Messages

16

Gear Talk / What's your favorite 100 mile unweighted bike?

« on: April 18, 2010, 12:38:21 pm »

I'm riding Ragbrai http://ragbrai.com/ this summer and just wanted to hear from you seasoned riders what is your favorite 100+ mile bike for unloaded touring?  We have a support vehicle to throw our gear in so it really opens up what I can choose from.

17

Classifieds / Re: For Sale: Cannondale Touring Bike

« on: March 26, 2010, 12:21:59 am »

Hey I was just checking it out on Ebay and hopped on here to the classifieds.  How much to ship to Missoula, MT 59802?  The shipping calculator would not give me an estimate.

18

Gear Talk / Exustar MTB Carbon shoes?

« on: March 15, 2010, 12:51:56 am »

So being new to road biking I'm still in training only riding 20-30 miles for now, but that might have something to do with how uncomfortable my Keen Trail shoes are with platform pedals.  I just ordered Exustar MTB Carbon shoes for $50, Nashbar Soho pedals (Shimano A530 copies) $40 at Nashbar.  I'm going to have to figure out how to shorten the screws on the cleats so they don't dig into feet.
I had so many different responses from bike shops around town on whether to buy road or mountain bike shoes for road biking.  I really appreciate your guys input and honest answers!  Thanks

19

Gear Talk / Re: Bike style

« on: March 15, 2010, 12:40:00 am »

Hey Awf Hand, I just was checking out Nashbar's website and you could get a touring frame for $99.00  It would be worth it if you had the components to finish it off.  Just a thought though if you were looking for something more custom
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/TopCategory_10053_10052_200334_-1_200274_N

20

Gear Talk / Road Shoe vs Touring Shoe?

« on: March 11, 2010, 12:05:16 am »

So I am pretty new to road biking and was hoping someone could recommend whether I should get a Road Shoe or a Touring Shoe.  Do road shoes have a stiffer sole and transfer more energy?  Or does one have fewer hot spots than another?  I'm looking at a Shimano RT80 Shoes with Soho pedal if I go this route but I'm open to suggestions.  I've even heard recommendations to just buy a stiff mountain bike shoe and pedals for my road bike in case I want to switch between road and cyclocross.

21

Gear Talk / Did I make out ok on my first road bike? $340 1999 Trek 2100

« on: February 24, 2010, 07:10:49 pm »

So I finally bought a road bike.  After lots of research I bought a Trek 2100 I found last minute on Ebay for $340 with shipping.  I couldn't find any reviews but I went for it anyway.  Did I make out ok?
1999 Trek 2100 hardly used
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1999&Brand=Trek&Model=2100T&Type=bike
Bicycle Type   Road race & triathlon
Sugg Retail   $1,199.99

Frame & Fork
Frame Construction   TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material   6061 T6 aluminum
Fork Brand & Model   ICON Carbon Classic
Fork Material   Carbon fiber composite
Rear Shock   Not applicable

Components
Component Group   Road Mix
Brakeset   Shimano RSX Dual Pivot brakes, Shimano RSX STI levers
Shift Levers   Shimano RSX STI Dual Control
Front Derailleur   Shimano RSX, bottom-pull/clamp-on 31.8mm
Rear Derailleur   Shimano 105
Crankset   Shimano RSX, 30/42/52 teeth
Pedals   ICON clipless
Rims   Rolf Vector, 20-hole/24-hole

22

Gear Talk / Re: What road bikes can fit a 700x32 or 35?

« on: February 15, 2010, 10:52:59 pm »

Thank you movershaker!  That's just what I needed to hear.  I still have made my purchase and have been hunting Ebay for a deal.  Right now there is a Redline R740 which I couldn't find much info on but comes with Sora components, aluminum frame, and carbon fork.  I'm getting close to the wire, but with the whether still pretty snowy I'm only commuting five or six miles a day and training indoors at the Y.  The turmoil of what to by for my first road bike is just brutal.

23

Gear Talk / Re: What road bikes can fit a 700x32 or 35?

« on: February 03, 2010, 09:32:36 pm »

I was parking my steed yesterday outside the coffee shop I work at, and next to me was a Surly LHT, what a nice looking ride.  I got a few glances from strangers as I was checking her out.  And again as I was locking up at the same rack was locking up my 1991 Bianchi Ibex with failing brake springs, next to me was an older Trek 420 with maybe 35's on her.  Although it looked a bit old and chipped up she looked comfortable and smooth riding.  I do believe a cyclocross bike is what I truly want but my beer budget I can only afford one classic pony for now, unless someone out there would like to trade some web or graphic design work for something similar?

Thanks Paddle for the history on touring bikes once serving as cyclocross bikes, this may be an option for now.

24

Gear Talk / Re: What road bikes can fit a 700x32 or 35?

