should I or shouldn't I change my bikes...

On 26 Apr 2004 17:40:50 GMT, [email hidden] (Paul Nevai) may

have said:

QUESTION. Are there any bikes you could recommend which
would be better than my current bikes?

I have only 2 condition: must be road bikes and must be
able to accommodate rear racks.

Money? Doesn't matter. Since I keep my bikes forever, money
is not an issue. Only quality, value, and fun-value matter.

Any suggestions?

Personally, I would apply the Engineer's Maxim: If it's not
broke, don't fix it. Bike technology fundamentals have
changed only very slightly in the past 12 years, and a lot
of the changes are in the area of bleeding-edge stuff
that's really only cost-effective for highly competitive
racing situations, and often isn't durable in long-term
ordinary use.

I do not think you would gain anything by changing bikes.
I'd advise against it.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

www.rivendellbicycles.com would be an obvious place to
start looking. Touring/off pavement frame called the
Atlantis, road (sport touring) frame called the
Rambouillet, complete sport touring bicycle w/ a less fancy
frame than the Rambouillet called the Romulus, custom frame
called the Rivendell. All are built to accommodate fenders,
racks, wider tires than most modern frames. All are lugged
steel. HTH,
--
mark
"Paul Nevai" wrote

Quoted message said:

I have several bikes but my 2 favorites are a Bridgestone RB1 and a
Cannondale T1000.

Both are 12+ years old, both have rear luggage racks and shopping

baskets

Quoted message said:

attached to them, both are in essentially perfect condition, both

have a

Quoted message said:

gazillion gizmos such as mirrors, lamps, bike-computers, etc.

The only essential difference is that the Cannondale has fenders and the
Bridgestone doesn't [so I can use the former in rain and winter].

I use both for the same general purpose: commuting, shopping, training,

you

Quoted message said:

name it. Both are 100% fun.

I have not studied new bikes in the last 10+ years.

I realize that could keep my bikes and stay happy for the rest of my life.
However, I could be equally happy if I found bikes which are even better

suit

Quoted message said:

my needs [commuting, shopping, training, etc.].

QUESTION. Are there any bikes you could recommend which would be better

than

Quoted message said:

my current bikes?

I have only 2 condition: must be road bikes and must be able to

accommodate

Quoted message said:

rear racks.

Money? Doesn't matter. Since I keep my bikes forever, money is not an

issue.

Quoted message said:

Only quality, value, and fun-value matter.

Any suggestions?

Best Regards, Paul

Quoted message said:

QUESTION. Are there any bikes you could recommend which
would be better than my current bikes?

I have only 2 condition: must be road bikes and must be
able to accommodate rear racks.

Generally I'd say don't replace perfect bikes with bikes you
expect to somehow be more perfect.

Having said that, I've recently purchased my "perfect" bike
for similar use - all-weather commuting. I got some features
that weren't available on my existing bikes and in fact
aren't available on any bikes except custom (in my case, a
custom-fitted Ti racing bike with disc brakes, fenders and
rack. Great when it rains with the fenders and disc brakes,
and great when it doesn't rain with the custom geometry and
racing performance).

Another benefit would be STI, which your 12-year old bikes
probably don't have. I upgraded from downtube shifters to
STI a few years back and wouldn't want to go back.

Michael

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

Quoted message said:

I have several bikes but my 2 favorites are a
Bridgestone RB1

and a

Quoted message said:

Cannondale T1000.

Both are 12+ years old, both have rear luggage racks and

shopping baskets

Quoted message said:

attached to them, both are in essentially perfect

condition, both have a

Quoted message said:

gazillion gizmos such as mirrors, lamps, bike-
computers, etc.

The only essential difference is that the Cannondale has

fenders and the

Quoted message said:

Bridgestone doesn't [so I can use the former in rain and

winter].

Quoted message said:

I use both for the same general purpose: commuting,
shopping,

training, you

Quoted message said:

name it. Both are 100% fun.

I have not studied new bikes in the last 10+ years.

I realize that could keep my bikes and stay happy for
the rest

of my life.

Quoted message said:

However, I could be equally happy if I found bikes
which are

even better suit

Quoted message said:

my needs [commuting, shopping, training, etc.].

QUESTION. Are there any bikes you could recommend
which would

be better than

Quoted message said:

my current bikes?

I have only 2 condition: must be road bikes and must
be able to

accommodate

Quoted message said:

rear racks.

Money? Doesn't matter. Since I keep my bikes forever,
money is

not an issue.

Quoted message said:

Only quality, value, and fun-value matter.

Any suggestions?

No, not unless you want a bike that is more upright or one
that can take a 26" wheel. Otherwise, the two bikes you have
are the hands-down bargain tourers. I have an 18 year old
T1000 that I prefer over my custom built (now stolen) steel
touring bike. I cold set the T1000 to 130mm (no easy feat)
and have it set up for 8 speed STI. It is a great bike --
somewhat heavy, but the Al tubing and long wheel-base makes
it a super-stable and efficient climber. -- Jay Beattie.

