Thanks for the advice, I will look into that combination. As far as replacement tires, I like what is on my bike so much that I thought the BGI sale would be a good time to get a spare set - they aren't cheap... I just don't want to spend much on commuting specific stuff until I see if I like/will do it. No commuter specific bike this year - that will be a winter/spring purchase if I stick with it.

Tell me about the wind, I had forgotten that 46th borders on that small airfield and it was screaming through there Sunday! I like that pretty loop down Reed, across 46th to Dandy Trail and then north back to 56th, it adds a couple of miles and is a decent warm-up. Sunday I stayed on Lafayette Rd all the way down to 56th - I like that section between 71st and 56th but that turn onto the trail is just a horrible angle - I stopped and walked that turn.

I keep forgetting how much taller than me you are - but I don't see myself as "short"...though I am