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FORGE BICYCLES M Street by Forge Bicycles

Kona Jake the Snake

Specialized Globe Centrum Elite IG3

Ibex Corrida CT 2.2

Surly Pacer

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Recent Comments

climbhoser on Surly Cross-Check
neatmike, I saw you bult a Pake C'mute for your wife. I have a Cross Check, and love it, but the geometry just isn't working out. I was going to buy a Pake C'Mute, but I wanted to hear some first hand info on the frame. Mostly I wanna know how the build quality compares to the Surly? Is it as heavy? How about the paint? Y'know, a general side by side as to which frame is nicer, and why. Mostly I feel bad giving up a great frame for a weaker one, though I doubt the Pake would be weaker. I'm coming off of a 56cm Cross Check and thinking a 52 Pake. Whaddaya think about that? Thanks Adam

djwright on Trek Portland
I bought my Portland last year. I live in the Seattle area and I really wanted the disk brakes. I have them on my other bike and I llke how well they work in wet weather. I am surprised you don't find them on more bikes. I find that hardcore bikers are nutty about weight. I ride to work for exercise so a few ounces are not a big deal for me. I can load this bike up for my commute with a rack and a large trunk, or strip it down. It is a good all around bike.

matt.picio on Kona Sutra
I have the 2008 Sutra. Overall, I love it - it's responsive, nimble, and rock-solid on turns. Kona's odd frame sizing and top tube design makes the bike easier to mount, which is good thing when fully loaded, and it's obvious by the design changes since its introduction in 2005 that Kona has addressed many of the shortcomings of the earlier models. I totally love the disc brakes. They are responsive under any and all conditions, and practically bulletproof so far. I've put about 1,250 miles on mine since February 1st, including 3 or 4 fully-loaded overnights. The bike itself with racks, lights, frame pump and water bottles comes in at a hefty 36 pounds. On my loaded trips, total weight of bike, bags and gear ranged between 108 and 115 pounds. (I travel heavy) I weigh about 235, and the Sutra didn't even flinch at the combined weight. That said, the Sutra has some quirks. Thanks to the disc brakes, it is virtually impossible to mount a kickstand in the rear triangle, and thanks to the routing of the cables under the bottom bracket, it's nearly impossible to mount a kickstand down there as well. The rear rack has a low weight rating, and is effectively useless for heavy touring - if you buy one, get a Jandd Expedition rack and replace the rear rack that ships with the Sutra. The Jandd rack will also keep your panniers from bouncing against the adjustment screw for the read disc. The front rack is fabulous, and I haven't had problems with it. Another quirk is the placement of the 3rd water bottle cage - it's virtually useless once you've put fenders on the bike (another challenge). I hope Kona further improves this bike, because I think that its benefits far outweigh its drawbacks.

!= on Kona Jake the Snake
I think this would make a good commuter. It has all the frame mounts for racks and fenders. unfortunately, the stock fork does not have a fender eyelets.

jdmitch on Specialized Globe Centrum Elite IG3
Tried this out at my LBS (a large, rather nicely stocked shop that primarily deals in Specialized and Electra) yesterday. The Centrum IG3 or Sport was already on my short list, for my rather short daily commute. After the test ride, this has certainly crept up on my short list. I was able to climb hills similar to the ones that will be on my commute relatively simply, bikes felt nice and responsive, and relatively fast. Of course, it's been ages since I've been on a bike, much less a non-Walmart one... so it may be that I'm simply easily impressed. So, I'll definitely be checking some others out in my area.

ahpook on Jamis Aurora
Hey, thanks... my commute is 20 miles each way, so it's sort of a "long-haul commuter" i thought i was travelling pretty light, it's just one small Delta waterproof pannier.

jimbo on Raleigh Sojourn
Disk brakes. They work better than canti's in the rain and snow. Another option I looked at was the REI safari but, I prefer drop bars, steel frames, and 700c wheels. I paid $995 not a lot of money compared to other bikes out there. The Trek Portland has disks and costs about $1550. Can't put a front rack on it or a big tyre. Sojourn is still the best bike for me. Stable and comfortable and stops on a dime.

Mike Myers on Electra Amsterdam Classic 3
The Amsterdam really appeals to me. It's pretty cool that Electra has combined a classic look with their crank forward geometry. My only worry would be this bike is so classy looking it's a theft magnet, which is a bad thing for a grocery bike.