Recommendation for New Bike

BeeRich said:

Hi folks. Taking advantage of this forum's experience...it's helped
me a lot recently...

I'm in the market for a new bike. My old bike:

1992 Ironhorse MT700R

[snippity]

Quoted message said:

Any recommendations? I'm looking at some of the carbon hybrids, but
I'm a bit reluctant to go with something too light. I'm > 200 pounds,
so I'm a big fish.

What's your budget, and what brands are sold in your area?

BeeRich said:

Hi folks. Taking advantage of this forum's experience...it's helped
me a lot recently...

I'm in the market for a new bike. My old bike:

1992 Ironhorse MT700R
Low geometry
XT grouppo
Original V-brakes (if that is the correct term, not the new cable/pad
Shimano design)
180mm crankset
3 front chainrings, 7 rear chainrings
Replaced brake/shifting as originals broke 2 years ago
Entry level SPD pedals
Lots of great karma

So I'm in the market for a new bike. Some notes:

I love this geometry. It's solid. Other bikes feel like the pitch is
too easy (seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_dynamics) and I
might go over the handlebars.
This bike feels solid. I want to replicate that.
I've turned this into a hybrid, with slicker tires, smaller saddle.
No suspension. I do mostly city trail rides, never had an issue with
front suspension, and I rarely do singletrack.
I like the concept of disc brakes. I believe they are standard now.

Any recommendations? I'm looking at some of the carbon hybrids, but
I'm a bit reluctant to go with something too light. I'm > 200 pounds,
so I'm a big fish.

Cheers

What's wrong with the one you have?

Chris

BeeRich said:

XT grouppo

What was the etymology of this term again?

--
Phil

Non-Squid said:

BeeRich said:

XT grouppo

What was the etymology of this term again?

Presumably it's a corruption of "gruppo", which is what Italians or
people who want to make sure you know they're riding Campagnolo call a
group.

BeeRich said:

Any recommendations? I'm looking at some of the carbon hybrids, but
I'm a bit reluctant to go with something too light. I'm > 200 pounds,
so I'm a big fish.

It's getting really hard to find a 26" wheeled hybrid without
suspension. I've been looking! Even when manufacturers make them, most
shops don't carry them.

Disc brakes are definitely _not_ standard.

Probably the best choice for you is the Marin Novato. See
"http://www.rei.com/product/747552". It's a 26" wheeled "city" bike, as
opposed to the less sturdy 700c wheeled hybrids, but it isn't a mountain
bike with all the unnecessary suspension. It does have disc brakes. You
could put on some more aggressive tires if you ever did want to go
mountain biking.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

BeeRich said:

XT grouppo

Quoted message said:

Phil said:

What was the etymology of this term again?

Steve Gravrock said:

Presumably it's a corruption of "gruppo", which is what Italians or
people who want to make sure you know they're riding Campagnolo call a
group.

The [censored] 'grouppo' is offensive enough but even 'gruppo' or 'group'
has been overworked until it has no useful meaning.

At one time groups were a standard item as in, "Send some groups with
our frames, 4 Italian, 6 British", meaning a Super Record ensemble
'reduced' with 1046a BB and 1037a pedals. That era ended in the middle
eighties with the influence of DuraAce, Superbe and Look.

The variables have become so multidimensional that no one I know in this
business orders 'groups' now. With or without hubs/wheels, with or
without headset, with or without seatpost, whatever. No longer are 80%
of bike builds with one standard ensemble, as they once indeed were.

Further, except for a few heavily promoted 'display case' new product
introductions, 'groups' are an abstract concept and exist not as a
physical thing in a box but rather as several related line items on an
invoice and usually wrapped as separate items to fill the space in frame
cartons.

The myth is much bigger then the reality, as usual.

p.s. It's been over a hundred years since vehicles has a simple sleeve
bearing for wheels, yet 'axle grease' remains in the vernacular for no
apparent reason.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Quoted message said:

BeeRich said:

Any recommendations? I'm looking at some of the carbon hybrids, but
I'm a bit reluctant to go with something too light. I'm > 200 pounds,
so I'm a big fish.

SMS said:

It's getting really hard to find a 26" wheeled hybrid without
suspension. I've been looking! Even when manufacturers make them, most
shops don't carry them.
Disc brakes are definitely _not_ standard.
Probably the best choice for you is the Marin Novato. See
"http://www.rei.com/product/747552". It's a 26" wheeled "city" bike, as
opposed to the less sturdy 700c wheeled hybrids, but it isn't a mountain
bike with all the unnecessary suspension. It does have disc brakes. You
could put on some more aggressive tires if you ever did want to go
mountain biking.

'Hard to find'? Like a Raleigh Venture? About $259. Swapping for a
Michelin 26x1.5 makes it zippier

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

A Muzi said:

Quoted message said:

BeeRich said:

Any recommendations? I'm looking at some of the carbon hybrids, but
I'm a bit reluctant to go with something too light. I'm > 200 pounds,
so I'm a big fish.

