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ShannonG
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 Posted: 04/19/04 - 16:48 Post subject: tell me something about road bikes
Fool that I am, I sold my Kona last year to a friend  . Since I'm in the market for a new bike and the trails around here are mostly black and toasty, I thought I might get a road bike. Give me good brands, features to look for, etc. No competing for me, just tooling around for some exercise.
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 16:59 Post subject:
As far as component groups go, I wouldn't go for anything lower than Tiagra, 105 would be a nice starting point if you've got a few extra dollars.
You'll probably want an aluminum frame because they're light and relatively inexpensive.
Have you got a local bike shop (LBS) that you can visit and get a feel for what fits you best? Because if it doesn't feel comfy, you won't want to ride it.
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:01 Post subject:
I was very intimate with a road bike all weekend 
but don't ask me about components, I don't know. And right now I think half of mine are garbage It shouldn't require two hands to shift into the large chainring, or is that just me.... 
Good luck!
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:03 Post subject:
What's your budget?
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HYPERASHEL
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:03 Post subject:
| cherylpf wrote: | I was very intimate with a road bike all weekend
but don't ask me about components, I don't know. And right now I think half of mine are garbage It shouldn't require two hands to shift into the large chainring, or is that just me....
Good luck! |
have you been neglecting the upperbody workouts again? 
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:04 Post subject:
| HYPERASHEL wrote: | | cherylpf wrote: | I was very intimate with a road bike all weekend
but don't ask me about components, I don't know. And right now I think half of mine are garbage It shouldn't require two hands to shift into the large chainring, or is that just me....
Good luck! |
have you been neglecting the upperbody workouts again? |
Well, yes, but I think that only complicated the problem...
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:09 Post subject:
I'm like a prophet on a mission and will take every opportunity I can.
You're not going to find a better way to pedal than on a recumbent.
I've had mine a couple years now and can in all honesty and sincerity tell you I have not had a single bad mile. It has been better than I even imagined. Not a single twinge of pain in my back, neck, wrists or butt like an upright road bike is going to do for you. If you don't have plans on entering a triathlon or bicycling event that requires an upright, I'm gonna suggest to "get bent". I have a Vision brand (built in Seattle) and another mid-entry market brand I considered is Rans. Do some searches on those brands or if you'd like a few places to look online for used ones, let me know. Believe you me, it's a sweeet ride. 
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ShannonG
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:12 Post subject:
| jrjo wrote: | I'm like a prophet on a mission and will take every opportunity I can.
You're not going to find a better way to pedal than on a recumbent.
I've had mine a couple years now and can in all honesty and sincerity tell you I have not had a single bad mile. It has been better than I even imagined. Not a single twinge of pain in my back, neck, wrists or butt like an upright road bike is going to do for you. If you don't have plans on entering a triathlon or bicycling event that requires an upright, I'm gonna suggest to "get bent". I have a Vision brand (built in Seattle) and another mid-entry market brand I considered is Rans. Do some searches on those brands or if you'd like a few places to look online for used ones, let me know. Believe you me, it's a sweeet ride. |
 Uh, I was hoping not to spend 8zillion$$$$ though.
My budget? Say $500. Like I said, I'm not looking for a competition bike, just something for playing around on on the weekends.
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:21 Post subject:
| ShannonG wrote: | Uh, I was hoping not to spend 8zillion$$$$ though.
My budget? Say $500. Like I said, I'm not looking for a competition bike, just something for playing around on on the weekends. |
This is said bike, I think I paid $550 in 2002 for it
It really is great for the level I'm at (I've only put ~2000 miles on it, no where near Hyper or PH's level) my only complaints really boil down to I know nothing about bike maintenance and/or the components aren't fabulous (Shimano Sora maybe?  I really know nothing) But I like it. But going back to waht PH said, ultimately all the major manufacturers make a 'low end' entry level road bike around the $500 (USD that is) level, I would just go and try out all of them and see which one they can get to you fit best on. Trek may work for me and Cannondale may work for you. Good luck!
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HYPERASHEL
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:35 Post subject:
You give me more credit than you know.  my LBS does the tune ups and stuff, i clean and change flats. My bike is a low- end model Hybrid by Trek.
if you really want to just tool around Shannon a hybrid might be good enough, put some slicks on it and your movin. I do something like 50 miles a week on mine. i have a short commute unlike PH.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:36 Post subject:
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:41 Post subject:
Jrjo, have you ever considered used car sales??? 
There were some great 'bents this weekend, I thought of you. My favorite though was actually 3 wheels but it looked so cool. My mom and I were talking, we really don't understand recumbents though, the chain is so long, the wheels are so little...don't you end up working really hard? I certainly can't imagine going up hill anyway.....
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:54 Post subject:
You just gotta try one... you'll never go back! That's what happened to me. I got the hair-brained idea sitting on the exercise recumbents at the fitness center and when I went to the nearest bent LBS and tried one, it was love at first shift.
Chain and wheel size don't even make a difference. It's all pedalling, same motion/energy as an upright. And uphills are just a matter of gearing down since you can't "stand" on your pedals. But there again, the same holds true as an upright, if you're trained for it, the uphills shouldn't be any slower. The thing I've noticed though is most bent riders are more "relaxed" about training, so uphills toast many of them, but two equally trained riders shouldn't see much difference..in fact, over the course of a lengthy ride, an equal bent rider should be quicker due to aerodynamics and leverage from being able to really push the downhills and flats, whatwith the seatback to lean into and pound the pedals.
If recumbent cycling was more mainstreet, believe you me, the speed and number of cyclists would both grow by leaps and bounds.
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omega lambda
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:58 Post subject:
Check out Trek, LeMond (a division of Trek, I think), and Specialized. If you're willing to buy used, you can probably get a really nice one. We purchased a used tandem, it was on consignment at a LBS. And I meant to add, if you're petite, check out the bikes for women. I didn't pay extra for a women's bike, but it comes with a shorter reach on the brake levers, and different wheel and frame sizes for smaller women.
Last edited by omega lambda on 04/19/04 - 18:00; edited 1 time in total
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 17:59 Post subject:
| jrjo wrote: | | Chain and wheel size don't even make a difference. It's all pedalling, same motion/energy as an upright. |
This is the part I don't get. Chain, fine but I thought wheel size made a big difference, thus those mountain bikes and hybrids pedal a LOT more per distance than I do....no?
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