My wife and I are considering a move to the Observatory Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Now, I would like to continue using a bike for my primary transportation... the problem is the road surface and the hills. Somehow I think that my current road bike would be a poor match for Pittsburgh riding conditions (cobblestone and potholes on 30% grades.)
What I need is recomendations for a good Pittsburgh friendly bike:
I need eyelets for racks and fenders, a tripple chainring with a serious granny gear for hills.
As light as possble for dragging up the hills (without involving carbon). Weight is especially critical to make up for the extra weight of racks and pannier bags.
Enough frame clearance for fenders and slightly wider tires (I'm used to 700x20C which I somehow doubt would stand up to the kind of abuse that pittsburgh's roads would inflict)
Need to be able to shift without taking my hands off the drops (which I can't do with Shimano Sora on my current bike). I have enough trouble with hills without having to let go of the bar to shift.
Anyone riding in Pittsburgh, what are your suggestions?????