from the Netherlands, 5 minutes from Amsterdam: I present, with a certain amount of pride my City bike built up with the frame of our local Builder, Ron of Saenbike c
He's a real enthousiast running a small and well visited shop Saenbike - http://saenbike.nl/
With his components this bike was built; extra strong wheels, heavy spokes, marathon tires of Schwalbe, high bracket, closed chain, very tight clearances, some lugnuts to keep it tight, I reversed the Nitto moustache to get a very versatile bullhorn, and with much experimentation went for 40/16 and leave every one in the dust at trafficlights ; AND train my cadence beyond that.
I love the easy comforts of the closed chain, mudguards and gearing; to stay clear of the dutch police a single front Tektro brake is installed, fully capable of standing the bike on its front wheel.
Also the pedals sport the strapless "toes", for easy reassurance and easy entrance/exits.
It is a smooth and easily driven bike, ready for anything in its surroundings.
greetings
Bas Clasener