OldsCOOL

I want to lighten up my lively little '85 Trek 460 at the wheels and forks, maybe lose another pound overall. My eyes are always scanning the local CL for an interesting vintage ride to refurb and thrash out on the fogline. And that's what makes summer bike-intriguing.

stapfam

Late to this thread but I reckon the type of bike you are contemplating is right--A Hardtail. Keep the bike basic with just a bit of comfort in the forks. But it all depends on the terrain. Even on our local hills I still use the hardtail in preference to the full suspension I have as I just do XC riding now. None of the aggressive type that I used to do but when it comes to the hills I have found that a lightweight bike that doesn't bounce around works better for me. And downhills don't last long enough to require anything more.

Only thing is I think you are mad. Offroad is hard and it hurts. The uphills take too long- the downhills are too short and the flat bits are a bit exposed and not easy with the weather we are having. On top of that- I no longer bounce when I fall off. I just go "Thud" and that does hurt nowadays. But for fun- sense of achievement and fitness training- there is nothing better than a 30 mile ride in the open countryside without traffic and fumes that road riding gives.

Phil_gretz

...as I've upgraded the MTB and purchased a fixed gear bike in 2013. With my daughter's wedding coming in May, I'm not adding or changing any bikes in 2014. Standing pat with a perfectly workable set of bikes to ride. Well, maybe a steel road bike for my future son-in-law to ride when they're back visiting DC in July...

JimF22003

I got one of those this fall. Lots of fun. Lots of crashing

BTW my brother works in Boise, and does mountain bike riding in the hills outside of town after work. Maybe you've seen him around, wearing is yellow Vandals yersey

Mobile 155

My wife thinks I am off a bit as well. I tend to be far too good at falling in the dirt and I used to come home covered in it just to prove her point.

ol geezer

This is exactly how I am getting my n+1 bike! Sort of ...

My wife has been wanting a new kitchen and appliances for years so in early 2014 we're going to take the plunge. I was planning on using that to explain that I, in turn, deserved a new bike. Instead ... a miracle happened.

The rear hub bearings in the cheapo OEM wheels on my Masi ground themselves to death the other day. I have (OMG) only the one bike anyway so I wasn't able to ride (and get the heck out of the house) for more than a week. I've been working with my LBS to figure out the best course of action (all new wheelset? rebuild the wheel using a new hub?) and have been keeping my wife apprised of our progress. Out of the blue she says "why don't you just get yourself a second bike so that you'll always have one to ride if you break one?"

Huh? Did she really say that? Yes ... more than once. I'll do this but I'll wait until after the kitchen is done ... no need to push my luck!

Sweetpete

I will look for him once the trails get a little better. Pretty iced over right now.

GFish

Nice choice!

I need a bike like that for the same reasons. Have you also looked at either a Salsa Vaya or Fargo? Might be worth considering.
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/2014_vaya_2/build_kit/

Mobile 155

Well it was rather too late to ride but even with UPs and Fedex delays I got the bike tonight. Changed saddles to one I already knew worked OK, Added a Garmin Mount, water cage and Candies so if I can find an excuse I will take this puppy out tomorrow.









And just for Doodle here is part of my Man cave

GFish

Just started purchasing new parts to re-furbish a 1995 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 MTB. Over the fall and winter months I started missing riding in the hills with friends and family. Would love a new bike but this'll have to do for this year.

Dave Cutter

In February of 2013.... [I was] bored out of my mind.... unable to ride due to the cold Midwestern weather. I searched CL and found an old [made if France] Peugeot. I disassembled, cleaned, polished, lubed and replaced damaged and worn parts. I knew the restoration was done... when the weather warmed. And I could bicycle again. I hung the Peugeot on my home office wall as a decoration. She isn't valuable... but she is a natural beauty.

I thought.... I had found a solution to off season boredom.... wrenching and restoration. Early in the summer (of '13)... having developed a mild addiction to CL bicycle shopping. I came across my first real "find". An early 80's Co-Mo Univega road bike with down tube shift levers, a rusted solid chain, and lots of alloy parts. I paid $20 for the bike. And brought it home with full intentions of setting it in the shed with the lawn mower till the winter humdrums set in. I decided to first make a list of parts that I would need.

Two weeks later when the last parts arrived.... 27" Internet ordered tires..... I took my fully restored new back-up bicycle for a test ride. Steel is certainly real.... and very comfortable.

About four months ago while cycling home I saw an edge of a green bicycle at the very back of a yard sale down a long driveway. It turned out to be a 93 Fuji discovery Mtn bike.... another $20 purchase. Two new knobby tires, one new tube, and lots and lots of scrubbing and cleaning.... and I had [HAVE] a winter bike that I think will fit in as a gravel grinder as well.

So now I keep checking CL.... and will continue to eye the yard sales as I pedal by when the weather warms. I am becoming more discriminating with my purchases. I am thinking a late model alloy road bicycle.

gif4445

I will purchase my first CF this year. IF I reach my target weight.

Myosmith

2014 N+1 plan is to get a real 29er hardtail MTB. Right now I have a Trail/Winter Frankenbike built up from an older Trek 700 frameset. Works great on hardpack and gravel, but comes up short in the sandhills around the area as the biggest tires I can put on it are 700x40 Schwalbe Smart Sams. If I go to a more aggressive tread, I get very close to rubbing the frame. I will keep it as my winter/guest/Plan B bike, but want to get something that will take a 29 x 2.0+ tire with a more aggressive footprint.

gabedad

am going N+1 this year. Wife has green lit a new bike. It's my second year riding. I have a cannondale Synapse 6 alum. I am look around 4k or so. Considering Domane 5.2/6.2/5.9 as well as others in that price range. There are a lot of good bikes at that pricepoint so it should be a fun search. Now If I can just get through the New England winter..

RonH

Plans? Well there's a new bike shop in town and they sell Cannondale and Giant. I've always wanted a Cannondale and have been looking at a few models. My wife said there's only room for two bikes in the garage, so if I want to sell one of them I can get a new bike. What to do?