The Chainlink

Buying first decent bike; want to make an informed decision. Help?

I've been riding a mountain bike all summer and I've reached a point in my conditioning and commitment where I want to take the plunge and invest in my first decent bike (budget $1,000 to $1,500). 

Any input would be much appreciated, especially from anyone who has recently made the leap from mtn->road or mtn->cyclocross and either been pleased or disappointed with their decision. 

Thanks in advance!

Views: 1510

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Awesome! Wnere did you end up buying it? And post pics!!!

Chi Lowe said:

All - this was a REALLY great set of inputs!  Coupled with (way too much) internet research, I have finally come to a decision to purchase a Surly Long Haul Trucker, which I should be picking up on Monday.

Looking forward to some late fall and winter riding.  Thanks again for all your feedback!

I love my Lemond Poprad, aka Big Poppy.  I don't think there is a single stock component on it though, so take that with a grain of salt.  

The bike has gone mountain biking (got suckered into that mess... the bike survived and so did I!) and has done multiple centuries without a glitch.  

Let me say it again... I love my bike.  =)


prof.gfr said:

When I first made a similar leap from MTB to something zippier I too went with a cross for all the reasons listed above. I went w a steel LeMond Poprad bc the steel absorbs road shick better thab aluminum cross bikes. But since then I've switched to a touring bike (vintage steel frame Miyata 615) and I like it infinitely better. I think the LeMond is a bit too small at 54cm ctc whereas the Miyata is 57 or 58 ctc (can't reall exactly) and has a longer wheelbase (5 cm, I think, but it makes a big difference in absorbing road shocks). I'm now a touring bike convert as well as a fan of Grant Peterson's fit style (its complicated, amd worth googling, but in a nutshell = slightly taller bikes w only a handful or less of visible seat post). Fit is so important - it is worth researching and talking to people at reputable shops like Rapid Transit or Cycle Smithy. But you can get a lot more for your $ if you can discover your fit and buy a vintage steel frame on the used market. Depending on ITA vintage and showiness, it's also potentially less of a theft hazard, although any bike should be locked w two u-locks or a u-lock and cable in the city. At least that's been my experience.

Well now that you have decided to bite the bullet 

What is are your goals in riding

casual, centuries, week ends

this will better help in your buying decision  & bicycle type 

i have manny riding interest & over i wont say how many bikes 

a touring bike is a great place to start designed for comfort 

long & short distance. Great for running to the store or the library 

even a week end in the county camping. I have built many custom bicycles over the last 40 years 

& i always come back to a good touring bike for comfort & functionality.

you can run a wide semi aggressive tire in the winter months with fenders, a narrow hi psi in the autumn & summer months i will attempt to attach some photos of builds i have done 

as for purchasing i recommend bikes direct.com a full line of bikes shipped free if your mechanical at all this will be a easy assembly or have it shipped to a local shop for assembly 

Hey Chi:

Curious does your surly ride different when loaded with touring weight vs unloaded?  Also, are you running disc or regular breaks? 

Dave

john doe said:

Well now that you have decided to bite the bullet 

What is are your goals in riding

casual, centuries, week ends

this will better help in your buying decision  & bicycle type 

i have manny riding interest & over i wont say how many bikes 

a touring bike is a great place to start designed for comfort 

long & short distance. Great for running to the store or the library 

even a week end in the county camping. I have built many custom bicycles over the last 40 years 

& i always come back to a good touring bike for comfort & functionality.

you can run a wide semi aggressive tire in the winter months with fenders, a narrow hi psi in the autumn & summer months i will attempt to attach some photos of builds i have done 

as for purchasing i recommend bikes direct.com a full line of bikes shipped free if your mechanical at all this will be a easy assembly or have it shipped to a local shop for assembly 

Thanks for this link. I test road a surly LHT today and liked it. I also test road my friends Raleigh Sojourn and liked it too. I was wondering if the ride on the trucker is different when loaded with weight vs unloaded?

Dave

Another Univega?  I'd love to ride one of those!!

RSS

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service