Bike recommendations

$ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

"Joe S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to hear
everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.

I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.

I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles per
week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc. For
the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that

now

Quoted message said:

I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.

I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
-- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints are
taking from running.
-- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.

I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic

exercise

Quoted message said:

and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm not
into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary bike
is boring and there's no place to spit.

I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic

exercising

Quoted message said:

with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
help.

-- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,

and

Quoted message said:

back.
-- I will use the bike as follows:
*** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same

time

Quoted message said:

I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide

road,

Quoted message said:

broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills. I
need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
pumping and keep it there.
*** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar

with

Quoted message said:

the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
*** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.

Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will

buy

Quoted message said:

a bike for me, limit $500.00.

So, what do you suggest?

Thanks.

--

-----
Joe S.

"Joe S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to hear
everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.

I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.

I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles per
week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc. For
the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that

now

Quoted message said:

I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.

I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
-- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints are
taking from running.
-- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.

I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic

exercise

Quoted message said:

and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm not
into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary bike
is boring and there's no place to spit.

I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic

exercising

Quoted message said:

with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
help.

-- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,

and

Quoted message said:

back.
-- I will use the bike as follows:
*** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same

time

Quoted message said:

I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide

road,

Quoted message said:

broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills. I
need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
pumping and keep it there.
*** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar

with

Quoted message said:

the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
*** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.

Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will

buy

Quoted message said:

a bike for me, limit $500.00.

So, what do you suggest?

If your budget is limited to *$500.00*, find a used bike. I would recommend
you locate a good bike shop that knows how to do fitting and figure out
exactly what size bike you need. A "good" shop should be able to put you on
something like a Serotta fit cycle and measure you for things like seat and
top tube length, crank length, seatpost height and stem length and height.
They should be able to factor in your age, physical ability and type of
riding you want to do. Given all the above, you should be able to find a
good bike within your budgetary limit.....

"Churchill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

$ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

Quoted message said:

"Joe S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to

hear

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.

I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.

I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles

per

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc.

For

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point that

now

Quoted message said:

I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day.

I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
-- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints

are

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

taking from running.
-- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.

I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic

exercise

Quoted message said:

and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm

not

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary

bike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

is boring and there's no place to spit.

I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic

exercising

Quoted message said:

with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info will
help.

-- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest, shoulders,

and

Quoted message said:

back.
-- I will use the bike as follows:
*** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same

time

Quoted message said:

I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide

road,

Quoted message said:

broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills.

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart rate
pumping and keep it there.
*** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar

with

Quoted message said:

the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
*** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.

Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she will

buy

Quoted message said:

a bike for me, limit $500.00.

So, what do you suggest?

Thanks.

--

-----
Joe S.

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 18:18:14 -0400, "Joe S." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

So, what do you suggest?

Thanks.

Go shop for a bike shop. Pick a shop that you like, that takes the
time to find out what you want, how you want it to fit, etc. Then work
with them to find the best bike for you. You will be going back to the
shop for adjustments, for clothes, parts, accessories, etc. Choose a
store that you will want to walk back into later.

Any bike shop worth dealing with will see the advantages of a customer
like you. In good shape, out for enjoyment and exercise, and up in
years. They should see you as a rolling advertisement for biking and
word of mouth recommendations for their shop.

Joe S. said:

I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to
hear everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.

I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.

I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles
per week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon,
etc. For the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to
the point that now I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a
week, 3-5 miles a day.

I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
-- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet)
joints are taking from running.
-- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.

I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
exercise and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic
exercise -- I'm not into spandex and a room full of 20-something
blondes. The stationary bike is boring and there's no place to spit.

I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
exercising with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe
this info will help.

-- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest,
shoulders, and back.
-- I will use the bike as follows:
*** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the
same time I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local
road -- wide road, broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent
surface, moderate hills. I need something that will make me work to
get my breathing and heart rate pumping and keep it there.
*** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be
familiar with the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
*** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.

Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she
will buy a bike for me, limit $500.00.

So, what do you suggest?

A better wife! (J/K 🙂 )

Visit some bike shops and tell them your situation. You sounded like a
perfect candidate for a road bike until you added the trail riding caveat;
perhaps an entry-level cyclocross bike might fit your bill?

Bill "go shopping...and work on that limit (you can get it up to ~$800
easy)" S.

PS: Ignore the "just go to Walmart" advice; do NOT do that...

In article <[email hidden]>,

Joe S. said:

So, what do you suggest?

Assuming you're living in or near a city, one tack might
be to do a Google search on:
[your city] bicycle club

If there is one (or two, or ...), you could get in touch
with them, explain your desires and ask questions. This
would have the benefit of getting advice specific to your
local riding conditions, and you'd get pointers as to the
best bike shops in your area for whatever riding style
best suits your purposes. It would supplement and round-out
all the advice, suggestions and info you'll get here in this
newsgroup as well. Bike club people are usually pleased as
punch to offer advice :-) You might even get offers to buy
decent, affordable, used bikes from club members. That might
be tempting, but since you've already got a 'new bike' budget,
I think a new bike that fits well, from a reputable dealer,
would be the best way to go. Besides, second-guessing one's
self usually seems to not work out; best to stick with the
original plan.

It's just one approach to consider, anyway.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Powered by FreeBSD
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

"Joe S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Churchill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

$ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

I am not joking, u can get a good bike at Wal-Mart for $ 500. Don't expect
champagne on a beer budget 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Joe S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to

hear

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.

I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.

I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50 miles

per

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon, etc.

For

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

now

Quoted message said:

I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a

day.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons:
-- Concerns about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints

are

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

taking from running.
-- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.

I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic

exercise

Quoted message said:

and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm

not

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary

bike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

is boring and there's no place to spit.

I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic

exercising

Quoted message said:

with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info

will

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

help.

-- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest,

shoulders,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and

Quoted message said:

back.
-- I will use the bike as follows:
*** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the same

time

Quoted message said:

I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road -- wide

road,

Quoted message said:

broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate hills.

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart

rate

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pumping and keep it there.
*** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be familiar

with

Quoted message said:

the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA.
*** When the weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.

Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she

will

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

buy

Quoted message said:

a bike for me, limit $500.00.

So, what do you suggest?

Thanks.

--

-----
Joe S.

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Joe S. said:

So, what do you suggest?

At the risk of offending the purists, why not spend a little money at
garage/yard sales and buy one each road bike and mountain bike just to get
a feel for each type?
I did that about ten years ago and wound up with 4 bikes, but settled on a
mountain bike with road type tires. On road it is a little slower but I
need not fear sandy trails or rough gravel roads.
Of course maybe you can borrow or rent some bikes to try out.
Just an idea.
Bill Baka

<< he stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm not
into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary bike
is boring and there's no place to spit.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

OOn the other hand, on the stationary bike you don't have to worry about
balance, trucks or broken glass. You can ratchet up the resistance, close your
eyes & have any kind of ride you want. With music.

Still can't spit.

--

-----
Joe S.

"Mimi Forsyth" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

<< he stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm not
into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary bike
is boring and there's no place to spit.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

OOn the other hand, on the stationary bike you don't have to worry about
balance, trucks or broken glass. You can ratchet up the resistance, close

your

Quoted message said:

eyes & have any kind of ride you want. With music.

Joe S. said:

I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to
hear everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.

I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.

<snip>

From one ex-runner to another future ex-runner, Welcome!

I say buy a real road bike, not a 'hybrid' or a mountain bike. If you're in
good shape to begin with, you'll soon appreciate the performance a real road
bike can give you over another type of bicycle.

