Recommendations for an upgrade to my DS bike
08-06-06, 08:31 AM
#1
Code Warrior
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Location: South suburbs of Chicago, Illinois
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Recommendations for an upgrade to my DS bike
Hi all...I've caught the bug since coming to this site...a little background on me first...
Over the past 2 years I have lost nearly 110 pounds doing a low carb diet (and actually its not a low carb "diet" for me anymore...its now more a way of life). I have 15-20 pounds more to lose to get into a range of normal weight. (I'm currently 6'5" and 229 pounds) I'm finding that I'm going to have to exercise in order to lose those last few pounds. Well...I'm a software developer by trade...so I'm sitting at a computer for 8-9 hours per day, so there is no physical exertion at my job. I hate running/jogging, and I was never the type of person to wake up earlier in the morning and hit the stationary bike and total gym collecting dust in the basement. So I started riding the DS MTB my wife bought me for my birthday last year (its a Schwinn Ranger) I changed the saddle and changed out the knobby tires. One day I got the bright idea that I could ride 8.5 miles to my fathers house, carpool with him to work...and do the same coming home from work. The route I have takes me over one major bridge (over a set of multiple RR tracks) and I pretty much have to stop at most 9 times at intersections that cross busier urban streets. It takes me anywhere from 37-40 minutes to do this.(I see the power of what the wind in the Windy City can do) I've been doing this Mon/Wed/Fri or the 3 days out of the week that its not raining. I hope to possiblly work up to the full 17 mile commute.
ANYWAY...Within 6 months I'll want to upgrade my ride...I'll want to spend at most $600. Any recommendations? I think a Trek SU100 or SU200 is something that might fit...are there any other "brand equivalents" to these?
Sorry for the limited newbie knowledge...but I gotta start somewhere!
Over the past 2 years I have lost nearly 110 pounds doing a low carb diet (and actually its not a low carb "diet" for me anymore...its now more a way of life). I have 15-20 pounds more to lose to get into a range of normal weight. (I'm currently 6'5" and 229 pounds) I'm finding that I'm going to have to exercise in order to lose those last few pounds. Well...I'm a software developer by trade...so I'm sitting at a computer for 8-9 hours per day, so there is no physical exertion at my job. I hate running/jogging, and I was never the type of person to wake up earlier in the morning and hit the stationary bike and total gym collecting dust in the basement. So I started riding the DS MTB my wife bought me for my birthday last year (its a Schwinn Ranger) I changed the saddle and changed out the knobby tires. One day I got the bright idea that I could ride 8.5 miles to my fathers house, carpool with him to work...and do the same coming home from work. The route I have takes me over one major bridge (over a set of multiple RR tracks) and I pretty much have to stop at most 9 times at intersections that cross busier urban streets. It takes me anywhere from 37-40 minutes to do this.(I see the power of what the wind in the Windy City can do) I've been doing this Mon/Wed/Fri or the 3 days out of the week that its not raining. I hope to possiblly work up to the full 17 mile commute.
ANYWAY...Within 6 months I'll want to upgrade my ride...I'll want to spend at most $600. Any recommendations? I think a Trek SU100 or SU200 is something that might fit...are there any other "brand equivalents" to these?
Sorry for the limited newbie knowledge...but I gotta start somewhere!
__________________
Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, 1/2 a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, 1/2 a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
Last edited by mwrobe1; 08-06-06 at 11:41 AM.
08-06-06, 11:47 AM
#3
Code Warrior
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Originally Posted by icedmocha
ANy chance of your dad joining you for the commute?
(I have no recommendations for a bike).
(I have no recommendations for a bike).
__________________
Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, 1/2 a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, 1/2 a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
08-06-06, 12:05 PM
#4
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Location: Montreal
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I have a 17 milecommute, that I do 3 days a week if the weather is nice. I have drop bars set slightly higher than my seat. I find it most comfortable riding with my hands on the bottom of the drops. They make a lot of difference with headwinds, when I ride with my body as low as possible and my hands on the front of the drops. I only put my hands on the hoods when I am slowing down for traffic lights. You should first try the 17 mile commute on a Fri then you will be able to recover on the Sat. I find the easiest commuting route is the one with the dewest intersections for which you slow down; This may be a road with lots of traffic, but you shouldnt be bothered by this provided the road doesnt have narrow lanes.
