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For the first time in 2 years, I got out on the road bike and did some pedaling. My legs are on fire from climbing, and this cold air will kick your ass if you are out of shape. It looks like I have a lot of work to do.
On a good note, I replaced my STI shifters since my rear was broken. I got it all adjusted perfectly on the bench, and didn't have to adjust at all on the road.
Like.
Nice.
I took my 1st ride 2 days ago.
Hoping to do another today.
Goal is 60 miles for this week on my single speed.
Double yikes!Quote:
Originally Posted by DuncanMoto
First, when I saw "Goal is 60 miles", "for this week" didn't register right away.
Second "on my single speed" :shock:
Any of you guys have any good links/resources for decent used bikes? I've been keeping an eye on CL but its tough finding something decent that would fit me. Tempted to pick up a Trek 1 series or something new this spring. Still shopping around for something decent that won't completely break the bank.
I had a roommate that did iron man while living in lake placid... he had a crazy high end Quintana Roo tri bike he let me ride around on and it was a blast.
Landry's has some new 2009 and 2010 bikes that are a good deal. I am headed over to the one in Westboro to see about a bike for my wife. I also want to see if they can help me sort out the twitchy handling that my bike has. It feels nervious as hell when you switch hand positions.
Uh... Yeah, that's just you.Quote:
Originally Posted by eboos
I had the same problem, but I'm getting more used to it.
That whole addage "Just like riding a bike" is B.S. I forgot how hard it can be. Sticks suck, sand sucks and ice covered in sand still sucks the worst.
Great workout.
So what you're saying is...Quote:
Originally Posted by DuncanMoto
I suck at this too.
Great. Another 4 years as a novice. :wink:
Just get some Ducati decals and put them on the frame and you'll be twice as fast.... Promise.Quote:
Originally Posted by eboos
^^^^^ :spit:
Glad YOU said it!....
Walk into your favorite shop and ask. I did this a couple years ago at Wheel Power in Exeter, NH. They've been my favorite shop for ~6 years, since they bailed me out on my MTB after a serious wreck that I thought had destroyed a very expensive, one-off frame. They've gotten all my business since.Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanNicholson
I told them I wanted to try real road biking, since my "experiment" with a 60's Rudge converted to SS that didn't even fit me right was starting to see 50 miles/ride. We looked at a bunch of stuff, but I didn't want to spend what I needed to for the quality of components I wanted, and I wasn't willing to settle for crap components. The guy at the shop (blanking on his name) asked me if I was ok with a leftover model. I said "HELL YEAH!" and he went out back. Actually, it's the basement, or upstairs. Anyway, elsewhere. He came back with a 2 year old, brand new model of the bike I was drooling over and couldn't afford. In my exact size. I paid the same for that as the cheapest bike I'd looked at, which was nowhere near in the same league of bike. He basically told me "we're going to have to send this thing back to Trek, and we take a hit when we do that, so we're taking a loss regardless. You can have it at cost, it still saves us having to send it back".
That bike has been to hell and back and is still going strong. Quite a few crashes, tons of miles, plenty of dings, but damned if it isn't still straight, true, fast and fun! 2006 Lemond Alpe D'Huez. If I were home right now, I'd be on it considering the weather! this bike
Used bikes are tough. Finding what you want in your size is a bitch, and then getting a worth while deal is even harder. I have only looked at used bikes once and that was over 5 years ago. At that time I wanted an ultegra level road bike. Everything I saw either didn't fit, or was trashed. I ended up just buying brand new.
My Fiancee has a Trek 1.1 and I don't see anything wrong with them. Then again I am old school. The last bike I bought was a Lemond Zurich, which has full Ultegra and a steel frame. I will never let it go...nothing rides like steel...nothing. Steel frames are becoming harder to find these days too.
Got this over the winter, but haven't had a chance to ride it yet. It is a 2010 Cannondale Six Carbon 5 and supposedly weighs 18.2lbs. Normally a $2k bike, but as it was the end of the season I got a pretty good deal on it. I picked up some nice pedals and I still have to put my Cateye computer on it as well.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j9...y/9d66b3ae.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j9...y/209ba34d.jpg
That Cannondale is a sweet ride. Now get in shape so you can flip that stem over, and take a few spacers out out from under it. Then you'll be in a much more aggressive position, and not a giant parachute while you pedal down the road.
***Edit - Actually after a second look your seat is slightly higher than your bars so nevermind.
Here you go.Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanNicholson
http://classifieds.roadbikereview.com/showcat.php/cat/3
It's much easier to joke about it now since I can't afford to do it for a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by FireboltEric_MA
By the way, I rode by your house. Are you stateside right now?
I ride my Bianchi SS year round, I just picked up new toy few weeks back though :) Its a 04 Salsa La Cruz set up for cyclocross with lotsa goodies on it
I ended up down at S&W Sports here in Concord yesterday. I spent like an hour chatting with one of the guys about what you get for what price range, components, ride positions, etc. It basically convinced me to spend more than I was originally thinking, go figure haha.
I'm thinking I might check out another shop today to look into the Cannondales. S&W only caries Trek, Giant, and a few other high end brands that are above my price range.
Other than the obvious, how practical is a triathlon/trials bike for casual use? Thats all I have experience on and I liked it, but don't know much for comparison. Plus they look badass haha.
Everyone is different, but I find tri bikes uncomfortable for distance. I love my Alpe D'Huez mostly because if I decide to do a casual, leisurely 70 miles over the course of a day, stopping at the beach, etc. I can still take that bike. To me, a bike that you have to be balls out on in order for it to "work" right just isn't as much fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanNicholson
I see you down there jimbolina.
Nebo bike rides?
Here's a good site for pricing used bikes and reviews.
http://www.bikepedia.com/Default.aspx
I picked up a 2007 Trek 5000 in my size two years ago for $850 on CL. Just started cycling a couple years ago and my longest solo ride to date is 48 miles. I don't get out as much as I would like. My goal is to be able to do a century ride by the end of the summer.
What my ride looks like.
yea man let me know.
FWIW I have been racing mountain bikes since I was 12 (I'm 31), and I was a mechanic at a shop for several years back in the day as well so I have a lot of experience with this stuff. As far as how much you need to spend...More $$$ is not always better.Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanNicholson
It's the same old trick as always. Put a bike out with a great price but cut it's inventory back, and train the dealers to sell the customer up. The cheaper bike gets people in the door, the lack of inventory on the cheaper model combined with selling skills results in more sales of bikes that cost more and have higher margins.
As far as trials bikes...I hate them. They are designed for one person who has the entire road to themselves to ride. Sure they go good in a straight line but other that they suck. Then again I am a climber and most of my rides are at least 40 miles so I have a different view on things. Maybe if you are all about shorter rides on flatter terrain you will be happy with one.
Yup, Kicking in stateside!
Should have stopped in for the Daytona 100 (1/2 race)... Was a fun time!
Just went to the bike shop again... just shopping around. The guy there was cool as hell, wasn't trying to push anything on me. He kinda did a quick fit on a couple bikes with me, and after I explained what I was looking to do (probably shorter distance, higher intensity) we kinda landed on the Cannondales.
Theres a reasonably good chance I may end up with a CAAD 10 in the future. We'll see what happens.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...10-5-105-15725