Ibex Bikes (http://www.ibexbikes.com ) is having a sale on their entry level flat bar road bike. I use a slick tired hardtail MTB to run errands on, but I don't ride off road, so the suspension is just added weight. It's not chichi component-wise, but it has eyelets for rack and fenders, and weighs 22 pounds. Not bad for $299, plus I won't be heartbroken if it gets nicked up or stolen.
It's not chichi component-wise, but it has eyelets for rack and fenders, and weighs 22 pounds. Not bad for $299, plus I won't be heartbroken if it gets nicked up or stolen.
Not a bad deal for what it is. The xray5.5 is also a great deal with good spec.
It's not chichi component-wise, but it has eyelets for rack and fenders, and weighs 22 pounds. Not bad for $299, plus I won't be heartbroken if it gets nicked up or stolen.
Not a bad deal for what it is. The xray5.5 is also a great deal with good spec.
Not a bad deal at all--both seem like nice rides for the buck. I still find the "flat bar road bike" concept utterly ridiculous. It's a marketing gimmick for folks that think that they're going to be more comfy. Drops are much easier on your hands and arms if fitted properly. Flats are good when you need control--that's why they're fitted to mtbs. why don't they put a modern version of a curved classic "tourist" bar on it, you know, like the standard 3-speed bar? Those offer a much more natural hand position than flats. First bars on this page, I've used them on several city bikes: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/handlebars.html
The Ritchey Comp drop bar on the Cyclocross bike is brilliant--I put one on my vintage road bike and it's absolute heaven--even with the 1979 600 levers. I do miss the big flats in the drops, but the security of grip on those "bumps" in the hooks is very very nice. The fairly flat portion in front of the hoods is also a great place to ride...
"maxo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Not a bad deal at all--both seem like nice rides for the buck. I still find the "flat bar road bike" concept utterly ridiculous. It's a marketing gimmick for folks that think that they're going to be more comfy.
I'm not worrying about comfort---I'm worrying about keeping up with traffic, and riding aggressively(for me). The only reason I didn't buy a cheap drop bar bike is I like the position of my MTB with a flat bar, and this should be similar. :-)
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
Ibex Bikes (http://www.ibexbikes.com ) is having a sale on their entry level flat bar road bike. I use a slick tired hardtail MTB to run errands on, but I don't ride off road, so the suspension is just added weight. It's not chichi component-wise, but it has eyelets for rack and fenders, and weighs 22 pounds. Not bad for $299, plus I won't be heartbroken if it gets nicked up or stolen.