Cycling Thread

[Clay Fink]

Any road riders here?

Things are finally thawing out here in DC and I made down to Rock Creek Park a few times with my old Bianchi. I've got a newer Waterford that I'm cleaning up for the season ahead.

So. Steel, aluminum, carbon or ti. I'm a diehard steel guy myself.

[Dr Dave]

I'm a Bianchi rider too, although I have what I call the Retired Person's Model, the Avenue, to which I have attached a huge utilitarian basket, just to remind myself that I'm not riding a Century just because I'm wheeling around town doing errands. I haven't been on a big ride in a few years now (last one was 2001 through Bordeaux), but I still dream about them. The tour organizer provided Cannondales, which were quite nice. I'm not a serious enough rider to really tell the difference in quality of ride between steel and aluminum, but I sure do like a lighter bike.

[Tanager]

I blasted my elbow apart a couple of years ago on a trail, but I'd love to start riding again. I'm not at all serious, and I don't have a very good bike, but road riding has always appealed to me. How much does one need to spend to get a basic bike that will be serviceable for decent roads a few times a week, with the main foci being exercise and enjoyment?

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I'm pretty sure that our friend Bebop is a professional triathloner if there is such a thing................

http://www.svmarathon.com/kahuna/images/2002%20Photos/Lead%20Bike.jpg

[Clay Fink]

Originally posted by Tanager
I blasted my elbow apart a couple of years ago on a trail, but I'd love to start riding again. I'm not at all serious, and I don't have a very good bike, but road riding has always appealed to me. How much does one need to spend to get a basic bike that will be serviceable for decent roads a few times a week, with the main foci being exercise and enjoyment?

If you want a road bike with the standard drop handlebars, ther should be a few models around at the $700-$800 level. It's better to spend a little extra for a real bike rather than a Huffy or something, thought I know a guy who did an iron man triathalon on a cheap Sears bike.

Just make sure the bike fits.

[clinthopson]

I miss my old baloon tire Schwinn with the flexible front fork. Many, many newspapers were delivered from that workhorse.

[Nathaniel Catchpole]

Just bought a bike about a month ago, first one I've owned for about six years. Got pissed off with the Tube (my line's been out of action for four months due to a crash) and the buses are slower than cycling. Have a Hybrid - which I got half-price in a sale - very happy with it, but will probably upgrade in a year or two when I've saved enough money from bus fares to get a serious one - although this is the best bike I've ever owned and an easy ride.

[bbrooksux]

I recently got a hybrid as well, a Raleigh. Price was right around $300 and it came well equipped actually. Nice smooth ride and will do well enough for city riding and some trails.

[Clay Fink]

I'm actually getting ready to shop for a hybred so I can ride some trails with my wife who refuses to ride on the road.

[GoodSpeak]

Mountain biker here...gimme them knobby tires and trials over touring bikes and roads any day ;-)

[BeBop]

My days as a pro are behind me, and I only did the cycling thing (don't have the joints to run or the body fat to swim), but I've spent a considerable portion of my life on the road.

[Tanager]

I just purchased a new ride, a Klein Aura V. I've been using cycling on my MTB (with hybrid tires) as a way to balance my running (and occasional swimming), and I'm looking forward to having a real road bike to take out for some longer jaunts. I'm still a semi-newbie to riding, having been a runner since I was 12, but I really enjoy the feeling of freedom in terms of being able to explore longer routes a bike offers.

http://www.kleinbikes.com/assets/asset_upload_file561_1118.jpg

[Dr Dave]

Nice lookin' wheels!

I'm going to be in the market for a hybrid for tootling around Asheville and taking on some of the local trails. I've never ridden in the mountains in the US before.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Where the hell is the engine?...........

[Tanager]

Nice lookin' wheels!

I'm going to be in the market for a hybrid for tootling around Asheville and taking on some of the local trails. I've never ridden in the mountains in the US before.

Asheville is supposed to be one of the biggest MTB meccas in the East - you should have no trouble finding a good local shop with knowledgeable peeps. Ditto for finding a good group with which to ride.

[Deke]

http://www.orbit-cycles.co.uk/bargains/harrtour.jpg

Never go on a 60 mile ride without warming up.

30 years, and my knee still hasn't recovered. :(