In rec.bicycles.misc James said:On Mon, 16 May 2005 16:44:38 -0700, Benjamin Lewis <[email hidden]>
wrote:
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:James said:I'm looking for advice of what sort of road bike to buy. It shouldn't
be too delicate because roads are not exactly ideal track conditions,
and I'm planning to use it for middle-long distance rides rather than
quick blasts, so a harsh racer wouldn't be ideal.Given I'm about 5"5' and long in the leg for that height, plus it's
pretty hilly here in Wales so lightness is a neccessity, what might
this group reccommend as a reasonable hybrid between a tourer and a
racer, given I've got maybe 1500 ($2750, Eur 2180) to spend on it?Why not a tourer? I think you may be overestimating the difference
lightness will make. Recent estimates in another thread here in r.b.t. put
the speed difference at approximately 0.1 mph up a 10% grade for a 3 pound
difference in weight.
Quoted message said:Hi Benjamin,
Quoted message said:The main reason I don't want a tourer is because I had one before - a
Dawes Mirage - and it was nothing but a dissapointment. Replaced the
brakes, gears and wheels a fair few times, but nothing would make it
right. OK, maybe the problem was terrible mechanics which never kept
the chain on the spogs, later indexed gears which never worked
properly, and maybe the whole thing was the wrong size for me anyway
(I got it second hand).
Quoted message said:But I love a good, hard blast periodically, and like a dabble every
now and then when I see another biker up for it. Even on the mountain
bike, it makes for a good race for short distances, but the racers
always leave me behind and those fun competitions and the personal
lift from seeing an impressive speedo/times does mean a lot to me, sad
though I may be to have to admit it.
Quoted message said:This is why a bordering-on-racing bike is the sort of bike I'm
interested in, rather than something that will kill you after 80 miles
and/or will be considered a throwaway if you ride it over a sixpence.
Just a thought, but it sounds like the bike you are describing is an
Audux Bike. Depending on how you look at it, it is either a lightweight
touring bike or a Road Bike with a relaxed geometry that also has the
capability of taking fenders and maybe even some light racks.
In any case, these bikes are are definitely higher performance than a
Touring Bike but are designed to allow the rider to put in a day's ride
with the minimum amount of discomfort.
--
Bill