Bike shopping

[MichelleOH]

Thanks.

[Owlie]

I love the SW Ohio trail network. I usually ride on the Little Miami trail, but I'm moving up to Dayton this week and will have to check out the Creekside trail and whatnot up there. Which shops are you looking at? I need a bike shop. (You can PM me, if you like.)

Buy what meets your goals and fits you best within your budget. Jamis makes nice bikes (I've been looking at the Quest Femme as my next bike), as does Surly. I've never ridden steel, but people tell me it's nice. (If I had my way, I'd have a carbon (or really spiffy aluminum) go-fast bike and then a steel one just because.)
I would also add that you might consider buying a little more bike than you think you need right now. I have an entry-level Giant, and while I do like it and have a soft spot for it, I didn't think I'd get as into it as I have and want to buy a new one. That's not going to happen for a while.

Test-ride some of everything. Hybrids, flat-bar road bikes, drop-bar road bikes...something of everything.

[MichelleOH]

Hi, Owlie, and thanks for the advice. I replied to your Dayton thread earlier this afternoon. U.D.? Depending on where you live now you could take Creekside to the Little Miami Trail and ride home.

[Owlie]

Hi, Owlie, and thanks for the advice. I replied to your Dayton thread earlier this afternoon. U.D.? Depending on where you live now you could take Creekside to the Little Miami Trail and ride home.

I actually just saw your response in the other thread. Whoops! Not UD, WSU, so I'm further out of town. And that would be quite a ride 17.4 from the access point nearest me, and then 50 to the trail access point near my house, then 3 (all uphill!) back home--I don't think my legs are there yet! (Though it would be a pretty epic ride...)

[MichelleOH]

My LBS has a 2010 Pilot 2.0 left over and wants $900 (that's around 850+tax) for it out-the-door. From what I'm seeing from the Trek 2012 line, it falls in line with the LexaSL/1.5 models, would that be about right? Those models are listing at $1150. The Pilot originally sold for $1150 in 2010 and is now two models old.

I rode it today and it felt okay, but I didn't go far as I had sandals on and the seat was way too far forward (which we didn't notice until I got back to the store). I didn't have time to adjust and ride again.

Does anyone have this bike or know anything about it? It's got 25c tires v 23c, but I'm not sure if I'll notice that difference. It has Tiagra components and a carbon fork.

Thoughts?

[MichelleOH]

And, now, three hours later...another bike gets thrown into the mix. A small LBS that basically deals in recumbants and used stuff has a 2010 Pilot 2.1 with 800 miles on it for $700 (plus tax, but has a computer). I put a deposit on it and he is going to clean it up for me.

Thoughts on this one?

[Velocivixen]

It looks to have softer geometry than a racing bike. Are looks important? Do you like the looks? How do you plan to carry birding stiff? Would you want fenders? A rack for a pannier (to carry binoculars?). Will it meet your needs in regard to riding and birding? Just some things to think about.