We're riding Baby

[Surlygirl]

Hey Karen,
If you decide on a Surly, check out alfred E. bike. www.aebike.com
They had the best deals on them and you can get them built up or as a frame. They are great because FFF. Fatties Fit Fine, meaning fat tires, and there is room for fenders for all the slop. They are heavy but If you are using just as a pre-season bike it shouldn't matter. I put a carbon fork on mine which really helped and since I'm only 5 feet tall the 42cm cross fits pretty good.
Good luck and have a great ride. Oh and I did proofhide the saddle and that seams to have helped, thanks.
Jody

[massbikebabe]

Jody:

Glad the proofhiding worked for you...I did have one slipping incident after I proofed my saddle but it was my own stupid fault I am leaning in between Giant and Specialized for a beater bike right now and I will probably end up wit a mountain bike...but I do keep staring at them Surly's. I just hate taking my beauty 5200 out with all the sand and salt on the roads right now.
I don't want anything bad to happen to the carbon

maybe we'll bike into each other this week,
karen

[Crankin]

I find this discussion pretty interesting. I have had my 5200 out 3 times. I've stayed away from roads that have enough sand for a beach and have a fender on, but I am not sure if I could justify buying another bike to ride just in March. Of course, I say this as my husband just bought a travel bike to take with him to Europe 5-6 times a year! I have a mountain bike, which I did take out after the blizzard a couple of weeks ago, but it is too heavy for me on the road. It took me an hour to ride 11 miles when my average is usually just around 15 on the same route. I also have a hard tail mtb that i could use, that is lighter, but that means seat and pedal changes.

Too much to think about!

[Barb]

It's 38 and sunny. I'm on Spring break with no plans. Sounds great right? I have an upper respitory thing going on and a really sore throat. My new bike comes into the shop on Monday. I HAD BETTER FEEL FABULOUS BY THEN!!! (shaking fist in the air)

[massbikebabe]

Robyn:

So what do you find so interesting if you yourself have several bikes??

confused,
karen

[Crankin]

Well, the hard tail isn't really mine. It started as my husband's mtb and it's the one i started riding on, before i got my road bike. Now it's esentially set up for any guests we have, who may want to ride with us, or my son who uses it once in awhile. I think what I meant is that I have a nice road bike, a good mtb, so I don't know if I would buy, let's say a hybrid or cross bike to use at this time of year. I have seen some group rides that focus on trails and roads in one ride (easy stuff) that would not be fun with my mtb on the road part and impossible to use my 5200 on. I think eventually, I might do this, but not this year.
Of course, today, the warmest day of the weekend and i don't feel so great. I went out to do a hill ride yesterday and ended up not doing that route, only going 17 miles. My legs felt like lead and my attitude sucked, too. I should stay home today, but it's so nice out!

[Surlygirl]

Hey Robyn,
Sorry you don't feel well. I've had the same problem this week. Think I'm fighting a bug off, but just feel run down. Opted out of a ride with hubby yesterday and today so he took my son.

Have you thought about just putting slicks on one of the mountain bikes for a few weeks till the roads are cleaned up? Probably the hardtail would be best.
My Surly tank is great because its a cross bike I can put fat tires on and ride the dirt and then skinnies when I ride the road. I pay on the hills because its heavy but I need the workout anyway.

Feel better, we hit the 50's this week I hear.