Originally Posted by
jimmuller
I don't know you got enough info or not. You are actually asking for a lot in a bike, I think. Stealth to prevent theft (as if that helps), style, light weight, strength to resist damage-by-road-surface, inexpensive (which is a matter of perspective), plus winning every race real or imagined with every other rider you see. First, find one that fits and with all the components functional. Bikes are like cars, they all feel different. Some are good grocery-getters, some are race cars that will batter you to pieces on a public street, some can carry a load of gravel in the trunk. Beyond a few universal details (steel frame, alloy wheels with tires, control cables, brakes of one sort or another, chain and crank and pedals, levers and shifters and handlebars) the details make the bike.
I have recieved some helpful tips and suggestions, thank you for yours as well jim. In my search (which I have also kind of slowed down to appreciate this moment more rather than rushing because after this bike it will be a little while before my next one.. and after that next one hopefully will be good for a while) I have realized what you said - that I won't be able to get it all in one package and that finding one that fits (for my needs and body) is kind of the main thing. I like your comparison to of bikes to cars, that was well said.
Actually the sentiment of your message is helpful to me as it reinforces what I have been leaning towards - a solid and sturdy commuter / workhorse bike. As much as I would like to grab some of the sleek and faster looking road bikes I have been viewing, I know something like a touring or commuter bike would be better for my purposes as they stand now. The good things are that I am enjoying my search and that pretty much anything will be an upgrade and feel faster than what I'm riding now. I don't mind grabbing something a little more on the heavier side and riding that for a while until I feel like getting something on the side to really go fast on.
comment appreciated
Originally Posted by
randyjawa
For me, these days, finding a new best friend usually means I have to say good bye to an old friend. So, bye bye to this...
...and hello to my new best friend (now fitted with a Brooks Pro in black and black wall tires...
very true statement you've said there and both look like really nice bikes! I am certainly enjoying my last moments with current best friend, the heavy piece of steel i have grown to love. You inspired me and I will have to take a picture of it to display alongside it's replacement when I get it.
the bikes which I have been considering so far have been
a panasonic pro touring - being sold by a reseller on craigslist who also has a few other touring style bikes in my size i would be interested in trying
the pugeot build posted above by fellow nyer and bfer greg - seems like this one would be a pretty safe a solid bet
then 2 that i would love to own but am kind of ruling out for functionality's sake
a 86 dave scott centurian iron man uprgaded with stronger wheels (bike seems like a beast but probably not a good one for carrying stuff)
and lastly a 72 bottechia giro d'italia that appeared on craigslist today from the original owner.. (would love to own this one for the collection and style because im so drawn to italian bikes, especially from that era, though I know it's not the best choice for my needs at the moment)