Fifty Plus (50+) - Time for New Bike....maybe

I have a Schwinn Frontier Mt bike that I bought new, maybe 15 years ago. Also a Bianchi Strada road bike that I bought used 12 years or so ago. Sort of concerned about the Bianchi, broke a spoke last winter, other spokes showing some signs of rust. Just not sure I want to put the money into new wheels. The mt bike is doing fine.
Have been looking at new bikes for a few months, nothing really has jumped out at me. Living in rural Arkansas Ozarks, in good weather I commute to work 2 or 3 days a week (7 miles one way), spring thru fall. Do some longer weekend rides, usually 25-30 miles. Have done a couple of 6 to 7 day tours. Signed up to do RAGBRAI. I've ridden more seriously the past year, loosing about 30 pounds in the past year, need to loose that much again this year (I'm at 215 now).
Ok, so much for the history.
I enjoy the mountain bike. Being over 50 and over weight, I like the more up-right riding position, easier on my back. Also, with our hills, I need something geared very low. Thought about a hybrid, but not sure that would be enough improvement over just putting some road slicks on my mt bike.
I've heard about the "comfort" road bikes, from what I understand the handle bars are raised a bit, so you aren't leaned over so much. Theoretically, that sounds good.
Just wondering what most older guys ride as things like backs and shoulders become less flexible than in our younger years.
Also price range. The lbs where I shop, has road bikes in 3 price ranges (give or take a couple hundred dollars)....$800, $1,700, and $3,500. I don't see much point paying big bucks for a feather-weight bike, when I'm 215 pounds. Plus $3,500 is more than I want to put into a bike right now. Just wondering, is there really that much difference in an $800 bike and a $1,700 bike?
What am I actually getting, if I spend the extra $1,000? Or would the under $1,000 bikes be just fine? One of my biggest pet-peeves is when I buy a lesser-priced idem of any kind, and it doesn't live up to my expectations. I don't want to make that mistake.

If you are serious about losing the additional weight and riding more, then a new or better road bike may be in your future. It would not cost too much to have a LBS rebuild the wheel with the broken spoke. Ride that bike through the summer and complete your quest. Current model bikes will go on sale in August and good deals are available then. If you are still into riding and everything is going well at that time you will have a better understanding as to what bike will be your next. Also, you'll have the current bike for a backup or bad weather ride.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39272&eid=121

You might want to take a look at the Specialized Sirrus. This is a flat bar road bike that's going to feel like your MTB but with road tires and a good bit of performance.

At $1350 MSRP your going to get a much better 9sp drivetrain that should hold up for several years.

There are other good brands out there with similar bikes.

If you are serious about losing the additional weight and riding more, then a new or better road bike may be in your future. It would not cost too much to have a LBS rebuild the wheel with the broken spoke. Ride that bike through the summer and complete your quest. Current model bikes will go on sale in August and good deals are available then. If you are still into riding and everything is going well at that time you will have a better understanding as to what bike will be your next. Also, you'll have the current bike for a backup or bad weather ride.

What would be a reasonable price to expect to pay for two wheels being rebuilt? Also, if spokes are going bad, I was told the rims might need replacing too.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39272&eid=121

You might want to take a look at the Specialized Sirrus. This is a flat bar road bike that's going to feel like your MTB but with road tires and a good bit of performance.

At $1350 MSRP your going to get a much better 9sp drivetrain that should hold up for several years.

There are other good brands out there with similar bikes.

Thanks for the link.
Guess I don't have as good an understanding of bikes as I need. Never heard the phrase "flat bar road bike". I would have called it a hybrid. Is there a difference between them?
Also, how would a bike like this perform better than my mt bike with some good road tires?

Thanks for the link.
Guess I don't have as good an understanding of bikes as I need. Never heard the phrase "flat bar road bike". I would have called it a hybrid. Is there a difference between them?
Also, how would a bike like this perform better than my mt bike with some good road tires?

In my understanding, Flat bar road bikes live in a world about midway between high performanc road bikes and Hybrids. The frame geometry is more agressive, they handle more quickly. Generally they offer the performance of a road bike but without drop bars.

You can improve your MTB with road slicks, but you will never get to the level of performance that a 700c road wheel has with true road tires.

There are hybrids and there are hybrids.

The sirrus is a popular higher grade hybrid and it works. Lighter- better components and you can buy it at several price points.

But another Specialised that is worth looking at is the Sequoia. A drop bar version of the sirrus- although there are a few differences.

Thing to do is look at both and get a test ride on both. Both bikes are good but I would look at the quality of the wheels. With your weight you do need a strong wheel. The LBS would be able to advise you on these though and might even be able to arrange an upgrade to a better whell on purchase.+

In my understanding, Flat bar road bikes live in a world about midway between high performanc road bikes and Hybrids.

It's really hard to describe all of the bicycle choices that exist today.

In the beginning there were road bikes with 1" wide tires and mountain bikes with 2" wide tires. Then came hybrids, halfway between, with 1 1/2" wide tires. Comfort bikes tend to fall about 1/2 way between the hybrids and mountain bikes. The flat bar road bikes are about 1/2 way between hybrids and road bikes. There are also "comfort road bikes" which have dropped handlebars but taller head tubes than "raceing road bikes"

In addition, within each category, each manufacturer has different quality and equipment models to cover the price range. Different manufacturers models will also vary one from the other so you can never make a true "apples to apples" comparison.

(Incidentally, I mentioned "mountain bikes" at the beginning but real mountain bikes are their own completely separate genus with their own confusing array of types and models.)

