defy-one
Guest
hi all, some of you know i was looking at either a 2nd hand quality bike or a brand new Triban 3. Well this morning i happened to be out towards Docklands and popped into Decathlon at Surrey Quays. It's HUGE!!
tried a couple of sizes and eventually settled for the 57cm frame, rear pannier rack and of course a pannier. This is my first foray into the world of panniers. up to now i was using a rack on my BSO but it wasn't very good for centre of gravity or trying to get my leg over the bike (ooh err).
enough yapping , here are the pics .....
an hour (or 3) of fettling adjusting and general messing about, and i have converted her into my new commuter. The universal full mudguards didn't fit very well under the brakes, so i hacked them and made a custom job, hope you like them. Already tried fitting my work rucksack (laptop/tools) inside the panniers and it's a great fit, with room for sundries.
been out a couple of times for test runs and will probably put a stem on that raises the bars, as my Defy has a relaxed geometry, and the seat isn't the best, again will change in due course. Other than that i would say a good bike at £300.
total outlay with all the bits and pieces has been just shy of £400, and will take me between 2 & 3 months to claw back, from saved diesel & parking in Central London. Not to mention getting much fitter, losing weight ( 16lbs already) and saving loads of wear & tear on the car.
thanks for reading :-)
tried a couple of sizes and eventually settled for the 57cm frame, rear pannier rack and of course a pannier. This is my first foray into the world of panniers. up to now i was using a rack on my BSO but it wasn't very good for centre of gravity or trying to get my leg over the bike (ooh err).
enough yapping , here are the pics .....
an hour (or 3) of fettling adjusting and general messing about, and i have converted her into my new commuter. The universal full mudguards didn't fit very well under the brakes, so i hacked them and made a custom job, hope you like them. Already tried fitting my work rucksack (laptop/tools) inside the panniers and it's a great fit, with room for sundries.
been out a couple of times for test runs and will probably put a stem on that raises the bars, as my Defy has a relaxed geometry, and the seat isn't the best, again will change in due course. Other than that i would say a good bike at £300.
total outlay with all the bits and pieces has been just shy of £400, and will take me between 2 & 3 months to claw back, from saved diesel & parking in Central London. Not to mention getting much fitter, losing weight ( 16lbs already) and saving loads of wear & tear on the car.
thanks for reading :-)