Hi sorry for not replying sooner ... couldn't get on with typing on a PSP !
PH Thanks for your comments. I'm still in love with this bike ..... Don't think my Wife is though as it lives indoors[
] Still, she can always live in the shed [
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Swislon it does seem to be the ergon / cane creek combo that's becoming the preferred option of a lot of people I have been talking to. I haven't come across the 'Mary Bar'. I'll look it up!
I'm looking at the Brooks hopefully around Christmas. Like you, I think the setup of my bike lends itself to a sportier saddle than the B17 and the swift seems to fit the bill. The Jury's still out on this one though!
JP06 John... I'd like to see some pics. The Enduro frame appears to be very similar in geometry. I like your choice of components .... some class kit there [8D]
Regarding luggage, the Mercury is marketed as a lightweight tourer and is designed for a rack pack at the back and, with the standard 531 forks, it will take some front panniers in the lo-rider position. I actually prefer carrying small amounts at the front rather than the back with this bike as it is very light up front and it seems to balance things out a bit with the Rohloff at the rear.
Because of my choice of fork (due to wanting disc brakes), the general opinion seems to be not to clamp anything too heavy directly to the carbon fork blades. This is why there are only a few options to go for when choosing a front rack. I looked at the Old Man Mountain racks which are very well made but for me it was the Tubus Swing (Both ugly IMHO but the swing has grown on me [
])
I use Ortlieb Front Roller Plus panniers when the weather is bad and Ortlieb Sport Packer Plus if I want to carry a bit more.
As far as the trailer is concerned, SJS advised me that the Mercury would be well suited to towing a trailer, and my experience of this is good. I guess it depends what you want to do but I went for the Carry Freedom for its convenience (I use it to go shopping) Foldability (is that a word[?]) but also because as I understand, a two wheeled trailer does not place as much strain on the rear axle but a single wheel will track and corner much better (please someone correct me if I am wrong). Since nearly all of my riding with this bike is by road, the Carry Freedom was the obvious choice for me. If I was going for an off road tour, I would use a BOB or I like the Weber Monoporter as single wheeled trailers. Apparantly, I have heard there have been some issues with the BOB Ibex (suspended) but I do not know if they are justified.
I am already thinking about a more rugged off road tourer and like the idea of the Nomad (Rohloff) or maybe an Enduro. I would want a single wheeled trailer for that [
] You would be better off asking SJS if the Enduro is suited to pulling a trailer just to make sure!
Well, I hope that helps ..... please let me know your thoughts!
