help with bike selection? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-20-2004, 01:55 PM

Hi folks. I'm getting ready to buy a new bike, and am hoping some of you
more experienced cyclists will be willing to help me figure it all out.

Here's my story: I'm 36 years old, 6' tall, 215 lbs., and carrying about 25
lbs. of excess baggage that I'd like to shed. I'm not really a workout kind
of guy but I have always enjoyed riding my bike around town here in Chicago.
So a few months ago I tuned up the old Rockhopper Comp and started hitting
the streets and park bike paths. I've been riding 40-50 miles a week since
the spring, and am already beginning to feel healthier.

I'd like to start increasing the distance of my rides, but the discomfort of
the mountain bike is really hindering me. I feel too hunched over [spare
tire gets in the way], and have been experiencing some hand, elbow and seat
pain.

So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test rides
this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in advance.

I've set my maximum budget at $1000. I have all the accessories I need
already, and will be keeping the MTN bike as a spare/loaner.

I ride mostly on asphalt and crushed paths. The closest I ever get to
off-roading is some minor city potholes and curb jumping; cutting across the
grass from one path to another; and the occasional sand-blown beach path.

My distances range from quick trips to the store, to around 15-mile park
cruises. I want to increase my range to around 25 miles.

I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
anything too heavy or slow. I'd like my bike to ride smoothly and quietly,
and be generally reliable and durable. Lastly, I'd like a bike that makes
it a little easier to keep up with some of my younger, healthier friends
[mostly MTN bikers].

I don't need anything flashy or loaded with gimmickry, and I'm not stuck on
brand names. I just want the best, most appropriate bike that my budget will
afford.

So, now that you know the story of my life, here's what I'd like to know:

What style of bike should I be looking for?

What materials?

What features?

Which brands/models?

What else should I know?

Any help would be very much appreciated. Happy trails!

Pete

06-21-2004, 02:54 PM

Pete Greenwood wrote:

> So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test rides
> this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in advance.
>
> I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> anything too heavy or slow. I'd like my bike to ride smoothly and quietly,
> and be generally reliable and durable. Lastly, I'd like a bike that makes
> it a little easier to keep up with some of my younger, healthier friends
> [mostly MTN bikers].
>
> I don't need anything flashy or loaded with gimmickry, and I'm not stuck on
> brand names. I just want the best, most appropriate bike that my budget will
> afford.
>
> Any help would be very much appreciated. Happy trails!
>
> Pete

Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest in
which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people were
all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes. I
can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup can
contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for an
around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from what I
remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Can anyone add any info?

Good luck!
Nita

06-21-2004, 02:54 PM

Pete Greenwood wrote:

> So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test rides
> this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in advance.
>
> I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> anything too heavy or slow. I'd like my bike to ride smoothly and quietly,
> and be generally reliable and durable. Lastly, I'd like a bike that makes
> it a little easier to keep up with some of my younger, healthier friends
> [mostly MTN bikers].
>
> I don't need anything flashy or loaded with gimmickry, and I'm not stuck on
> brand names. I just want the best, most appropriate bike that my budget will
> afford.
>
> Any help would be very much appreciated. Happy trails!
>
> Pete

Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest in
which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people were
all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes. I
can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup can
contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for an
around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from what I
remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Can anyone add any info?

Good luck!
Nita

06-21-2004, 02:54 PM

Pete Greenwood wrote:

> So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test rides
> this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in advance.
>
> I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> anything too heavy or slow. I'd like my bike to ride smoothly and quietly,
> and be generally reliable and durable. Lastly, I'd like a bike that makes
> it a little easier to keep up with some of my younger, healthier friends
> [mostly MTN bikers].
>
> I don't need anything flashy or loaded with gimmickry, and I'm not stuck on
> brand names. I just want the best, most appropriate bike that my budget will
> afford.
>
> Any help would be very much appreciated. Happy trails!
>
> Pete

Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest in
which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people were
all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes. I
can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup can
contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for an
around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from what I
remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Can anyone add any info?

Good luck!
Nita

06-21-2004, 02:54 PM

Pete Greenwood wrote:

> So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test rides
> this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in advance.
>
> I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> anything too heavy or slow. I'd like my bike to ride smoothly and quietly,
> and be generally reliable and durable. Lastly, I'd like a bike that makes
> it a little easier to keep up with some of my younger, healthier friends
> [mostly MTN bikers].
>
> I don't need anything flashy or loaded with gimmickry, and I'm not stuck on
> brand names. I just want the best, most appropriate bike that my budget will
> afford.
>
> Any help would be very much appreciated. Happy trails!
>
> Pete

Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest in
which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people were
all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes. I
can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup can
contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for an
around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from what I
remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Can anyone add any info?

Good luck!
Nita

06-21-2004, 02:54 PM

Pete Greenwood wrote:

> So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test rides
> this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in advance.
>
> I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> anything too heavy or slow. I'd like my bike to ride smoothly and quietly,
> and be generally reliable and durable. Lastly, I'd like a bike that makes
> it a little easier to keep up with some of my younger, healthier friends
> [mostly MTN bikers].
>
> I don't need anything flashy or loaded with gimmickry, and I'm not stuck on
> brand names. I just want the best, most appropriate bike that my budget will
> afford.
>
> Any help would be very much appreciated. Happy trails!
>
> Pete

Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest in
which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people were
all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes. I
can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup can
contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for an
around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from what I
remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Can anyone add any info?

