Gunnar Bikes :)

[tulip]

Are you going to be riding in the rain? Disk brakes are great in sloppy conditions and for heavy loaded touring. But I would think they would be unucessary otherwise.

You have chosen a good company. I know you will end up with a great bike.

[Catrin]

Are you going to be riding in the rain? Disk brakes are great in sloppy conditions and for heavy loaded touring. But I would think they would be unucessary otherwise.

You have chosen a good company. I know you will end up with a great bike.

I seem to be pretty good at getting caught in the rain I agree, whatever I wind up with will be a good bike

I just found out that you have access to the Waterford color palate, you aren't limited to the Gunnar colors of the year. Here is a example...not that I like blue or anything I am going to have to be very careful that the paint doesn't cost as much as the bike

The nicest thing about this time is that I know what I want, and I am looking forward to the process this time, selecting components and so forth, almost as much as I am looking forward to having two bikes again!

[indysteel]

I'd encourage you to do some research here and on RBR's forums about disc brakes. With the right brake pads and rim brakes you should have enough braking power when you get caught in the rain. Unless you plan to commute on this bike, which you've said you don't want to do, I think they're overkill--and expensive and heavy to boot. They have their applications for sure, but not typically on your average roadbike. IMO of course.

[Catrin]

This looks to me like there is more going on here than two-toned shading. Isn't there some kind of other effect? Not pin-striping or something that obvious but I don't know what to call it. I probably can't afford to duplicate this paint job, but if I could....

Note that I am thinking about color before deciding on the frame - perhaps not the practical order but it is fun I am going to have a long discussion about my fitting needs and the geometry of the three frames I am interested in with my fitter before I select the frame.

[Becky]

This looks to me like there is more going on here than two-toned shading. Isn't there some kind of other effect? Not pin-striping or something that obvious but I don't know what to call it. I probably can't afford to duplicate this paint job, but if I could....

My first guess is that the turquoise has some kind of air-brushing done over it and where it meets the darker blue. The darker blue appears to be solid.

Very nice bike....I think I'd sell my steel Bianchi for that....

[Catrin]

My first guess is that the turquoise has some kind of air-brushing done over it and where it meets the darker blue. The darker blue appears to be solid.

Very nice bike....I think I'd sell my steel Bianchi for that....

I really do want a Gunnar, but I find myself going back to the Jamis website. I may need to find a Coda Elite for a test ride just to rule it out - or not. It is certainly more cost effective - assuming their smallest size fits me - I suspect the TT is too long for me.

[Becky]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with tracking down a Jamis Coda. I think that you should ride anything and everything that you can find that's even remotely your size. You may find that some of your preferences change or develop as you pile on the miles, and as you ride different bikes.

Have fun with it

[Catrin]

I just had an interesting conversation with staff at Waterford regarding my best options in a Gunnar bike. I've been going between three different models but wasn't sure which one might serve my wants/needs/desires the best. This will be my third bike purchase in less than two years and I want it to be my last bike purchase for some time to come - and I certainly don't want to have to sell another bike!

While the final decision won't come until my scheduled fitting next month, I seem to be narrowing my attention to only one, the Gunnar Sport. This will be my go-faster bike for club rides and centuries, but I need the same riding position that I have on my LHT and I want a lighter bike. I have given up on the attraction to disc brakes - that is a more heavy-duty bike and she explained that the focus is on the "heavy" and the Fast Lane wouldn't feel much different than my LHT.

It was a good discussion, I explained what I wanted to her and how I want it to differ from my LHT. Apparently they are quite familiar with Surly bikes and she told me that what I described was a Sport. Cool! Of course the formal fitting will determine if one of their stock sizes will fit but I've seen the stock specs and I think that we will be able to make one of their stock sizes work.

I was already leaning in this direction, so it will be interesting to see how the fitting goes in 4 weeks!