I bought the Acme as a short-distance commuter to work, gym, shops and coffee. As an aging former road racer (with a bad back, too. ugh!), I also hope to use it for the occasional longer ride but have not gotten there yet. However, after more than a month of daily use I can say:
- ordering and assembly were as easy as pie. My interactions with the Spot staff were outstanding (Thanks to all the Spot folks!). It took next to no time to unpacking, assemble, and ride a well-tuned bike.
- bike looks amazing. Well done, Spot.
- the ride is great. My impression are that the seat and handles could be a bit nicer, but honestly they are more than sufficient and I'm planning to stick with them.
- the rear internal hub has taken a bit of getting used to. It wasn't/isn't exactly smooth, but it is more than serviceable. Gearing is low enough to get me up a long hill on the way home and high enough to push me down the hill in the a.m. [If I'm really pushing it, a higher gear or two would be helpful... but what is there is perfectly sufficient.]
- at first I was disappointed that it wasn't quite as fast as I had hoped. I had it in my head that the dynamo on the front wheel was slowing me down, but I think that's pretty much hogwash (unless perhaps one is trying to duke it up with the peloton, which I am not ... and I would not choose this bike to do that, anyway). I'm realizing with more time on the bike that is perfectly responsive and ready to leap. I shudder to admit that…