Trek 5500 reviews?

"Rivermist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:15GBc.154761$Ly.126810@attbi_s01...

Quoted message said:

Am thinking about buying the Trek 5500.

Anyone have experience with that bike?

Nope ... nobody here.

It's the Toyota Camry of bicycles. Go on a century ride and
probably 40% of the riders are on Trek 5500s.

You can't go wrong with a Trek 5500. I've had three. I
crashed one and another got wiped out when a car hit me.
They're light and durable and handle well. The ride is
stiff, but smooth. Actually, if there's one knock on the
bike, it's that the ride is a little ... dull. I didn't
understand what people meant by that until I bought a nice
aluminum/carbon frame. It just seems livelier and zippier in
ways that are hard to define.

But the Trek 5500 is a very fine bike with a very fine
pedigree. It's definately a fast bike. It's also a
comfortable bike for long rides. And lastly, it's backed by
Trek who, for the most part, is pretty decent to deal with
if you have warranty issues.

Bob C.

I had one for two years. Terrible finish. The clear coat
chipped off, it went back to Trek and the repainted it for
free. Very limited choice in colors and finishes. They
can't repaint to the original unless it is in the same
year. The repainted one sucked. Left dirt under the paint,
missed spots and this paint chipped off. If you like a well
finished bike look for another brand. I sold the frame
cheap went for a better finish. The ride quality is OK but
kind of soft. Go try other brands. There are quite a few
that look and ride much better. And remember Lance gets
paid to ride Trek.

"Rivermist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:15GBc.154761$Ly.126810@attbi_s01...

Quoted message said:

Am thinking about buying the Trek 5500.

Anyone have experience with that bike?

"Larry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:5zKBc.129460$3x.10803@attbi_s54...

Quoted message said:

I had one for two years. Terrible finish. The clear coat
chipped off, it went back to Trek and the repainted it for
free. Very limited choice in colors and finishes. They
can't repaint to the original unless it is in

the

Quoted message said:

same year. The repainted one sucked. Left dirt under the
paint, missed

spots

Quoted message said:

and this paint chipped off. If you like a well finished
bike look for another brand. I sold the frame cheap went
for a better finish. The ride quality is OK but kind of
soft. Go try other brands. There are quite a few that
look and ride much better. And remember Lance gets paid
to ride Trek.

"Rivermist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:15GBc.154761$Ly.126810@attbi_s01...

Quoted message said:

Am thinking about buying the Trek 5500.

Anyone have experience with that bike?

Lance won't ride with it if he can't win with it.

I'd also say the attention to the finishing process is
lacking. I just don't care much about that. The bike is a
solid performer and the company stands behind it.

One additional point ... relative to many bikes these
days, the 5500 is a decent value. That's quite relative,
but I do believe they offer a lot for the money versus
many other brands.

Oh ... one more thing, still. I was with a guy on a ride a
couple of weeks ago who just got his new Project One 5900
with DA 10 speed. I know it's not a 5500, but the paint job
could be had for the 5500 as well and it was jaw-dropping
gorgeous. It was these two shades off blue with swirly
thingies and it just looked spectacular. It was about the
coolest-looking bike I've ever seen. Didn't get an up-close
inspection, though.

Bob C.

I think a $4000.00 bike should come with a jaw-dropping
paint job without having to pay $650.00 more. Take a closer
look and see what you think. My LBS had a Madone 5.9 with a
project one finish that the customer refused because of grit
under the paint and stickers that were 13/4 off from one end
to the other. And by the way that bike cost $6400.00

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

Quoted message said:

"Larry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:5zKBc.129460$3x.10803@attbi_s54...

Quoted message said:

I had one for two years. Terrible finish. The clear coat
chipped off, it went back to Trek and the repainted it
for free. Very limited choice in colors and finishes.
They can't repaint to the original unless it is in

the

Quoted message said:

same year. The repainted one sucked. Left dirt under the
paint, missed

spots

Quoted message said:

and this paint chipped off. If you like a well finished
bike look for another brand. I sold the frame cheap went
for a better finish. The ride quality is OK but kind of
soft. Go try other brands. There are quite a

few

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that look and ride much better. And remember Lance gets
paid to ride

Trek.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Rivermist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:15GBc.154761$Ly.126810@attbi_s01...

Quoted message said:

Am thinking about buying the Trek 5500.

Anyone have experience with that bike?

Lance won't ride with it if he can't win with it.

I'd also say the attention to the finishing process is
lacking. I just don't care much about that. The bike is a
solid performer and the company stands behind it.

