I think I will allow myself to get a new bike at 5,000 miles.

[KSH]

I have around 2,200 miles on the bike right now. It took a good year to put those on.

So, in maybe another year... I can start looking for a new bike. I told myself that at 5,000 miles, I will be allowed to get a new one.

Right now I have an entry-level Trek 1000 road bike.... which is very nice. But the gearing is sometimes an issue and I can tell that my skill set is out growing the gears... if that makes any sense.

I am glad that I got an entry-level bike though... as it gave me time to figure out what I like and don't like. So, when I do spend the money, it will be on something that is just perfect!

Anyone else have a goal like this set?

[jobob]

I am glad that I got an entry-level bike though... as it gave me time to figure out what I like and don't like. So, when I do spend the money, it will be on something that is just perfect! This is a very very wise approach. As your strength and skills improve, you learn for yourself what works for you.

A new rider simply has no way of knowing that until they've put in some significant saddle time.

jobob hereby gives you permission to get that new bike !

But why wait until 5000 miles? ;) I give you permission for a new bike at 4000.

jo "benevolent dicator" bob

[sydney_b]

So, when I do spend the money, it will be on something that is just perfect! Anyone else have a goal like this set?

Sorta, but I don't think the 'perfect' bike is out there. I think it takes a stable. ;)

Remember you can always upgrade componentry. If you don't like your shifters or whatever, upgrade, then you have the parts for a new frame later. Just .02.

/s

[Aggie_Ama]

I have the same want/goal. Right now I have an entry level Fuji and the shifting is not keeping up with me. I have 1,000 miles this year and probably put 1,500-2,000 on it last year.

I am hoping to get a new bike when my husband switches jobs (he recently graduated from college) and we can afford a nicer one. Right now Fiona gets me on the road, but I want something better.

[SadieKate]

Sorta, but I don't think the 'perfect' bike is out there. I think it takes a stable. ;) /sDitto! I second that!

[Trek420]

SK, in your case it's not a stable, it's a stampede! There's gaggle of geese, school of fish, pride of lions...What do you call a flock of bikes?

[SadieKate]

Hey, some people collect salt and pepper shakers. Some collect Precious Moments figurines. I collect bikes. What's wrong with that? :p

[LL_Super_D]

Hee hee... I totally agree about the stable!

I too have set the 5,000 mile mark for a new road bike. I have had my first road bike for about 5 months now (Giant OCR3) and am keeping a running list of things for my next bike. Unfortunately I've got a lot of catching up to do on the mileage! but I'm looking forward to working on it this summer.

[J-hawk biker]

Let's see...how about a bevy of bikes or a brood of bikes. What do you think? :D

[SJCzar]

I had set a goal of 10,000 miles before I could look at a new bike. Since I went with a mid-range bike, (Trek 2100), I don't need to be in a big hurry for a new one......but of course that doesn't stop me from looking and wishing. I keep saying that I'm going to push that mileage total down to 5,000, but that would mean next season already.

Last fall I had a issue with a old fractured vertebrae that had healed incorrectly. I asked the sports medicine doc I went to if perhaps he needed to write me a prescription to give to my husband for a full carbon fiber bike for the long-term health of my back. He just smiled...he wasn't going for it. Darn.

[KSH]

I can see where a stable of bikes would be needed.

In my dreams, I would have a really nice road bike AND a top of the line triathlon bike. But my budget and apartment (not enough space) won't allow it!

And... with the rising gas prices... a bike to ride around for errands would be good. HA! :D

Yea, I think the 5,000 mile is a good one... right "LL"...:p

Until next year... I will continue to push my Trek 1000 and use it till it falls apart!

[Nanci]

You should have went for a recumbent!!

Man, if I was getting a new bike at 5000 miles, Lava wouldn't even make it a whole year! I got her the last week of August, and she's got 4100 now.

