Bike Forums - Where are the MD peoples

I have a few questions that you Baltimore folk may be able to help with.

Right now I ride a cross bike with road tires (unless I am doing some off road riding). Its a Kona Jake with a triple (52/42/30). I am looking into buying a road bike that has a bit of a smoother ride and I can leave my Jake as a commuter.

I am wondering about the Triple vs Double vs Compact. I know there are tons of stuff on here about that whole debate but I was wondering what you guys think works well in the Baltimore area. I use the granny gear on my triple, but I dont HAVE to have it, it is nice though.

I just test rode two bikes - one with a compact 50/34 and one double 53/39. The compact certainly seems nicer up those hills. Will I lose a lot of top end speed with the 50 vs the 52/53? I am not into racing, I am fine with my triple, lower weight would be nice but is not really a factor for me. Going from a 25 pound bike to an 18/19 pound bike - so it will be plenty of shock for me :)

Ok, second question - when you guys stop off at Royal Farms or some store like that to refuel do you lock up your bike? Or just roll the dice and leave it outside. I find myself just leaving it outside and then watching it like a hawk while I am in the store. I just feel like there will be a day when I come out from the store and my bike is gone though.......

1/I have a compact w/11-25, I think thats they way to go unless your noracer and can push a 54/11 going up a 18% grade.

2/the farm store for me depends if I'm riding with others, I just sit the bikes near a window I can see it and sit down to eat or grab something. If solo I never ever ever leave the bike more than 3 feet from myself (I only stop at the gas stations that have the cashier in a box). Maybe its mental but I think someone is less likely to steal if theres a group of bikes rather than one.

nbac23

03-25-09 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshandlauri (Post 8600025)

I have been playing around with Sheldons Gear Calculator and it looks like I would really enjoy a compact with an 50/34 and 11-25. I guess I never really realized how much the cassette matters.

I found a bike that I really like the feel of but the cassette is a 12/23. How strange would it be to ask for them to switch it out for a 11-25 at no cost? Does it matter if the bike is a 2007 and has been sitting in the store without a buyer? :rolleyes: I am imagining that they want to get rid of the bike.

greaterbrown

03-25-09 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbac23 (Post 8600833)

I have been playing around with Sheldons Gear Calculator and it looks like I would really enjoy a compact with an 50/34 and 11-25. I found a bike that I really like the feel of but the cassette is a 12/23. How strange would it be to ask for them to switch it out for a 11-25 at no cost?

I would definitely ask about a cassette change at N/C. However, I think you would benefit by going even lower. I'd suggest a 50/34 12-27 That'll get you down into the low 30's.

Of course it always depends on what you want to do on the bike. Short hard rides? -gear high. Long easier rides? -gear low.

Also, by far the MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION is BIKE FIT. All else can be changed later on, but if the bike has you too stretched out or too cramped- there's nothing you can do about it. Be sure to take the bike on a long (10-20 mile) test ride. Don't buy from any bike store that won't let you have an extended test ride.

Whatcha looking at?

nbac23

03-25-09 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greaterbrown (Post 8600999)

07 Fuji Team. I will certainly take it for a spin again as long as I dont come to my senses soon...... http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...Team&Type=bike

The Human Car

03-26-09 05:06 AM

Damn, BF logged me out again while posting. Shorter version: My 2 cents, if fast is part of your wish list a big ring of at least 52 teeth is desirable. I agree with GB that gear inches in the low 30's is desirable for the hills around here. Also note that Light Street Cycles is having a moving sale.

NoRacer

03-26-09 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbac23 (Post 8600833)

How strange would it be to ask for them to switch it out for a 11-25 at no cost?

No cost, no way. These are hard times, even for our LBS.

It takes 2 Shimano cassettes to get an 11-25, unless you use a 105 cassette. (SRAM has a cassette that is 11-26, but I'm not sure how well this will shift in a 10 speed Shimano drivetrain--never tried it.)

As stated, Shimano does not make a road 11-25 cassette except in 105 (other than the new DuraAce 7900 which will only work well with other 7900 components).

Shimano makes:

11-23 (105, Ultegra, DuraAce 7800*)
11-25 (105)
12-23 (105, Ultegra, DuraAce 7800)
12-25 (105, Ultegra, DuraAce 7800)
12-27 (105, Ultegra, DuraAce 7800)

(excluding "junior" gearing)
* Shimano has discontinued the 7800 series, but there's lots of parts still out on the market.

For me to get a Shimano Ultegra 11-27, I had to combine an Ultegra 11-23 with a Ultegra 12-27. The gaps in the middle of the cog is not ideal. In fact, it's plain fussy, requiring me to overshift going from 4 to 5 and 5 to 6 by one index position to get it to downshift. Sometimes it'll do it on a single shift, but most times, not.

The "as designed" (the ones I listed above) cogs shift a lot better. Any fussy-ness can pretty much be attributed to sticky inner wires within shifter cable housings or a dirty rear deraileur.

HC203

03-26-09 09:36 AM

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Originally Posted by NoRacer (Post 8590598)

I have $200 invested in the Jefferson Cup Road Race this coming weekend and... and... and...

$200.00. ? Must be entry fee and hotel. That's quite a drive for a race. Are you signed up for any of the races up in PA? I know some registration doesn't open until like a week or two before the race. Have you done any rides with the BBC team and do you know when their training rides meet?

Good luck in Charlottesville!!

NoRacer

03-26-09 10:14 AM

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