Hello from Chandler, AZ
 

Hello to everyone!

I live in Chandler, AZ in the southeast part of the Phoenix area. I've been biking since I was about 5 or 6. Had a paper route when I was a kid growing up in northeast Pennsylvania, and used to bike it almost every day (when the snow was really bad I had to walk, or sometimes my father would drive me through it).

I did some sprint triathlons in the mid-1990s, then had a horrible fall while biking and never really got back to it.

Just over 2 years ago, a triathlete friend asked me to stop by a bike shop near my house during a big sale to get some CO2 tubes. Yes I got those, but also a new bike with all the trimmings (bike, pedals, jersey/shorts, shoes, helmet, gloves, socks...) :)

I also swim and run a bit now, so my biking goes through phases based on what I'm doing with the others, and if I'm injured from running I can usually still ride. Lately, I've been on a biking kick, and have been exploring some areas I've never seen before.

My rides vary from 18 miles to 50 miles, and my speed is usually around 18 mph.

Let me know if you're in or will be visiting the Phoenix area.

Howdy aztimm,

Welcome to Bike Forums.

Thanks for the welcome!

Is there a forum, or a place on the forums somewhere, where I could ask questions about purchasing a bike?

I'm currently riding a 2009 Specialized Tricross, but am doing mostly road riding. I'm looking to get another bike, probably a road bike. I had a flat last week and took my bike to the shop for a tune-up anyway, and checked out some bikes while waiting. My Tricross is giving me a good workout, but I'd kind of like something where I can get a little more speed.

Right now I'm mostly focused on a 2011 Specialized Roubaix. I rode a 2012 Roubaix around the lot of the shop and it was really nice (even wearing jeans and with clipless pedals).

Some people tell me I can get good deals on Craig's list, and I've seen some decent bikes there, as well as on e-bay. But I really like having the service included, and being able to pop in the shop if I need to (it is only 2 miles from home).

Thoughts?