Short and sweet, here's my suggestion for a $500 (ish) roadbike:

http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYear=2004&bikesection=8834&range=143&model=10875

It's a Giant OCR 3, Bicycling magazine's best pick for entry level road
bike. Good frame and good parts spec for the money, and the frame's nice
enough to make it worthwhile to upgrade your drivetrain in the future.

Most importantly, go buy it at a real bike shop and make sure it fits
properly.

You'll forget all about running in a short period of time.

Regards,
H.

Churchill said:

"Joe S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Churchill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

$ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.
--

-----
Joe S.

I am not joking, u can get a good bike at Wal-Mart for $ 500. Don't
expect champagne on a beer budget 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Joe S." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like
> to

hear

Quoted message said:

> everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.
>
> I need to know which bike to buy. Here's the story.
>
> I am 60 and have been a runner for past 30 years, logging 40-50
> miles

per

Quoted message said:

> week, have run three marathons and countless 10K, half-marathon,
> etc.

For

Quoted message said:

> the past five years, I have backed off on the mileage to the point

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

now
> I am running under 20 miles a week -- 4-5 days a week, 3-5 miles a

day.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>
> I have backed off on running for a couple of reasons: -- Concerns
> about the beating that my maturing (not aging, yet) joints

are

Quoted message said:

> taking from running.
> -- Running is no longer fun, it's boring.
>
> I lift weights at my gym three days a week and I tried both aerobic
exercise
> and the stationary bike. I simply do not like aerobic exercise --
> I'm

not

Quoted message said:

> into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The
> stationary

bike

Quoted message said:

> is boring and there's no place to spit.
>
> I'm thinking that a bicycle is my best bet for continued aerobic
exercising
> with a little fun and change of scenery built in. Maybe this info

will

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> help.
>
> -- I'm 6-1, weigh 200 pounds, most of the weight in my chest,

shoulders,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and
> back.
> -- I will use the bike as follows:
> *** Ride for conditioning instead of running; plan to ride at the
> same
time
> I run -- between 0430 and 0530 in the morning; on a local road --
> wide
road,
> broad shoulders, almost no traffic, excellent surface, moderate
> hills.

I

Quoted message said:

> need something that will make me work to get my breathing and heart

rate

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> pumping and keep it there.
> *** Occasionally ride on a smooth trail -- some of you may be
> familiar
with
> the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA. *** When the
> weather is mild, commute 3 miles one-way to/from work.
>
> Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife has said she

will

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

buy
> a bike for me, limit $500.00.
>
> So, what do you suggest?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
>
> -----
> Joe S.

I have a vintage bike with new wheels, saddle and other moving bits. Rides
as nicely as a $1000 off the rack bike. Feels brand new except for the
paint. Total cost: under 300 bucks.

If you want new, Trek, Giant, Marin and the other mass manufacturers offer
really decent "hybrid" bikes starting at just over $300. They'll have some
cheaper bits like seatposts and not the most gorgeous of frames--but
they're definitely enjoyable.

New serviceable road bikes can be had for around $600. They'll be equipped
usually with Shimano Sora components, which certainly aren't elegant, but
work well, and if they break--hey, a new Sora rear derailleur is only
twenty bucks and a half hour to replace.

I'd check the classifieds, you can get a very sweet used ride for five
bills--there's a lot of folks that buy bikes and use them a couple times
before abandoning the sport.

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 19:34:51 -0400, "Joe S." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Churchill is a newly-arrived troll. His usual MO is to post some
ridiculously vague query about gear and let the responses pile up.
The shift to random abuse is new, and troubling. Time to fire up the
old killfile.

-Luigi

Joe S. said:

Still can't spit.

AND the adventure value is zero/zip. No sunshine or fresh air either.
otoh, the boredom factor is pretty large, and it is safe...

And hey! no bugs! 😉
Sorry (sort of), I never could stand indoors exercising.
Best regards, Bernie

Joe S. said:

"Churchill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

$ 500 for that price just go to the local Wal-Mart

I hope other responses will be serious and helpful.

