bouncybouncy
01-13-2006, 10:19 AM
OK...so I am going to join the commuting by bicycle world soon and looking for the perfect bike. I have mapped out a few routes (variety is the spice...and different paths for didfferent weather)
1st - the Blue Ridge Parkway: this would involve the Honey to drop me off at a specific location and i would be able to ride the roadie allllllll the rest of the way:) This would be on nicer days and of course when he is up for a short morning drive (the road from home to drop off point is far too narrow and sketchy during morning rush hour - only about 2 miles from home...then about 10 miles on bike)
2nd - zip through the neighborhood on paved road to the bus stop...ride bus through high traffic area...pedal on up a steep hill to work (remember the bike will be on the front of the bus encouraging me not to get a very pricey bike)
3rd - and most exciting if you ask me...cruise the singletrack behind the neighborhood to the bus stop...ride the bus...and pedal on up the steep hill
Sooo...1st route is good cause i got the roadie. the second and third are the question...I decided i am going to get either a cross bike or a light hardtail mtbike so i can go on and off road my issue is the size...because i may use this off road should i be more concerned with the stand-over height than if it were strictly paved roads? I found a perfect hardtail mtb but the standover was higher than my road bike by at least 3 inches...now this only bothers me because i may be off roadin it some. Because of this i am looking at an extra-small which just seems too small...
I am 5'1" with a 28 inseam
1st - the Blue Ridge Parkway: this would involve the Honey to drop me off at a specific location and i would be able to ride the roadie allllllll the rest of the way:) This would be on nicer days and of course when he is up for a short morning drive (the road from home to drop off point is far too narrow and sketchy during morning rush hour - only about 2 miles from home...then about 10 miles on bike)
2nd - zip through the neighborhood on paved road to the bus stop...ride bus through high traffic area...pedal on up a steep hill to work (remember the bike will be on the front of the bus encouraging me not to get a very pricey bike)
3rd - and most exciting if you ask me...cruise the singletrack behind the neighborhood to the bus stop...ride the bus...and pedal on up the steep hill
Sooo...1st route is good cause i got the roadie. the second and third are the question...I decided i am going to get either a cross bike or a light hardtail mtbike so i can go on and off road my issue is the size...because i may use this off road should i be more concerned with the stand-over height than if it were strictly paved roads? I found a perfect hardtail mtb but the standover was higher than my road bike by at least 3 inches...now this only bothers me because i may be off roadin it some. Because of this i am looking at an extra-small which just seems too small...
I am 5'1" with a 28 inseam