« on: February 01, 2010, 08:02:43 pm »

I would definitely plan on having separate rims for the 32's or 35's.  I don't think 25 or 27's would fit on the same rim would they?  From all of the googling around I've done it looks like it is much cheaper to buy a road bike with the components I want rather than buying the components and frame I want separately.  It I could stuff some 32's or 35's on to a bike such as a Cannondale R400 or similar I would be able to kill two birds with one stone.  Plus I would get the benefit of a lighter frame. I wish I could afford an IF bike... maybe after grad school.

25

Gear Talk / Re: What road bikes can fit a 700x32 or 35?

« on: January 31, 2010, 02:52:12 am »

I would consider a cross bike like a Jamis Nova or Kona Jake but they are out of my price range.  If I could combine the lightweight benefits of a road frame and skinny tires when I need them for a nice long 60 or 100 mile ride I'd be in heaven.  Unfortunately my beer budget keeps me from having both.  I wish there was a resource out there which specified maximum widths but so far all my googling hasn't turned up a thing.  Bummer...

26

Gear Talk / Re: What is the best new or used $400 road bike?

« on: January 31, 2010, 02:15:10 am »

whittierider I found the link you were talking about and here it is:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/EFBe/frame_fatigue_test.htm

I assumed steel "was real" and the toughest like most folks at least over aluminum since it is easier to tack a weld with steel. 
As I get closer and closer to pulling the trigger on my final purchase I wish I new if I could fit some 700x32's or 35's on Cannondale R400 or 600 series or maybe even a Trek 1200.  It would really help me seal the deal. 

27

Gear Talk / Re: 3-4 person tent

« on: January 30, 2010, 11:38:16 pm »

I would have to agree with pretty much everyone else.  Either go for a 4 person or bring two tents.  You might want to checkout your local REI scratch and dent sale which the tend to hold every other month or even reioutlet.com  I took kids out on backpacking and canoe trips for 4 years and I always brought two tents.  Take a look at the Alps Triton 1.5 or 2.0 which run about $109 to $120 has a two pole design and weighs in at 4 or 5lbs packed.  If I were going to spend a bit more I use to own a three person version of this North Face tent but a much older design.  http://www.rei.com/product/779039  
Either way, you probably know this but a vestibule comes in very handy for both storage and torrential rains.  Also head room can be more important than you think, and just because a tent has a very ergonomic design and costs a bunch doesn't make it better than other simple designs.  The REI Dome tent for $99 treated had treated me well too.  Good luck!

That Big Agnes is pretty cool though even at 10lbs.

28

Gear Talk / What road bikes can fit a 700x32 or 35?

« on: January 30, 2010, 11:15:58 pm »

Does anyone know or have any experience fitting 700x35's or 32's on a Cannondale R series or Trek 1000 to 1400?  Or really any road bike for that matter?  I'm looking for the best of both worlds a lightweight road bike under 20lbs for long rides up to 130 miles with an ability to swap out tires for the gravel trails.  I've tried googling this and haven't had much luck.

29

Gear Talk / Re: What is the best new or used $400 road bike?

« on: January 30, 2010, 03:33:07 pm »

Thanks for the great advice Paddleboy17.  It's just my personality type to want to build my bike myself so I have have a close sense of ownership.  I did the same this when building my VW Westfalia from the engine up.

From what I've gathered Shimano 105 9 speed components seem to be the industry standard and reliable.  From how I've priced it out
-Shimano 105, 172.5mm crankset costs $37.48 with shipping
-Shimano 105, 5500 or 5501 Rear Derailler $30 with shipping
-Shimano 105 5500 Front Derailler $20 with shipping
-Shimano 105 12x25 Cassette $31 with shipping
-Shimano 105 brake set $30 w/shipping
-Shimano 105 Brifters $130 w/shipping
-Handle bar $28
-Stem $26
-Mavic 700C wheels $50 each
-Continental Ultra Race 700x23 tire set new $45
-Shimano Dura Ace 7701 chain $15
-Shimano PD-R540 pedals $30
-Cables $25
And I think thats it.  TOTAL approx. $498

So any ideas on how to cut costs?  Maybe switching to RSX components?
It's looking like more and more a used Cannondale or Trek is the way to go.
A Cannondale R600 1999-2003 is between $400-$550.
A Trek 1000 circa 2000 with Sora components runs approx $315 on the low end.
An early 90's Trek with down tube shifters and 105 components probably had for $250-300 with shipping

Any thoughts or ideas on what to do?

30

Gear Talk / Short lever shifters to brifters. Is it possible to convert?

« on: January 28, 2010, 11:29:59 pm »

I really didn't expect that I could find a new bike for under $400 but wasn't sure if someone had heard of some amazing deals out there or new up and coming brand.  I had read so many places that building your bike was always going to cost more than buying it from you LBS but I finally sat down and priced it out.  Even using modest parts where possible and buying everything off of Ebay my ride would run $865-$965 before shipping costs. 

As a novice road rider I would rather spend some time on an older aluminum frame until I build up my skills.  But one thing I know I'm going to miss is having brifters rather than the short throw lever shifters.  Is it possible to covert an older lever shifter system (excuse my terminology) to brifters?  I realize I'm at least looking at spending another $130, but is it possible?