Road Cycling - Anyone have 2 or more bikes? Help please!

I started communting on my Breezer Villager about two months ago. It is a fine communter bike but somehow reminds me of a man that's described as "really good for me". It's reliable, serviceable, not sexy and I look like Miss Gulch riding it. I dutifully love it (szzzz). I think I'm ready to have an affair. I want something sexy, quick that I'll want to ride for miles on the weekend and after work. The bike that got away was a Gary Fisher Napa. I dream of it at night but wake up with my Breezer. Dear Abby, what can I do to make my heart sing? Signed----Boring at the Beach.

I own 2 bikes: Giant OCR1 road bike and Specialized Epic cross country race rig. I'm looking for a good commuter, though. Yeah, have the affair, and don't feel guilty. Each serves his/her own purpose, and will love you equally.

I'm currently up to 4. MTB is the newest and sorry for the others (hope they don't read this :-) ) but the favorite! A Hybrid, which served a purpose but feels really awkward when I get on it after the MTB, a Road bike and a touring bike. Each has it's purpose and each is well cared for and gets a regular workout!

I started communting on my Breezer Villager about two months ago. It is a fine communter bike but somehow reminds me of a man that's described as "really good for me". It's reliable, serviceable, not sexy and I look like Miss Gulch riding it. I dutifully love it (szzzz). I think I'm ready to have an affair. I want something sexy, quick that I'll want to ride for miles on the weekend and after work. The bike that got away was a Gary Fisher Napa. I dream of it at night but wake up with my Breezer. Dear Abby, what can I do to make my heart sing? Signed----Boring at the Beach.
if your thinking of buying a second bike, then buy a bike that will suit your needs, and you said you want to ride for miles on the weekend, then I would suggest buy a roadbike, that will give you lots of miles riding the bike,
Currently I have two road Bike, a Pinarello Prince and a Pinarello Paris, at their peak I used to have 5 five bikes, an MTB Canondale, MTBTrek and another Pinarello Treviso, and the two Pinarellos, I have already sold the first three, and I feel bad about it, until now I still think how they ended up, are they being taken cared off like I use to take care of them, or they ended up chain to a bike rack and left to the elements,

Don't feel guilty. Your main commuter will not mind if you get a bit on the side. It will probably be glad of the break at weekends.

I have got a harem of 4 bikes and will get some more when I get the chance. Each of the bikes has its positive points and its uses. I have a beautiful red kuwahara hybrid that I use for commuting when the weather is good. I have a home made MTB for commuting when the weather is bad. I also have an old beater that I use for parking up at the station when I have to use the train. I also have a little folder that occasionally comes in handy (mainly cuz I can cycle to the beer garden then get drunk and get the train back).

Its also nice to have more than one bike so you can take one down for maintenance now and again.

One day I would also like to get a proper road bike and maybe even a recumbent and another folder and ... (I have to stop now it is time for my medication..).

But what about those guys (?) who think the "Miss Gulch" look has got it goin' on?

But what about those guys (?) who think the "Miss Gulch" look has got it goin' on?


Now THAT'S what I've been waiting for!!! ;)

"It's reliable, serviceable, not sexy and I look like Miss Gulch riding it."

You make that sound like that's a bad thing! :D (Can you hear the music? Come on, you know what I'm talking about... the Miss Gulch pedaling theme song?)

Seriously though, I recently picked up a very sexy Klein Q-Pro, but still have my Trek 1000, at least for now. The Trek would have served my purposes just fine for the most part, and I don't have money to burn, but I bought the Klein anyway. I love even just looking at the bike, not to mention the thrill I get riding it. No regrets.

Joe Breeze built the first 2 mountain bikes ever on the planet.

You might be close to a hand built frameworks.

To a cyclist, hand built frames are physical eroticism.

You probably have a sweet bike, but some girls need to dress up.

Buy some sexy new seat and thin colored road tires to complement your riding attire.

Stay away from Italian racing bikes, they'll break your heart.

"Mamma said- you gotta shop around, un-huh.."

I have 6 bicycles. Nothing wrong with having a few of something you love. :)

FOUR: 2 recumbents, a hybrid/road bike, and a mountain bike. I'd better stop or I am going to get it from the SO!!! :D

Each has a purpose and I love each and every one of them for their beauty and function...I can also think of at least 3 more I'd like to have, but I'd better stop at 4.

