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General Discussion / Re: Advice on likely my last bike
« on: November 15, 2023, 09:41:56 am »
A few random thoughts (since I can't make your decision for you!):
Don't sell the Coda until you're sure the new bike is The One for you. It's possible you'll spend the next few months reading all about bikes, and riding, and pick the absolute best bike on paper, and find you like the Coda better.
I wouldn't write off drop bars until you've tried some that have the bars about the same height as the saddle (like a touring bike). If you like cycling and keep at it until you're doing some longer rides, it's possible you'll want the drops when you face a stiff headwind coming home.
Some people have found that the typical drop bar position is more comfortable than a straight/mountain bike bar. If your torso is around 45 degrees, there's some flex at your hips you don't have if you're sitting upright. Any bump that makes it past your tires and bike suspension (if your bike has it) goes straight into your lower back if you're upright.
Think of this as your next bike, not necessarily as your last bike. That gives you some mental agility down the road. If you need some exercise and perhaps a way to take off some weight, that's a lifetime goal. Even if you find and buy that perfect bike this year, in 10 years things may change so you need something else to keep on riding. A recumbent trike may be big, heavy, and unwieldy this year; but in 10 years your balance may decline, and that's just what you'll need then.
Final recommendation (for now): start planning ahead. Touring bikes and frames are usually made in a small batch every year. They'll likely hit the stores around March, and be gone by June. So contact bike shops in your area, see if they're willing to order something in your size, and you can test ride them next spring.
Don't sell the Coda until you're sure the new bike is The One for you. It's possible you'll spend the next few months reading all about bikes, and riding, and pick the absolute best bike on paper, and find you like the Coda better.
I wouldn't write off drop bars until you've tried some that have the bars about the same height as the saddle (like a touring bike). If you like cycling and keep at it until you're doing some longer rides, it's possible you'll want the drops when you face a stiff headwind coming home.
Some people have found that the typical drop bar position is more comfortable than a straight/mountain bike bar. If your torso is around 45 degrees, there's some flex at your hips you don't have if you're sitting upright. Any bump that makes it past your tires and bike suspension (if your bike has it) goes straight into your lower back if you're upright.
Think of this as your next bike, not necessarily as your last bike. That gives you some mental agility down the road. If you need some exercise and perhaps a way to take off some weight, that's a lifetime goal. Even if you find and buy that perfect bike this year, in 10 years things may change so you need something else to keep on riding. A recumbent trike may be big, heavy, and unwieldy this year; but in 10 years your balance may decline, and that's just what you'll need then.
Final recommendation (for now): start planning ahead. Touring bikes and frames are usually made in a small batch every year. They'll likely hit the stores around March, and be gone by June. So contact bike shops in your area, see if they're willing to order something in your size, and you can test ride them next spring.
)
