Ideal 50+ bike
03-29-07, 08:19 AM
#26
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I agree with (someone) above: we all have different needs/tastes. So, ideal bike? Well, I've found my ideal second bike; I use my roadified h/t as an all-purpose bike, and for that it suits me just fine, but I've long had a dream of working up to doing the Quebec 'route verde' tour, and Mrs. Badger is now officially encouraging me to 'go for it' -- sooooo, extensively test rode this Giant, and ... bingo!! My projected tour is a light, supported one (B & B to B & B along the way), so no need for load capacity. It fits perfectly, and is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden; $1750/Cdn. all in (the limit of what I can swing, but determined to get it), the only change I'll make (next year) is a handbuilt 32 spoke light but conventional wheelset (for the tour). Yes, it has carbon -- but it's far less expensive than any comparably-equipped chromoly bike that I have access to, so there it is.
03-29-07, 09:38 AM
#27
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For over 50?
Total bike should weigh total under 2 pounds
Tires should have super low rolling resistance, but be amazing sticky so as to never skid or slide on the road, or even loose dirt
Should be very aero
Should have a cushy ride, maybe with internal hidden shocks that don't move at all except when I want them to.
Extra super lightweight wheels that never flat but are still comfortable
Clip in pedals that have brain sensor (TM) release
infinite gearing
Water bottle should us H1O instead of H2O to save weight
Should come in red, black or red and black
Should be under $200
I think that about covers it
Total bike should weigh total under 2 pounds
Tires should have super low rolling resistance, but be amazing sticky so as to never skid or slide on the road, or even loose dirt
Should be very aero
Should have a cushy ride, maybe with internal hidden shocks that don't move at all except when I want them to.
Extra super lightweight wheels that never flat but are still comfortable
Clip in pedals that have brain sensor (TM) release
infinite gearing
Water bottle should us H1O instead of H2O to save weight
Should come in red, black or red and black
Should be under $200
I think that about covers it
03-29-07, 09:44 AM
#28
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It must come with a golden winged helmet!!!!!!!!!
03-29-07, 09:51 AM
#29
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Originally Posted by BluesDawg
Brass Incredibell 
+1. Seriously. This baby is pitch perfect. So perfect, in fact, that I'm compelled to compose a haiku:
Ode to my Incredibell(s)
on the path ahead
pedestrian cattle flee
piercing dings from me
03-29-07, 03:59 PM
#30
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You folks are hopeless . . . it feels like I stepped into an over-80 forum
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03-31-07, 06:24 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by bigbossman
Fair enough - but I would like to add that (good) steel frames aren't cheap anymore, unless you're buying a used mid-80's frame to build on. Then, they're practically free...... For all intents and purposes, the default frame materials found in most LBS's are either aluminum or CF. The only relatively inexpensive steel frames are Lemond and Bianchi.
on the subject of compact - with a compact you get "almost as low as" triple gears. "Almost" is not good enough for me, especially around here in the west. I would argue that if you were building one ideal bike to cover most situations, go with the triple. No one's forcing you to use the granny if you don't want to, but it's nice to have if you need it. The weight penalty is negligible, and they shift just fine. Compacts are a compromise...
on the subject of compact - with a compact you get "almost as low as" triple gears. "Almost" is not good enough for me, especially around here in the west. I would argue that if you were building one ideal bike to cover most situations, go with the triple. No one's forcing you to use the granny if you don't want to, but it's nice to have if you need it. The weight penalty is negligible, and they shift just fine. Compacts are a compromise...
03-31-07, 06:34 AM
#33
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Hi,
my bike is a Gunnar Sport. Great bike.
Ultegra brifters. I am going to try an IRD front
derailleur this year and a 24 tooth front ring.
The wheels depend a lot on you. CXP33 are build them and forget about 'em
wheels for guys that want to move. If you want 23c tires, they are a great choice. If you want a larger tire, there are a number of good choices. I am trying some new wheels this year with Amrosio Excellence rims.
The Rivendell Roly Poly and Ruffy Tuffy tires are terrific.
I use Ritchey BioMax bars, the $60 ones. I also use Off the Front Grip Shapes.
If you get some, I will tell you how I put them on. I like inline brake levers, nice having brakes on top. And I use the Selle AnAtomica Titanico saddle. They make great saddles. Oh, I really like my Carradice Barley bag with a Bagman support.
my bike is a Gunnar Sport. Great bike.
Ultegra brifters. I am going to try an IRD front
derailleur this year and a 24 tooth front ring.
The wheels depend a lot on you. CXP33 are build them and forget about 'em
wheels for guys that want to move. If you want 23c tires, they are a great choice. If you want a larger tire, there are a number of good choices. I am trying some new wheels this year with Amrosio Excellence rims.
The Rivendell Roly Poly and Ruffy Tuffy tires are terrific.
I use Ritchey BioMax bars, the $60 ones. I also use Off the Front Grip Shapes.
If you get some, I will tell you how I put them on. I like inline brake levers, nice having brakes on top. And I use the Selle AnAtomica Titanico saddle. They make great saddles. Oh, I really like my Carradice Barley bag with a Bagman support.
03-31-07, 08:03 AM
#34
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03-31-07, 08:19 AM
#35
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Originally Posted by dminor
You folks are hopeless . . . it feels like I stepped into an over-80 forum
03-31-07, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by dminor
You folks are hopeless . . . it feels like I stepped into an over-80 forum
03-31-07, 01:42 PM
#38
Time for a change.
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Originally Posted by n4zou
This is the perfect 50+ bike!
No water bottle spot -but I suppose you could use a Camelback.
Not often I hanker after a motorised vehicle but I could go for one of those.
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