Miss Gulch! So nice to hear from you (and your little dog too!).

So nice to hear I can have more than one bike. I think I'm going to hit the LBS this weekend again. I wonder if they have my drool off of the front window yet? This takes some doing to find the right bike; I need a 14.5 "-15" frame. These usually aren't in stock to try out. :mad:

I'm trying to talk my hubby into consenting to a boutique sofaking singlespeed frame to be built up as a race rig. I'd really really like to race singlespeed next season, I think. Anyway, it's army surplus green and SEXY. I've been molesting it for months, as it's hanging in our lbs. I figure it would be a nice "bonding" process for the two of us, and since I'm not gonna adventure race next season, we'll have some money freed up.

I have two bikes..."Ugly Bike" is my all purpose mtb/commuter, and the "Glass Slipper" my extremely sexy road bike. When I ride one, the other one whimpers softly, but I try to keep it as equitable as possible.

That said, I have to add that I'm not familiar with the bike you have, but find it amusing that you are lusting after a Fisher Napa. I'm not sure a comfort bike qualifies as "sexy" and they aren't really the bike for doing looooooong rides. If you still want comfort with more speed, look into the hybrids. The Utopia is a sweet bike...if I needed a third bike, I'd be making it my commuter to give Ugly Bike a rest ;)

Do I detect a sneer with the words "comfort bike"? Is this as opposed to discomfort bikes? :eek: All I can imagine is a bike with no seat (just a post, behave!), 2 bent wheels and snakey uneven fork.
Of course I want a comfortable bike, but I don't want my father's Oldsmobile of bikes. Help me out here, would that be a road bike? Give me some idea of what to look for in something that I can ride for miles. As far as the Gary Fisher, I rode that for about 5 miles on the test drive and still found it comfortable. I wish LBSs would let bikes out for a weekend. Oh well.

Do I detect a sneer with the words "comfort bike"? Is this as opposed to discomfort bikes? :eek: All I can imagine is a bike with no seat (just a post, behave!), 2 bent wheels and snakey uneven fork.
Of course I want a comfortable bike, but I don't want my father's Oldsmobile of bikes. Help me out here, would that be a road bike? Give me some idea of what to look for in something that I can ride for miles. As far as the Gary Fisher, I rode that for about 5 miles on the test drive and still found it comfortable. I wish LBSs would let bikes out for a weekend. Oh well.

My two cents: "comfort bike" in the bike industry is one with MTB frame, suspension seatpost, adjustable stem, larger, padded seat...i.e., more upright, cushioned ride. I think these are fine for short jaunts. But for long-distance riding, they may not work out for some. Primary reason is the "butt" starts to hurt after so long sitting upright on a highly cushioned saddle. At least in my experience.

With that said, I think a "comfort bike" is what works for YOU. Road bike, MTB, recumbent. Whatever you are comfortable on for whatever way you plan to ride. For me, after much trial and error, I would be on a recumbent for long-distance riding (50+ miles) and touring. For shorter fitness rides (10-30ish miles), I'd ride my hybrid/road bike. For trail and short errands, I'd ride my MTB.

Perhaps a good compromise is a "road bike ride with a more comfortable upright seating position", i.e., my Trek 7500fx and it's kin. For me it is more comfortable, because a traditional road bike set-up hurts my neck, shoulders, arms, and so forth after long distance riding. (old auto accident, severe whiplash). No matter how much I WANT to ride a traditional road bike, it won't work for me. Plus, I like sitting more upright and looking around at the scenery while I am riding. Gary Fisher makes a similar hybrid...in fact, same factory, I believe. Is it the Nirvana? Something like that.

Do I detect a sneer with the words "comfort bike"? Is this as opposed to discomfort bikes? :eek: All I can imagine is a bike with no seat (just a post, behave!), 2 bent wheels and snakey uneven fork.
Of course I want a comfortable bike, but I don't want my father's Oldsmobile of bikes. Help me out here, would that be a road bike? Give me some idea of what to look for in something that I can ride for miles. As far as the Gary Fisher, I rode that for about 5 miles on the test drive and still found it comfortable. I wish LBSs would let bikes out for a weekend. Oh well.

