Greetings from Utah
03-25-11, 11:50 AM
#1
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Greetings from Utah
I have been lurking around the forum for a while and finally decided to post an introduction.
I was an avid cyclist during my college years (20yrs ago), but shortly after college I was married and then had children. It seemed like I never had time for the bike and it was sold. For the past several years, I have been a runner. It seemed less time consuming and was something I could do as I traveled for work. Training for marathons has kept me in great shape, but I still long for a return to cycling.
My devious plan has taken a year to get me where I am today. My wife is more of a "shopper" than someone who enjoys getting sweaty on purpose. Last Spring I asked a neighbor of ours to take my wife on a bike ride. She took our daughters bike out and they went for a ride. I followed that up with "Hey, why don't I take my old mtn. bike out and go with you sometime since you enjoyed it?" After a couple of months of going to "keep my wife company" when she was riding, I told her that she needed a bigger bike. Her response was "You're right. Let's see what Target has." This was my next battle. I told her that I wanted to go by a bike shop first just so that she could understand the difference in a real bike and a Target bike. She tried a couple of their bikes out and loved it, but still was not ready to spend that much on a bike. I continued to stall her for the rest of the summer and avoided the Target bikes.
Fast forward to March 2011 and the wife has a birthday. I took her to a bike store and bought her a decent Diamondback hybrid bike. It is comfortable for her and will make her want to go more every time she rides it. As I am putting the bike on the bike rack after we have left the store, my wife says "You should get a new bike too. Yours sucks." BINGO
So now I am looking for a new bike for myself. I have a local bike shop that is excellent and would be my first choice for any new bike purchase. They carry Jamis, Raleigh, Fuji and Marin.
They have this Marin Argenta for just under $1100 right now:
https://www.marinbikes.com/2010/bike_...?serialnum=786
It has nice components, but I am not sold on the geometry yet. I am keeping watch on the local used bike market as well. I am hoping something nice will hit the market. I am really trying to stay under that $1100 price as I will have other kitting expenses as well.
I would like something with Shimano 105 components and a triple crankset (lots of mountains/canyons near my house). Any advice on other models to look at?
Thanks for the great forum.
I was an avid cyclist during my college years (20yrs ago), but shortly after college I was married and then had children. It seemed like I never had time for the bike and it was sold. For the past several years, I have been a runner. It seemed less time consuming and was something I could do as I traveled for work. Training for marathons has kept me in great shape, but I still long for a return to cycling.
My devious plan has taken a year to get me where I am today. My wife is more of a "shopper" than someone who enjoys getting sweaty on purpose. Last Spring I asked a neighbor of ours to take my wife on a bike ride. She took our daughters bike out and they went for a ride. I followed that up with "Hey, why don't I take my old mtn. bike out and go with you sometime since you enjoyed it?" After a couple of months of going to "keep my wife company" when she was riding, I told her that she needed a bigger bike. Her response was "You're right. Let's see what Target has." This was my next battle. I told her that I wanted to go by a bike shop first just so that she could understand the difference in a real bike and a Target bike. She tried a couple of their bikes out and loved it, but still was not ready to spend that much on a bike. I continued to stall her for the rest of the summer and avoided the Target bikes.
Fast forward to March 2011 and the wife has a birthday. I took her to a bike store and bought her a decent Diamondback hybrid bike. It is comfortable for her and will make her want to go more every time she rides it. As I am putting the bike on the bike rack after we have left the store, my wife says "You should get a new bike too. Yours sucks." BINGO
So now I am looking for a new bike for myself. I have a local bike shop that is excellent and would be my first choice for any new bike purchase. They carry Jamis, Raleigh, Fuji and Marin.
They have this Marin Argenta for just under $1100 right now:
https://www.marinbikes.com/2010/bike_...?serialnum=786
It has nice components, but I am not sold on the geometry yet. I am keeping watch on the local used bike market as well. I am hoping something nice will hit the market. I am really trying to stay under that $1100 price as I will have other kitting expenses as well.
I would like something with Shimano 105 components and a triple crankset (lots of mountains/canyons near my house). Any advice on other models to look at?
Thanks for the great forum.
03-25-11, 12:04 PM
#2
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Posts: 1,753
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
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Well greetings fellow Utahn... Where are you located? I'm out in Tooele...
03-25-11, 12:13 PM
#3
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I live in Lehi. If you know where Cabela's is, I live in the neighborhood behind it.
Any advice on bike shops in Utah? I am fond of Cottonwood Cyclery, but am open to suggestions.
Any advice on bike shops in Utah? I am fond of Cottonwood Cyclery, but am open to suggestions.
03-26-11, 11:02 AM
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,753
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
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I'm a fan of most of them. I like Binghams a lot though. About the only one I have to say I'm not fond of of is Fisher's in Sugarhouse. Just some bad vibes when I've been there. In know others that love them. Yes, lots of good MTB trails up in your area... Too bad I'm not in shape to ride them yet!
