Hello everyone. I have been reading your forum disscussions for some time, thinking of getting back on a bike for exercise and savings on fuel. Well, after suspecting that I might have cancer and being checked out with a clean bill of health with no problems yesterday, I decided it was time to stop letting these ideas subside. I went to scheels(local sporting goods store), and I picked up a bike. I purchased a trek navigator 250. I am an ogre of a man so I did my homework and found that some bigger fellas enjoy the comfort and durability of the navigator series.

I cant believe how easy this bike has made the transition back into cycling. I havent been on a bike since 7th grade(I am now 22 in college). This is a comfortable unit to say the least, although most mnt bike guys will probably tell me that I am late for bingo. The front fender was kind of a joke so I pulled that off once I got home. I rode about a mile last night to test it out and took it for about a 4 mile cruise today and loved it. My legs have a bit to go before they are in shape for much distance riding, but I was having a blast. I have been walking this summer in my spare time and I enjoy that, but there is nothing better then cruisin along covering ground and getting exercise all at the same time!

Well, here she is!


http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/ga...90347_5480.jpg

It barely fits in the back of my kia :(
http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/ga...90365_5480.jpg

Well, like any newbie, I have a couple of questions, probably unusual. I am a tinkerer and i love to modify things whether its my pc, my car, or my household appliances. I am planning to strip this bike down and paint the entire thing flat black. Does anyone have experience with painting stock bikes? I am going to use a heat gun to remove trek's decals. I am thinking that I will definately need to sand down at least past the clear coat, but I dont have much experience with painting aluminum. I have done some pc case paint jobs but there wasnt an existing coat of clear to hold me back :( Any advice would be most appreciated. I will keep you posted on my bicycle comeback! cheers

-Boe

It is my understanding that the factory paint is a baked on enamel. When you strip and repaint the bike it will peel, chip etc. and be a total mess. Why not just leave it be?

Enjoy the bike. Repainting it seems a bit more work than what is is worth and I agree with the above poster.