1) Go test ride a lot of bikes and 2) find a shop with a FitBike that will do a very careful position analysis. You don't have to be hunched over on a road bike. Some have higher front ends (head tubes) and shorter top tubes than others. Racers like the opposite so they can get stretched out and low on the bike but this isn't a good position for recreational centuries. With a good bike fit, a good shop should be able to tell you what frames might work for you.
Jo's recommendation of a Rambouillet is good for an all around frame that will soak up the jars of bad Bay Area pavement and give you all day comfort. Salsa is bringing out a new bike called the Casseroll which I find intriguing. Read the description. Much the same attitude as the Rambouillet at a lower price tag.
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12-28-2006, 08:41 PM #1
Inner Geekette
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Frends know gud humors when dey is hear it. ~ Da Crockydiles of ZZE.
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12-28-2006, 08:47 PM #2
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Ya know, I just realized how sad it is that I have about 5 friends who would LOVE to endlessly go shopping with me for just about anything, except bikes. Which is the only thing I like shopping for (plus bike accessories). I think I need some new friends.
Just kidding.
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12-28-2006, 08:58 PM #3
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Been there, done that. That's why I came to TE.
Originally Posted by ace
Frends know gud humors when dey is hear it. ~ Da Crockydiles of ZZE.
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12-29-2006, 05:53 AM #4
I like bikes
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yeah, me too. Originally Posted by SadieKate
Been there, done that. That's why I came to TE.
about comfort.
When you get on a bike, it's hard to tell if it's comfortable or not unless of course something in your back (or other body part) is screaming.
After you have ridden that bike for a while, other things will come into the forefront. You know what you feel like after 25 miles on your hybrid. If you feel that good after 25 miles on a particular road bike, it's a good deal. If your back, neck, knees, whatever are hurting, something is not right. what i learned the hard way with my bike experiment was that yes, you can be just as comfortable on a road bike as you can on a hybrid, but you need to get a bike that fits.
With your budget and your nearness to some great shops, I think you can do that easily.
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12-28-2006, 08:51 PM #5
Don't whine
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Oooh, boy, that Cassaroll sounds cool! (and is that a Brooks saddle on the finished model bike?)
"If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson
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12-28-2006, 08:56 PM #6
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The Casseroll fork and frame is $540 from bikeman.com. The component build on Salsa's page is just very traditional, err, Riv-like.
The Bleriot is $800.Frends know gud humors when dey is hear it. ~ Da Crockydiles of ZZE.
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12-28-2006, 09:02 PM #7
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I am just going to have to do lots of test riding. I am very un-mechanically minded, so specs aren't going to be very useful to me. I always read what you guys have to say about your bikes with great interest, but I never know what the hell you're talking about. Yeah, I can get more mechanical, but it is not my strong suit.
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