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05-05-12, 11:44 AM
Also posted in general forum.
I have been away from cycling for the last 18 months but I ready to get back to riding. I am 46 and, unfortunately, weight over 250 lbs.
I currently have two bikes. A '97 Bianchi Advantage hybrid (chro moly frame, 7 speed AceraX/Alivio, gripshift) and a mid 80s Schwinn Le Tour Luxe Touring bike (Suntour group components, downtube friction shifters, 6 speed freewheel, triple on front.) Both bikes are set up with SPD pedals. Both bikes are in decent, rideable shape. The Bianchi was tuned up a few years ago and the Schwinn completely tuned up and overhauled by a LBS 4 years ago. So aside from some minor adjustments, both bikes are pretty much in rideable condition.
So, I realize that I have some work to do to get back into riding shape. What that means to me is, weekend rides of 30 to 40 miles, and weeknight rides of 15 or so miles. Riding is almost exclusively road or paved trails, though I have occasionally done dirt or crushed limestone trails. 4 or 5 years ago, that is what I did with the Bianchi, though I found that even when I was in good riding shape, 30 or 40 miles was about the limit for the Bianchi, which is why I bought the Schwinn.
Thing is, I think I am done with the C & V thing, and especially the whole downtube shifting. Also, even 18 months ago, I had trouble riding the Schwinn in the drops. I thought about trying to modernize the Schwinn, but my other thought is to sell it as is and put the money towards something like a Salsa Casseroll, perhaps fitted with wood chipper bars or some sort of modified drop bar that I could actually use.
So, modify the Schwinn, buy something new like the Salsa, or maybe a Kona Jake, or just ride the hell out of the Bianchi?
I have been away from cycling for the last 18 months but I ready to get back to riding. I am 46 and, unfortunately, weight over 250 lbs.
I currently have two bikes. A '97 Bianchi Advantage hybrid (chro moly frame, 7 speed AceraX/Alivio, gripshift) and a mid 80s Schwinn Le Tour Luxe Touring bike (Suntour group components, downtube friction shifters, 6 speed freewheel, triple on front.) Both bikes are set up with SPD pedals. Both bikes are in decent, rideable shape. The Bianchi was tuned up a few years ago and the Schwinn completely tuned up and overhauled by a LBS 4 years ago. So aside from some minor adjustments, both bikes are pretty much in rideable condition.
So, I realize that I have some work to do to get back into riding shape. What that means to me is, weekend rides of 30 to 40 miles, and weeknight rides of 15 or so miles. Riding is almost exclusively road or paved trails, though I have occasionally done dirt or crushed limestone trails. 4 or 5 years ago, that is what I did with the Bianchi, though I found that even when I was in good riding shape, 30 or 40 miles was about the limit for the Bianchi, which is why I bought the Schwinn.
Thing is, I think I am done with the C & V thing, and especially the whole downtube shifting. Also, even 18 months ago, I had trouble riding the Schwinn in the drops. I thought about trying to modernize the Schwinn, but my other thought is to sell it as is and put the money towards something like a Salsa Casseroll, perhaps fitted with wood chipper bars or some sort of modified drop bar that I could actually use.
So, modify the Schwinn, buy something new like the Salsa, or maybe a Kona Jake, or just ride the hell out of the Bianchi?