Bicycle thread

[yater]

Originally Posted by knary

Quick update:
Erin's shopping continues...
We're getting a little closer having gotten a better idea of what kind of geometry works for her. We've got a solid list of bikes and our price range. We're noticing that there are $600 basic bikes and $1400 nice bikes, but not a fairly limited selection between. There is that one Lemond but we're concerned that it might be a hair too big for her. Shortening an already short stem is less than appealing.

I just wish she hadn't noticed that the bikes with carbon stays ride smoother and that the 105 or better shifts better than the Tiagra options.

The BIG manufacturers should offer decent bikes in the $1100 range after haggling. Specialized has the allez elite with full 105, the bianchi veloce is campy veloce for about $1100-$1300, giant has the ocr line, etc. You can definately find a nice 105 bike in that range. I wouldn't consider anything lower than 105 (but I ride a lot)

[knary]

Originally Posted by yater

The BIG manufacturers should offer decent bikes in the $1100 range after haggling. Specialized has the allez elite with full 105, the bianchi veloce is campy veloce for about $1100-$1300, giant has the ocr line, etc. You can definately find a nice 105 bike in that range. I wouldn't consider anything lower than 105 (but I ride a lot)

There are lots of choices if you're not a 5' 1/2" woman with short legs. Many of the $1000ish priced bikes aren't available in -ahem- little people sizes. It's been amusing watching the sales people say "oh, we've got gobs of choices for you!" and then realize that that itty bitty bike they pulled out isn't itty bitty enough.

[gambrinus]

This isn't a bad looking rig:


http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_eros.html


RW

[knary]

Originally Posted by gambrinus

This isn't a bad looking rig:


http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_eros.html


RW

We're going to take a look at it tomorrow - I hope.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by gambrinus

This isn't a bad looking rig:


http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_eros.html


RW

If I read their sizing table right, the standover height 'H' on the SMALLEST size is 27" (there's no WAY thats millimeters as shown, or even centimeters, "H" can't be smaller than "A" on their geometry diagram).

I dunno, but I'm betting someone 5' 1/2" with proportionally short legs is going to have serious problems with a 27" standover...

[knary]

Originally Posted by pierce

If I read their sizing table right, the standover height 'H' on the SMALLEST size is 27" (there's no WAY thats millimeters as shown, or even centimeters, "H" can't be smaller than "A" on their geometry diagram).

I dunno, but I'm betting someone 5' 1/2" with proportionally short legs is going to have serious problems with a 27" standover...

She's probably right at the limit for that bike. We'll see...

[pierce]

whoa. I just remembered.

my brother has had my dad's old bike for sale for some time... It is an -absolutely- perfect condition circa 1968 Edoardo Bianchi Team in a very small frame size, I think maybe 19"... my dad was 5'6" or so but has VERY short legs for his height. Its been too short for anyone who's looked at it so far.

this is a VERY traditional Columbus steel tube frame, gorgeous lugwork, all campi nuevo record and superrecord (1970s superrecord upgrades), brooks pro seat, silk sewups, 10 speeds, old school friction shifters on the downtubes, silca pump w/ the campi tip, the whole nine yards. its coral-err-salmon pink with a bit of royal blue banding, far more attractive than the horrid peasoup green most Bianchi Team bikes were back then.

I should ask if he still has it... he was asking for $1000 or so as-is, he's located in Marin (just north of San Fran). I could get him to take a tape measure to the top tube and see what the standover height is...

[Zodiac]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

The idea of a FG is to learn 'the spin.' 90-110rpm at cruising speed is Less? More? Helps keep you smooooove when yer riding the geared bike again.

M

Yeah, I've been workin on that since I started the "fixation". I try to keep my butt from doing the bounce, keep the motion from the hips down.

[Zodiac]

Originally Posted by knary

She's probably right at the limit for that bike. We'll see...

Hey Scott, don't know if you saw this, but this is what we ended up for Traci, she didn't need a women's specific (5'6" long legs), so we went with this in a 50cm. It was in the $1200 range, and is actually a very light/comfortable bike. The shop changed the stem/ bars/seat to fit her too.

Canondale Synapse Aluminim.

[nachtflug]

bicycles suck pig juice.

[Zodiac]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

Saturns suck pig juice.

[Flaco]

Originally Posted by yater

I shaved my legs today and I don't care who knows it

Good job.

If (when) you do have a crash your chance of infection is WAY lower w/o all that hair.

Flaco

[vfr700]

Originally Posted by Perry

Well you probably missed (page 184 in thread) it but I posted that I took the BASSO apart completely, and will be putting those comps on a new Cannondale System Six frame (Which I put a deposit on at Sids), so no more roadie for now.

And I actually did a complete overhaul of the Klein, so it's good as new, did some single trak riding out in North Shore L.I. a few weeks back, and left it out there at the folks.

No room at the apt, since Traci got her new rig (Cannondale Synapse aluminum), trying to get her into it....

I grew up in NYC and used to ride 9w, and the Palisades when I got sick of Central Park. Every now and then I miss the city, although I see many things have changed in Central Park.

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by knary

Vanilla is so very drool worthy. A couple folks I know have their bikes, including a neighbor that rides by on his beautiful Vanilla on beautiful spring days.

Yabbut...

He's got a FOUR YEAR waiting list! You better REALLY really want a Vanilla!

M

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

KLRs suck pig juice.

fixt

M