Comments on: Mendota: Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Fri, 24 May 2013 01:42:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Don Flowers http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/comment-page-1/#comment-55470 Don Flowers Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:22:35 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/#comment-55470 Having just turned 50, my doctor recommended that I try something for cardiovascular activity. Biking brought back some fond memories, so I went to Jeff's Bicycle Shop in Huntington and bought a Mendota (I wanted a Utopia or Montare, but would have had to wait till November). This bike is FAST!!! My last bike was a 1972 Schwinn Continental which was stolen in Key West after 25 years of service.. I now reside in Huntington,WV (home of the Marshall University Thundering Herd) and it's the perfect bike for this town. My neighborhood is a 50/50 mix of pavement and brick (hence, my lean toward a Dual Sport Montare), and this bike makes the transition with ease. Mind you, I haven't ridden in ten years since my Continental was stolen, so the adjustment to the shifters was very intuitive, the setup makes sense! I'll probably always wonder about the Montare/Utopia, but I'm not disappointed. The price?-$900 + tax. My Continental came in @ $115 -- if I get 25 years of service from my Mendota, I'm OK with the investment! Having just turned 50, my doctor recommended that I try something for cardiovascular activity. Biking brought back some fond memories, so I went to Jeff’s Bicycle Shop in Huntington and bought a Mendota (I wanted a Utopia or Montare, but would have had to wait till November). This bike is FAST!!!
My last bike was a 1972 Schwinn Continental which was stolen in Key West after 25 years of service.. I now reside in Huntington,WV (home of the Marshall University Thundering Herd) and it’s the perfect bike for this town.
My neighborhood is a 50/50 mix of pavement and brick (hence, my lean toward a Dual Sport Montare), and this bike makes the transition with ease.
Mind you, I haven’t ridden in ten years since my Continental was stolen, so the adjustment to the shifters was very intuitive, the setup makes sense!
I’ll probably always wonder about the Montare/Utopia, but I’m not disappointed.
The price?-$900 + tax. My Continental came in @ $115 — if I get 25 years of service from my Mendota, I’m OK with the investment!

]]> By: Marvin http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/comment-page-1/#comment-31026 Marvin Tue, 15 May 2007 16:54:27 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/#comment-31026 My Trek 7.2 FX came with the Bontrager Satellite hand grips and they do a good job on my 30-minute commute. (I still wear gloves in case of a fall.) My Trek 7.2 FX came with the Bontrager Satellite hand grips and they do a good job on my 30-minute commute. (I still wear gloves in case of a fall.)

]]> By: Stephen Thomas http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/comment-page-1/#comment-30315 Stephen Thomas Fri, 11 May 2007 19:37:32 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/#comment-30315 As the owner of three different bikes with three different cockpits (road bike, tri bike, and commute bike), it is true that drops are much better for longer distances (more hand positions to relieve stress) and speed (better aerodynamics). For riding in traffic, however, I *much* prefer flat bars. Not only do you get a better view with the more upright position, but cars and trucks get a better view *of* you. Not strictly tied to the handlebar choice, but I'm also a huge proponent of disc brakes for commute bikes. (My commute bike is an REI Big Buzz.) Stephen As the owner of three different bikes with three different cockpits (road bike, tri bike, and commute bike), it is true that drops are much better for longer distances (more hand positions to relieve stress) and speed (better aerodynamics). For riding in traffic, however, I *much* prefer flat bars. Not only do you get a better view with the more upright position, but cars and trucks get a better view *of* you.

Not strictly tied to the handlebar choice, but I’m also a huge proponent of disc brakes for commute bikes. (My commute bike is an REI Big Buzz.)

Stephen

]]> By: nathan http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/comment-page-1/#comment-30170 nathan Fri, 11 May 2007 01:03:15 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/#comment-30170 if you can bust through the learning curve / fear factor i think drops are way more comfortable than any flat bar. zoom zoom. - if you can bust through the learning curve / fear factor i think drops are way more comfortable than any flat bar. zoom zoom.

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]]> By: Warren T http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/comment-page-1/#comment-30116 Warren T Thu, 10 May 2007 20:27:35 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/#comment-30116 The Mendota is VERY light. I'll try to get you a real weight if I can find a good scale. My current bike is last year's Trek 7.5 disk (but they were out of the 7.5 frame, so the 7.3 frame was substituted -- same frame, different color). When I get the time I'm going to do a worksheet to compare components. The Mendota is VERY light. I’ll try to get you a real weight if I can find a good scale.

My current bike is last year’s Trek 7.5 disk (but they were out of the 7.5 frame, so the 7.3 frame was substituted — same frame, different color). When I get the time I’m going to do a worksheet to compare components.

]]> By: Eric http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/comment-page-1/#comment-30115 Eric Thu, 10 May 2007 20:19:34 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/10/mendota-hand-hand-fingers-thumb/#comment-30115 Do you happen to know what the weight of the Mendota is? I ride a Gary Fisher Tiburon (2006) on a 30-mile round-trip commute and I am wondering if it is any lighter... (btw, I can't find weight specs on the Tiburon... What did you ride before this? Do you happen to know what the weight of the Mendota is? I ride a Gary Fisher Tiburon (2006) on a 30-mile round-trip commute and I am wondering if it is any lighter… (btw, I can’t find weight specs on the Tiburon… What did you ride before this?

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