One additional point ... relative to many bikes these
days, the 5500 is a decent value. That's quite relative,
but I do believe they offer a lot

for

Quoted message said:

the money versus many other brands.

Oh ... one more thing, still. I was with a guy on a ride a
couple of

weeks

Quoted message said:

ago who just got his new Project One 5900 with DA 10
speed. I know it's

not

Quoted message said:

a 5500, but the paint job could be had for the 5500 as
well and it was jaw-dropping gorgeous. It was these two
shades off blue with swirly thingies and it just looked
spectacular. It was about the coolest-looking bike I've
ever seen. Didn't get an up-close inspection, though.

Bob C.

I had a 5500 and put 18,000 miles on it. I loved the bike.
Very comfortable and fast. This spring I sold the 5500 and
bought a 5900. I have 4,800 miles on the 5900 this season.
Same thing, Very comfortable and fast. I have no regrets
with either bike.

Both have beautiful finishes! Have a look:
nanandmont.comb6.jpgOpen ↗ nanandmont.com5900 cloudOpen ↗
9.jpg

"Larry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:5zKBc.129460$3x.10803@attbi_s54...

Quoted message said:

I had one for two years. Terrible finish. The clear coat
chipped off, it went back to Trek and the repainted it for
free. Very limited choice in colors and finishes. They
can't repaint to the original unless it is in

the

Quoted message said:

same year. The repainted one sucked. Left dirt under the
paint, missed

spots

Quoted message said:

and this paint chipped off. If you like a well finished
bike look for another brand. I sold the frame cheap went
for a better finish. The ride quality is OK but kind of
soft. Go try other brands. There are quite a few that
look and ride much better. And remember Lance gets paid
to ride Trek.

"Rivermist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:15GBc.154761$Ly.126810@attbi_s01...

Quoted message said:

Am thinking about buying the Trek 5500.

Anyone have experience with that bike?

"Larry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:msLBc.87612$HG.73702@attbi_s53...

Quoted message said:

I think a $4000.00 bike should come with a jaw-dropping
paint job without having to pay $650.00 more. Take a
closer look and see what you think. My LBS had a Madone
5.9 with a project one finish that the customer refused
because of grit under the

paint

Quoted message said:

and stickers that were 13/4 off from one end to the other.
And by the way that bike cost $6400.00

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

Quoted message said:

"Larry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:5zKBc.129460$3x.10803@attbi_s54...

Quoted message said:

I had one for two years. Terrible finish. The clear
coat chipped off,

it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

went back to Trek and the repainted it for free. Very
limited choice

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

colors and finishes. They can't repaint to the
original unless it is

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the

Quoted message said:

same year. The repainted one sucked. Left dirt under
the paint, missed

spots

Quoted message said:

and this paint chipped off. If you like a well
finished bike look for another brand. I sold the frame
cheap went for a better finish. The

ride

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

quality is OK but kind of soft. Go try other brands.
There are quite a

few

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that look and ride much better. And remember Lance
gets paid to ride

Trek.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Rivermist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:15GBc.154761$Ly.126810@attbi_s01...
> Am thinking about buying the Trek 5500.
>
> Anyone have experience with that bike?

Lance won't ride with it if he can't win with it.

I'd also say the attention to the finishing process is
lacking. I just don't care much about that. The bike is
a solid performer and the

company

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

stands behind it.

One additional point ... relative to many bikes these
days, the 5500 is

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

decent value. That's quite relative, but I do believe
they offer a lot

for

Quoted message said:

the money versus many other brands.

Oh ... one more thing, still. I was with a guy on a ride
a couple of

weeks

Quoted message said:

ago who just got his new Project One 5900 with DA 10
speed. I know it's

not

Quoted message said:

a 5500, but the paint job could be had for the 5500 as
well and it was jaw-dropping gorgeous. It was these two
shades off blue with swirly thingies and it just looked
spectacular. It was about the

coolest-looking

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bike I've ever seen. Didn't get an up-close inspection,
though.

Bob C.

You paid $4,000 for yours?!!!!??

Bob C.

In article <15GBc.154761$Ly.126810@attbi_s01>, "Rivermist" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Am thinking about buying the Trek 5500.

Anyone have experience with that bike?

The 5500 is an OCLV 120 frameset just like the 5200 , which
IMNSHO is the best buy for the buck.

The difference is Durace 10s versus Ultegra.

Take a look at the Calfee Luna Pro for truly custom CF.

