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.

[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!

[eofelis]

I have a Gunnar Sport. Mine is a tiny one. It was a custom -for someone else- but it fits me pretty well. The smallest stock Sport sizes have 650c size wheels. Mine has 700c wheels. Mine has a quite long chainstays, maybe 1cm longer than my Specialized Ruby bikes chainstays. I have a Surly Pacer steel fork on mine.

Mine has a sweet sweet ride. I did 4 centuries on it last year, including some 10,000+ft passes. I think you will like yours very much.