Introductions - Greetings from Roanoke, Virginia

Hello everyone,

Two years ago I bought a Diamondback Response. At the time I hadn’t ridden a bike in over 20 years and I wasn’t sure how much or what kind of riding I’d do, so I bought a fairly inexpensive model that I thought would be a good all purpose bike. I love my bike and have put about 2000 miles on it. It was a good choice at the time.

However, almost all of my riding is on street and I’ve gradually come to the place where I’m biking frequently for transportation. - shopping, running errands, getting to civic meetings, and going to work. My commute is about 7 miles one way, almost all of it on city streets, some with modest hills and grades. But I also still enjoy recreational riding and I'd like a bike that I can ride with road bike friends, which is most bikers around here. Very few people here bike for transportation.

As an all purpose bike for routine transportation my bike has problems: small wheels, too fat tires, small chain rings. So I'm looking for something that better meets my needs. Local bike shops have suggested that I consider a street or a cyclocross bike. I've seen catalog listings for Jamis Coda Comp, Raleigh C700, Giant Cypress, Lemond Poprad, Jamis Nova, among others. Problem with any of them is that LBS's don't keep them in stock so I'll have to go elsewhere to ride them.

Anyway, I love bicycling and I am so happy to have found this forum. Before registering I browsed several threads, including commuting and cyclocross, and found lots of very helpful information. I'm looking forward to joining in the discussions.

Rick

Welcome to the forums! There is all kinds of good info here. I commute as well, on a recumbent! Since I got the 'bent this spring the road bike hasn't been out of the garage. If you want to keep up with a "roadie" you probably are going to have to go to a road bike, or maybe a recumbent and develop some good "recumbent legs". Of course if you are out with friends and it isn't a training ride the group should progress at the most comfortable pace of the slowest rider. No matter what bike you finally get, make sure it fits you well and you are comfortable on it. Incidentally, on my ride home from work I can choose a number of routes and roads. Last week I was having so much fun it wasn't even like being on a bike. Totally zoned out. I nearly missed the last turn and had I actually missed it I would have ended up in the next county!

'bent Brian

Brian,
I'll try to check out the recumbents. On paper they look clunky and awkward but I have a local friend who also says they're great. About a year ago he was looking into getting one. I've emailed him to see if he followed through.

My road bike friends do at least try to keep me in view when we ride together but I'd rather be able to keep up and not be a drag.
Rick

Rick,

Once you get conditioned with a 'bent you should be able to keep up with most roadies, unless they are world class caliber. You will definately be faster downhill. Add some fairing and you should be able to give most anyone a good run for their money. Since 'bents are heavier (my Rans Tailwind is at 30LBS) than most road bikes you may be slower on the hills, but if you are in condition you can catch them on the flats and blow past them down hill, and be far more comfortable doing it. As for hills the gearing on my Tailwind is lower than the gearing on my road bike. It is actually easier for me to climb on the 'bent, but a bit slower. The road bike is faster climbing, but requires a lot more effort. They are not clunky although they do look that way. On the road they handle solidly just like any other decent bike. The long wheelbase types have a large turning radius, require nearly two lanes to do a U turn in. They are more for long touring rides. The short wheelbase types have a much shorter turning radius, the same as a road bike. They handle quicker and are perhaps more agile in that regard. Recumbents do ride differently due to the fact that you are not able to shift your weight for balance. Most of your balance is acheived through steering. Once you get the hang of it you can steer a course as straight as any road bike. Since I got my recumbent my road bike (older Trek 1000 aluminum) has not been out of the garage. I've gone from a painful (and numb) 5 mile a day exercise ride on the road bike to a fun and pain free 15+ miles a day commute on the 'bent. As an added bonus vehicles seem to more courteous when passing.

There is a local riding club in my area (I'm not a member, I don't compete) that I chatted with the other day. They do have a recumbent rider who regularly rides the pace lines during training rides and has no difficulty in keeping up.

The most important thing about any bike is that it fits you well, you are comfortable, and feel safe on it. Good luck on your search.

'bent Brian

Keep the mountain bike for commuting. Maybe make some changes if you feel like they would make it more commuter-friendly.
Unless your friends have bents get a road bike. The bikes you listed above are hybrids and entry level road bikes. If you go for one of them, get the Jamis Nove or Lemond.
You could also notice what bikes your friends are riding and ask them for suggestions.