Bike recommendations - Page 2 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

07-11-2004, 03:30 PM

"Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to hear
> everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.
>
> I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.
>
> I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles per
> week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc. For
> the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that
now
> I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.
>
> I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
> -- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints are
> taking from running.
> -- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.
>
> I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
exercise
> and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm not
> into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary bike
> is boring and there's no place to spit.
>
> I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
exercising
> with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
> help.
>
> -- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,
and
> back.
> -- I will use the bike as follows:
> *** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same
time
> I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide
road,
> broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills. I
> need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
> pumping and keep it there.
> *** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar
with
> the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
> *** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.
>
> Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will
buy
> a bike for me, limit $500.00.
>
> So, what do you suggest?
>
If your budget is limited to *$500.00*, find a used bike. I would recommend
you locate a good bike shop that knows how to do fitting and figure out
exactly what size bike you need. A "good" shop should be able to put you on
something like a Serotta fit cycle and measure you for things like seat and
top tube length, crank length, seatpost height and stem length and height.
They should be able to factor in your age, physical ability and type of
riding you want to do. Given all the above, you should be able to find a
good bike within your budgetary limit.....

07-11-2004, 03:34 PM

"Churchill" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:lPjIc.1576$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> $ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

>
> "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to
hear
> > everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.
> >
> > I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.
> >
> > I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles
per
> > week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc.
For
> > the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that
> now
> > I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.
> >
> > I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
> > -- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints
are
> > taking from running.
> > -- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.
> >
> > I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
> exercise
> > and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm
not
> > into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary
bike
> > is boring and there's no place to spit.
> >
> > I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
> exercising
> > with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
> > help.
> >
> > -- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,
> and
> > back.
> > -- I will use the bike as follows:
> > *** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same
> time
> > I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide
> road,
> > broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills.
I
> > need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
> > pumping and keep it there.
> > *** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar
> with
> > the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
> > *** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.
> >
> > Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will
> buy
> > a bike for me, limit $500.00.
> >
> > So, what do you suggest?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > --
> >
> > -----
> > Joe S.

07-11-2004, 03:34 PM

"Churchill" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:lPjIc.1576$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> $ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

>
> "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to
hear
> > everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.
> >
> > I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.
> >
> > I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles
per
> > week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc.
For
> > the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that
> now
> > I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.
> >
> > I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
> > -- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints
are
> > taking from running.
> > -- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.
> >
> > I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
> exercise
> > and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm
not
> > into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary
bike
> > is boring and there's no place to spit.
> >
> > I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
> exercising
> > with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
> > help.
> >
> > -- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,
> and
> > back.
> > -- I will use the bike as follows:
> > *** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same
> time
> > I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide
> road,
> > broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills.
I
> > need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
> > pumping and keep it there.
> > *** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar
> with
> > the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
> > *** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.
> >
> > Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will
> buy
> > a bike for me, limit $500.00.
> >
> > So, what do you suggest?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > --
> >
> > -----
> > Joe S.

07-11-2004, 03:34 PM

"Churchill" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:lPjIc.1576$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> $ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

>
> "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to
hear
> > everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.
> >
> > I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.
> >
> > I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles
per
> > week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc.
For
> > the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that
> now
> > I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.
> >
> > I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
> > -- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints
are
> > taking from running.
> > -- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.
> >
> > I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
> exercise
> > and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm
not
> > into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary
bike
> > is boring and there's no place to spit.
> >
> > I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
> exercising
> > with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
> > help.
> >
> > -- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,
> and
> > back.
> > -- I will use the bike as follows:
> > *** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same
> time
> > I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide
> road,
> > broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills.
I
> > need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
> > pumping and keep it there.
> > *** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar
> with
> > the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
> > *** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.
> >
> > Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will
> buy
> > a bike for me, limit $500.00.
> >
> > So, what do you suggest?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > --
> >
> > -----
> > Joe S.

