Bike questions

[kimct]

Since I'm hoping to get a new bike within the next 2 or 3 months, I figured I'd ask a few questions to get a lead on what to buy! Reason it's taking me awhile to get it is cause I'm gonna (hopefully) start work next week and want to save the money up, and buy it on my own.

Good thing though, cause I'm stumped on a few aspects. I LOVE the security of the thicker mt bike tires. I'm not nervous about running over a rock or stick or a bump in the road on my bike. I don't have to keep such a close eye in front of me as I would with a road bike, and can enjoy the scenery a bit.

On the other hand, I'd like the lighter frame, the faster speeds. I also like the form on a road bike. I rode one in my preteen and teen years and loved it. Not sure if my back can handle it, but I'm more than willing to give it a try, and do plan on doing core workouts to help with that.

So, I guess I want roadbike handlebars and handling, with mt bike tires. What kinda bike is that? Could I go with semi-slicks? Are there thicker tires for roadbikes? Am I stuck riding sitting up, going slow? I'm sure I'm not!

I've yet to walk into the LBS, but I'm scared to...lol. Knowing me, I'll fall in love with a bike, talk hubby into giving me the cash, get it and not be able to ride it the way I want! I'm slowly working my distances up and I want to keep doing that, along with my avg speed. Not sure how long/fast I can go on the mt bike!

Thanks so much for reading through that!

Kim

[Duck on Wheels]

I'm in the same category. I like to be able to watch the scenery. But if I'm to make it through longish rides, I need slicks. Soooo ... my dear sister, who went when she saw the knobby tires on the bike I was planning to ride for a metric century, took comand of the bike and sent it off to Robinson wheelworks for slicks. There they said, "Let's not put her on really skinny tires quite yet" and put on a pair of wider slicks. I'm not sure of the dimensions, but Trek420 might remember. Whatever they are, they worked fine ! Today I was able to watch the scenery, just scanning to road from time to time and avoiding the biggest potholes. The odd stick or rough spot didn't seem to matter. So now I'm looking at hybrid bikes with bigger wheel circumfrence, but not superskinny tires and still a fairly upright riding position. Yep. There are such bikes. I can go fast, yet feel safe and be comfortable. And I'll bet there are other hybrids out there that will offer you wider slicks, but with the road bike aerodynamic geometry if that's what you want.

[Trek420]

kimct "So, I guess I want roadbike handlebars and handling, with mt bike tires. What kinda bike is that? Could I go with semi-slicks? Are there thicker tires for roadbikes?"

Kimct, My neice had the same question. Her commute takes her off-road on trails (lucky gal) but also on roads so she needs knobby or slightly knobby tires, but she also wants to do an organised distance ride or two where a mtn. bike could be heavy and larger wheels may help.

After much debate she bought a cross bike which is precisely what you describe. When she does the AIDS ride we'll simply put slicks on it.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...highlight=aunt

Lots of great cross bikes, on my "lust list" would be a Surly Cross Check. Yeah, like I'm going to buy another bike.

[KnottedYet]

NICE! That's the direction I want to go when/if I get my steel dream Surly or Soma or Similar.

My Kona Dew has road-sized wheels with cyclocross tires. I'm very happy with them because I run over everything. Point to broken glass, and I ride square through the middle of it. With both wheels.

You might look at Kona www.konaworld.com . Most of their road bikes are cyclo-cross-y. Even the steel Kona Sutra.

[kimct]

OK...hearing good stuff so far!

Bikeless I'm glad you found a solution! We probably make more experienced cyclists shudder when they pass us sometimes, huh? I can only imagine what the guys around here think about me on my mt bike, huffin and puffin, going half their speed while they zoom by on their lil road bikes! So I may just put a pair of thicker slicks on my mt bike till I figure out which road/cyclocross/whatever bike I want! Thanks!