I'm pretty happy with her- sure, I'd like Ultegra components, but I think the Bontrager Race Lite Wheels are decent, (and they don't make Kysrium SLs in 650 anyway!) I like my bars and aerobars just fine...

If I had a carbon frame, I don't know if I'd be letting my bike take a nap on the grass, and I'd for sure have a heart attack after it slid down a rusty gate like Lava did...

I could justify a whole different style, though!

Nanci

[bikerchick68]

yep that's a great goal! my brother did something similar... had a Zurich hand me down (not a bad hand me down huh? :D ) then got a Tarmac... when he lost 1/2 his body weight he promised himself a new bike... he is now on a Specialized Roubaix Pro with Campy Chorus... the Gerolsteiner frame that Levi Leipheimer rides... the thing is a 59 and only weighs 17 lbs! :eek: he loves it and loves that he earned it... :)

be sure to post pics when you meet your goal... and since Jobob is the dictator, 4000 miles it is! :D

[Kathi]

Is there a perfect bike? In 2000, I bought my perfect bike. Actually, I bought the frame and fork and put the components from my Cannondale on it. In 02 I upgraded the components to Campy Record with a Specialties TA 165 mm crankarm.

In 04 the fit seemed to be off so I had a refit done by a Serotta fitter. I needed my handlebars raised 4cm which meant a new fork, stem and spacers. Aegis doesn't make forks anymore so the new fork wasn't like the old one. In Cincinnati, where I lived at the time, the handling was adequate but here in Co. I do a lot more riding with tight turns and the handling is very twitchy. I was just in the shop looking for new handlebars, smaller with better reach to the brake levers, seems I need a 34 cm bar, mine are 38.

But now I'm aspiring to ride mtn passes and long downhills and I want a better fitting bike without spacers, riser stems etc. so I have a custom Serotta on the way. It's due at the end of the month.

I'm also getting hand built 650c wheels from a wheel builder in New Mexico. The rims are Nimble Spiders with 20f/24r spokes and Sapim CX-Ray spokes, very light, total weight around 1150 grams. Strong but less stiff than pre-built wheels, tuned to my 105 lbs.

This bike has been 2 years in the making and I will have 3 road bikes and 2 mtn bikes + my Huffy from when I was a kid.

My Aegis has about 15,000 miles on it and I do love the ride but want a better fit.

This new bike is my reward for what I've gone though having ACL surgery and rehab and missing the best part of the ski season!

[Geonz]

ONe reason to have the stable is you can spread those 5000 miles out over them :-)

Now to go home... 'cause it is NOT RAINING... the radar says it is, but...

[LL_Super_D]

I like your thinking Geonz! That must mean I don't have as much to go as I think :p

[Starfish]

Aggie Ama & KSH...could you describe a little more what you mean about outgrowing your gears? Like, you don't need the triple anymore, or need crisper shifting, or? Just curious!

The Trek 1000 got a great review this year in Bicycling Mag.

[Selkie]

A girl can never have too many bikes. At minimum, you need one each for: (1) bad weather (rain--aka the "beater" bike); (2) good weather/long rides (steel frame is best ;) ); (3) off-road and/or unpaved trails (cyclocross); (4) one for your trainer. If you have only one bike, what happens when it's in the hospital?

[Faust]

I also bought an entry level road bike with the goal of an upgrade as my skill improves. I think it's a fine idea but...just remember it's not about the bike. It's about the head and the heart. :) I say this to remind myself that if something happens that prohibits me getting a new bike my goal of riding is not diminished.

