Bike questions

Hey guys, I posted some last season and then life got in the way and I stopped. I've been lurking for a month or so though getting back into the swing of the board.

Anyways, right now my only bike is a Trek Navigator 200 (bought new in 2002) and I have to say I was shocked at how much it felt like I was dragging that thing behind me when I raced last year. And I'm not the strongest biker to begin with, but those first 5 miles were torture.

I'd really love to get a road bike, but the good ones all seem to be out of my price range right now. And I've not been able to find anything on craigslist either, nor has my LBS been able to hook me up with anything in my budget (somewhere in the neighborhood of $200).

I'm wondering if I should just buy myself a cheap road bike to get through this season (2-3 races in late summer), like the Women's Kent GMC Denali Road Bike- which retails for like $150.

Or if I should just suck it up and use the Navigator.

I think I'd continue to ride the navigator and save for a bike that you'll like better and will last you longer (and keep looking for a used one). The Denali probably won't feel good to you for very long. Just think how strong you'll be from riding the navigator!!

Well, I found the men's road bike specs on WalMart.com (which you can buy it a multitude of places):

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A steal at this price, Kent's GMC Denali is an affordable road bike featuring components and quality usually only found on bicycles costing hundreds more. A lightweight aluminum frame, high-profile alloy wheels and a 21-speed drive train by the technicians at Shimano are just a few of the standouts in this fast-moving package.

Specifications:

Frame type: Road bike
Frame Materials: Aluminum
Gearing/Shifters: 21-speed Shimano drive train with Revo Twist shifters
Brakes: Alloy brakes
Wheels: High-performance 700x28c (black)
Additional features:

57 cm Aluminum frame is strong, responsive and light
High-profile alloy racing rims for added strength and aerodynamics

Speeds: 21 speed Shimano
Frame: Aluminum frame
Brake type: Alloy brakes
Bike Type: Road Bike

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Here are a few things that concern me:

1) Are you able to be FIT on the bike? If the bikes doesn't fit you, then saving money doesn't matter.

2) The Shimano components. Those are so low-end, I haven't even heard of them! Revo? Anyone heard of Revo? Poor components can make for miserable riding... and if you hate riding the bike, then saving so much money won't matter.

3) The weight! WOW! 36 pounds shipped?! The reason why road bikes tend to be faster is because they are lighter. Sure, the woman's bike might weight less... but even at 30 pounds, that is really heavy for a road bike. At that point, you might as well ride your Trek Navigator.

If you could just somehow... find a way... to save up another $300-$400... you could get a much better road bike... new. Can you sell some stuff around the house? Offer to clean some friends houses? Something?

I think you are right KSH, I'm going to suck it up and train on the Navigator and save some cash to buy a nice road bike. I bet I could come up with the cash by mid-July if I really pinch my pennies and such. I already am working a second job, which is hard making it hard to keep up with my usual training schedule.

thanks guys!

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Originally Posted by Skeezix

I think you are right KSH, I'm going to suck it up and train on the Navigator and save some cash to buy a nice road bike. I bet I could come up with the cash by mid-July if I really pinch my pennies and such. I already am working a second job, which is hard making it hard to keep up with my usual training schedule.

thanks guys!

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Well, when you finally do get a bike... you will love it! Because you waited and worked so hard for it. I cleaned my friends house for a couple of months to get the money for my first roadie.

Just think... after training and racing on your Navigator for so long, when you do finally get your roadie, you'll be super fast! Carrying around that extra weight IS doing something for you, even if it's not speed. Consider it awesome training. ;)

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Originally Posted by colby

Just think... after training and racing on your Navigator for so long, when you do finally get your roadie, you'll be super fast! Carrying around that extra weight IS doing something for you, even if it's not speed. Consider it awesome training. ;)

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Exactly!

I have a friend who is a very fast cyclist... and all winter he rode his wife's Navigator.

Let me tell you... he would smoke me on that thing! He would also smoke guys on road bikes. HA! He got a kick out of having guys draft off him as he kept a 22 mph average.

He did it to become a stronger rider. And is he ever!