**Official Bike Riders Thread**

[gregory311]

My bike shop owner is always trying to get me to buy one of his personal Serottas. Yeah, that's gonna happen. I couldn't buy one if he sold it at half price.

[RedSox41]

Originally Posted by gregory311

My bike shop owner is always trying to get me to buy one of his personal Serottas. Yeah, that's gonna happen. I couldn't buy one if he sold it at half price.

Same thing with LOOK, my bike store ordered these for the schools cycling team, but the team went under, and now he has for custom LOOKS to get rid of. I could by a decent car new, for the price of one of those bikes.

[gregory311]

Originally Posted by RedSox41

Same thing with LOOK, my bike store ordered these for the schools cycling team, but the team went under, and now he has for custom LOOKS to get rid of. I could by a decent car new, for the price of one of those bikes.

When I bought Lola, I had heard from someone else that the shop who had her was going under. I went in, saw the price at $2,900 with full XT and XTR derailleurs and said, “I’ll give you $1,400 for her right now.” Sales guy balked but I left my card.

An hour later the owner called me and said, “Come and get it.” Another guy came in when I bought her and did the same thing with a Litespeed. Owner said, “Take it.”

[Jimi47]

Started road biking in 92. Started mountain biking in 95. Slowly did more mountain biking to the point of only getting 200 miles on my road bike per year, but got a new Cannondale Synapse last summer (stimulus check) so I've been hitting the road again more. Ride a Cannondale Rush with Lefty front suspension off road. I rode the 100 mile ride at the Hotter 'n Hell Hundred in 93. The longest I've ridden on the mountain bike was 52 miles on 6 different trail systems in one day.

HolyCow - check out your local club http://www.bicycleleague.com/ They are very active in both road and mountain biking and a great group.

[Jimi47]

Trek had a demo day a couple of weekends ago. I rode a $4000 carbon mountain bike on the trails and a $7500 carbon road bike on the lake road. While both of them were quicker, I'll stick with my current steeds.

[gravedigger07]

I just ride downhill stuff. I love it! I really want a new full suspension but I dont have that cash right now. Any suggestions on a good full susp.

[gregory311]

Originally Posted by gravedigger07

I just ride downhill stuff. I love it! I really want a new full suspension but I dont have that cash right now. Any suggestions on a good full susp.

Kona always has decent stuff - depends on how much you want to spend. Ellsworth is sweet as is Scott, but those are going to be waaaay more.

[AlanA4]

I love to mountain bike but I definatley need an equipment upgrade. I still have a schwinn that i got when I was like 13 with the seat raised all the way up hahah.

Anyways who can point me in the dirrection of a good mountain bike for somebody who likes to do it as a hobby (aka not an absurd amount of money) but still wants a good quality mountain bike that I won't need to buy another in like 3 years. I live in the mountains so there are a ton of great trails and routes so I'm really excited to get out there more often. Thanks for the help

[gregory311]

Originally Posted by AlanA4

I love to mountain bike but I definatley need an equipment upgrade. I still have a schwinn that i got when I was like 13 with the seat raised all the way up hahah.

Anyways who can point me in the dirrection of a good mountain bike for somebody who likes to do it as a hobby (aka not an absurd amount of money) but still wants a good quality mountain bike that I won't need to buy another in like 3 years. I live in the mountains so there are a ton of great trails and routes so I'm really excited to get out there more often. Thanks for the help

How much do you want to spend? You can get a Trek 3900 for around $500 but the components will be crappy.

What kind of riding do you do?

[AlanA4]

Originally Posted by gregory311

How much do you want to spend? You can get a Trek 3900 for around $500 but the components will be crappy.

What kind of riding do you do?

Right now I only ride on dirt trails in the woods. I'm not like hitting jumps or anything, just roots and rocks and basic stuff. Like I said I'm in the mountains so there are a ton of rough trails that we like to explore.

Next year though I will be close enough to bike to school from off campus so I guess I need something kinda in between.

As for price I can justify spending maybe up to 600 bucks on a decent bike? I dunno if that is possible

[Jimi47]

Originally Posted by gregory311

How much do you want to spend? You can get a Trek 3900 for around $500 but the components will be crappy.

