|
| Wheels (Read 1109 times) |
| view log Funky Monkey |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 12:38 AM |
What kind of bike do I need?
- Biking to and from work ~ 8 miles each way on road and greenway
- Occasional recreational biking on roads
- I am NOT permitted to start biking competitively or participating in triathelons (but may bike on weekends with friends who do)
Thx |
| It's all fun and games until the flying monkeys attack. |
|
|
|
| view log :D |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 3:11 AM
modified: 5/11/2007 at 3:11 AM |
| Quote from Trent on 5/11/2007 at 12:38 AM: What kind of bike do I need?
- I am NOT permitted to start biking competitively or participating in triathelons (but may bike on weekends with friends who do)
Thx
I see, and when these "friends" are competing on the weekend, will be be biking with them at that time too? 
|
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away...(unkown)
Unus Dies Procul A Vicis
• Go With The Flow
• Thyroid Support Group |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 3:32 AM |
| Try a Breezer. |
a vagabond,..highway-beater; a rolling stone, one that does nought but runne here and there.
~Cotgrave, Randle A dictionarie of the French and English tongues, 1611
|
|
|
Scout7 view logCPT Curmudgeon |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 11:56 AM |
| You could go with a standard road bike, or something more like a touring or commuter bike. They are like the kind you see the old people riding in Europe. You sit up straighter, so it can be more comfortable. Plus, the tires tend to be a little heavier, so a little more resilient. Or just get a mountain bike, and slap on some slicks. |
Amat victoria curam.
Sine labore nihil.
Dulcius ex asperis. |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 1:17 PM |
Hard to keep up with people on raod bikes if you're on a mountain bike, even if they're all overweight weekend warrior triathletes. Get a low end road racing bike. It will be fun to blow past people on their $3,500 carbon fiber bikes with full Dura-Ace component group on your $700 steele or aluminum bike with Tiagra component group.
And bikes last forever if you take decent care and don't need to always have the latest and greatest. I have a Specialized mountain bike that I bought in 1997 when I used to do some racing. It cost me $1,000 then, I've put almost no money into it (tires, lots of tubes, a few chains) and it runs like new. Has many thousand miles on it in several states, most of those miles in the first 4 years I owned it. |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 1:32 PM |
| I just bought a Marin San Rafael and I really like it- it's a city bike, so it's got a thicker wheel than a road bike which helps on grass, dirt trails, potholes, etc. It's fast and pretty lightweight. I looked a lot because I wanted something sturdier than a road bike, but not so bulky and slow as a mountain bike. This one seems perfect to me. Other hybrids sat upright, which I hated- this sits over the bars so you can get some good speed. I also looked at the Specialized Globe which was similar, but a bit lighter and a thinner wheel. |
|
|
| view log Member Since 2008 |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 1:36 PM |
| Trent, it all depends on how serious you are about biking. If you have a strong lower back and do not mind being bent over alot, get the touring bike. If you are into comfort and just want to put around town, go for the comfort bike. Go to a good bike shop and go for a test ride. |
|
|
| view log Stinky Fiend |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 1:56 PM |
| Quote from Go PRE on 5/11/2007 at 1:36 PM: If you...do not mind being bent over alot
This is where we will miss JK the most. I'm not touching that one. Come back soon JK!
Trent...that third bullet point of yours is the key. If you don't have at least an entry level road bike, you'll need to be quite strong on the bike just to sit in a draft if your friends get going fast. If you'll just be tooling around with them, just about anything with slick road tires should work.
Regardless of which kind of bike you get, the #1 consideration is fit. Don't go for a bargain if the bike is even slightly off your size. You won't enjoy riding a bike that does not fit. |
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 6:10 PM
modified: 5/11/2007 at 6:11 PM |
Most of my co-workers who do recreation and commute riding have Specialized bikes.
If I move closer to work, I might take up the whole commuting to work on a bike deal.
In the back of my mind, I'd like to try a tin man triathlon, but then I need to find a cheap place to take up swimming. |
09-20 Tour Des Fleurs 10k (20k)
Focus on breaking 1000 miles for the year.
22:00-23:00 for 5K (maybe)
|
|
|
| view log Resonate |
posted: 5/11/2007 at 6:18 PM |
| Quote from modal on 5/11/2007 at 6:10 PM: tin man triathlon
Nice, Modal. I chuckled when I saw that, not at you mind you, as I'm probably in tin-foil shape.
The Y isn't that expensive - the one by us is pretty nice and has nice indoor and outdoor pools. |
Mike | Current Training Plan
Out near the edge where life is in full color. |
|
|
| view log my homeground |
posted: 5/12/2007 at 4:09 AM |
| get an entry level road bike. more runners should take up swimming and biking! |
Tokyo Marathon - the best race EVER!
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/15/2007 at 2:30 PM |
I would reccomend a sport road bike or a hybrid. I just purchased the Jamis Wnture Sport (cost $535) and am pretty happy. I warn you though, if you have not ridden a road bike before, it takes some getting used to. Or at least for those of us with less than perfect balance. The much thinner tires and new riding position will require a little practice. I highly reccomend going to a local bike shop and speaking with them. Get a bike that fits you, it will be worth any extra money if you're planning to keep up the biking. Were duathlons prohibited too 
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 5/15/2007 at 3:11 PM |
| I have a Specialized Allez Triple. It is a good road bike that you could ride to and from work- get a good work out with your friend on the weekend, and if.... IF.... you ever decide to do a tri it is a good bike for that too. |
| http://distance-runner.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
