I still ride non float cleats.

Make sure of your size before looking. Used bikes are OK as long as they're in good shape and fit.

SIZE IS IMPORTANT!

I've done a couple of good used Treks (Road and Commuter).

Not that that proves anything one way or another. But, as I stated, no judgements, each to their own.

No it doesn't and you are right. I know many people that are starting out swears by floating cleats. People have fix cleats for years. Some old world methods just work for a small percentage of us. I read many european pros still ride fix cleats.

Hey, what does it feel like hammering down the real rough cobble little roads in the north parts of France or those Belgium farm roads. Have you done those. Do the pros ride them all the time in the early seasons come rain or shine.

How do the French people see the riders from Flanders? Especially winning Roubaix all the time?

sorry for ripping off this thread.

Jeff

i sold bikes in local shops for years. we always did a proper fit. we never charged to do it.

dont know if things have changed but you may be able to have a sales person spend quality time with you for no charge, regarding fit

Rule of thumb: figure out what type of frame material you want and then buy the bike with the best frame you can afford. you can always upgrade components if you really get into the sport


i happen to like aluminum frames. others dont. i also prefer USA made frames. Im pretty sure Cannondale is the only one left. I think Klein is stopping or stopped production?? Country of origin may mean nothing to you

you need to talk to people, try some, do some reading. bikes have come along way since i sold them (mid 80s - early 90s). from what i see, $1,000 buys you a hell of a nice bike these days. soooo many options...disc brakes, suspension (front and/or rear), component package, handle bar style, wheel size, frame style, clip on pedals or not etc..... youll need to educate yourself quite a bit

another thing you may want to consider

do not fail to consider mountain bikes. you can get an excellent mountain bike and then keep 2 sets of wheels/tires. one set of strictly road and high speed riding and the other for more general or off road use. thats what i do.

of course, a mountain bike, even with road tires will never be as fast as a road bike, but to you -it may not matter at all and youll get more for your money as far as variety goes

Rough cobblestone can be found throughout Europe and it is always the most painful, nasty stuff to ride on. I hate it with a passion!

The French seem to appreciate any cyclist who does well. I have not seen any real dislike for any country's riders in the TDF or Roubaix for example. You know the vast majority of criticism against Lance was that he seldom competed in other races, he just focused on the TDF.

Jeff, where did you get those shorts? Somewhere local?

I have a pair. Most bike shops have them. Just remembered I got mine at REI.
Spandex and couple small pads inside. Nice.

You can also get padded spandex 'underwear' that you can wear under regular shorts. You need to pick the shorts carefully, though, a seam in the wrong place will kill you after 20 miles.

Jeff lives near me so I was curious where he shops.

Never even thought about doing the spandex thing... I pretty much just putt around town on my mountain bike... however I am always looking for ways to be more comfortable in the saddle and put a few more miles in on my rides.


Don't want to hijack this thread but a quick search of the internet came up with some bike shorts. What brand shorts are you guys using, Falconi, Borah?

all of this roadie talk makes me laugh. yes, i rode professional observed trials in college. ...which according to some people would be "apples to oranges." if you want a great workout, while having to actually master riding a bicycle, you should buy a fixed gear bike and ride that. no brakes, no shifters, no frills. you, your own power, and the road.

it's funny how many people try to focus on how fast they can go on a bike....when they should maybe learn how slow they can ride first. i see a lot of roadies that don't have fundamental riding skills such as trackstanding, etc. learn to ride first, then learn to go fast.

Pearl Izumi bibs under cargo pants if you're really modest.

There's a reason there are a multitude of barely used bikes hanging in America's garages. People rush out and buy more than they need before committing to cycling as recreation and exercise for the long term. Same goes for cameras, video, audio, cell phones, running shoes, bigger TVs, new cars, etc.; anything the marketing guys can get you to buy in your quest to be a better person with the most stuff.

Take the advice of many here. Get a used road bike in decent condition and ride it for a few hundred miles. I fit myself from reading Greg Lemond's book; confirmed with a pro fit some thousand miles later. There are numerous websites with the same universal fitment suggestions.

By the time you accumulate some miles under your butt, you'll have hooked up with a riding group/club and have a chance to talk to more experienced riders/consumers (hey, if you're on a long ride, you talk about bikes before solving world problems). Some of your fellow riders will be less/more biased; some will be into the latest and greatest regardless of their fitness level just because they can afford it. Others will be more pragmatic and enjoy cycling for the exercise and social aspects. And there are those in-between. Learn from them all, then proceed to the next level unless you segue to skateboarding, rock climbing, bungee jumping or any number of sport activity options us folks in the free world manage to try at least once.

BTW, you can get an equally good workout on a single speed beach cruiser as you can on a $3000 bike. However, a beach cruiser is not as good as a multi-thousand dollar exercise machine to drape your clothes in the bedroom. I believe the motorized treadmill is America's most popular hi-tech pants hanger.

MHO,
Sherwood

When I was in France about 10 years ago, my girl friend, now wife, did not want to see any of cobbles in the north of Fance. I wanted to rent a car and drive them. I really wanted to drive or ride up the Koppenburg (sp) in Flanders. do you find many people training on them all the time?

I can't agree with you more about Lance (or Induran) or any other modern tour condenter. Real Champions ride the spring classics, a tour (Hinault did both giro and tour at times), and finish with the worlds(or win it), then maybe win or place in Lambardi (sp?) sound like Jalabert? No more riders like that. Armstrong is almost God like around here. I too think he should go out and ride the spring races like Champion of the past. When I say that, most people have no clue what I am talking about. I get lots of "didn't he win 7 times". I am not saying he isn't good. How many tours would Hinault or Merckx win if they just did "The Tour"? 8?

Jeff

What is "Professional observed trials"?

He isn't trying to master riding a bike, he just want to go out and ride and have some fun. I agree with you about a fix gear and form. Now a days, at least around here, that only means cool, and I see them riding at 50rpm with bobing shoulders. Waste of time for a beginning cyclist in my opinion. I get a kick out of you tricksters. trackstand is not a riding skill. You are not moving just showing off in the street. I used to do it all the time at stop lights.

Try Desitin for babies. Not a normal place to get saddle sore. the only thing I can think of is that you are sitting up right too much to get rubbing there.

I found those particular shorts at Jax. I don't usually get too much of my stuff there (they're wickedly expensive) but those were somewhat reasonable. I've seen them at REI too.

this forum has allot of bicycle industry folks in it.

as for equipment vs rider Lance Armstrong ion a huffy would make a fool of us all.

ceramic bearings do roll well. but if you're blocking a ton of wind the guy with 1975 campy hubs might out coast you.

220 psi in the tires, great for rolling in straight lines. twisty roads with a little some cracks or patch work 130 psi or 110 psi might handle better.

What brand shorts? Pearl Izumi look to be high quality but their baggy mountain bike style shorts are hard to find. I'm also seeing Oakley, Falconi, Canari, and Borah... I found an online review of the Borah and the guy seemed to like them.

Hoss I think. I'll check when I get home later.