The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Road bikes? Where we're going we don't need road bikes.
bigpanda
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Even so, I still want one. Anyone have any advice on this? I've talked to a couple people in the stores around my neighborhood and they have mostly Cannondale bikes. My buddy is all into Peugot and some of the older stuff that I've heard can't be found in the stores.
My budget is between 500-1000 depending on how soon I want to get this. But I'll be using it for commuting around Seattle. Is there anything in particular I should know, go to learn stuff, or buy a bike at?
Campagnolo, Shimano, or SRAM?
Straight bars or the curvy ones (can't recall what these are properly called).
My stats are 5'6", 29" inseam, 217 pounds and falling.
My budget is between 500-1000 depending on how soon I want to get this. But I'll be using it for commuting around Seattle. Is there anything in particular I should know, go to learn stuff, or buy a bike at?
Campagnolo, Shimano, or SRAM?
Straight bars or the curvy ones (can't recall what these are properly called).
My stats are 5'6", 29" inseam, 217 pounds and falling.
bigpanda on
0
Posts
Groupset manufacturer is a preference thing. Campagnolo has a snobbery value associated with it because their lowest end group is somewhere around Shimano's mid-high end. Shimano make everything from clunky and cheap to hyper-expensive and buttery smooth. SRAM make mid-high end too, and is popular with TT and Tri riders because of their doubletap lever systems. Some people get very particular about the "feel" of the change as well. Bottom line, it's probably down to what you're used to.
Flat bars vs. drops (the curvy ones) is another preference thing. Drop bars seem unintuitive at first but are the most comfortable option if you're doing serious mileage. Personally I still can't get on with them because my background is MTBs, road bike brakes scare the hell out of me at the best of times, and I hate not being able to constantly cover the levers.
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/monona
Combined brake/shifter units are hells of expensive, and you may need new brakes.
Biggest concern for me is getting up the hills around here as they can be brutal.
I'd be going with drop bars, mostly because I haven't done them before and want to go that route.
What's "TT" that someone mentioned refer to?
I'd be inclined to say time trial.
Don't skimp on the seat. Getting a nice seat is important. If you can lose weight in any way, do it(on the bike, silly). I would suggest getting one with the disc brakes. Rim brakes work less well in rain, and I hear it rains lots in seattle.
I would do the drop bars. If you have your brakes set right, you can always use them. Plus, if you want to sit up higher you can always put your hands on the "hoods" of the brakes, at the top of the curve. Sometimes you want to do that if you are just going a short distance.
but they're listening to every word I say
I would suggest riding both before making the decision to go drop bar/flat bar as they both have a very different feel. Don't choose a drop bar just because you've never had one before. Flat bar commuter "hybrid" bikes are a huge market right now, and there's a reason for that - they're comfortable, relatively inexpensive, and feel somewhere in between a mountain and a road bike (which is great for commuting). Also, prepare for your bike to be stolen and get something that's not going to hurt if it goes away (i.e. don't spend $1000 on a bike for commuting if you can't afford to replace it with something if it gets stolen).