Hi, I'm in too. I bike to work daily and it is my primary means of transportation in the city. Once a year I usually take a long bike trip vacation - this year (just last month) it was about 1000 km in Scotland, two years ago through Poland and the baltic countries up to Tallin, three years ago in the south of Sweden, 4 years ago from Copenhagen to Berlin. Next year is still not decided ...
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#26 
bdial
Group owner
#28 True, and a belt and an internal gear hub isn't something I'd choose for myself, unless I was looking to build up a bike that required no maintenance (a myth, I know), and woud be pretty much impervious to the elements. But I think that's the sort of use they have in mind.
I looks like it could be the same sort of belt used for automotive timing belts and such. If so, for use on a bike, it should last for a very long time, even accounting for exposure to sun and smog.
It's probably heavier than a chain and sprockets, but perhaps not that much heavier, though every gram counts.
The idea that you wouldn't have to worry about rain and grit is appealing.
Barry#31 I used to Ari, but about 35% of my riding is on unmade paths and tracks. A tourer can do it but struggles. I may get another tourer sometime, if I do it'll be a Dawes Galaxy. I may even get a full hybrid like the Dawes Discovery 601.#34 Mine has 700*35 tires, I guess of the "hybrid" kind, smooth in the center with mtb-like line of ridges at the sides. I ask, because, as more experienced, maybe you could give me a frame of reference. How does your current bicycle do on road and on paths? Is it fully mtb with heavy ridges and all?#37 Ari, the tyres on mine are Schwalbe City Jets. They are a semi slick style, excellent on the road and good offroad on paths and tracks so long as it isn't deep mud. The bike has a rigid frame with no suspension. Suspension adds weight and takes energy away from the pedals. I get all the suspension I need from an after sale fitted suspension seatpost and my Brooks saddle.
bdial
Group owner
#38 Ari, I use a tire similar to what you describe on the back my foul weather bike. On the front I have a "city" tire, similar to the one Andy references, I think it's 700x28 or so. It works quite well in light sand and packed dirt, the sort of surface that would be common for bike paths. Much better than my skinny tire bike. You would probably do fine with city tires, I use the cyclo-cross tire on the back to deal with sand mixed with ice and snow on pavement and steep hills, which is what we have in the springtime here. Tires similar to Andy's link would likely be quite a bit lighter than what you have now, which will be a big improvement in the amount of energy you use to power the bike.#39 Ok, I've decided on a new bike. Should be able to order next week: http://www.ctcshop.com/product.jsp?style=87547.
Previously I had not considered the Dawes Horizon because it had an aluminium frame, which is not the best choice for a touring bike because ally frames have a harsher ride than a steel frame. Also if you are touring and you damage the frame, an ally frame cannot be easily welded. However, I discovered today that the 2008 Horizon has a steel frame. Which means I can get a good quality tourer for nearly £400 less than I had reckoned!#41 Its funny Andy that a few messages before you said you preferred the trekking bicycle for your kind of rides and now you're considering a road bike. If the bicycle sticks with me a few years, I will too get a road one.
I tried the tires the other day: I went for a ride on regular asphalt street trying to go as fast as I can. Then took a small path next to the beach which was full of sand. With gravel and rocks the bicycle did fine. With a bit of sand, it did also ok with slow and careful riding. There were parts though where the wheels sank in the sand that I had to walk the bicycle across.
With all that I have read about bicycles it looks like mine is bottom of the average ones. It must be really heavy compared to the good road bikes. I wonder how a bicycle like the Orbea Orca 09 would feel like...#42 Hi Ari, the bikes I am looking at are touring cycles.
This is a road bike,
this is a touring bike
and this is a hybrid bike.
There are distinct differences between the three. Road bikes are lighter and geared for racing, hybrids are also lighter (usually aluminium), touring bikes are heavier (usually steel) and geared for carrying loads over long distances, the frame geometry is different and they also have the necessary braze-ons for mudguards, racks etc.
The reason I am now considering a tourer is that they are strongly built and can easily cope with light off-road use. I will also be able to add panniers etc. to carry photography equipment. A hybrid would be too light-weight for off-road and a full road bike would definitely struggle off-road and would not ave the fixings for racks.#44 I am not sure. My neighbour has expressed an interest. However, my 11 year old nephew would also like it. At the moment nephew is about 4cm too short for it, but he is growing. We are going to try putting the seat all the way down to see if he can ride it. If he can it will go in his shed for a few months until he is a little taller and can safely put his feet on the ground when stopped.
bdial
Group owner
#45 Cycling gives one a good view of stuff that ends up at the side of the road, most of it is mundane trash, beer cans, bottles, etc. But sometimes there's stuff that could tell an interesting story.
What's the most interesting or weirdest, curious, funniest or even valuable thing you have encountered?
The oddest for me a piece of a rocker arm from a car engine. Car bits are pretty common, but in this case it seemed like the rest of the car should have been close by.
A close second might be the bits of clothing, especially underware, I always wonder what the story behind that would be.#47 Any Toronto folks lost a bike recently? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7581764.stm
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