With this sudden rush of practicality we have also decided we want disc breaks, fenders (yahooo), front racks and panniers, water bottle cages and one wheeled trailers (check out our last post The Trailer Problem, chronicling our ongoing search for the perfect trailer). David is leaning to the cyclocross department while I am still sitting on the tour vs. cycloX fence. We are looking for something new or used in great condition, something solid that we can bash into the ground (with love) for at least 10 000kms.
We have a humble savings account, mostly money from the insurance company of the woman who ran over me in 2010 but that story is for another day. We are planning to sell our combined 4 bikes (and all of our other stuff) to try and offset the cost of new bikes and trailers and not worry about it all that much. Having the right tools for the job makes life a happier place.
We can be found checking Kijiji postings hourly so as not to miss the right bike, craigslist, the Jamis Dealer in North Toronto (where I bought my Jamis Sonik a few months ago), Red Arrow and Bikes on Wheels in Kensington along with any other bike shop we have heard of in a +50km radius of us, with GREAT exception to stolen bikes or resellers of stolen bikes like Uncle Jacobs on Spadina. We do not support people who steal bikes, they are the scum of the earth. David's month-old Giant TCX was stolen from outside of our home a few months ago and it still hurts to think about it, a feeling that anyone who has lost a bike this way can relate to. In our area of Toronto you can buy a new bike for $10 from dark creatures of the night and early morning who are typically tortured with substance abuse problems that cause them to be totally inconsiderate to just about anyone.
David and I would like to purchase the same or similar bikes so our parts (and spare parts) are compatible. Kijiji and Craigslist are starting to seem like more of a waste of time then anything, perhaps our time is better spent begging store owners for discounts.
We would love your help in finding the perfect bike, any recommendation or advice you may have would be most appreciated by us! xo H