[short cut sally]

KSH, I too am in the same boat you are..I got my bike last spring, a lower end fuji. Wasn't sure how much riding I would do, and would I really like riding. My bike fit was okay, LBS said I could go with either a small or med. frame, went with a small one but wished I went with the med.. I see this year Fuji came out with a yellow bike (my fav. color) and am thinking about ordering that but put all wsd stuff on it..BUT like you, I want to get my $$$ worth and mileage on this bike..really there is nothing wrong with it other than like you said, you've outgrown it. I actually contemplated trading her in last year, and the bike shop said, most people do start out on low end and get something better when they get serious. My DH tells me to "do whatever" but I still think about the cost of this new bike and man, that's a lot of money. Good luck in your decision, and hope you enjoy your new bike as much as your old one..( I'm thinking you'll be getting a new one before your 5000 mile goal)..shelly

[Kathi]

KSH, I too am in the same boat you are..I got my bike last spring, a lower end fuji. Wasn't sure how much riding I would do, and would I really like riding. My bike fit was okay, LBS said I could go with either a small or med. frame, went with a small one but wished I went with the med.. I see this year Fuji came out with a yellow bike (my fav. color) and am thinking about ordering that but put all wsd stuff on it..BUT like you, I want to get my $$$ worth and mileage on this bike..really there is nothing wrong with it other than like you said, you've outgrown it. I actually contemplated trading her in last year, and the bike shop said, most people do start out on low end and get something better when they get serious. My DH tells me to "do whatever" but I still think about the cost of this new bike and man, that's a lot of money. Good luck in your decision, and hope you enjoy your new bike as much as your old one..( I'm thinking you'll be getting a new one before your 5000 mile goal)..shelly



I have a friend who bought a low end Fuji last year. It's very heavy and has low end components. Her goal was to use it to lose weight.

She tried riding with the beginner group of the local cycle club. The other riders were on road bikes, hers is not, and she kept getting dropped on hills and the ride leader has to wait for her.

Now she's frustrated because she wants to get her money's worth out of the bike but the bike is holding her back.

When we were in Boulder a few weeks ago the LBS had a Serotta Fierte in a 46p. She demoed to get a feel of a well fitting road bike. At first she was a little scared of it and nervous. But she began to relax and ride faster and faster. You could tell she was really getting comfortable with that bike. She realized that if a road bike fits well its not uncomfortable.

So her goal now is to ride the old bike, lose weight and reward herself with a nice road bike.

The LBS also explained what she needs to look for in fit. Her comment was, "when I bought my bike the shops didn't explain to me how a bike should fit".

When we got back to the house she immediately took her bike out for a ride. No comments about what she was thinking but I bet by the end of the season she'll be on a road bike.

[KSH]

I.just remember it's not about the bike. It's about the head and the heart. :) I say this to remind myself that if something happens that prohibits me getting a new bike my goal of riding is not diminished.

I absolutely agree!

It is about the head and heart of the rider. The bike does not make the rider. There have been plenty of people on bikes less expensive... new...etc... than my little Trek 1000, who kicked my butt.

In the end, all I really care about is the fact that my gears are finiky and it can be a challenge at times to go up and down rings. I typically take my bike into the shop once a month to have the gears tweeked.

[KSH]

KSH, I too am in the same boat you are..I got my bike last spring, a lower end fuji. Wasn't sure how much riding I would do, and would I really like riding. My bike fit was okay, LBS said I could go with either a small or med. frame, went with a small one but wished I went with the med.. I see this year Fuji came out with a yellow bike (my fav. color) and am thinking about ordering that but put all wsd stuff on it..BUT like you, I want to get my $$$ worth and mileage on this bike..really there is nothing wrong with it other than like you said, you've outgrown it. I actually contemplated trading her in last year, and the bike shop said, most people do start out on low end and get something better when they get serious. My DH tells me to "do whatever" but I still think about the cost of this new bike and man, that's a lot of money. Good luck in your decision, and hope you enjoy your new bike as much as your old one..( I'm thinking you'll be getting a new one before your 5000 mile goal)..shelly

Put some miles on your old bike... then get a new one! Sounds perfect!

Yea, I figured out that I might be about to get a new bike in about a year. So... I am *wishing* pretty far ahead.

I should pay off all my credit card debt first though... we will see what wins out in the end though.