Thanks, anyway.

ive been doing some research, and the trek 1000 comes close.

In article said:

I suspect this post will be met with varying opinions but I'd like to hear
everyone's advice and maybe I can sort it out.

snip

I simply do not like aerobic exercise -- I'm not

Quoted message said:

into spandex and a room full of 20-something blondes. The stationary bike
is boring and there's no place to spit.

snip

I am 60+ and would love to be in spandex with a room full of 20-something
blondes!

Where is this place???

HAND

--
³Freedom Is a Light for Which Many Have Died in Darkness³

- Tomb of the unknown - American Revolution

H. M. Leary said:

I am 60+ and would love to be in spandex with a room full of 20-something
blondes!

Where is this place???

in scandinavian minnesota. but they're all fat in that careful what you
wish for rod serling kind of way.
--
david reuteler
[email hidden]

"Bill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

At the risk of offending the purists, why not spend a little money at
garage/yard sales and buy one each road bike and mountain bike just to get
a feel for each type?
I did that about ten years ago and wound up with 4 bikes, but settled on a
mountain bike with road type tires. On road it is a little slower but I
need not fear sandy trails or rough gravel roads.
Of course maybe you can borrow or rent some bikes to try out.
Just an idea.

An amendment to this idea:
The main problem with the used bike market is knowing what's any good. This
is a particular problem when you are starting out.
I attended a neighborhing bike club's swap meet this spring, just to browse
(I have 7 bikes, and hardly need another). There were lots of bikes, and
lots of browsers -- guys just like me discussing the various merits of
various interesting inventory that was too big / too small / or just too
much for us to be personally interested in. Such kibitzers could be a
valuable, if too talkative, source of info.
Plus, old road bikes in pretty good condition were going for peanuts. No STI
shifters, but highly usable.

On Thu, 15 Jul 2004 22:36:36 -0500, Mike Kruger <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Bill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

At the risk of offending the purists, why not spend a little money at
garage/yard sales and buy one each road bike and mountain bike just to
get
a feel for each type?
I did that about ten years ago and wound up with 4 bikes, but settled
on a
mountain bike with road type tires. On road it is a little slower but I
need not fear sandy trails or rough gravel roads.
Of course maybe you can borrow or rent some bikes to try out.
Just an idea.

An amendment to this idea:
The main problem with the used bike market is knowing what's any good.
This
is a particular problem when you are starting out.
I attended a neighborhing bike club's swap meet this spring, just to
browse
(I have 7 bikes, and hardly need another). There were lots of bikes, and
lots of browsers -- guys just like me discussing the various merits of
various interesting inventory that was too big / too small / or just too
much for us to be personally interested in. Such kibitzers could be a
valuable, if too talkative, source of info.
Plus, old road bikes in pretty good condition were going for peanuts. No
STI
shifters, but highly usable.

I have a small bit to add to this as far as looking at used bikes.

Item number 1. Stay away from anything that does not have removable
cranks and chainrings. A one piece crank is a bottom of the pile
piece of junk made for the disposable bike market.

Item number 2. Even if it has removable cranks, make sure the
chainrings can be changed. Some bikes have a riveted or one piece
chainring assembly and that is a giveaway of low overall quality.

Item number 3. Look at the brakes. If they are the kind that have
a center pull on the top stay away from them as there is no stopping
power due to poor leverage. The old standard side pull are much better
and the best I have found are the horizontal pull type that are mostly
found on mountain bikes. I have found out that these will stop you to
the extent of going over the bars by locking the front wheel if you
hit them too hard. Better to learn to apply the proper pressure than
to have brakes that won't stop you.

Once you have found the type of bike you want you can spend the money
on a new bike with some assurance that you will be satisfied with
the purchase. You may still want to change some small things like
the gearing, seat, etc. to fit your needs, but you will be starting
with a bike you can live with.
Bill Baka