Buy a different bike?

[amy]

Ok- Here is what I have.... a Novarro mountain bike with front suspension (not a huge fan) and disc brakes (love them), slicks for street riding and clipless pedals. I bought it to be a comfortable commuter but I spend most of my time on the bike path avoiding traffic and therefore not commuting with it.

What I think I'd like... lighter bike, focus on long distance (think eventually a century, touring sounds cool but who knows)... keeping up with my road biker friends. I'm not interested in crazy-super-speed-racer but willing to play with speed confidence.

If you were a 6 foot tall woman with a 34 inch inseam and the above desires... what would you buy? I'd be interested in hearing "anything is possible" ideas and "keep it under $1000" ideas.

[KnottedYet]

I'd be looking at 3 different (all steel) bikes:
Kona Sutra
Surly Cross Check
Surly Long Haul Trucker

Mind you, I have a bias toward steel frames. (I have steel Kona, Surly, and Waterford) The Surly LHT and the 2008 Kona Sutra will go over your $1,000 budget by a couple hundred.

Others to consider:
Jamis Aurora (under $1,000)
Soma Double Cross (frame only)
Gunnar (frame only)

[Eden]

If you love the disc brakes, but want more of a road style bike you may want to look into a cyclocross bike or a Kona Sutra touring bike (but this bike is a bit pricey). Both of these options will be a bit heavier than racing bike, but a bit more upright and comfortable for the long haul too.
They'll also give you options - can take a rack/fenders, wider tires for off roading, but will still be lighter and quicker than a mountain bike.

[Bad JuJu]

My neighbor is 6 feet tall, with lonnnnnnnnnng inseams (we look like Mutt & Jeff together), and she got a Giant OCR-something that fits her well. I prefer steel frames also, but she's been very happy with her aluminum-frame Giant. She might have gotten a deal on a model year leftover, but I know she paid well under $1000.

Sounds like you need to go your LBS and do some test-rides.

[amy]

That Kona Sutra is a very pretty bike!! Why do some of you prefer steel frames? Oh... I might have to go test riding. I was going to buy a new car. I think I want a new bike instead. I am trying to convince my husband that I actually need two bikes in the garage (sentimental attachment).

[KnottedYet]

I like steel cuz it's durable, reliable, repairable, comfortable, lively, and absorbs road buzz.

And I grew up on steel bikes, so steel just feels right to me.

[mimitabby]

I like steel cuz it's durable, reliable, repairable, comfortable, lively, and absorbs road buzz.

And I grew up on steel bikes, so steel just feels right to me.

what she said.

But really, aluminum bikes can be great too.

[Veronica]

I am trying to convince my husband that I actually need two bikes in the garage (sentimental attachment).

Of course you need two bikes. I have 4 1/2 bikes.

V.

[SouthernBelle]

V,

Is your half bike the front half or the back half?

[Veronica]

V,

Is your half bike the front half or the back half?

Usually the back, but sometimes the front.

V.

[amy]

Of course you need two bikes. I have 4 1/2 bikes.

V.

Yeah, he's just not buying it. In his defense, our house is 469 square feet and our garage is shared with our neighbor and is large enough to fit half a car. (And is pretty full with rock climbing gear, backpacking gear, and all the stuff we can't fit in the house.) When I suggested we could get rid of the washer and dryer and have room for more bikes, he looked at me as if I was going crazy or something.

Obviously, he's not a biker.

[Zen]

Obviously, he's not a biker.

Get rid of him and have room for TWO more bikes!

[amy]

I'm bummed... I had hoped to check out the Kona Sutra, but noone carries touring bikes around here. There is one place that is closed today that might??? have it. They at least list touring on their website as an option. I'll have to take a road trip if they do.

[TracyinMesa]

I am 5'11.5" ok 6'. 34.5"inseam
I have a Giant OCR3 L frame alum. It is my first road bike won't be my last.
I am happy with it. The frame was sized well but I had trouble getting the handle bars the right width and height. The LBS did not do a good job of fitting me nor did they make much effort to correct. I found another LBS(Specialized dealer) that really did a great job of tweaking everything for me. The owner was so knowledgeable. Ask around for recommendations of a "good" LBS. The first shop was just trying to shuffle me out the door. The second shop did all they could to make me comfortable and injury free. It was important to them that I stay with cycling and not quit. Good luck!

[KnottedYet]

I assume you already did the Dealer Locator thing: http://dealer.konaworld.com/index.php?country=US

All I can say is that the 2006 and 2007 Kona Sutras were just amazingly well thought out bikes. (though not the kind of bike I wanted, but I can sure admire the bike!) It may be a bit of a wait for the 2008 to come out, but it could be worth it.

My LBS still has one of the 2007, but it's a 56cm or so I think. Too big for me to try to ride, that's all I remember about the size.

You might have the option with Surly to get disc brakes on some of their frames. (but then again, if you can just see a Kona Sutra first, you might fall in love!)