Trek, man that's a nice looking bike! I don't think I wanna know the price...lol. I'm not at all versed in the components and all that good stuff, so I don't know what all the technical stuff means! I have to learn not to go by the looks or color...hehe. I would love to try my hand at an organized ride or 3 as well! I think if I didn't really have that in mind I wouldn't worry so much about what bike I could get!

Knotted, I checked out the Kona site and bookmarked it! I saw a few bikes that I liked that will definately be in my price range once I decide to go for it! Thank you for suggesting it...I like the style of the ones I looked at!

Kim

[tulip]

Don't forget Jamis and Redline. Both are steel, which is much smoother than aluminum, ride-wise. Jamis has a great line of bikes, including a nice 'cross bike and touring bike. Redline Conquest is a nice cross bike. Bianchi has one, too.

After I get a single speed, I'm going to get a 'cross bike. Like I need another bike!

[kimct]

I really wish I knew what all the components were about! Reckon I'll learn as I go along. I've looked at all the sites y'all recommended, all look like great bikes to the untrained eye (me) and I'd have no idea where to start, besides price! It is looking like a cyclocross bike might be my answer!

Now to get my nerve up to try pedals that attach you to the bike! I know they're common to you gals, but I've never ridden anything besides normal pedals, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to change...lol. I'll keep thinkin bout that one!

Thanks everyone so much for the help!

Kim

[KnottedYet]

Don't change pedals until you want to. I rode flat pedals with cages until a month ago. I was ready to change, and did, and don't regret it.

[tulip]

You can also get "campus" pedals--regular pedals on one side and SPD clips on the other. Shimano makes them, as do some other companies.

[Quillfred]

I've been happy so far with my Redline Conquest Pro - a cyclocross bike. I bought a 2004 used in 2005 for a good price. It has a wider fork than road bikes and was sporting a pair of knobbies which I switched out for a wider slick. I ride on bumpy paved trails mostly to and from work. I had a rack added so I can carry clothes and groceries in my panniers.

It is very light-weight for it's appearance, which is handy as I have to carry it accross the carpeted hall at work. It also feels like a road bike with drop handle bars and 105 Shimano components. My main issue is that it is a double crank.

But my basic advice is to ride, ride, and ride some more. Try out as many bikes and makes that you can. Rent if you have to, but most local bike stores want your business and will spend the time to fit you and explain details. If they don't, either return on a slow day or bid them adeiu. I know it is hard when you are so eager to buy but try to take your time deciding.

Quill

[KnottedYet]

Is this what you have, Quill?

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adult...quest-pro.html

[Geonz]

Don't assume you really need big and knobby. Tires make a bigger difference than clipless, in my opinion (would be interested in others'). YOu're nervous about running over a rock or a stick ... on the road. You can get hybrid tires taht will handle that stuff perfectly well. (I was nervous about tires, too, but trusted others and was glad I did.) 35's were what I starated with... 32's and 28's do wonderfully (and I've got 25's on my "fast" hybrid).
It's your choice... but you might want to take a spin on something that you think will make you nervous... and remember what it was like to learn to drive. I know things that I thought were totally impossible and scary turned into routines...

[kelownagirl]

Don't assume you really need big and knobby. Tires make a bigger difference than clipless, in my opinion (would be interested in others'). YOu're nervous about running over a rock or a stick ... on the road. You can get hybrid tires taht will handle that stuff perfectly well. (I was nervous about tires, too, but trusted others and was glad I did.) 35's were what I starated with... 32's and 28's do wonderfully (and I've got 25's on my "fast" hybrid).
It's your choice... but you might want to take a spin on something that you think will make you nervous... and remember what it was like to learn to drive. I know things that I thought were totally impossible and scary turned into routines...

What does the 35, 32, and 28 refer to?

barb

[Grog]

What does the 35, 32, and 28 refer to?

Tire width.

In millimeters.

[Katina]

Trek makes a nice tour bike which has the same tires that my Trek 7200 hybrid has on it. It is a nice ride and comes equiped with a rack for storing things on it. The tires are slick a little bit wider than a road but are still fast.