Old 05-30-10, 02:39 AM
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chasm54
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I agree with others about steel. Aluminium is light, but gives a harsher ride - and for the older rider being comfortable on the bike will be more important to your performance than will saving a few hundred grams on the frame. So I'd say go steel or carbon. And stepfam is right about gearing, too. Definitely get a triple chainset, it'll make a fantastic difference to your dodgy knees when you start cycling up hills.

The trick to preparing for long rides is not speed but comfort. It takes time to get used to spending several hours at a time on the bike without getting aches and pains and demoralising yourself. So I'd say a similar regime to your running training would be sensible, gradually building your mileage (increase by say 10% per week) until you're able to put in at least one 60-70 mile ride each week without feeling too beaten up the next day. Throw in a few hills. If you cycle through undulating country you'll be doing intervals without knowing it.

Last edited by chasm54; 05-30-10 at 02:43 AM.
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