"mark" <[email hidden]> aszonygya:
:www.rivendellbicycles.com would be an obvious place to start looking.

Funny... The rivendell guy sold me my Bridgestone [12+ years
ago] before Bridgestone left the US market and he formed his
own company. I think his name is Grant Petersen and we have
exchanged many e-mails. A very-very nice guy. He edited the
Bridgestone magazines.

Alas, Rivendell is "way to conservative" for me, e.g., bar-
end shifters.

Best regards, Paul

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

Quoted message said:

"mark" <[email hidden]> aszonygya:
:www.rivendellbicycles.com would be an obvious place to
start looking.

Funny... The rivendell guy sold me my Bridgestone [12+
years ago] before Bridgestone left the US market and he
formed his own company. I think his name is Grant Petersen
and we have exchanged many e-mails. A very-very

nice

Quoted message said:

guy. He edited the Bridgestone magazines.

Alas, Rivendell is "way to conservative" for me, e.g., bar-
end shifters.

They'll gladly build you a bike with STI/Ergo shifters, just
ask. Look at their owners' gallery - many of those have
integrated shifters and other modern ammenities. If you're
looking for a bike as practical and durable as your current
rides, you won't find one as finely crafted and beautiful as
a Rivendell.

BTW - I have a beautiful, modern, hand-made steel sport
touring bike, which receives the majority of my miles, but
the steed that gets the most rides by far is my "poor man's
Rivendell", a lugged 1980's Nishiki with moustache bars,
fenders, a rack, and 7 speed bar-ends. Some day (if they're
is still around in a decade or two) that bike will be a
Rivendell.

Kyle

Paul Nevai said:

Alas, Rivendell is "way to conservative" for me, e.g., bar-
end shifters.

Paul,

You can buy just the frame from Rivendell and bolt whatever
components you want onto it. The only components you're
probably "stuck with" are the standard reach Shimano brakes.
The short reach ones won't reach the rim.

terry

Paul Nevai says...

Quoted message said:

I have several bikes but my 2 favorites are a Bridgestone
RB1 and a Cannondale T1000.

Both are 12+ years old, both have rear luggage racks and
shopping baskets attached to them, both are in essentially
perfect condition, both have a gazillion gizmos such as
mirrors, lamps, bike-computers, etc.

I agree with the earlier replies, unless you race there is
little to be gained in performance by replacing your bikes.
If you do not already have them look at STI shifter/brakes
and clipless pedals.

Appearence is another matter and this newsgroup has experts
who might jump in to advise you.

I have a 1988 Cannondale road bike and a 1999 Trek touring
bike and use both about equally. I like to switch betweem
them because the bikes feel different. The road bike feels
faster and more responsive, the touring bike smoother and
also has racks and fenders. You might consider another type
of bike, even a recumbent, for variety.

I would test drive some new ones and see if the benefit is
worth the added cost.

Paul Nevai said:

I have several bikes but my 2 favorites are a Bridgestone
RB1 and a Cannondale T1000.

Both are 12+ years old, both have rear luggage racks and
shopping baskets attached to them, both are in essentially
perfect condition, both have a gazillion gizmos such as
mirrors, lamps, bike-computers, etc.

The only essential difference is that the Cannondale has
fenders and the Bridgestone doesn't [so I can use the
former in rain and winter].

I use both for the same general purpose: commuting,
shopping, training, you name it. Both are 100% fun.

I have not studied new bikes in the last 10+ years.

I realize that could keep my bikes and stay happy for the
rest of my life. However, I could be equally happy if I
found bikes which are even better suit my needs [commuting,
shopping, training, etc.].

QUESTION. Are there any bikes you could recommend which
would be better than my current bikes?

I have only 2 condition: must be road bikes and must be
able to accommodate rear racks.

Money? Doesn't matter. Since I keep my bikes forever, money
is not an issue. Only quality, value, and fun-value matter.

Any suggestions?

Best Regards, Paul

[email hidden] (Paul Nevai) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

QUESTION. Are there any bikes you could recommend which
would be better than my current bikes?

No. There are lighter bikes, but you will not notice any
difference while riding. They have more gears, but if you
don't notice that you need more, then you don't need more.

Quoted message said:

I have only 2 condition: must be road bikes and must be
able to accommodate rear racks.

Money? Doesn't matter. Since I keep my bikes forever,
money is not an issue. Only quality, value, and fun-
value matter.

Some people get exited and like the idea of getting
something new. This part is fun, but after a while, it
looses the exitment. If you are happy with what you have,
keep it. I consider the bridgestone a great bike but any
standards. I would save the mnoney and spend it in going to
cancun with the bikes.

Andres

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions?

Best Regards, Paul