Runningcyclist's bike search

[runningcyclist]

I thought I should start a new thread rather than hijack Lesley's.

I also wanted to thank everybody for their suggestions. Invaluable and adding to my cycling education :)

Well this evening I tried the Surly LHT. Love at first sight which is a little ridiculous as I only rode 'her' for about 10/15 mins. Once my stomach had stopped clenching (I always do that on a bike, especially when it's not mine!) I enjoyed the ride a lot more. I definitely have brake/handlebar problems but she felt comfortable and I love, love, love the wheels :D. My hybrid felt clunky and huge by comparison.

I did see a Surly Pacer in the shop (thanks KnottedYet) but it was too close to their closing time. I'll see if they have it in my size and take it for a ride another time. Maybe I should try the two together to see the differences. Hmm.

I've managed to track down a Trek 43cm with 650c wheels and should be able to ride that later this week.

I actually want a road bike and a tourer but the road bike comes first. I'm thinking about cycling holidays next year or the year after. Like Lesley, I have a hybrid but she'd be on shopping duties/local rides with the road bike being my city runaround/long rides. Scratch that, I want TWO road bikes: one as a runaround and the other (more expensive) for long rides as well as the tourer.

Goodness this N+1 formula really takes hold doesn't it? :eek::D

[Atlas]

Good luck! We are a Surly family and I love my Cross Check more than I ever thought I could love a bike.

[KnottedYet]

A touring bike is a road bike. It just has geometry that handles heavy loads well.

They work peachy dandy for riding without loads, too!

And "road bikes" that have braze-ons handle loads and can be used for touring!

(confused yet?)

Basically, buy the bike you fall in love with and that loves you back. Don't worry about designations and categories; what matters is that the bike feels like it was made for you, and riding it is joyful to your soul.

I feel that love for my Surly Cross Check, which is a cyclocross bike that I use for fast road rides, dirt and gravel rides, grocery shopping, commuting, and plan to tour on.

Don't worry about what the bike is called. Just look for that "ahhhh, MINE" moment.

[runningcyclist]

Well, after riding a few bikes of varying sizes I've finally settled on a Trek 43cm with 650 wheels. It's certainly the smallest bike I've ever sat on but the top tube fitted perfectly unlike the others, including the lovely LHT. I really love smaller wheels too :D

I wanted to get the 2010 model as the colour scheme for the 2011 model is a little hard to take, but I'll have to add more blue bits to counteract the white.

Already thinking about my next bike :eek::eek: I want one I can use as a tourer so that might need to be custom build or maybe I could adapt a child's bike. I did see a rather nice Dawes Espoir junior road bike on a website but didn't try to get one for a test ride.

[Owlie]

It's okay. I have the upgrade for my current road bike planned, the eventual new go-fast bike, the steel tourer/grocery-getter...And I'm broke. :eek:

[runningcyclist]

Owlie, did I mention I have no money? :D

Currently my bikes are funded by my company's cycle to work scheme, which is a government initiative to encourage people to ride rather than drive. This has enabled lots of people to get bikes they wouldn't normally be able to afford. I suspect a consequence of this is that bike prices have risen steadily year on year. For example the 2011 Trek I am now getting is £100 more expensive for the same spec so far as I can see :eek:

Anyway, yesterday I went to Roberts Cycles who are custom bike builders and I didn't know what to do with myself. The bikes are fab, fab-you-lous and having decided on - eventually - getting a road bike then a tourer, I was then shown a 'commuter-type' with dynamo lights and I want one of them too :rolleyes::D

Fortunately the total cost means it will take me about 2 years to save the money for the first bike so I've plenty of time to come to a final decision about the type of bike I want first :)