Hello From Iowa
 

I stumbled upon this forum while researching cheap(ish) road bikes; I have a lot to learn about components and whatnot. My current ride is of Wal-Mart quality...a Schwinn Sidewinder 2.6fs (steel mtb) in Corvette colors. I am a huge fan of the Chevrolet Corvette so this bike was appealing. I fitted it with slicks and used the bike for a day of ragbrai (lots of fun!). I did not realize how heavy my bike was until loading up on the bus. I lifted a lot of road bikes that weighed next to nothing...then came my steel rig. I struggled to lift it to the roof of the bus LOL! Anyway, 500 miles on such a bike is too much IMO.

Fast forward to today, I am researching road bikes to lighten things up. I spent last summer trying the bike-thing, now I'm hooked. I want to take things to the next level, slowly. I understand that the cheaper road bikes available on eBay are looked down upon by many members of most any bicycle forum...I am a college student, money is tight, and these are appealing. Most people I talk to suggest going used, so I watched eBay and Craigslist for a while unsuccessfully. Now I'm looking to the Windsor Wellington 2.0 (though still looking). I have a feeling that in the future I will look to Cannondale and other higher end bikes...it's only a matter of time:-)

I look forward to learning more about the bicycle and it's culture, and making friends through discussions on our site. Thanks!

Jordan

Hi Jordan, keep looking over the CL and eventually you may stumble across what you're looking for :) . Are you looking mostly at modern bicycles, or would a nice vintage steel bike work?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

I would like to stick with modern...something light-weight:) Thanks for the welcome!!

Ah, depending on the bike--some of the older steel bikes are not much heavier than modern bikes!

Check out the Classic & Vintage forum, just for fun. You might be surprised :) .

East Hill

Jordan,

I have actually had a friend offer me his old bicycle after he bought a new one. I have also seen a decent frame and fork at a scrap yard. I probably could have had it for $5. For the time being, you could move your wheels and shifters to a better, lighter frame someone else discarded. Instead of taking the frame, I stripped off the derailleurs and paid $2 total for them. They were a much better quality than the derailleurs that came on my reasonably light weight 40 year old road bike. There are options other than buying something expensive.

I would recommend that you start a file on your computer that you use as your bicycle notebook. Keep obeservations about what you need to wear at what temperatures, as well as things you learn about cycling from reading and from experience. Sometimes we forget things we think we would never forget. Also, keeping a record of our experiences often helps solve new problems when they arise.

By the way, I was raised near Monticello in NE Iowa. Where is your home?

Thank you both for the suggestions:) I attend the University of Iowa, but I was raised in the NE corner (Winneshiek county)...it's nice to meet someone who knows the area. We've got a lot of demanding hills around here lol!

Jordan

Hi Jordan,
I was visiting my son in Iowa City just today. I suggest that you join the Bicyclists of Iowa City. They can help you with bike ideas. They also have good club rides. I live in Bettendorf, but ride with BIC several times a year. If you like hills, check out the Quad Cities Bike Club. The put on a 2 day ride called Tomrv which is the closest to mountains you will find around here. Used bikes are a great deal, but you have to know what to look for. I like craigslist, but if there are any killer deals in Iowa City, you will have to beat me to them. LOL!

Hi slushlover2, come on, be nice and leave some deals out there! Do you like vintage bikes, by the way?

Welcome to BF to you too!

East Hill

I like both vintage and modern bikes. I ride 2 steel Colnagos, but really like STI shifting and 10 speed clusters on newer bikes.I am probably going to start something here, but my older colnagos with Super Record components seem very dated when compared with my new Colnago Dream with Campy Centaur.

My parents lived in Iowa City for several years before their deaths. I have a brother there who works in a lab at University Hospitals. I have several cousins who now live in Iowa City.

It is very respectable to work in the hospital labs, good for him:) That was my goal when I first arrived at the University...things change though lol! I like Iowa City quite a bit (always something to do)...I'm sorry about your parents, btw. Have any of you participated in ragbrai? If so, were you with a team? (what team? :) ) I rode just one day this past summer with team Wimpy; it was fun but I was in no shape to complete the whole week. (my rear quarters were achy after 70 miles)

Welcome to BF and I wish you success in finding that right road bike for you that won't hurt your pockets too bad.

Have you checked out the Iowa City bike library???
http://www.bikelibrary.org/

Welcome to BF, riding the RAGBRAI is a long time goal back from the late 70's when I was riding seriously. Now that the wife and I are returning maybe we will see you there someday. Don't give up on Craigslist or ebay, I found my Cannondale R500 in December on ebay for a reasonable price. Again, welcome to BF.

Bill