Response to Queries
Hey, that's my bike! Kendrick said he was going to post a photo, but I hadn't come across it until now.
Firstly, thanks to ak-tux for the compliment. On the weekend I turned the handlebar stem around to face towards me, which allows the handlebars to be lowered significantly because they now sit behind my knees. I think it looks a lot better just for doing that, and it certainly helps with blood circulation to the hands.
I have no idea how much it weighs, but I'll try to remember to put it on the scales some time. It doesn't really matter to me, because after riding for only a couple of weeks I am already overtaking most people on the uphills and I now actually look forward to a stiff headwind.
In relation to the Rohloff, this isn't my first bike fitted with one - I have been riding a Logo trike with a Rohloff for seven years, so I know what they are worth. If you want to get one brand new for a very reasonable price, go to www.starbike.com. Yes, the Alfine 11 is still a lot cheaper, but there are still a few advantages to the Rohloff: firstly the range is wider, and on a route with ups and downs I can use the entire range; secondly the shifting is within the hub and not the lever, so there is less trouble adjusting the cables; thirdly the shifting is not sprung, so that if you lose cable tension you remain in the same gear and don't end up at one end of the range; finally, they've been around for a while now and the reliability is well tested. And don't believe Jon when he says it's noisy and clunky - it's only noisy in seventh gear and I don't know what he means by 'clunky'. The Cruzbike conversion kit has long dropouts, so it's good to go for the OEM axle plate - the only problem is that the brake-boss mounted cable guides are slightly misaligned because of the offset front axle (you can see this at the top right of the lower photo). It has not seriously impacted on smooth shifting, but I am waiting to see how quickly the cables wear.