Good luck!
Nita

06-21-2004, 04:05 PM

"Rosey" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu...
> Pete Greenwood wrote:
>
> > So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test
rides
> > this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in
advance.
> >
> > I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> > anything too heavy or slow.

How upright do you have to be? I'm seeing you on a road bike with drop bars.
You can ride with your hands on the tops most of the time and be upright,
and only go down to the drops on descents. When you go to the bike store,
make sure they know you want to be in a more upright position for a lot of
your riding. They might make some adjustments in the bike (a spacer in the
headset?) to meet your needs.

> Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest
in
> which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people
were
> all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes.
I
> can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup
can
> contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for
an
> around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from
what I
> remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Nah, he's graduated from that sort of thing. He's going to keep his old
Rockhopper comp for mountain biking and maybe as his rain, around-town, or
commuter bike. But for his real rides, he's going to get a good, standard
road bike.

If I were you, Pete, I'd be looking at something like maybe a Jamis or
Giant, that don't have the cache of the fancier road bike brand names. I'd
go no lower than Shimano 105 components. Maybe something like this?
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. This will carry you
through your next level of cycling -- you'll ride this sort of bike for your
first metric century, and your first 100 mile century, no problem.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-21-2004, 04:05 PM

"Rosey" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu...
> Pete Greenwood wrote:
>
> > So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test
rides
> > this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in
advance.
> >
> > I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> > anything too heavy or slow.

How upright do you have to be? I'm seeing you on a road bike with drop bars.
You can ride with your hands on the tops most of the time and be upright,
and only go down to the drops on descents. When you go to the bike store,
make sure they know you want to be in a more upright position for a lot of
your riding. They might make some adjustments in the bike (a spacer in the
headset?) to meet your needs.

> Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest
in
> which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people
were
> all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes.
I
> can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup
can
> contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for
an
> around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from
what I
> remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Nah, he's graduated from that sort of thing. He's going to keep his old
Rockhopper comp for mountain biking and maybe as his rain, around-town, or
commuter bike. But for his real rides, he's going to get a good, standard
road bike.

If I were you, Pete, I'd be looking at something like maybe a Jamis or
Giant, that don't have the cache of the fancier road bike brand names. I'd
go no lower than Shimano 105 components. Maybe something like this?
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. This will carry you
through your next level of cycling -- you'll ride this sort of bike for your
first metric century, and your first 100 mile century, no problem.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-21-2004, 04:05 PM

"Rosey" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu...
> Pete Greenwood wrote:
>
> > So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test
rides
> > this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in
advance.
> >
> > I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> > anything too heavy or slow.

How upright do you have to be? I'm seeing you on a road bike with drop bars.
You can ride with your hands on the tops most of the time and be upright,
and only go down to the drops on descents. When you go to the bike store,
make sure they know you want to be in a more upright position for a lot of
your riding. They might make some adjustments in the bike (a spacer in the
headset?) to meet your needs.

> Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest
in
> which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people
were
> all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes.
I
> can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup
can
> contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for
an
> around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from
what I
> remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Nah, he's graduated from that sort of thing. He's going to keep his old
Rockhopper comp for mountain biking and maybe as his rain, around-town, or
commuter bike. But for his real rides, he's going to get a good, standard
road bike.

If I were you, Pete, I'd be looking at something like maybe a Jamis or
Giant, that don't have the cache of the fancier road bike brand names. I'd
go no lower than Shimano 105 components. Maybe something like this?
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. This will carry you
through your next level of cycling -- you'll ride this sort of bike for your
first metric century, and your first 100 mile century, no problem.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-21-2004, 04:05 PM

"Rosey" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu...
> Pete Greenwood wrote:
>
> > So I've decided it's time to get a new bike. I plan to do some test
rides
> > this week, and would like to be armed with a bit of knowledge in
advance.
> >
> > I'd like a ride that is comfortable and fairly upright, but I don't want
> > anything too heavy or slow.

How upright do you have to be? I'm seeing you on a road bike with drop bars.
You can ride with your hands on the tops most of the time and be upright,
and only go down to the drops on descents. When you go to the bike store,
make sure they know you want to be in a more upright position for a lot of
your riding. They might make some adjustments in the bike (a spacer in the
headset?) to meet your needs.

> Bicycling Magazine had an article in their Jan-Feb. issue about a contest
in
> which 50 people were given Trek bicycles to use for 3 months. The people
were
> all levels of ability. For the most part they all really liked the bikes.
I
> can't remember the particular model, maybe someone else in this newsgroup
can
> contribute that, but I remember thinking that it was a good compromise for
an
> around town bike for a person who was into recreational cycling. And from
what I
> remember, is similar to what you are describing you want.

Nah, he's graduated from that sort of thing. He's going to keep his old
Rockhopper comp for mountain biking and maybe as his rain, around-town, or
commuter bike. But for his real rides, he's going to get a good, standard
road bike.

If I were you, Pete, I'd be looking at something like maybe a Jamis or
Giant, that don't have the cache of the fancier road bike brand names. I'd
go no lower than Shimano 105 components. Maybe something like this?
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. This will carry you
through your next level of cycling -- you'll ride this sort of bike for your
first metric century, and your first 100 mile century, no problem.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]