SMS said:

It's getting really hard to find a 26" wheeled hybrid without
suspension. I've been looking! Even when manufacturers make them, most
shops don't carry them.
Disc brakes are definitely _not_ standard.
Probably the best choice for you is the Marin Novato. See
"http://www.rei.com/product/747552". It's a 26" wheeled "city" bike,
as opposed to the less sturdy 700c wheeled hybrids, but it isn't a
mountain bike with all the unnecessary suspension. It does have disc
brakes. You could put on some more aggressive tires if you ever did
want to go mountain biking.

'Hard to find'? Like a Raleigh Venture? About $259. Swapping for a
Michelin 26x1.5 makes it zippier

Yeah, actually I saw the Raleigh Venture line last week at a store, and
saw that some models in that line are non-suspension. I especially liked
the adjustable angle, adjustable height, quill stem, and the suspension
seat post, which is really all the suspension most people need for
on-road riding. I was ready to buy one, then I thought I'd check out
craigslist for a little longer. I found a good Univega older
non-suspension bike with a chromoly frame for $25. Needs a little TLC
but it's more what I wanted.

But it sounded like the original poster was looking for something a
little higher end, with disc brakes. Even with the Marin, probably some
mods are needed for a more suitable riding position, such as stem
replacement.

In article <[email hidden]>,

A Muzi said:

p.s. It's been over a hundred years since vehicles has a simple sleeve
bearing for wheels, yet 'axle grease' remains in the vernacular for no
apparent reason.

Pine tar and lard on the conestoga wagons. The axle
ends were conical with the bottom parallel to the
ground. Designed by German settlers of the Conestoga
valley, Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the 1730's.

--
Michael Press

Steve Gravrock said:

What's your budget, and what brands are sold in your area?

All brands, about $3k, but flexible

Chris Nelson said:

What's wrong with the one you have?

Chris

Well, the handlebars split in half when I was riding it two weeks
ago. I took a nasty spill in front of 20 cars. I'm getting the
message that she's aging, even with the severe maintenance I put into
it after this episode. A friend bought a bike with disc brakes, and
other people are commenting how old my bike is, so I thought I'd see
what was out there.

Non-Squid said:

BeeRich said:

XT grouppo

What was the etymology of this term again?

--
Phil

No idea.

SMS said:

BeeRich said:

Any recommendations? I'm looking at some of the carbon hybrids, but
I'm a bit reluctant to go with something too light. I'm > 200 pounds,
so I'm a big fish.

It's getting really hard to find a 26" wheeled hybrid without
suspension. I've been looking! Even when manufacturers make them, most
shops don't carry them.

I might go down the route of putting in a fixed fork afterwards, if
need be. But you are right about finding zero suspension bikes.

Quoted message said:

Disc brakes are definitely _not_ standard.

Probably the best choice for you is the Marin Novato. See
"http://www.rei.com/product/747552". It's a 26" wheeled "city" bike, as
opposed to the less sturdy 700c wheeled hybrids, but it isn't a mountain
bike with all the unnecessary suspension. It does have disc brakes. You
could put on some more aggressive tires if you ever did want to go
mountain biking.

Nice bike. Looks nice, except for the fat broad seat.

Cheers

SMS said:

But it sounded like the original poster was looking for something a
little higher end, with disc brakes. Even with the Marin, probably some
mods are needed for a more suitable riding position, such as stem
replacement.

Indeed. A $250 Raleigh wasn't what I was looking for.

Michael Press said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

A Muzi said:

p.s. It's been over a hundred years since vehicles has a simple sleeve
bearing for wheels, yet 'axle grease' remains in the vernacular for no
apparent reason.

Pine tar and lard on the conestoga wagons. The axle
ends were conical with the bottom parallel to the
ground. Designed by German settlers of the Conestoga
valley, Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the 1730's.

A perfect use for Phil "Wood grease"!

BeeRich said:

Chris Nelson said:

What's wrong with the one you have?

Quoted message said:

Chris

Well, the handlebars split in half when I was riding it two weeks
ago. I took a nasty spill in front of 20 cars. I'm getting the
message that she's aging, even with the severe maintenance I put into
it after this episode. A friend bought a bike with disc brakes, and
other people are commenting how old my bike is, so I thought I'd see
what was out there.

Ouch, I feel your pain. Check out the Salsa Mariachi, its a 29er and
might be right up your alley. Its spec'd out well and looks quite
strong. Should run about $1500 USD.

Chris

Chris Nelson said:

Ouch, I feel your pain. Check out the Salsa Mariachi, its a 29er and
might be right up your alley. Its spec'd out well and looks quite
strong. Should run about $1500 USD.

Hi Chris. Thanks for the lead. Front forks are thin, but I like.

Cheers

BeeRich said:

Chris Nelson said:

Ouch, I feel your pain. Check out the Salsa Mariachi, its a 29er and
might be right up your alley. Its spec'd out well and looks quite
strong. Should run about $1500 USD.

Hi Chris. Thanks for the lead. Front forks are thin, but I like.

Cheers

Yeah, steel forks will be thin, be none stronger.

Chris

BeeRich said:

SMS said:

But it sounded like the original poster was looking for something a
little higher end, with disc brakes. Even with the Marin, probably some
mods are needed for a more suitable riding position, such as stem
replacement.

Indeed. A $250 Raleigh wasn't what I was looking for.

Look at the Novara Buzz, "http://www.rei.com/product/744800"