Feedback

One of the things about writing a blog that I think many people don't understand, is that most of us who do so are looking for a dialog.  It's always fun to get comments, and sometimes it's downright discouraging to put an hour into crafting a post, posting up images and editing the content into something you hope is either interesting or beneficial to the people who read it only to see no comments ever appear.

But, other times, feedback comes in other forms.  Last night, I received the following email from a fellow named Rich:

Hi Jon:
I've visited your blog a few times since I have a Raleigh Portage. I  
recently came across your Cyclofiend page about your XO-2. I had an  
opportunity to pick up a CB-Zip and since it's the predecessor of the  
XO series I considered putting moustache bars on it. But since I have  
those on my Portage already, I was looking for other ideas. Your  
description of how you used the Gary bar with the thumbshifters in  
your setup seemed like a good choice.
 
I have a lot of bikes and do many rides but have never loved how  
brifters are always a compromise between being on the tops, hoods and  
drops... if the tops are the right height the drops are too low to  
comfortable reach the brakes. The setup you suggested which I employed  
on my CB-Zip is great. Now I am much more comfortable staying on the  
drops all the time except when I shift. It's great.  I am an urban  
rider and the bike is like a little missile when I'm on the drops.
 
Thanks! I am attaching a pic of my setup (before I trimmed the brake  
cables...)

I answered Rich's email, and asked him if he would mind 

me sharing it and his picture on the blog. 

He graciously gave me permission to do so, adding: "I 

enjoy the voice with which you 

write and find it informative and entertaining."

Thanks, Rich. And, that's a nice bike, by the way.

I pointed out to Rich that, as near as I can tell, the 1992 XO-2 seems to be the same frame and fork as the 1991 CB-0, with the addition of a mustache bar (in stock trim).  I actually picked up a CB-1 (virtually the same geometry, just a bit less expensive tubing) earlier this year to build up as a budget XO.  If I ever get it done, you will see it here, of course.

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