Hey guys, sorry to resurrect this thread again, but I have a couple more questions and could use some help.
I decided to go with the Novara Buzz One from REI. Basically, I thought it felt the comfiest. It's also the safest investment, given their satisfaction guaranteed policy.
Although there were aspects about the Felt Brougham I liked. I figured I could just bring those aspects over to the Novara Buzz One. Specifically, I liked the geometry of the frame on the Novara Buzz One more than the Felt Brougham. I get to sit a bit more upright with the buzz one and the down-sloping incline/decline on the top tube makes me feel less self-conscious and paranoid about accidentally crushing my balls if I ever got into an accident.
On the Felt Brougham (aside from the look of the bicycle). I liked the flat narrow handlebars and the thinner road wheels.
Likewise, I plan on swapping the handlebars on the Buzz One. I'm going to go with the flat mountain bike handlebars that they have in stock. I plan on purchasing everything and getting all the work done when they have their Master Tech in the store. Apparently the idea is that they'll custom measure everything with the handlebar and my shoulders and arms so that it's comfy and just the way I like.
If anyone can offer any other info on how the whole handlebar thing works... like if there are any special rules or general guidelines I should follow when asking them to cut the handlebars. Like if the width of the handlebars should be about the same width as my shoulders etc. Any info at all is appreciated.
Okay, now the thing I really need more help on is the tires. The stock tires on the bike are thicker than the tires I tried out on the Felt Brougham and the Phat Cycles Phixie. I'd like to get thin tires like those bicycles. But I'm not sure what size to get, or how any of that works. For the most part, I'll probably just try and go over that stuff with one of the Master Tech's at REI, but I don't want to show up completely blind and clueless either.
Basically, one of the guys at the bicycle mechanics department told me that the stock tires on the Novara Buzz One are about $10 per tire. With that said, apparently, I get a $10 credit back for switching out the mustache handlebars in favor of the flat mountain bike handlebars. It seems like most of the tire replacements I have to choose from will be about $20-$30. So, in the end I end up paying an extra $5-$10 per tire replacement. CooL!
But I have no idea what to look for in buying tires nor do I know what brands to favor. Also, have no idea how the sizing goes and how that effects the ride exactly. I'm assuming the thinner tire I go, the faster the bicycle will be??? Or the thinner the tire, the more efficient it rides???
I'm not terribly concerned with going ridiculously fast, but efficiency (that is getting the most mileage per pedal) would be nice. Again, I'll re-iterate that I decided to just not get a geared bicycle. So although I appreciate the input, don't bother suggesting a geared bicycle.
I don't mind paying the extra little bit for the thinner tires, but I'm wondering how the more expensive tires compare to the less expensive ones (I'm assuming at this point the more expensive ones are more durable). Overall, I'd like to not spend that much more for the tire swap.
Here's a link to the bicycle I will be getting:
http://www.rei.com/product/808782/novara-buzz-one-bike-2012
Here's a link to some of the road tires I'm assuming I'll be able to choose from:
http://www.rei.com/search?page_size=...oad+Bike+Tires
Unless, I'm supposed to go with "city tires?"
http://www.rei.com/search?page_size=...0%3ACity+Tires
What do the different numbers represent? What does the 26-29 number range represent??? I'm assuming 700c represents air capacity??? What about the 23/25/28 numbers?
Also, a buddy of mine suggested that I go with a very thin tired in the front and a slightly thicker tire in the rear. I guess his rationale was that the thicker rear tire will be better for supporting my body weight and the bicycle's own hardware. Does that sound like a good idea? Or is that more of a headache?
Sorry for being a pest about this whole thing. I'm still learning. Any info and advice is greatly appreciated.