Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Okay, so I think you guys are right on the Surly, but I really wished I could find a pic of that other bike.
Originally Posted By: JOD
Yours looks like it has a little higher-quality tubeset on it.
JOD, why is it that you say this?
The Pacific frame (yours) uses a Reynolds 520 tube set, made under license by Foundry in Taiwan. The Surly uses an unbranded tube set which is *probably* of a little lower quality. It's still 4130, but the 520 will most likely have higher density, thinner walls and a little lower weight.
That said, I believe the Surly frame is also made in Taiwan vs. PRC, which generally indicates a little higher quality frame. In general, the Taiwanese factories are really, really good at tig welding bicycle frames.
Pacific? Is that a frame style? Also about your comment on TIG welding - You sure got that right! Being a part time TIG welder myself, I look at these frames in wonder! It's one thing to knock a weld like that, but another to do it on every joint of every frame every time!
Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Okay, so I think that I've found the bike I was talking about... I had to call the bike shop and ask them the name of it.
Gunnar Bikes The tag on the bike said that it was US made, but would/could they have used the same pattern as what mine was made from? Or am I still way off base?
Hey, I have one of those! That's a Gunnar Roadie. I have it as my rain bike, though I raced on it for a season when I didn't have free plastic bike due to sponsor issues... That's a nice frame, made in Wisconsin. The company was started by Richard Schwinn (yes, that Schwinn...). They make some great stuff. Your bike is basically the off-shore ripoff of that bike! Similar geometry, but a little cheaper tube set (the Gunnar frame is about 2 lbs lighter).
The frame alone retails for about $900.00. I think that's a good deal, but it's only a couple hundred less than you paid for your bike. So, it's hard for me to say it's "worth it". Still, I do like the Gunnar quite a bit. One notable difference is that the Gunnar has fender braze-ons. That's a biggie for me, given my location.
Mine has braze-ons too. Can you offer any input as to it's efficiency or performance capability? I know it's no cutting edge carbon bike, but it "seems" sportier/faster than some of the other bikes I've ridden... Maybe I'm just that strong of a rider... Yeah, right. Maybe until I wake up.