What kind of riding do you do?

Try to find a local club, then ask around about the better bike shops in the area. Check out what those shops have starting at the entry level and up a couple of levels. I consider front suspension absolutely necessary and rear suspension optional for a starter. BTW, typically full suspension bikes are heavier, don't climb as well, and are more expensive. But DAMN are they sweet! If you can get disc brakes for a few bucks more, go that route. Most shops can get last year's models for you for a nice discount, so ask about that. I'd expect to pay $500 to $700 for a decent new starter bike. I still have the starter I bought (used) in '95, so don't think that they will just be junk after a few months of riding.

Use this shop's catalogue for some ballpark figures/features.
http://schlegelbicycles.com/itemlist...=50&startRow=1

See if any of these shops are nearby. http://www.bicycleresearch.com/top100/index.html

[aoeiifreak]

I ride the hell out of my current bike, but I usually use it as a roadbike and it's a hybrid road/mountain bike. What kind of decent roadbikes would you guys recommend for a reasonable ($1000 or less) price? Would appreciate the input.

[RedSox41]

Originally Posted by gregory311

Kona always has decent stuff - depends on how much you want to spend. Ellsworth is sweet as is Scott, but those are going to be waaaay more.

I bought a Kona mountain bike from Whiteface Ski resort sale. 4000$ bike for 450$

[RedSox41]

Originally Posted by aoeiifreak

I ride the hell out of my current bike, but I usually use it as a roadbike and it's a hybrid road/mountain bike. What kind of decent roadbikes would you guys recommend for a reasonable ($1000 or less) price? Would appreciate the input.

Trek 1000 100%


Edit: I guess they dont make it anymore, but it was my first road bike, and I still have it, ride it as my commuter bike.

Right now, there calling the Trek 1.2

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/1_series/12/

[gregory311]

The problem with many bikes today is that companies are putting comforts before function.

A good frame is the place to start - then wheels - then drive train. People get all caught up in shocks and shit when the stuff I mentioned is much more important. If your drive train is shitty, that shock really isn't going to mean much.

Starter bikes are going to run you $700-900. Intermediate bikes, like my Jamis, will run you $900-$1,500. After that, the sky is the limit.

Remember, if you are just cruising down the road, you probably don’t need a mid-level to high-end bike. If your just doing some easy trail riding, same thing.

If you ride 20-30 miles on single track with lots of serious roots and rocks, you should consider an upgrade. The last thing you want is a $200 Huffy that will likely not be able to withstand the punishment it’s going to take on the trail.

Don’t agree? Wait until you have to walk that bike five or six miles up and down hills on your way back to the car.

[HolyCow]

Freaking raining here. Boooooooooo

[icanfeeltherain]

this is my love...I built it about 3 years ago...only about $1500

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/s...4/IMG_0214.jpg

[Semper454]

Just getting into road biking. Did 45 miles last weekend at a Lance Armstrong Foundation event in Austin.

Anybody big into this?

[laststop_40]

I quit biking after fracturing my wrist, shoulder, and dislocating my shoulder on one fall.

[mr.MikeD]

Originally Posted by mr.MikeD

I don't ride as much as I used to, but it's one of my goals to get out more this summer. I used mountain bike alot, but have shifted to the road a bit more. A couple of summers ago I rode on and off with a road racing club on their training rides, though I never did race. I put in a couple hundred kilometers a week with them, but haven't kept it up. Definitely one of my favourite things, though I don't do it enough anymore.

yeah, didn't ride at all this summer. so much for that.

[Jimi47]

Originally Posted by laststop_40

I quit biking after fracturing my wrist, shoulder, and dislocating my shoulder on one fall.

Hope to get back on the bike soon. Dr. just released me from a broken right clavicle and a fractured left wrist. Missing out on some great autumn trails!

[PilotC150]

I would love to get a nice new bike, but I have hard time spending that much for something without a motor, when I could get a decent/working used motorcycle for less.

Seriously, though, I used to ride all the time in high school and could do awesome distances, but that kinda faded away when I started driving. I still have the same bike I got back in 1995-ish, which is why it sucks.

[gravedigger07]

Downhill is my favorite, but I try to ride to work and school when I can...it saves money and is great exercise. Get a bike fatties!

