Hi all. I just wanted to share a few things with my "virtual" friends.
My daughter is turning out to be a real cyclist. I've had her in the trailer since she turned one
(my wife wouldn't let me put her in there a single day before). She asks for "bisickum" rides all
the time. So, I took her into the LBS for the first time the other day. She went nuts climbing on
all of the different bikes. She isn't quite big enough to ride her tricycle yet, but I think she is
determined to skip that step and go straight to a bike. When it was time to go, she bawled. She has
been talking about that trip to the LBS for two days now.
I stopped by the shop because I want a different mule for towing the trailer. While the rigid mtb
(my beater rain bike with slicks and fenders) has been fine for now, I'm feeling the itch for
something new. So I'm looking at road bikes with flat bars. I like this combination because it keeps
me a bit more upright and gives me a bit more control over the bike. I had one built up like this
which I rode for a few years, but the frame was always a bit small and I had toe overlap problems
with the fenders. I can bunny-hop my road bike, but it is much easier with a flat bar (just an
example of a difference in maneuverability). I've decided that it must also have either v-brakes or
disc brakes and mounts for racks at least in the rear, but I would like them in the front as well.
Finally, if I can get it, I want something with suspension. Perhaps just front and a suspension
post, but something to take the edge off the rough roads. I was spoiled riding my full-suspension
mountain bike all those years.
So, I've compiled a list and I've been visiting the shops that have them to take a test ride. So
far I have been on a Specialized Sirrus and a Fuji Silhouette. The Sirrus rides well enough, but I
see potential problems with the chain stays being a bit too short (the trailer clamps to the chain
stay and if the stay is too short, I hit the clamp with my heel - which is why I don't use my road
bike to pull the trailer) and the front derailler would interfere with a rear fender. The Fuji is
priced a bit more, but has upgraded deraillers. Unfortunately, the Silhouette also has Tektro
brakes and shifters which just don't feel as nice as the Shimano equipment on the Sirrus. The Fuji
also has this moronic seat with sewn seams all over the place. Looks neat, but is a nightmare to
sit upon. With a $200 price difference (the Sirrus is on clearance), Specialized seems to have one
heck of a deal.
My list includes a Cannondale Bad Boy, Cannondale Road Warrior, Gary Fisher Fast City, Kona Dr. Dew,
Rocky Mountain Whistler and Metro, Jamis Coda Comp, Novarra Big Buzz, and the Giant Cypress. Some
have discs, some have suspension, only one has both. Two others that were surprise finds for me are
the Giant OCR Touring and the K2 Enemy. Why these last two? I spotted the Giant while searching for
the Kona. It has a nice wide set of drop bars, perfect for hanging a set of cyclocross two-finger
brakes as well as the requisite computer and lights. It also has a set of disc brakes. The final
thought was the 700x38 tires. Those looked comfy. I couldn't ride it because the frame was waaay too
big and the brakes weren't set up yet. They say they will have the next size down in the coming
weeks. The K2, on the other hand, doesn't come with discs, but does have disc mounting tabs and
plenty of space for big tires.
The biggest problem I'm having is finding most of these bikes. Even when I find a shop that carries
some of these brands, they often don't have the model I'm interested in. As the Specialized dealer
put it, "the reason that the Sirrus is on closeout is because I can't sell them. Even the
distributor tells me that this style of bike just doesn't sell in Texas." It looks like I may have
to take a trip to either the east or west coasts just to get a test ride. Either that, or ask
several dealers to order in several bikes which they might not be able to sell just so I can test
them all and pick the right one. Not a good way to make friends in the shop....
I'll try to keep everyone informed as I try them out, one by one. It may take several months as many
aren't in stock, won't be in stock until next month, or may not come in stock at all.
So, until then, I have decided to revive yet another frame that has been sitting in the garage for a
while. It is an old Schwinn road frame that I slapped a new coat of paint on. I have it rideable at
this point, but I am debating about a few things. First is the shifters. I've always disliked
stem-mounted friction shifters although they do just fine. I've thought about using Kelly take-offs,
but they are bit too expensive for experimenting with. A new set of hoods for the non-aero levers
and some new tape helped with the front end. I have yet to mount the front derailler partly because
I haven't stopped in to get a new shifter cable yet. I've been hauling the trailer with it for a few
days (much longer chain stays than my "fast" road bike). I like it a lot and have considered
switching it over to a flat bar to make my own "hybrid." But this frame is very close in size to the
other flat bar road bike I built up and got rid of. Perhaps the solution is the Schwinn World Sport
that is gracing my garage floor at the moment. But it needs the fork straightened and the rear
triangle spread. not to mention a new coat of paint. Ah, the tasks that lie ahead.
I guess that's it for random thoughts tonight. I'm sure everyone will have plenty of their own to
share. I look forward to reading them....
-Buck