I have been commuting on the Planet X Kaffenback for almost a year now and wanted to share some observations since my first post about it back in October.
Overall I am very pleased with it. It has a few drawbacks but its a great commuter at a great price.
First let me tell you my setup, I am riding 8speed dura ace sti, 105 speed rear der, ultegra 9speed cranks with a 38/42 chain ring ( no front der, less to have to adjust, its a commuter), 11/32 rear IRD 8 speed cassette, tektro canti’s, blackburn metro rear rack, cane creek cross lever, SKS fenders, some mix matched wheels with cross tires, and pinhead anti-theft skewers for the wheels.
Positives:
– The frame is very well built
– Soaks up the bumps on my mixed trail/road commute to work.
– It flexes very little under load (i.e. out of saddle on an uphill with two panniers full of groceries)
– It has plenty of points to attach racks and fenders.
– Cool paint job, plus its a tought paint job, been locking it up for a year without any scratches.
Negatives:
– Lots of toe overlap with the front tire.
– Can’t fit a studded kenda ice tire in the rear
– Weird cable stops on the head tube that make brake interference a big issue in tight turns, the cables hit and the brake starts tightening. Never happens on the trail, but it happens…
I’d recommend this bike to most anyone who wants a commuter bike on a budget. It’s a nice ride and now that I look back I spend a good deal of time riding this bike every day, in the rain, mud, sun and everything else with very few complaints.
I purchased mine from Redstone Cyclery in Lyons, CO.
