The Great Road Bike Search Continues

[Dirt Girl]

P.S. I am a roadie who just bought my first mountain bike!

I know, and I'm very excited for you! I saw your new ride in another post. You are going to love the dirt!

Thanks for all the info on the road bike. I'm still working on getting that Trek 2000. The LBS was waiting for some flat handlebars to come in. The guy thinks that will solve a hand pain issue I'm having with the current handlebars. If that works, the bike is coming home with me. The problem right now is that I'm sidelined for another week with medical issues. I have clearance to be active again next week, so cross your fingers that when I get another test ride in, it will all work out!

[emily_in_nc]

I know, and I'm very excited for you! I saw your new ride in another post. You are going to love the dirt!

Thanks, Dirt Girl! But how do you get over not wanting your beautiful bike to get, well, DIRTY ??? I like a pretty, clean bike. Guess I'll just have to get over that, huh?

So you think that drop bars will/are causing problems for you? Usually it's just the opposite. Most roadies wouldn't trade their drop bars for anything since the multiple hand positions they provide keep your hands from getting numb on longer rides. If you have never tried drop bars before, make sure to give 'em a try before giving up on them. I can ride drop bars for 100 miles, but just a couple miles on flat bars is tough for me at this point!

Good luck with the bike - looking forward to hearing if it works for you!

[DirtDiva]

You need to take it as a challenge - just how much dirt can you cover the bike with over the course of x number of minutes? Of course, I'm yet to make a fun challenge out of cleaning the bike up afterward.

[SadieKate]

You need to take it as a challenge - just how much dirt can you cover the bike with over the course of x number of minutes? Of course, I'm yet to make a fun challenge out of cleaning the bike up afterward.

This only works in the hot summer weather but we clean/repair/upgrade our bikes out on the front driveway to the entertainment of the neighborhood because we own a LOT of bikes. Everyone always stops by to chat and bum a gin and tonic. It's amazing how much fun cleaning a bike is with some Sapphire. We make sure there are plenty of lawn chairs available.

[DirtDiva]

It's amazing how much fun cleaning a bike is with some Sapphire.

Oh, I like the way you think.

[odd_dog]

Re the question regarding a new road bike:

I don't know much about Trek at all. That said, since you mentioned that you are petite and have a short reach... have you thought of test riding a Bianchi Eros Donna? I think they run a bit pricier than Treks, but I have a friend who's 5'3" and loves her 46cm Eros Donna, and I'm 5'4" and I ride a 49cm Eros (the men's model) with switched-in girls' handlebars, and the reach is fine for me. I have heard that Bianchi is notorious for making bikes with shorter reaches (definitely shorter than, say, LeMond), and the Eros Donna is supposedly sized to fit not just a short reach, but a women's short reach. In fact, when I was testing out bikes, the reach of the 49cm Donna was just a little too short for me (but then, I've got long arms for my size).

Anyway, a 44cm would probably fit you, and Bianchi is ace when it comes to climbing hills.

[Dirt Girl]

Re the question regarding a new road bike:
I don't know much about Trek at all. That said, since you mentioned that you are petite and have a short reach... have you thought of test riding a Bianchi Eros Donna?

Oh my gosh! I don't know how we've overlooked this one, but I've already called the LBS. No 44cm in stock, but they have a 46cm I could test for the ride. I'd given up on finding a steel frame that fits and that's in my price range, so thank you, thank you for the suggestion. And the '05 model is a much more pleasant color than the '04. Three more days before I have doctor clearance to get off my tushy. It's going to be a long weekend.

[Dirt Girl]

Thanks, Dirt Girl! But how do you get over not wanting your beautiful bike to get, well, DIRTY ???

So you think that drop bars will/are causing problems for you?

When you really find out how much fun getting it dirty can be, that helps. And I'm spoiled by a hubby that is almost obsessive about keeping the bikes clean (and in good working order). So, I know my bike won't be dirty for long. And dirt will be the least of your worries...it's a safe bet to say that your mountain bike will suffer scratches and scrapes, just like your body will, as all mountain bikers fall. Some more than others, but I don't know of anyone who has never fallen. It's part of the package.

The bars I'm speaking of are traditional road bars with the drop. They are made by Bontrager, and the shop guy says they don't make the "v" dip in front of the brake levers. Bontrager's site says:
"Flat-top bar has shallower drop and level transition to brake lever hoods that raises rider position." The shop says with this level bar, I won't get the pain between my thumb and finger that I get now with the typical bars. I'll find out if he's right sometime next week, I hope.