steel--wanna play?

[elk]

I'm just obsessed with bikes....my hobby these days is looking at tons and tons of them and imagining what I might buy...I got really close to a vintage Pinarello...but the woman selling suddenyl stopped corresponding. :( I assume she sold it...so otherwise I honestly don't think I can do much better for myself than my aurora unless I go custom....so I'll start saving my pennies.
And today I want a custom Waterford:)

BUT! DH has a Trek 7000...nice bike, but he doesn't LOOOVVVEEE it. And being practical, he sees no reason to get a different one..:confused: The geometry is good...although the flat bar is limiting...


I think that's crazy because I know there is a bike out there he WOULD LOOOVE. SO. (He loved the look of the Amsterdam, but hated riding it)

He's the kind of guy who--stylewise-- should really be on a black vintage Raleigh or a Dutch commuter, but he's actually into riding and we do have these HILLS. He's a primo candidate for a Riv...but $$$$$...

SO...I'm looking for an upgrade FOR him...something with a more upright geometry, a triple, in STEEL....... as far as I'm concerned love springs from buttery steel...I've been eyeing the Trek 520 but wonder if we could put more upright bars on...or a Volpe, or Randonee NOvara...

A black Surly with moustache bars?
but there must be something out there for under 1000.00 that is perfect...
what do you think?

here's his current bike:

[Veronica]

He's a primo candidate for a Riv...but $$$$$...




Have you looked at the homeless frames on their website?

If you think of it in terms of dollar per mile, it might be more palatable. :D

My Rambouillet is down around 50 cents per mile now. My Legolas is still at about 75 cents per mile.

V.

[elk]

i'll look again...I do look at them thinking about my own self :rolleyes:...but they're always way too big for me...

He's a cool 6'1" about a 58cm frame...

Also the Coda just ocurred to me...another steel Jamis, but not as cool as a Rivendell.

[fastdogs]

when I was looking at bikes, someone recommended a Kona Smoke. At the time, I couldn't find any to try out, anywhere.
Recently I got to see on in person in a local shop- what a cool looking bike! It was black, with black fenders, fat tires, and very wonderful looking.
vickie

[sundial]

Elk, would he consider a Surly Cross Check? It's steel and smooth as butta. And it makes a great commuter bike.

[elk]

can you put upright bars on it? the x check....

I like the Konas...not sure it's his style....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

i'll look again...I do look at them thinking about my own self :rolleyes:...but they're always way too big for me...

He's a cool 6'1" about a 58cm frame...

Also the Coda just ocurred to me...another steel Jamis, but not as cool as a Rivendell.

Elk, just as a general reference.....my DH is a 'cool' 6'0" and takes 60cm Rivendells. He test rode the 60cm and the 62cm and both would have been ok but he was glad he picked the 60cm. Your DH may vary, but a 58 would have been too small for my DH who is 1" shorter than your DH.
(confused by now?) :D

Also, you might be able to get a 10 year old Trek 730 steel hybrid and soup it up into a fabulous new steed. My DH took his old dated dark green 730 Trek hybrid and put triple wide range gears, Albatross bars, new slick tires, new pedals and cages, a Brooks saddle, brushed steel water bottles, and chrome fenders....oh my, it looks so yummy now! He says it now rides like butter. Those old steel Treks sell pretty cheap.

[elk]

Elk, just as a general reference.....my DH is a 'cool' 6'0" and takes 60cm Rivendells. He test rode the 60cm and the 62cm and both would have been ok but he was glad he picked the 60cm. Your DH may vary, but a 58 would have been too small for my DH who is 1" shorter than your DH.
(confused by now?) :D

he's long legged too...long arms......He's got a 34.5 PBH; it's weird that Grant suggests a 55 for that on the Riv site.

[KnottedYet]

A black Surly with moustache bars?
but there must be something out there for under 1000.00 that is perfect...


