rough conditions, and also handle the occasional stretch of the gravel roads that lead TO the main highway. So that made me lean towards a cyclocross concept -- and I love steel (and nearly had a Surly LHT built up for me in London, but then moved away). My LBS has Kona, Specialized and also deals in Surly, but only have Pugsleys in stock (winter riding is huge here -- at-20°F, I kid you not). So yesterday I looked at the Jakes, and the 49cm is a bit large (I JUST stand over it, with my crotch touching the top tube). There was, however, a lovely Kona Sutra all ready to go in 49cm, and what can I say, I loved the ride on the parking lot. They also have a 47cm Jake in stock and are building it up for me. I do lust after the Surly Cross Check (beautiful, and that COLOUR), but then, I haven't been on a diamond frame in years, and don't want to buy a bike without trying....
So options!
- Just buy the Sutra. It's sweet. No problems with the bar-end shifters though the disk brakes are overkill (and felt a bit soggy). Maybe the tyres aren't ideal, and I'm not about to take it to the Lower 48 as another LBS customer suggested, but I think it could be a reliable companion out on the scary road.
- Test-ride the 47cm Jake. I don't like its looks so much, of course, and am not sure how the components compare. The 49 cm felt stretchy, but strangely has the same effective top-tube length as the Sutra.
- Order the Cross Check, though I'm hesitating between the 42 and the 46 cm. And I'd have to wait. And it may fit badly.
There is another LBS my friend and I may check out today, though I really like the person I dealt with (and the first shop in general -- they've been good to me in the past [they also have skis, camping and clothing, but don't count that against them: they ARE a great bike shop]).
Anyhow, hi! Sorry for dumping my quandary on you women! Great to meet you!