I guess that I am lucky because my lbs does let bikes out for a weekend to ride. I have a R600 Cannondale that I really enjoy, and I am trying out a Cannondale T2000 as my husband wants to start touring. My husband says that he's pretty sure that the R600 will continue to be my favorite as it is so fun to pop up hills faster than he can on his hybrid. When I ride the T2000 we are pretty evenly matched, though I've been riding longer than him, so it probably won't be long before he can outride me on anything.

I have way too many bikes... Ohwell, don't wanna go there. ANYWAYS, have you looked at a Specialized Sirrus, or Cannondale Bad Boy. Or bikes like that. They are basically a straight bar road bike, with the ability to handle wide tires. The roll fast, handle well, and you still get comfortable upright position.

If need be I noticed you're in the MD area, if you would ever wanna drop my shop which is near dc, let me know!

4 bikes and as soon as my sister in law gets here and helps me get organized, I'll probably get another one immediately. I got one folding, one upscale road, one junky hybrid, and one junky, old-school baby pink ladies bike from circa early 80s that I'm going to spend the month renovating to it's former, Montgomery Ward glory.

Go for it!

Koffee

The Specialzed Sequoia is a "comfort" road bike with modified drop bars that features a carbon fork that absorbs road shock and compact geometry that allows you to sit in a somewhat more upright position. I find it so comfortable for longer rides that my old hybrid sits rejected and unused in the basement, collecting cobwebs. Sexy ?.....not very, but definitely faster and more fun than my old bike.

Arsbars, hun.....you work at CityBikes, eh? Please don't take this the wrong way as I love what you guys stock BUT last time I was in there to buy a bike, I couldn't get anybody to help take my money. The staff was really intrested in talking to the edgy bike messenger types and not some over 40 female shorty. You sound like you know what I want though.

last time I was in there to buy a bike, I couldn't get anybody to help take my money. The staff was really intrested in talking to the edgy bike messenger types and not some over 40 female shorty. This happens to me in a lot of retail stores 'cuz I never dress up, I'm lazy about shaving, etc. My temptation often is to pick up some merchandise and walk toward the door, and see if I then catch somebody's eye. Then I'd be tempted to say "Oh, so this is how to get your attention." or "well, you didn't seem interested in my money, so...".

Ooh, this is an opportunity for "fun with cell phones". What kind of phony call could you make in such a situation? Hmmm, maybe:

"Hi, Bill, it's Deb. Yeah, this'd be a GREAT neighborhood to open a bike shop. Customer service at the existing one SUCKS; we'll blow them away.".

"Hi Sharon, it's Deb. Hey, you were right; CityBikes obviously isn't selling our line worth a damn; with these salespeople I couldn't get arrested. [...pause...] Yeah, I agree, let's pull the whole line."

Arsbars, hun.....you work at CityBikes, eh? Please don't take this the wrong way as I love what you guys stock BUT last time I was in there to buy a bike, I couldn't get anybody to help take my money. The staff was really intrested in talking to the edgy bike messenger types and not some over 40 female shorty. You sound like you know what I want though.

Tell it like it IS, girl, for I am sick of these Boys thinking they are the center of the Cycling Universe!!! :eek:

Arsbars, hun.....you work at CityBikes, eh? Please don't take this the wrong way as I love what you guys stock BUT last time I was in there to buy a bike, I couldn't get anybody to help take my money. The staff was really intrested in talking to the edgy bike messenger types and not some over 40 female shorty. You sound like you know what I want though.


We've changed alot of things, and I would love for you to give us a second try. I started there about a month ago, and during that month we've had a major shop restructuring. As a fellow female I understand, and I think they just needed a big kick in the head. Give us another try, and I give you my word that we'll get you onto something you will love! I'm there everyday but Tuesday/Sunday.

Thanks:)

PS. Which location were you at? I work at the Chevy chase location...

I was at Adams Morgan twice, each time for an hour and totally ignored. I approached some of the staff but was put on hold while they took phone calls (personal?) and held tight little conversations. OUCH! The first time was a Saturday...thought they might just be too busy. The second time was a Wednesday and the message was clear: edgy bike messenger club, tattoo and piercings needed to ride. I took my $1000 to Bikes@Vienna. I lived and worked in the District for ten years and feel I need to support local business but not to THAT extent. Chevy Chase,eh? Do you have chauffered bikes? I'll be up, but not this Saturday---I have a church tea. Hard work being Episcopalian. Thanks for the positive response.

