Road Cycling - I'm gonna do it...a little help??

Ok,
The wife and I rode 22 miles yesterday, and while I know that most of you aren't even warmed up by then, it was a SIGNIFICANT:thumbup: accomplishment for us. Particularly considering our current bikes and that we've only really been riding for about a month.
After the ride we took our bikes to the LBS to get tune-ups. While we were there, we were "bragging" up our 22 mile morning and discussing how we were training to ride in next month's metric Century. (We plan on taking one of the shortcuts) The mechanic (and avid roadie) convinced us that even a "decent" used road bike would equate about double the distance we put on those POS's that we are riding now.
OK we're gonna do it.
They had a Panasonic (DX-1000?) that fits my wife perfectly and seems to be in pretty good shape. At $35 for a tune up plus any parts they'd have to replace on the POS, we figure that the $100 bucks they want for the used bike is probably the better value. They also have a Specialized Sirrus road bike that seems to need a little work (but they agreed to do) + tires. They want $150.
I know you can't comment directly as to whether these bikes are worth what they are asking, since you can't see them. What I DO want to know is, What should I look for on these bikes to ensure I'm not just throwing a couple hunderd bucks down a hole? I know that it needs to "fit" and I plan on test riding thoroughly, but what else should I look for?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanx.

ChipR

You're already considering the fit of the bike, so that's #1 out of the way. I wouldn't get an old bike with a Suntour drivetrain either (tricky getting parts anymore). If you intend to get more and more into riding, 27" wheels could be a detriment since it limits your tire choices compared to industry-standard 700C, and the DX-1000 may fall into this category. Seat comfort may be an issue if you're not used to a road bike (I don't know what you ride now).

The overall gearing range could be of concern if you're used to the low gears found on a mountain bike or a hybrid. If there are any big hills in the vincinity, try climing one and make sure it's got gearing you can live with.

Hope that helps, good luck :)

yeah I agree with everything mechBgon suggests.

It might be an idea to ask if you could borrow the bikes this w/e to try out. If the LBS is keen to move them I'm sure he would be only too happy to oblige. That way you can check out all the points mechBgone raised and the dealer can correct them as part of the deal:thumbup:
best of luck.

Bye the way well done to you both for the ride. Believe me thats a respectable distance on any bike especially for relative novices.

Just a word of warning though. I bet within 3 months you will be struggling up some 1:10 gradient somewhere and you'll look up dripping sweat, gasping for air and see your wife a mile ahead stopped at the top of the rise calmly having a drink.
:o :o :o
am I right guys or am I right?!..:D

Thanx for the helpful suggestions

We ride Roadmaster MTB's that cost less than these used bikes when they were brand new. Any gear ratio will be good for my wife since the thing won't come off the middle ring in the front. I can't get mine in the little one in back. grrr.

I think both of these road bikes together weigh less that either one of our RM POS's.

Originally posted by ChipRGW
Thanx for the helpful suggestions

We ride Roadmaster MTB's that cost less than these used bikes when they were brand new. Any gear ratio will be good for my wife since the thing won't come off the middle ring in the front. I can't get mine in the little one in back. grrr.

I think both of these road bikes together weigh less that either one of our RM POS's.

wow you did 22 miles on a road master? :D that's an acomplishment... as for the bikes you are considering, fit is very important, and as long as the shops will repair and maintain the bikes (perhaps for free for a little while after purchase) they seem to be decent buys, although the panasonic is at least 13-14 years old I think, while the sirrus could be a bit newer. you might want to ask how many miles have been put on the bikes and what has and has not been replaced to get a better idea of what could fail and need replacing after a while of riding.

Suntour and "tricky getting parts" is a non issue. 6 and 7 speed index road Suntour is compatible with shimano, and the friction stuff does not care.

Congrats on the ride! Nothing feels better than having a ride that you are proud of. FWIW, I do 20 milers all week cos its all I have time for.




Originally posted by earleybird
Just a word of warning though. I bet within 3 months you will be struggling up some 1:10 gradient somewhere and you'll look up dripping sweat, gasping for air and see your wife a mile ahead stopped at the top of the rise calmly having a drink.
:o :o :o
am I right guys or am I right?!..:D

You are right! And what is up with that? My wife can kick my butt sometimes on a hill. :eek:

My wife can kick my butt sometimes on a hill.


:mad: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:irritated :mad: :mad:

Then I guess I better enjoy kicking her butt over the bridges while I still can? It's ok. I'll ALWAYS catch her on the downside!:)

Contrats on the 22 miles!! And now, with road bikes, you're both gonna explode! At least that is the way it was with me. Also, it sounds to me like you have a pretty decent LBS who is willing to work with you, and that is a very good thing! Keep us posted!

I bought these bikes last night. The LBS was very helpful in getting them adjusted and whatnot. They switched my wife's new seat over to her new bike and Hooked up my Cateye Enduro on my new bike, Full tune-ups on both bikes, no extra charges and even knocked a few bucks off the price of my Specialized.

Heres the scoop as I understand it.
The Specialized Sirrus, is an early/mid-90s model, steel frame w/ Shimano RX-100 components (Factory equipment, I think) Unknown mileage, but I assume it is pretty hefty. The previous owner was a Tri-athlete and this was actually his race bike. It is VERY light, considering it's age and steel frame. Everything is in great condition, and it looks and rides just great.
The Panasonic DX-5000 is unknown exact age or mileage, but has been upgraded with Biopace front chainrings. All the other components are Shimano 105s. It also works like a dream. It looks great too, except for the pink bartape, which, of course, my wife hates.
All total including 1 new set of tires, a new set of flat pedals, 2 new bottle cages, and both bikes... $312.00.

