cycling

I originally started watching the Tour de France last year for the first time to see the French countryside and the towns, (I really want to travel there) but then I got hooked on the actual sport and the tactics involved. I am an Aussie and I'd love to see Stuart O'Grady win something like that.

awww i was hoping this was going to be a motorcycle thread...

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

    There's newer threads G. Watching a pre-view of the upcoming Tour of California. What a roster of who's who from the world of cycling. It's times like this that I do have west coast envy!! Thanks for the Giro shots!!   C

Rather than start a new thread, i thought I would begin an inquiry here about amateurs. 

Last year marked my 20th anniversary with my employer and in the gift catalogue, there was a bike available.  A Trek duel sport.  Sort of a hybrid street/mountain bike.  Looks like a mountain bike, but has thinner tires.  At any rate, I got it in Octobetr and have probably put over 1,000 miles on it since.  My co-worker also rides and convinced me to join up with a company sponsered social team.  We've ridden in some 35 mile rides and some 45 mile rides.  However, I appear to be the only person riding in these events on my type of bicycle.

Well...the company stock is doing very well and I cashed some in so I'm in the market for a decent "entry level" bicycle.  Several of my colleagues ride "Specialized" and several others ride "Trek".  Luckily, there is a local shop not far from me that carries both brands so I will get more detailed research accomplished this weekend.

Any other riders on here?  Tips?    (p.s. first 5 months of owning my bike... 0 wrecks.  Co-worker convinced me to get clipped pedals and shoes.  Last two months... 4 wrecks, latest last night.  skinned knee and shoulder)

Pavement

I have a Specialized Sirrus Elite that's about 10 years old and I love it. The Sirrus line are basically a road bike geometry with flat handlebars. The wheels/tires are narrower than a typical hybrid, but not as narrow as a road bike. The gearing is slightly lower than a road bike. Also, the comfort is better than a road bike, but not as cushy as most hybrids. The bike has been extremely reliable as well. The only issues I've had are a couple broken spokes, which is a real pain in the butt when you're on the road, but otherwise all the main components are original and still work great. The one upgrade or change I made is a saddle that's a little more comfortable.

Now if I could only find the time to ride it more...

Here's advice from a pro.
A decent entry level road bike starts at about $1400, the next steep up is closer to $2k. If he wants to get a road bike and be comfortable, Specialized and Trek have good options, just stay away from the "race" bikes with aggressive geometry. Race bikes look cool, but for recreational riders, uncomfortable and overkill. If the shop he's checking out try's to sell him one, find another shop.

Spend the money on a bike with upper end components from SRAM or Shimano, they last longer and are just nicer to use. This would be Shimano 105 and up, or SRAM Rival and up. Campagnollo is great,  but expensive and Italian...

Make sure the gearing is also set up for your strength and topography of your riding area.  Unless your pace lining at 40mph you don't need 53/11. Grinding is bad, spinning is good.

Set aside another 2-$300 for a proper bike fitting and components needed for the fit. A good bike fitting makes all the difference, and makes riding fun because your comfortable!

If he really gets into it, pass on all the little weight saving bike trinkets and pony up for a good wheel set and bike computer.  This is biggest and most noticeable improvement for any bike.

Have fun,

Pete