My advice is to shop around for a bike shop until you find a sales person who looks and talks like you. Finding the right sales person is actually the hard part. Discuss the various choices and maybe even try out a few bikes. Buy something they sell and you'll never go wrong.

"Being over 50 and over weight, I like the more up-right riding position, easier on my back."

Many of us find that the "stretched out" position of a road bike is actually easier on our backs. Keep in mind that when sitting upright all your weight is going straight down your back into your butt and the seat. Stretched out put more weight on the arms, relieving the back, and also stretches out the back some.

When my back is out of sorts, a good ride on a road bike often sets it right.

69 and certainly not "skinny."

You sacrifice quite a bit of performance and efficiency with a flat bar, although you can ameliorate this somewhat by setting the bar low and adding perpendicular climbing extensions to the ends. Having the additional grip position with a neutral "handshake" forearm rotation greatly enhanced my enjoyment of my mountain bike, which I was almost ready to equip with drop bars.

You can do fine for $800. Really great for around $1200. bk

You sacrifice quite a bit of performance and efficiency with a flat bar, although you can ameliorate this somewhat by setting the bar low and adding perpendicular climbing extensions to the ends. Having the additional grip position with a neutral "handshake" forearm rotation greatly enhanced my enjoyment of my mountain bike, which I was almost ready to equip with drop bars.

I have the bar ends on my mt bike, I do really like them.

If you are serious about losing the additional weight and riding more, then a new or better road bike may be in your future. It would not cost too much to have a LBS rebuild the wheel with the broken spoke. Ride that bike through the summer and complete your quest. Current model bikes will go on sale in August and good deals are available then. If you are still into riding and everything is going well at that time you will have a better understanding as to what bike will be your next. Also, you'll have the current bike for a backup or bad weather ride.

+1, gotta agree with Jet, the Bianchi is a good bike and if it is just wheels, it will be a lot cheaper than a new bike at this point. If it is the more upright position you are lookin for, ask your lbs for tips on adjustments that will let your ride more upright. And stop eating thos 'razorbacks" if you want to shed some pounds.

[QUOTE=stapfam;8703947]There are hybrids and there are hybrids.

The sirrus is a popular higher grade hybrid and it works. Lighter- better components and you can buy it at several price points.

IMHO the Sirrus is more like a flat bar road bike, gearing is similar to some of the Specialized road bikes. With bar ends, my Sirrus comp has plenty of hand positions and gives a more upright ride while allowing quite a bit of speed.

"My advice is to shop around for a bike shop until you find a sales person who looks and talks like you. Finding the right sales person is actually the hard part. Discuss the various choices and maybe even try out a few bikes. Buy something they sell and you'll never go wrong."

Here, here! Couldn't agree more. As important as finding a good salesperson is finding a shop you will want to return to for adjustments, advice and goodies. I live in the midwest and this is a very busy time for bike shops, so take into consideration. You may have to wait, this time of year to get someone who will not sell you what corporate is telling them they have to push. Try to find a shop/owner who wants to keep your business. There are plenty of bike shop salesman who know too little to be of help over time.

Best of luck:D

After 16 years of Mountain bikes- I went road 3 years ago.For road rides the MTB was set up with slicks and a more aerodynamic ride position and it worked fine. But the road bike worked on the black stuff. After 6 months though I had my doubts. It was no faster- gave me back ache on long rides and wasn't really comfortable.

Then a couple of changes- the main one being better quality wheels to replace the Stock one on the cheap bike I had bought. Speed- and enthusiasm for road riding then went up. 6 months later and with practice the comfort went up and the back stopped aching. 3 additional bikes later and I will class myself as a roadie.

A mountain bike can do road riding if adapted. Cheap road bikes do have their faults but if addressed can be a good ride. Better bikes can be had with ease but they do cost a lot more and do not always suit the rider.

So buy new- Adapt the Mountain bike to be capable of doing both- or if you are happy with the Bianchi- just upgrade the parts that are causing concern.

Or really look at the Sirrus as if "Hybrid" is the way you want to go- this is one of the better ones around.

You've got a good frame in the Bianchi. Keep it. Get some wheels built for it. Set the bars at saddle height with a comfortable reach and if that means buying new necks to do so, go for it. Put a decent saddle on it. Then look at the drive train - new gears, chain, shifters maybe. Basically, build yourself a new bike based around the old girl. You don't have to throw away a bike just because some bits have worn out. You say you don't know much about bikes, well go to a good bike shop, tell them what you're trying to do and give them the job of rebuilding it - if they don't want to (ie, try to sell you a new one), it's not a 'good' shop.

The idea of the bars at saddle height rather than lower down is that this is a pretty comfortable position for most people - you'll be able to lower them later if you get fit and keen.

Set the whole bike up so it's easy to just jump on and ride - for me that's the Brooks leather saddle because you don't bike shorts and toe clips on the pedals so you don't need bike shoes. The more you 'have' to do to go riding, the more likely you are to watch tele instead but there's nothing wrong with the whole fancy get up if that's what makes you feel good.

Same with the gears. Fit a modern 9 or 10 speed set up with triple rings and a really wide range at the back - that way you can ride anywhere and go fast or slow, depending on how you feel. Low gears are really nice when you're tired.

Sure, it'll cost a bit but you're building a bike to suit YOU based around a frame that already means something to you (12 years service and a good 'name' as well). If you buy new, you're throwing away the old Bianchi and buying a bike that some marketing man put together to suit a sales sheet - it'll probably work for you but it won't be designed 'for' you.

The most useful, all round bike is still the 'racer' style with a conservative riding position (bars at saddle height, not too stretched out) even for us ageing, overweight specimens.

That's my tip anyway.

Richard