AngryScientist, in light of post # 17, Build it and leave it at the beach, 20 lbs on a 50+ mile ride is better than the multi-gear vintage chromolly bike that is 7+ lbs heavier on a calm day. I don't know so much about riding seaside for 50+ miles with a NE'er blowing (East Coast USA). And that's the thing about beaches, there may not be much blocking the wind, unless the area is like Ponte Vedra, FL to St Augustine, FL, where huge sand dunes or like Miami, FL, with condos that block the wind.