Road Cycling - I'm Old! Help. I know nothing. 2 Bikes to pick?

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hadtochange
08-03-04, 07:41 PM
Hi, I am new to bikes, 52 years old and want to start riding. I am thinking of riding 35 to 50 miles each day. I had my eye on these two bikes. What do you think? I really need some opinions no matter how wild they might be!

A friend of mine who is not an expert said he thought the Torelli might be more comfortable on the road and perhaps a bit more stable, less twitchy. (Whatever that means!) Thanks everyone.


Kestrel 4000 Carbon Spectra
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3690407089&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Torelli Raod Bike 54 Carbon
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3690538398&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Mike

froze
08-03-04, 11:33 PM
Both bikes are very nice bikes. I would probably lean towards the Kestrel only because they have been doing carbon frames I think longer than anyone has thus would have better science behind it. But I see the bidding has ended anyway. By the way I'm not suggesting the Torelli is a bad bike just that I think the Kestrel is the better of the two.
shokhead
08-04-04, 05:59 AM
35 to 50 aday. Dont set your goal to high. Your a better man then me. I'm 51 and its taken me about 2 years to get to 100 miles aweek.

bianchi_rider
08-04-04, 06:02 AM
The Kestrel is sweet.. That would be my choice of the two :)
DnvrFox
08-04-04, 06:53 AM
I started out at 58 yo with a simple Specialized mtn bike, quickly went to slicks. Cost me $300, and I still have it 8,000 miles later.

After I had ridden the mtn bike intensely for about a year, including a 350 mile supported tour and a couple of thousand miles, I felt in a better position to make a decision about a road bike, and was able to make a great decision on a Lemond BA.

Suggestion - don't spend a lot of money on a bike until you know more about your riding style and interests.

Please take some time to build up to 30-50 miles per day - don't push so hard that you hate biking.

Good luck. Oh, and by the way - 52 is NOT old. You are just starting a fun time in your life, and are therefore young!
RonH
08-04-04, 07:02 AM
You missed the Kestrel (bidding closed) which was my choice.

Keep looking around and test ride a few bikes at bike shops.

I'm 59 and ride 30-40 miles a day. It took me a while to work up to it.
Start slow and build up a mileage base. You might not make it this year starting this late in the "riding season" but you'll get there. :beer: