Recommendations needed re new bike...

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

Quoted message said:

Hi,

Is it unreasonable to expect a test-ride, given I'm spending a fair chunk of cash ?

Quoted message said:

My budget is around £800

I think it perfectly reasonable, in fact essential. Not only will you be able to test that the bike
suits you, you will be able to make sure it is assembled/adjusted correctly. That sort of money I
would be no ride, no sale. There's plenty of dealers.

Bill

AC said:

I know its difficult to be too specific in recommendations, but can anyone provide opinions of
different makes, and maybe models if poss

First up, what exactly do you have in mind for it? I gather from 18 miles at 19 mph quite possibly
shortish fastish thrashes, but I could be wrong... That sort of thing, especially with not much in
the way of hills, would be ideal for a sporty recumbent, but OTOH a sporty recumbent would get you
outlawed from most races which could well be an issue if you want to race. Also, it doesn't really
work for co-operative riding in close packs, which may or may not be an issue for your particular
circumstances.

Quoted message said:

Is it unreasonable to expect a test-ride, given I'm spending a fair chunk of cash ?

Not at all. If you don't have considerable confidence in it don't buy it, and if a test ride is
required for that degree of confidence, it's required.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

First up, what exactly do you have in mind for it? I gather from 18 miles at 19 mph quite possibly
shortish fastish thrashes, but I could be wrong...

Well, so far I ride upto 25 miles but would like to do further, but unlikely to be more than
50-60 miles, maybe the odd 100ish No need for mudguards/rack etc - it would mainly be for 'fair
weather riding'

Main priority at the moment is to get fit and improve time/speed

Cheers

AC

AC said:

Well, so far I ride upto 25 miles but would like to do further, but unl=

ikely

Quoted message said:

to be more than 50-60 miles, maybe the odd 100ish No need for mudguards/rack etc - it would mainly
be for 'fair weather riding'
=20
Main priority at the moment is to get fit and improve time/speed

For that, *I* would get a sporty recumbent, but =A3800 you'll need to be =

2nd hand and there's no getting away from it being a minority choice.=20 OTOH it should be at least
as quick, quite possibly quicker (especially=20 into the wind) and a damn site more comfortable with
better pilot view=20 in most cases, both of which help allow longer rides. Most 'bent riders =

seem to experience much larger grins than their upright counterparts.

Definite downsides: finding one will be harder, if you do choice will be =

limited 2nd hand, if you get self-conscious it's not going to be any fun =

at all, if you subsequently want to enter races most won't accept=20 recumbents.

I don't know the Dawes Impulse model, but if it has a good quality frame =

then you might look at just changing components. Technology has changed =

gearing quite a lot, but a good frame is still a good frame AFAICT.

Pete. --=20 Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics,
Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