General Cycling Discussion - Should I get a new Bike?

Folks

I sent in my $ and stuff for an MS150 so I took my ~30 year old Sental Horizon to the LBS. Gobs of stuff to do to get it ready. They have a Banchi (sp?) Velop for $799. I ride it - WOW!

Is that a good price? I think that is a good bike for me some dirt road, but if it is to get wild I have the MTB.

Or I could just get a set of rims and sliks for my MTB and use that for the MS150.

Some time I will retire and might like to travel with a general purpose bike this seems better than a hybrid for most of what I have in mind and I still have the MTB.

I guess in the price thing I'm not rich but in this cae money is not the issue. Reccommend:

More bike
Offer him less
Ok but give me a water bottle and brackett
......

Thanks
Joe
:beer:

Well, i think we all know the answer to "should i get another bike" :) Its retails for $849, or says the Bianchi site. You could put some slicks on it and call it even. How much will this bike be off the road? are you thinking about a road bike? There is a gravel detour on the trail i travel and for 100 Yards is all gravel. I think a road bike can take some off road adventures, although i do worry about my wheels sometimes.

good luck!
-Ross

One should always get a new bike.

I have to agree with DnvrFox. The answer to the question you posed is always "YES!"

Ross

Being a touring bike it has stronger wheels than a pure road bike, per the LBS, so it should do fine on hard dirt road even with some gravel. I'm thinking of this as my road bike.

Joe

I will never get a new bike, because my 1985 Ross (32 pounds) is my eternal excuse for not going fast. :D

Make sure you can fit decent-width tires, such as 700x32 or even 700x37, and make sure there is room (and eyelets) for fenders. Bicycles with caliper brakes sometimes have very tight clearances and can't allow anything wider than 700x25 and no fenders. Cantilever brakes or v-brakes allow for much wider tires.

Likewise, make sure you have rear eyelets for fenders and a rear rack.

700x25 tires are great for fast rides on smooth pavement, but in the rain, snow, on gravel... you want something more comfortable.

Good points Mgagnonlv. It comes with 700x32 and one of the things I like about it is all the brazeons (is that a word or two?). The Bianchi web site says it's almost a hybrid (maybe they say it's a hybrid) even though it has drop bars and semi narow semi smooth tires.

I think it will be fine on the dirt roads I ride on and rails to trails stuff just not the rough places I take the mtb when the dog and I are out playing.

Joe

As you told me once: BUY THE BIKE. Ok you weren't that emphatic, but it is still really good advice. I am happy I listened to you :D

The Volpe is a kind of hybrid between touring bike and an cyclo-cross off-road racing bike. It makes an excellent general purpose machine, good for commutes, fun and fitness rides, loaded touring, trail riding and utility /shopping use. It has all the braze-ons you need.
You can alter the performance by changing tyres between a fast 25mm and a heavy duty 37mm. For most riding, a 28mm is about right.

The question is never "a new bike" but rather "which new bike"! :D

From what you've said about your intending riding style, the Volpe sounds like a good fit. The 700x32 tires will be good for reasonably high-speed cruising.

I say go for it, as long as it fits you and is comfortable to ride, especially since you want to do some distances on this bike. If it's not comfortable, you won't want to ride it.

Thanks

booyah that's what I hoped to hear.

MichaelW

That's what I thought thanks for the confirmation. The web site says the cassette is 11-32. One of their other bikes has a 11-34 I'm going to try to get them to swap it out - that should make it an awsome climer.

cyclochica

Thanks I know I should follow my own advice, but wanted some encourgement I will probably leave a deposit and get it next week when I get back from 4H camp.

Joe

The only time the answer to that question might be "No" is when you consult with the person who shares your joint bank account. They would be wrong of course, but he or she might say "No."

Otherwise, the answer will always be "Yes."

Originally posted by trmcgeehan
I will never get a new bike, because my 1985 Ross (32 pounds) is my eternal excuse for not going fast. :D

you could always get a heavier new bike.. Then your excuse can be verified..:D

I went by LBS today and gave them a deposit and asked for the 11 - 34 cassette and the adjustable handlebar height gadget. I will get it Friday after 4H camp. I may get a set of pedals that are platform/clipless or stay with the small clipless that are on it. Anyway the big decision is over.

Thanks for all your help. I'm not the spend/shopping type. I have to work to make myself spend $$.

Joe

Enjoy your new ride Joe, you definitely deserve it :beer:

Originally posted by DnvrFox
One should always get a new bike.
I like that I will have this printed, and will let my wife read it.....

Originally posted by DnvrFox
One should always get a new bike.

Listen to DnvrFox. Yes!! definitely... you should get a new bike. :D

cyclochica

Wow you're neat! thanks! I got it today after camp and had a lot of stuff to do being gone for 5 days but got it and rode it a bit and love it. I got Shimmono shoes. I managed to get clipped it and found it easier to get out than in (whew!).

Got extra peddles with platform on one side and clipless on the other to get used to it. Kept the tiny clipless that came with it for when I get used to it.

How did you make out with you conversion to clipless?

Do you want to come on the MS150 with us?

Joe

Clipless conversion update:
number of times fallen: 2
number of times misclipping: 3

if you get the cleats positioned right, it will take a ride or so, but they will become second nature.

joe, think you can post some porn of the bike :)

-Ross

Originally posted by joeprim
cyclochica


How did you make out with you conversion to clipless?

Do you want to come on the MS150 with us?

Joe

I chickened out. I keep looking at the pedals and saying I am going to do it. I finally told myself that when I could master toe clips I would go clipless. Since you went ahead and did it and I have a couple of days off I guess I'll put them on and try not to kill myself. Pray for me because I am about as uncoordinated as they come.

As for the MS150, can you PM me the details? Classes start on Tuesday and I still haven't gotten all my stuff together, I've been lazy.

I am so glad you love your new bike. Nothing like new cycling gear to cure what ails you. :D

Ross

I don't have a digital camera. I will take a picture of it with my old Nikon and get the pics on CD and post it then. I takes longer but I'm used to thatold F2 and have a bunch of lenses for it. I wounder if I could build a focal plane array to but behind the lense...

Too much trouble.


cyclochica

I know what you mean I got these peddles that are clipless one side platform the other so I can get used to them. I've been using clips for years and never had a problem. Also the gravel road I live on is hairy enough with 32mm tires to make me want to do tat part of the ride with platforms.

Joe
:beer: