Gunnar Bikes :)

[Catrin]

I have pretty much settled upon purchasing a Gunnar bike next year, and have continued my research into those beautiful bikes. I knew the steel was higher-grade than my Surly, but I couldn't find any place on their site that states what kind of steel tubing they actually use. So I sent a question through their website.

Much to my surprise, I had my answer in under 45 minutes - and I sent the question at 6am this morning! Come to find out, the frame will weight about 3.5 pounds and will be either Reynolds 853 or True Temper OX Platinum tubing. They have "a palette of custom tubes drawn for us to assure the right ride for the right size".

Nice information, and he answered a couple of other questions as well. I was surprised to note the reply came from Richard Schwinn himself.

I have a really good feeling about this. Obviously a bike's weight is about a lot more than the frame material, and there will be a lot of decisions to make as I work with my LBS on this build over the winter. I intend to place my deposit on the frame by January at the latest. This time around I think it will be easier as I trust my LBS - they have certainly proven themselves since I moved to them in June with a bike that I could not ride.

My fitter and I have started to discuss which geometry will fit me the best - I've certain physical issues with my hands that we will have to take into consideration. The fitter certainly did a fantastic job turning my LHT from something that I could not really ride into a bike that I can ride all day long This is going to be a lot of fun and, hopefully, unless I eventually decide to try mountain biking, my future Gunnar (Sport?) and LHT should fit the bill for pretty much any kind of riding that I would like to do

[Thorn]

Awesome choice (says the owner of two Waterfords). The Waterford plant does an amazing job. DH was just at the LBS and saw this year's annual Gunnar color. He says the image on their web site doesn't do the color justice. That it is a really neat effect.

Living nearby, my Waterfords often travel to Waterford and they have participated in several of the plant rides. In fact, the first century done by both my Waterford and DH's were, coincidentally, sagged by Richard Schwinn. I call *that* customer service!

You'll love your Gunnar. They make nice bikes.

[redrhodie]

I'm in the process of getting a winter bike, and I was so tempted by the Gunnar Hyper X. It had everything I wanted. Honestly, the reason I didn't do it was it would be too precious to me to keep in my basement, which is a requirement for the new bike. I already have 2 of those kinds of bikes!

I think you'll be really happy with a Gunnar. Which ones are you thinking about?

[Catrin]

I'm in the process of getting a winter bike, and I was so tempted by the Gunnar Hyper X. It had everything I wanted. Honestly, the reason I didn't do it was it would be too precious to me to keep in my basement, which is a requirement for the new bike. I already have 2 of those kinds of bikes!

I think you'll be really happy with a Gunnar. Which ones are you thinking about?

Right now it seems to be between the Hyper-X, the Fast Lane and Sport. I think that I would like disk brakes on this bike, and both the Hyper-X and Fast Lane are set up for that. My fitter wonders if it would be better to go with a frame that was designed for flat bars - and his reasoning seems logical. I do not have to make up my mind right away.

[indysteel]

Right now it seems to be between the Hyper-X, the Fast Lane and Sport. I think that I would like disk brakes on this bike, and both the Hyper-X and Fast Lane are set up for that. My fitter wonders if it would be better to go with a frame that was designed for flat bars - and his reasoning seems logical. I do not have to make up my mind right away.

Between the added weight and the added cost, I'm curious as to why you want disc brakes.

[Catrin]

Between the added weight and the added cost, I'm curious as to why you want disc brakes.

To me it is worth it to have the extra power of disc brakes, and they are better in wet weather over rim brakes. My reading shows there are other advantages as well but those two are the main selling points for me and are worth the additional cost and weight. Of course they are also more complex to maintain over time, and that is something to consider as well.

In the end I may decide against them - but time will tell.