I guess we could have done worse. I think the shop sensed that I had been bitten by the bug and it wouldn't be long before I was testing out one of those pretty Pinarellos sitting on the rack.:)

ChipR

Sounds like you did alright, and were lucky enough to get hooked up with a good LBS, Chip!! Now just get out there and have some fun!!
Nothing wrong with steel frames....it's all I ride. Fuji makes thier Roubaix in both steel and aluminum frames, and the wieght difference between the two is insignificant.
Have a ball, and can't wait to hear about you and your wife's first century ride! LOL

OK,
First ride report.
EGAD, I must be doing something wrong!!
I thought this thing would be EASIER to ride than the Roadmaster.
I had a vision of tearing down the road at a blistering pace. Well, it was faster but my legs were as tired after 7 miles as if I had ridden 15 or so on the other bike. My speed averaged about 13.5 as opposed to the 10 or 11 I was getting on the other bike. And the bridge I rode over WAS much easier.
Could it just be getting used to the gearing?
Or maybe I have something positioned wrong?
My butt was sore a bit after, but I have to assume, since I had a "granny" seat on the RMPOS, that the seat comfort IS going to take some geting used to. I just can't bring myself to put the wide seat on the Sirrus.

Any thoughts?

ChipR

A great deal of the speed increase comes from the more aerodynamic riding position that a road bike affords, as well as its own improved aerodynamics (narrow tires, for instance). Is your back about 30 degrees above horizontal, give or take? If you're sitting too upright, then that takes away some of your aerodynamic benefit. Remember, air drag is a major factor in how fast you go, increasing with the square of your speed.

Also, you might check to see approximately what RPM you're turning the cranks at. Pick a gear that gets you at least ~80rpm when practical, rather than lugging along at ~60rpm. 90rpm is even better if you can work up to it.

Is your Sirrus one of the ones with the lugged frame? Lugs are the curvy sleeves that are used on some frames to join the tubes to eachother (by brazing the tubes into them) as opposed to direct tube-to-tube welding. Both techniques work fine, but I thought the lugged Sirruses were pretty elegant-looking, and quite light too.

Example of fancy lugs on a Rivendell:

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/images/bikes_mainrivendell.jpg

I guess I'll add that my road-racing bike DID feel ludicrously fast compared to my mountain bike. Out of the driveway and VROOOOM it tore down the street at 22mph on the amount of power that made my mountain bike cruise at about 15mph. I had a very low, stretched-out, aerodynamic riding position, thanks to a long stem and a handlebar with lots of forward reach, and that was probably the most significant factor. Didn't hurt that it was 18 pounds either (and steel at that) :) It met its fate when I got hit by a car :(

Yes, it is lugged, but the lugs are nowhere near as fancy as those on the Rivendell. This Sirrus IS very light. I was looking at a Fuji in the LBS and my Sirrus is considerably lighter than the brand new Fuji. After I bought it the LBS mechanic was telling me that the Sirrus was a pretty good road bike when it was new. He told me that, depending on options, they retailed in the 1000 dollar range. That's a pretty good bike by my wallet.

Originally posted by mechBgon


Example of fancy lugs on a Rivendell:

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/images/bikes_mainrivendell.jpg

It met its fate when I got hit by a car :(

They are pretty lugs but the paint job is exceptional.
Hope this wasn't the bike that went to meet its maker :(

No, it was something much less lovely, a plain-looking TIG-welded Fuji. The Rivendell is simply one of the first things Google coughed up with a good photo of lugs. :)

AAAhhh, nuthin a little "duck" tape an a hammer won't fix...

:)

Originally posted by ChipRGW
OK,
First ride report.
EGAD, I must be doing something wrong!!
I thought this thing would be EASIER to ride than the Roadmaster.
I had a vision of tearing down the road at a blistering pace. Well, it was faster but my legs were as tired after 7 miles as if I had ridden 15 or so on the other bike. My speed averaged about 13.5 as opposed to the 10 or 11 I was getting on the other bike. And the bridge I rode over WAS much easier.
Could it just be getting used to the gearing?
Or maybe I have something positioned wrong?
My butt was sore a bit after, but I have to assume, since I had a "granny" seat on the RMPOS, that the seat comfort IS going to take some geting used to. I just can't bring myself to put the wide seat on the Sirrus.

Any thoughts?

ChipR
If I recall, the 22 miles was unusual for you to begin with. That being the case, you body told you that it wasn't ready for much further abuse, until it healed. If you're not stretching, then get into the habit... You'll have to get use to your new bike and the gearing will make a difference. You're bottom needs time to adjust, just like your legs. I went from a racing bike to an MTB and back to a road racing bike... boy can I feel the difference in the gearing and leg demands...lov the pain :(

Post 1st weekend update...

I rode a total of about 40 miles this weekend. Feeling MUCH better. Bridges, which were a major issue on the RMPOS, are not even a concern anymore. I backed my current pace down to about 12.5 mph and the distance is coming along nicely. I am able to sprint up to 25 mph or so without totally killing myself. Highest speed so far, 33mph coming down a bridge. Had to slow down as I was getting a little nervous, but the bike was SMOOOOOTH.

Wishlist:
1) Bikeshorts w/ padding. I hear tell that these help ALOT.

2) Clipless pedals. The things I have now are the old toecage style without the straps. My feet are too big to fit on them and flipping them around to step on the flat part is already getting to be a pain in the a$$.

3) saddle time- I just can't wait to get back on and pedal.:)

ChipR -R.I.T. (roadie in training)