So I haven't exercised in well over 2 yrs, seriously. And I eat like a 16 yr old suburban kid, sleep like an air traffic controller, and drink like a sailor. When I was a kid I was somewhat serious about bicycling, at least from around 13 to 18 yrs. I did club rides for my age group, did a few centuries, and long freestyle tours solo, and with groups. I even rode a Mtn bike when no one knew what they were. Then (as I got more into motorcycling) I went to running for a good 5 yrs. but that faded out as my lower back became worse (from two accidents, one car, one motorcycle), So I'm thinking of getting back into cycling. I have a very good Klein mountain bike but I find it's not geared for city use (geared too low), and even with the thinnest hybrid tires, it still whirs as I'm moving along. I'm thinking of getting a decent road bike, but not sure what "type". I seem to be drawn to the time trial style bike, because of the handlebars/shifter/elbow pads. They seem great for cranking hard, cardio, etc, but they also seem too "trick" with the small wheelbase. I'd like all you cycle nerds to help me out with advice on bike style, and brand. I hear they're all made in China now anyway, even Cannondale.... Thanks.
If you didnt plan on riding it in your city Id say get it. Otherwise Id want a full susp with at least 5 inch travel front & rear. Im doing about 60 a week now, slowly working my way back to 140. Used to do a 20 mile round trip to college 5 days a week and 40 on weekends. After I bought the KLX400 my mountain bike took a long break... Still on my 6 yr old DBR full susp cross country, still pretty light. Has front & rear lockouts for pavement or hills. I would have a roadie too but I like the dirt so much more and live near a great river with far to many opportunities to drop off the paved trail.
That's cool, but I already have a good hardtail MTN bike. Since I don't have any country near my pad, I'll be looping Central Park at night, it's actually a pretty nice road with twists and hills, nice pavement too.
Yeah, but with a little more relaxed frame angles. I can't imagine why your Klien would be "whirring." There are a lot of road tires to choose from in 26". And you know putting new chainrings or cluster on the rear is simple and inexpensive, right? If you're planning on big mileage then yeah spend the money on something you can change hand and arm positions on. I love ridin my recumbent now but I wouldn't want to ride it in traffic. Good luck and have fun! Mark H.
cross bikes.... I just got a road bike a few weeks ago, and have hit an hour per day 5 days a week on it. Make sure you get a bike that fits, or you just wont ride it.
I think it's the gearing that's throwing me off. I'm peddaling to quick, like I'm stuck in 2nd gear (on my GS...). To change the rear cassette, chain, chainring, front derailleur, and pedals (I have MTN bike style Bontrager clip ons (which float unlike road pedals), seems too expensive. I added it up and it would be like $400 and up to do. Doesn't make sense since the frame is still ergo'd for MTN biking. Thanks for the advice.
You could swap out the tall sprocket and chain as a quick fix and maybe $60? Try and find a 50 or 52 in your bolt pattern. Probably running a 44/34/24 on your Klien. My CC MTB is a 48/38/28 with 9 rear. Just a quick fix of course, I see nothing wrong with owning 2 or 3 bikes.
I was just shopping for a new bike yesterday. I just ride around town and pull a Burley with my kids in it so I wasn't looking for anything too expensive or with any suspension. This is the bike that stood out most for me: Trek 7.3 Disk. $600.
Anyone have any experience with a fixed gear track bike...? They seem like a whole new animal, no brakes except to slow pedaling? I like a challenge, but will I kill myself on one?
Start with a dual-braked singlespeed, then switch to a fixed gear wheel (they fit in the same frame), and remove the rear brake when you're comfortable. For your area, I would leave the front brake on regardless. You may not kill yourself, but maiming and permanent scarring is quite likely.
There is a good chance you'll struggle. Stiff hub bikes are super fun but take a special kind of personality. I'd say the cyclecross style could be for you. I just saw a nice Bianchi on ebay last night. Or, if you're super tall, I have on I can sell cheap. I built a Bridgestone (now Rivendale as suggested earlier) X0-2 up for my brother who lives in Brooklyn. Drop bars (like a road bike) but mountain bike sized wheels, road gearing in the front with a 12-32 tooth cassette in the back. Putting a 50 or 52 tooth chain ring on your mountain bike is not a good idea. The chain will struggle to ramp up to that big of a plate. Getting a TT bike with the clip on bars is also a tough idea. Those bikes are for riding fast in a straight line. Flaco
Perry: I made a road bike out of an older mountain bike and I love it. The ergos on moutain bikes are more back friendly than road bikes...at least that's my experience. You can do the gearing change significantly cheper than that 400 bucks. Hit Nashbars, Performances, Cambrias, etc clearance pages. If you do decide to go for a road bike, google closeout bikes, discount bikes, clearance bikes and the like. There are some killer deals to be had on last years uncool models. You can get an awesome bike for well under a grand and I recently viewed some quality clearance rides in the 5-6 hundred range.
