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02-16-12, 12:10 AM
I'm looking at getting a second bike when the tax refund comes in and any help would be appreciated. I'm sure these questions come up 1,000 times a week, so sorry if this is repetitive.
First of all, I have a great road bike: Specialized Allez. I do 40-50 miles a week on the thing and could not be happier. It's not flashy, but does what it was intended to do quite well.
I would like to begin commuting to work and school by bike and have something I could take on a rail trail (Katy or Prairie Spirit) on occasion.
I've narrowed down the bikes I would like to ride to the following, all of which are around $600, which is my budget for this. (I'm anticipating at least $300 additional for fenders, racks, panniers, etc).
The bikes are Trek Allant, Atwood (steel), PDX and FX 7.1 or 7.2. Specialized Sirrus.
I have a few questions (and feel free to chime in on other issues).
First, what about tire size? My 23's are heavenly on the road, but seems to me 32's might be a nice compromise between speed and comfort. I'm a big guy and will be carrying some heavyish textbooks - should I go with 36-spoke wheels or 32?
The Allant is great and I've actually ridden one briefly. Sure looks nice, but, is it a commuter?
Other info you might want to consider. I'm 44 and in reasonably good shape. My commute will be 6 miles each way three times a week (work) and 12 miles each way twice a week (school). My ride is mostly flat, but there are enough hills that a single would cause me to sweat more than I'd want to once I got to my destination. I wear medical scrubs to work, have access to a locker room and of course can wear comfortable clothes to class (when not wearing scrubs).
Thanks everyone! I'm looking forward to garaging the car and motorcycle for human power!
First of all, I have a great road bike: Specialized Allez. I do 40-50 miles a week on the thing and could not be happier. It's not flashy, but does what it was intended to do quite well.
I would like to begin commuting to work and school by bike and have something I could take on a rail trail (Katy or Prairie Spirit) on occasion.
I've narrowed down the bikes I would like to ride to the following, all of which are around $600, which is my budget for this. (I'm anticipating at least $300 additional for fenders, racks, panniers, etc).
The bikes are Trek Allant, Atwood (steel), PDX and FX 7.1 or 7.2. Specialized Sirrus.
I have a few questions (and feel free to chime in on other issues).
First, what about tire size? My 23's are heavenly on the road, but seems to me 32's might be a nice compromise between speed and comfort. I'm a big guy and will be carrying some heavyish textbooks - should I go with 36-spoke wheels or 32?
The Allant is great and I've actually ridden one briefly. Sure looks nice, but, is it a commuter?
Other info you might want to consider. I'm 44 and in reasonably good shape. My commute will be 6 miles each way three times a week (work) and 12 miles each way twice a week (school). My ride is mostly flat, but there are enough hills that a single would cause me to sweat more than I'd want to once I got to my destination. I wear medical scrubs to work, have access to a locker room and of course can wear comfortable clothes to class (when not wearing scrubs).
Thanks everyone! I'm looking forward to garaging the car and motorcycle for human power!