Well, If you have been following my catastrophe thread you know what happened to my Trek Madone 5.2... so I'm going to get right to the point.
The frame is on it's way to Trek, it will get there the middle of next week. Trek quoted the turnaround to be approximately 10-15 business days, and then it has to be shipped back (another week). So I figure that I am about 4-5 weeks without my bike. This is unacceptable to me, so I need to do something about it. Here are my options:
1) Buy an entry level MTB and use that in lieu of the Madone, then when the Madone returns I can use the MTB for off-roading and the Madone is back to business as usual.
2) Build up a cheap clunker road bike (buy an old bike frame and restore the bike with modern components). Then when the Madone returns I will utilize this re-built bike as my training bike and the Madone will be upgraded to "race/official use" status.
3) Don't buy anything and just hit the gym everyday until the Madone returns.
What do you guys think?
JoelS
07-09-08, 08:05 PM
Option 1. Get an MTB. It'll expand your possibilities for riding.
theetruscan
07-09-08, 08:05 PM
Get a clunker, you can commute on it later, ride it around, and entry level mtn bikes don't really stand up to abuse off road in my experience.
EasyEd
07-09-08, 08:10 PM
Mountain bike. It give's you more riding options. You can go on cool trails and such that you would never dream of riding your madone on.
bautieri
07-09-08, 08:13 PM
Go to the gym and spin if you already have a membership. If not then jog, play basketball, re-sod the lawn etc., just be active and keep working. You can get quite a workout without a bicycle.
Iamkar33m
07-09-08, 08:24 PM
So far the poll is 2 for 2 for 2... geez guys, I come to you to make up my mind and this is what I end up with? ;)
Before the Madone pooped on me I was just getting into my biking groove... I'm afraid by the time the Madone comes back i'll revert to the lazy slob I used to be. I had the Madone all of 7 days and I had already lost 4 pounds from cycling. :mad:
c_m_shooter
07-09-08, 08:33 PM
How about a used rigid mountain bike? It can be a commuter or trail bike. Plus they are cheap.
Trebor Snave
07-09-08, 08:46 PM
I say get a mountain bike. It will go anywhere you want it to; not as quickly as the Madone perhaps, but that's ok. I got my mtb before I got my roadie just because of its utility.
Tom Stormcrowe
07-09-08, 09:27 PM
Get a Specialized Hardrock for offroad and commuting use, put some Geax Evolution tires on it and beat the snot out of it all you want. Use the madone for fast rides. ;)
Mr. Beanz
07-09-08, 10:04 PM
I once had a $200 rigid Trek 800. Slapped some Deore/Mavic rims on it ($99 at Supergo). I actually took it offroad and it was fine. I also put on slick to ride on the tail. That little bike moved. I had a guy beg me to seel it to him when I upgraded MTB's. Now I wish I still had it!:(
sstorkel
07-09-08, 10:06 PM
Buy a cheap used bike from Craig's List, or whatever passes for it in your area. When you get the Madone back sell the bike for the same price you paid. Road or MTB is up to you. I, personally, am not a huge fan of mountain bikes especially cheap ones. There's nothing quite so demoralizing as trying to push a 35-40lb MTB along the same routes you used to whiz around on your light-weight road bike. If you think you'll do some serious single-track riding, then maybe the MTB makes sense. But if you're going to continue to ride on roads, but a road bike...
lil brown bat
07-10-08, 06:54 AM
Borrow a bike from a friend. You probably know a dozen people with bikes they're not using.
JusticeZero
07-10-08, 07:02 AM
Get a utility bike - MTB with gear and such probably, or a Worksman bike, or something of the sort - and ride it. When the Madone gets back, keep tricking the utility out with things like Xtracycle, etc. Build it for a completely different purpose than the Madone, so you don't have to worry about duplication. Or maybe a folder. Just as long as it's designed for some kind of riding completely different from what you use the Madone for.
DieselDan
07-10-08, 07:23 AM
Get an old road bike and learn how to fix your bike.
bdinger
07-10-08, 07:29 AM
Mountain bike, the Hardrock is a +++++ choice. I've put almost 3,000 miles on mine and the rear wheel finally cracked at the rim, but hey, can't blame it :).
If it's a specialized dealer either the Nimbus or the "Fat Boy" (Specialized brand) tires roll awesome. I rode a MTB with Fat Boys the other day and was completely surprised at it. My Hardrock with Nimbus Armadillos is a demon.
Or.. a Rockhopper with the stock tires. The "Fast Trak" tires actually roll pretty dang fast for knobbies. Espescially the 29er version!
natbla
07-10-08, 07:30 AM
Buy a mtn bike and get the used/older bike to serve as your rain/bad weather/roads bike when you get the Trek back. So my vot is Option A and B.
Iamkar33m
07-10-08, 08:10 AM
I'm leaning toward a MTB, not because of the idea of going off-road... but for durability. I miss the days I used to be able to jump off curbs and ride down stairs and all that fun stuff, however those are the LAST thing's i'd do with the Madone.
The clunker road bike is appealing as well because I want to learn to build/fix my own bike, but the Madone is NOT the bike I want to learn on.
Option 3 is becoming less and less appealing as I am not much of an exercise person, I get bored easily and I dont have an iPod to keep me entertained.
So it's going to be between Option 1 and 2, whichever brings up some good craigslist listings.
Keep the opinions coming guys.
wrk101
07-10-08, 02:33 PM
I would get a decent rigid mountain bike off of Craigs List. I love the 92 Trek 950 I got for $75. I think a rigid frame, higher end MTB can give you a lot of options: touring bike, MTB, or road bike just by swapping tires.
Bill Kapaun
07-10-08, 03:12 PM
How about option 4?
Learn to make your own decisions?:)
BCIpam
07-10-08, 03:29 PM
GYM = spin class. Great cross-training.
How tall are you? I have a bike you can borrow if you promise to return it! ;)
Iamkar33m
07-10-08, 06:14 PM
GYM = spin class. Great cross-training.
How tall are you? I have a bike you can borrow if you promise to return it! ;)
What do you mean by spin class? Resistance bicycle training?
PM me info about your bike. I am between 5'11" or 6'1" depending on which convenience store I am leaving. :p
Air
07-11-08, 08:03 AM
Get a Hardrock and beat the crap out of it :D
nymtber
07-11-08, 08:39 AM
Mountain bike...and since im a huge specialized fan, get the hardrock :) Dunno why I just love their bikes, My Allez is awesome for the $524 (new) I paid for it! You will want suspension if you ever plan on going off road, and its good to have a mountain bike if you have some bike paths near you or anything. And Mountain bikes you can play around on and they take the abuse!
Im an MTBer turned multi-sport cyclist haha no trails at home so i had no choice