07-11-2004, 03:34 PM

"Churchill" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:lPjIc.1576$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> $ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

>
> "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to
hear
> > everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.
> >
> > I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.
> >
> > I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles
per
> > week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc.
For
> > the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that
> now
> > I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.
> >
> > I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
> > -- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints
are
> > taking from running.
> > -- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.
> >
> > I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
> exercise
> > and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm
not
> > into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary
bike
> > is boring and there's no place to spit.
> >
> > I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
> exercising
> > with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
> > help.
> >
> > -- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,
> and
> > back.
> > -- I will use the bike as follows:
> > *** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same
> time
> > I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide
> road,
> > broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills.
I
> > need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
> > pumping and keep it there.
> > *** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar
> with
> > the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
> > *** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.
> >
> > Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will
> buy
> > a bike for me, limit $500.00.
> >
> > So, what do you suggest?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > --
> >
> > -----
> > Joe S.

07-11-2004, 03:34 PM

"Churchill" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:lPjIc.1576$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> $ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

>
> "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to
hear
> > everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.
> >
> > I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.
> >
> > I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles
per
> > week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc.
For
> > the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that
> now
> > I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.
> >
> > I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
> > -- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints
are
> > taking from running.
> > -- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.
> >
> > I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
> exercise
> > and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm
not
> > into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary
bike
> > is boring and there's no place to spit.
> >
> > I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
> exercising
> > with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
> > help.
> >
> > -- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,
> and
> > back.
> > -- I will use the bike as follows:
> > *** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same
> time
> > I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide
> road,
> > broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills.
I
> > need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
> > pumping and keep it there.
> > *** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar
> with
> > the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
> > *** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.
> >
> > Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will
> buy
> > a bike for me, limit $500.00.
> >
> > So, what do you suggest?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > --
> >
> > -----
> > Joe S.

07-11-2004, 04:01 PM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 18:18:14 -0400, "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>So, what do you suggest?
>
>Thanks.

Go shop for a bike shop. Pick a shop that you like, that takes the
time to find out what you want, how you want it to fit, etc. Then work
with them to find the best bike for you. You will be going back to the
shop for adjustments, for clothes, parts, accessories, etc. Choose a
store that you will want to walk back into later.

Any bike shop worth dealing with will see the advantages of a customer
like you. In good shape, out for enjoyment and exercise, and up in
years. They should see you as a rolling advertisement for biking and
word of mouth recommendations for their shop.

07-11-2004, 04:01 PM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 18:18:14 -0400, "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>So, what do you suggest?
>
>Thanks.

Go shop for a bike shop. Pick a shop that you like, that takes the
time to find out what you want, how you want it to fit, etc. Then work
with them to find the best bike for you. You will be going back to the
shop for adjustments, for clothes, parts, accessories, etc. Choose a
store that you will want to walk back into later.

Any bike shop worth dealing with will see the advantages of a customer
like you. In good shape, out for enjoyment and exercise, and up in
years. They should see you as a rolling advertisement for biking and
word of mouth recommendations for their shop.

07-11-2004, 04:01 PM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 18:18:14 -0400, "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>So, what do you suggest?
>
>Thanks.

Go shop for a bike shop. Pick a shop that you like, that takes the
time to find out what you want, how you want it to fit, etc. Then work
with them to find the best bike for you. You will be going back to the
shop for adjustments, for clothes, parts, accessories, etc. Choose a
store that you will want to walk back into later.

Any bike shop worth dealing with will see the advantages of a customer
like you. In good shape, out for enjoyment and exercise, and up in
years. They should see you as a rolling advertisement for biking and
word of mouth recommendations for their shop.

07-11-2004, 04:01 PM

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 18:18:14 -0400, "Joe S." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>So, what do you suggest?
>
>Thanks.

Go shop for a bike shop. Pick a shop that you like, that takes the
time to find out what you want, how you want it to fit, etc. Then work
with them to find the best bike for you. You will be going back to the
shop for adjustments, for clothes, parts, accessories, etc. Choose a
store that you will want to walk back into later.

Any bike shop worth dealing with will see the advantages of a customer
like you. In good shape, out for enjoyment and exercise, and up in
years. They should see you as a rolling advertisement for biking and
word of mouth recommendations for their shop.