[Semper454]

Originally Posted by PilotC150

I would love to get a nice new bike, but I have hard time spending that much for something without a motor, when I could get a decent/working used motorcycle for less.

Seriously, though, I used to ride all the time in high school and could do awesome distances, but that kinda faded away when I started driving. I still have the same bike I got back in 1995-ish, which is why it sucks.

For real. I'm looking at upgrading to a nicer road bike, and you gotta really drop some cash if you want something nice. I don't know much about mountain biking, but getting into road cycling, I'm learning that it's a really expensive hobby.

[mr.MikeD]

Ok, there's still snow on the ground, but I think in 2010 I replace the old steel framed Kona road bike. Looking for suggestions for a road bike for a tallish, heavy-ish rider. Price up to 2000, maybe 2500 if it comes to that. Looking for a something for race-able more than tour-able. Open to carbon, aluminum, even steel if its the right bike.

[Semper454]

Originally Posted by mr.MikeD

Ok, there's still snow on the ground, but I think in 2010 I replace the old steel framed Kona road bike. Looking for suggestions for a road bike for a tallish, heavy-ish rider. Price up to 2000, maybe 2500 if it comes to that. Looking for a something for race-able more than tour-able. Open to carbon, aluminum, even steel if its the right bike.

All depends on how advanced a bike you're looking for. You can get a really nice low-end Trek or Cannondale for easily under $2000 that will do you just fine if you just like to ride and get a nice workout.


I bought a Trek 1.5 a couple months back that I absolutely love so far. Aluminum frame, carbon fork and seatpost. It's not top of the line, but its pretty damn fast and a smooth as hell ride. Perfect for me as a casual rider. Unless you're running several races a year and trying to shave time, you don't need much more than that.

[K270]

Bought a new bike in May of 2008. Rode a lot during the summer (May - Sept). Put on 800 miles. Tried to get back into it in January 2009, but it was just to cold. In July '09 I ruptured my achilles and haven't ridden since. I'm getting close to getting back out on my bike though. Maybe mid to late March. I don't ride anything fancy, just a K2 Alturas 2.0 Love that fucking thing.

[mr.MikeD]

Originally Posted by Semper454

All depends on how advanced a bike you're looking for. You can get a really nice low-end Trek or Cannondale for easily under $2000 that will do you just fine if you just like to ride and get a nice workout.


I bought a Trek 1.5 a couple months back that I absolutely love so far. Aluminum frame, carbon fork and seatpost. It's not top of the line, but its pretty damn fast and a smooth as hell ride. Perfect for me as a casual rider. Unless you're running several races a year and trying to shave time, you don't need much more than that.

thanks, Trek is for sure on the list, looking at the 2 series I think. I probably want 105 or higher for components. I have campy stuff now, and its nice, but really hard to find replacements for if things break. Work schedule permitting I'm going to ride with a club again this summer, and hopefully even get in a race or two.

[Semper454]

Originally Posted by mr.MikeD

thanks, Trek is for sure on the list, looking at the 2 series I think. I probably want 105 or higher for components. I have campy stuff now, and its nice, but really hard to find replacements for if things break. Work schedule permitting I'm going to ride with a club again this summer, and hopefully even get in a race or two.

If you're willing to spend that much, I would just drop the extra few hundred and go with a Madone 4 series. When I bought my 1.5, my thinking was I would go relatively cheap for now, and in a few years when I want to really drop some money, I might as well get close to the best bike I can buy. Trek's Alpha Aluminum is nice, but it's not carbon fiber.

[mr.MikeD]

Originally Posted by Semper454

If you're willing to spend that much, I would just drop the extra few hundred and go with a Madone 4 series. When I bought my 1.5, my thinking was I would go relatively cheap for now, and in a few years when I want to really drop some money, I might as well get close to the best bike I can buy. Trek's Alpha Aluminum is nice, but it's not carbon fiber.

yeah, i had the same thought after posting that and looking at the trek website. Though from the 2.1 to the 4.5 it's a difference of $1000 Canadian. 600 between the 2.3 and 4.5.
probably will come down to riding a bunch and seeing what fits.