Gee, that sounds familiar.... ;)

(my black Surly Cross Check has moustache bars and cost under $1,000)

[KatyLady]

Have you considered a Salsa Casseroll Triple? RoadBikeRider.com gave it a glowing product review. It's steel, comes with 32mm tires, fenders and decent components. The Casseroll has a lot of similiarities to the Aurora Elite and Long Haul Trucker. I believe its a little pricier than the Jamis and Surly, but still worth consideration.

[Trek420]

Gee, that sounds familiar.... ;)

(my black Surly Cross Check has moustache bars and cost under $1,000)

Which is how many miles per dollar? Let's see take miles, divide by number of bikes, multiply by wool ... ;) :p

[elk]

I love all these bikes: the Surly, the Casseroll, the old Treks, the Kona....

and are you agreeing that any of them can work as a more "upright" ride?
__________ ______________________________________________________
You know what I realized...I think one of the reasons I like those Surlys is that they come in great colors and they don't SCREAM!
I'M A CERVELO, I'M A TREK, HEY, OVER HERE, CANNONDALE ! JAMIS JAMIS...

and the Surlys:

'cuse me folks, LHT comin through.....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I love all these bikes: the Surly, the Casseroll, the old Treks, the Kona....

and are you agreeing that any of them can work as a more "upright" ride?
__________ ______________________________________________________
You know what I realized...I think one of the reasons I like those Surlys is that they come in great colors and they don't SCREAM!
I'M A CERVELO, I'M A TREK, HEY, OVER HERE, CANNONDALE ! JAMIS JAMIS...

and the Surlys:

'cuse me folks, LHT comin through.....


They are ALL really cool bikes. :) and all can be made even cooler with the right accessories..... :p

[VeloVT]

If you're looking for relaxed, keep an eye out for 2006-2008 Lemond Poprad cx bikes. It's steel AND it's light -- unlike a Surly or a Trek 520 (though I do think the 520 is a neat looking bike, I just couldn't see forking out bucks for a 26-lb bike)... Decent if not fancy components (I think it's pretty much straight 105), and lovely buttery ride. I came very close to buying a Poprad as a commuter (actually had a deposit down on it) but settled on an aluminum Bianchi cx bike instead because it was lighter and felt faster. But I think the 49 or 50 cm Poprad I tried weighed in at about 20 lbs, not bad for steel. Handles nicely too. Just skip the disc-brake version since it's heavier and more expensive.

I bring it up because now that Trek is discontinuing the Lemond line, you should be able to score some serious deals. The 2006 model was only around $1300 to begin with, so...

Oh, I think the stock gearing is pretty low, not sure if that would be good or bad for you...

[elk]

What about a VOlpe? He's an Ital-o-phile in regards to many other things....art, food, landscape, movies...

There's a new one I can get for 800.

[TxDoc]

What about a VOlpe? He's an Ital-o-phile in regards to many other things....art, food, landscape, movies...
There's a new one I can get for 800.
I totally recommend Bianchi, but the volpe is the low-end cyclocross/touring model. For just a little bit more $ you could get the Eros that is also steel but a nicer road frame, and it comes with campy!
You can probably find most 2007 models discounted now, if you look for closeouts. Maybe you could even find a virata or a vigorelli at a good price.
http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_road.html
If he wants a cross bike instead, the nicer cyclocross Bianchi are aluminum, but they are light and nice.
http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_cross.html
Has he tried to test ride anything so far?

[elk]

nope..no test rides...i think if i get him something...he'll ride it.

i actually really like the green volpe...I rode one and almost bought that instead of my jamis....
it's hard to find a new green one as it's an 07...and the reason I got the Jamis was becasue I hated the new gold volpe and a green one was not to be had...
it also has a triple and nice low gearing....

[TxDoc]

Have you tried calling Glory? They often have older Bianchi models on closeout, and the price can be really good. Do you know what sizes he needs?

