Kadak!

Completed Dombivli-Thane in a little over two hours. My friends need not be worried for its a truly good bike. Doesn't make me crib and miss the trek. Its really light and responsive with decent braking. The only feature where the trek is indisputably strong is the gear shifting. (But because of the savings done on price, I am ready to compromise a bit)

Faced minor problems with the gear shifting, especially when the chain is on the 4th ring on the rear derailleur plus shifting gears on the front derailleur. Also, their choice of doing the gear shifting through the revo grip shifter can prove to be a worry as time progresses. But as compared to my first ride on the trek, this was a lot better - though doing some noise, the gears were shifting and the chain did not come off.

THE ROAD

From Tukaram Nagar, I rode to Dombivli west to meet Mitesh and then took the Manpada road to exit the congested and unplanned town. Road condition : not so good, disgraceful for a municipal corporation to neglect an important arterial road connecting the town with the rest. Once you turn left for Kalyan, the road (maintained by IRB who obviously charge a toll to the carbonivores) is in good condition and wide. Route - Dombivli-Shivaji Chowk Kalyan-Durgadi Kalyan-Kon Gaon-the intersection on national highway, took a left and started cycling towards Thane (17 km from the intersection)

There was fog resulting in low visibility in patches at MIDC Dombivli and over the creek near Durgadi Kalyan which is rather unusual for this part of the year. It was a cool weather all through (the ride took place between 0630 hrs and 0830 hrs) which was almost pleasant in October.

A couple of steep ascents on the NH were tackled easily by the bike. However, the chain wasn;t as smooth while riding on lower gears (2-4, 2-3). Nikhil says the cycle will get "free" as the riding distances go up and the noise making is nothing abnormal. I am ready to believe it for now.

The saddle height needs to be increased which will be done soon. Also, in the future, will have to get a good seat-cover failing which the cycle would be a pain in the ass.

Overall, a fulfilling day. As for now, she is doing very well and does not in any way need the help of the mechanic (my biggest worry in making the purchase from Dombivli). Plan to take her to Yeoor tomorrow morning (??) where the gradient will test the Shimano gears much better.