Bad news.. I'm now the service manager at the Adams Morgan shop. You seemed to have bad experiences with the shop so I won't be hurt if u don't stop by but I would like to help you..

-Arleigh

...I want a comfortable bike, but I don't want my father's Oldsmobile of bikes. Help me out here...

One way to make a sexy road bike into a comfortable bike w/o shock absorber seatposts and whatever is to put one of these on it. The Brooks Countess Saddle. Guaranteed to smooth out your ride for miles. :) You can go to www.wallbike.com and read consumer reviews on the saddle.

Ya know, all these "Brooks people" keep sticking these saddles in our faces...:D

Don't you guys know that these are "butt ugly saddles"? ;)

Now I'm teasing with you, so don't be offended, but honestly they really are hideous. That alone keeps my butt off of one. Why can't they create one that is cool-looking and functional? Now THAT'S a serious question....

Ya know, all these "Brooks people" keep sticking these saddles in our faces...:D

Don't you guys know that these are "butt ugly saddles"? ;)

Now I'm teasing with you, so don't be offended, but honestly they really are hideous. That alone keeps my butt off of one. Why can't they create one that is cool-looking and functional? Now THAT'S a serious question....

That is the first time I've ever heard that. Do all women feel that way? What is your idea of a "butt pretty" saddle? :) Picture required. How about this one?

http://www.fizik.it/immagini/products/road/2004_Road_Aliante_Blu.jpg

Fiz: ik Aliante
http://www.fizik.it/Products_Road_Aliante_Catalog.aspx

http://www.fizik.it/immagini/products/road/2004_Road_Aliante_Blu.jpg

Fiz: ik Aliante
http://www.fizik.it/Products_Road_Aliante_Catalog.aspx


Ah ha! Now I know where my saddle comes from for my DeRosa bike! He's teamed up with fizik, and damn, when I sat on that saddle for the first time, I felt like a brick was scrubbing my privates! I just about died, and raced over to Yojimbo's and begged Marcus to set me up with a new saddle. God, that saddle just feels terrible... uuugh!

Koffee

Are you sure it was the Aliante'? Everyone I've talked to loved it, and I have it on both bikes. I paid $170 for it, so I don't think it would come stock unless you got a higher end bike. If you did, congratulations, and I want to see pictures.

Ahh well, Everyone is different, and that's why there's so many on the market.

I did get a higher end bike, but I checked the saddle. It's the saddle in question for sure, and I absolutely can't stand it. That saddle is terrifyingly hurtful. I think I might be sterile because of it.

Pictures are forthcoming, as soon as I can figure out how to get this damn wireless up and running for my laptop!

Koffee

Oooh, no, Don. That really IS "butt ugly"!!! :D

I like that Fizek's looks....

But my Ugly Butt rides an Avocet 02...it works for me, though other saddles always try to lure me away... ;)

God, it may look good, but it just feels aweful. I tried to ride it, but I couldn't reconcile my important bits with the feel of the saddle. The thought of putting in a century on that saddle almost brought me to my knees....

Koffee

God, it may look good, but it just feels aweful. I tried to ride it, but I couldn't reconcile my important bits with the feel of the saddle. The thought of putting in a century on that saddle almost brought me to my knees....

Koffee
It's amazing how everyone anatomy is different. I can ride forever on that saddle, but the women's specific saddle KILL me.

It's amazing how everyone anatomy is different. I can ride forever on that saddle, but the women's specific saddle KILL me.

Ditto but opposite what you said. ;)

Koffee

I think I might be sterile because of it.

Pictures are forthcoming,... That's okay, we'll take your word for it...

Oh, pictures of the seat. Never mind.

No, pictures of the BIKE!

You rogue! :D

Koff

Ya know, all these "Brooks people" keep sticking these saddles in our faces...:D

Don't you guys know that these are "butt ugly saddles"? ;)

Now I'm teasing with you, so don't be offended, but honestly they really are hideous. That alone keeps my butt off of one. Why can't they create one that is cool-looking and functional? Now THAT'S a serious question....


Hey! I'm a woman ... and I think the Brooks saddles look good - delightfully retro. :)

I've just recently started riding one.