[elk]

I'd say a 58

I just looked it up...same bike for 100 more

[mimitabby]

I did a test ride on the Volpe and thought it to be an awesome little bike (well, in his case, big bike)
I think that's an excellent suggestion if it's still steel (because you want steel)

[TxDoc]

Yes, they are - but different steel:
all of the the 07 road steel models are Reynolds 631 (Eros, Vigorelli, Imola, etc).
the Volpe is 520 CrMo I think, if my memory doesn't play tricks on me... That, added to campy mirage or veloce compaed to shimano tiagra is the main reason I was suggesting Eros over Volpe
Of course it also depends on what kind of geometry he likes better...
In any case, all Bianchi are wonderful :D

[elk]

gosh...now i'm all confused:o

i know that a more upright posture is what he wants/needs....in fact I'm wondering if even the Volpe is too roady....maybe I could put different bars on it.

i just think its a good price for what I found to be a hard to find model that I personally thought was awesome.

[TxDoc]

Is that Volpe at a shop nearby? Can you just take your husband to the shop so he can test-ride it? That way you can see if the bike is a good fit, and also if he likes it... or were you trying to make this sort of a surprise gift?

[elk]

no...ebay....it's a gamble!!!

[elk]

yipes!! I bought the new Volpe. I think it will fit him well and he will LOVE it. He would never buy it for himself....

I remembered test riding it and absolutely ZIPPING up a very steep hill...

say Yay!!! what a GREAT idea:p

So now it's time to sell my Globe....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'd say a 58



I'd still recommend a 60cm for a 6'1" guy. My husband is 6'0" and takes a 60cm, and he almost got the 62 because that was comfy too.

[KnottedYet]

So now it's time to sell my Globe....

But, but, but, your Globe is so *cute*! You can't sell her! She's beautiful! She has personality!

(and don't tell me what size she is and what you're gonna ask, cuz I have 5 bikes now and I'm flirting with danger already! ;))

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sell the Globe. Own bikes that will be ridden a lot. ;)

[elk]

I know she's adorable....but I could never really get comfy on her...I was always squirming around...and I don't think I realized what "fit" meant until I got on my 47cm Aurora and didn't have to move a thing (until I started mokeying around with the bars...:pmonkey bars....)

She's a 53cm step through.....

Lisa...I carefully studied the numbers and talked to other Volpe men who all recommended the 58...he wouldn't feel comfortable on a bigger rather than smaller bike...the next size in a Volpe is a 61... He didn't learn to ride until he was in college (!!!!!) and is still building his confidence...Your cool DH looks much more relaxed physically. He's probably more stretchy....

When I test rode, the 49 was too big for me...and often I can at least ride 49.
Anyway I hope you're wrong cause it's already on the way...!!!

It's a crazy caper I just ran...I'm not impulsive... I just think it's the right thing...

[TxDoc]

yipes!! I bought the new Volpe. I think it will fit him well and he will LOVE it.

Remember to post pictures when it comes in!!!
:)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa...I carefully studied the numbers and talked to other Volpe men who all recommended the 58...he wouldn't feel comfortable on a bigger rather than smaller bike...the next size in a Volpe is a 61... He didn't learn to ride until he was in college (!!!!!) and is still building his confidence...Your cool DH looks much more relaxed physically. He's probably more stretchy....

When I test rode, the 49 was too big for me...and often I can at least ride 49.
Anyway I hope you're wrong cause it's already on the way...!!!

Sounds like maybe you did get the right size for him. Your'e right, my DH is kind of 'stretchy'. :p

I hope it's a hit! Post photos!

[elk]

It's supposed to arrive Thursday. He gave us clipless pedals, cleats and I asked for an adjustable stem...he threw it all in.

We'll see if it arrives in good condition (uh oh UPS) ...and if it does I would recommend this seller...who has quite a few higher end bikes for decent prices.

I'm excited. NOw we'll have matching quality bikes...I think the Volpe and the Aurora are pretty close in that dept.....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey is this the green Volpe whose color is called "Gang Green"????
If so- I've always LOVED that! :D

[elk]

Yes...Gang Green..awful name, nice color!


and fyi ...here's a conversation about Volpe sizes that helped me decide on a 58...just for your reading pleasure...;)
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-134318.html