Clarion, I had read reviews of the Solo which mentioned a poor saddle and the Spoon gets fantastic reviews. I got
Evans to price match it so it was only £20. Got them to price match the tyres too, £29 each I think.
I got my saddle for free! But that was because Evans cocked up and thought they were about to lose a sale.
I just cannot wait to get the bike! I am not riding my bike at the moment as I noticed something wrong with the rear, it kept feeling a bit spongy like there was a puncture. But no, it appears that a couple of spokes are loose and the brake rubs intermittently which I guess could mean the wheel is buckled. I have no idea if it is worth fixing as the whole bike was under £200. Perhaps at some stage I could upgrade the wheels on the Solo and put the Solo wheels on the current bike.
Redbike's right. The Solo's wheels are 120OLN, and your other bike, if it is a recent road bike, will be 130mm, or an MTB, 135mm. If it's an older (80s at least) road bike, it could be 126mm, but that's still a bit of a squeeze to fit.
Oh, BTW Clarion, please can you tell me which saddle bag and support you had on your bike in this:
http://www.cyclechat...87#entry1327887
I am planning on getting a Carradice nelson longflap and a bagman expedition quick release.
That's a Super C - massive bag (though slightly smaller than the Camper Longflap) which takes everything I need - toolkit, FAK, spare clothes, work clothes, personals etc. It's sitting on a Carradice Bagman Expedition QR. I'd recommend using a QR, as it makes putting a saddlebag on & off your bike an absolute doddle.
For information, since that photo, not only have I changed the tyres for the ones being carried, and swapped the shiny new bottle cage for an old battered one, but I also fitted a rack so I can occasionally carry panniers. It spoils the looks slightly, but I'm sat on the bike and I'm not interested in impressing anyone else, especially not potential thieves.
Because the rack now supports the bag, I just use a Bagman QR bracket without the steel support. Works well.
A Bagman fits securely to the saddle rails with just one allen bolt. Dead easy. And, when the bag os off the bike, it can barely be seen.