1st commute with panniers

[bouncybouncy]

OH BOY!!! I just finished my first commute with panniers and it was lovely!!! I have a 15 mile one way trip with about 1500 elevation gain...the temp was about 75-82 degrees. It was a relief on the shoulders for sure (I have done both backpack & messenger bag) ...the panniers was the best so far! I did not even mind the extra weight from the racks. Never felt tippy until I started a standing climb...wooooooo ooops!!! stayed upright

bike - Surly Karate Monkey
rack - Jannd (a little rigging required for fit over the fender and brakes)
pannier - axiom Storm (waterproof!!!)
fenders - http://www.woodysfenders.com/ - custom made...I have an orange colored wood with purple heart wood (pinkish color) swirled through...I will have to post pics
bars - a mountain aero bar by Dirt Head (I think...hubby found them on ebay)

I have a few more adjustments to make then I will post some pics...we are planning on trying some touring trips so it is all decked out...I can't wait to really test it out!

[mimitabby]

yes you do need to post pictures!

[Grog]

Wow!!! Now I feel like I would put these fenders on my road bike right now!!!!!

I wonder how well they work! (There's no reason why they wouldn't...) And how long they last in poor weather conditions. Hum...

[bouncybouncy]

I wonder how well they work!

Can't give a recommendation for the fenders except how they look so far...a guy pulled up next to me at a light this morning and complimented me on them!! haha..."NIIIIICE fenders!!!!"

The creator uses a marine grade coating...not sure how many coats but a few. The wood is generally a hard wood...we talked to him on the phone and told him what we wanted. I am very happy and so is my hubby with the results! He even mounted the hardware specific to our bikes (hubby has a Surly Long Haul Trucker, which is more adaptable to fenders and racks...my Monkey had to be "hubby-rigged" to get everything to fit well together) We went with these bike choices because they do not make a touring bike in my size with 29 inch wheels that would accomidate knobbies for off-road touring and for convenience we wanted the same wheel size (oh...and he is too big for little 26 inch wheeled tourers)

OK...I could babble on and on about this cause I am excited (can you tell) I will shutup now until I can post some pics as proof..hehe!!!

[Grog]

Keep babbling!!! I would be excited if I had fenders like that, too!!

If it's not too personal, can I ask how much they cost?

[bouncybouncy]

If it's not too personal, can I ask how much they cost?

I don't mind...but as with EVERYTHING (except my Hello Kitty bell) is expensive...they were $100 a pair. The guy said he was getting ready to quit his day job to do this full-time...wonder if his prices will go up???

Hubby and I joke that we have been spending our "next car"...transportation is transportation the more we ride, the less we drive, the longer our current car will last....right???