HAND

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

- Tomb of the unknown - American Revolution

Hi all. My first post here. I'm looking for some good
advice. I'm 6" 2" and nearly 300 lbs... but plan on losing
about 40 lbs. I have two bikes. One is a 1993 Bridgestone G6
(26" wheels"😉 and the other is a Specialized ("Limited"😉
Expedition (26" wheels.) I use the Bridgestone for commuting
and the Expedition for "joy-rides." The problem with the
Expedition is that due, to the heavy front suspension forks,
the bike has no "zip" to it. So I'm considering a 3rd bike.
My Bridgestone has a chromaly frame, w/o suspension forks
and I actually prefer the ride -- for long distances at least--
to my Specialized. IMO, the aluminum frame of the Expedition
makes for a less smooth ride than could be attained if it
were chromoly. But where can one find new bicycle these days
w/ a CroMo frame that's in the price range I looking at?

What I'm looking for is a bicyle that has a CroMo frame, is
< $500, w/ NO front suspension fork (but HAS seat-post
suspension) has 700cm wheels, SRAM grip shifters, and has
handlebars that will allow me to ride in an upright position
(a must, due to back problems). The bike would be used on a
12 mile bike path and occasionally on the street. By the
way, I'm wondering if a 700cm wheel frame is going to be a
problem because of my weight? - ( I won't be pulling and
wheelies or jumping curves)

I know that Jamis once made an Aragon (at $300) that had a
CroMo frame but it has been discontinued in favor of
aluminum. Bottom line is I simply prefer the ride of ChoMo
and I'm looking for a bike that different from what I
already have. Preferably something with some zip to it. Is
what I'm looking for impossibe, in a new bike, without
having it done "custom?" Sure would apprecitate some input.

Thanks Glenn

Quoted message said:

I know that Jamis once made an Aragon (at $300) that had a
CroMo frame but it has been discontinued in favor of
aluminum. Bottom line is I simply prefer the ride of ChoMo
and I'm looking for a bike that different from

what

Quoted message said:

I already have. Preferably something with some zip to it.
Is what I'm looking for impossibe, in a new bike, without
having it done "custom?"

Sure

Quoted message said:

would apprecitate some input.

In a larger-sized frame, I'm rather surprised you prefer
the "ride" of a steel frame. Why? Because, due to tubing
diameters used on steel frames, larger-sized bikes tend to
be a bit flexy compared to aluminum. A manufacturer *could*
get around this, by using larger-diameter tubing, but they
generally don't due to both the expense of using a special
tubeset and the added weight. And, as has been often
pointed out here, if you want a softer ride, just go to a
bigger tire.

At your price range (less than $500), you could start with a
bike like the TREK 7300FX, make whatever changes you need
to, and probably still be within your price range.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

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

Quoted message said:

Hi all. My first post here. I'm looking for some good
advice. I'm 6"

2"

Quoted message said:

and nearly 300 lbs... but plan on losing about 40 lbs. I
have two bikes. One is a 1993 Bridgestone G6 (26" wheels"😉
and the other is a Specialized ("Limited"😉 Expedition (26"
wheels.) I use the Bridgestone for commuting and the
Expedition for "joy-rides." The problem with the
Expedition is

that

Quoted message said:

due, to the heavy front suspension forks, the bike has no
"zip" to it. So I'm considering a 3rd bike. My Bridgestone
has a chromaly frame, w/o suspension forks and I actually
prefer the ride -- for long distances at least-- to my
Specialized. IMO, the aluminum frame of the Expedition

makes

Quoted message said:

for a less smooth ride than could be attained if it were
chromoly. But where can one find new bicycle these days w/
a CroMo frame that's in the price range I looking at?

What I'm looking for is a bicyle that has a CroMo frame,
is < $500, w/ NO front suspension fork (but HAS seat-post
suspension) has 700cm wheels,

SRAM

Quoted message said:

grip shifters, and has handlebars that will allow me to
ride in an upright position (a must, due to back
problems). The bike would be used on a 12 mile bike path
and occasionally on the street. By the way, I'm

wondering

Quoted message said:

if a 700cm wheel frame is going to be a problem because of
my weight? -

( I

Quoted message said:

won't be pulling and wheelies or jumping curves)

I know that Jamis once made an Aragon (at $300) that had a
CroMo frame but it has been discontinued in favor of
aluminum. Bottom line is I simply prefer the ride of ChoMo
and I'm looking for a bike that different from

what

Quoted message said:

I already have. Preferably something with some zip to it.
Is what I'm looking for impossibe, in a new bike, without
having it done "custom?"

Sure

Quoted message said:

would apprecitate some input.

Thanks Glenn

Hello Mike. Thanks for you input. You indicate surprise that
I prefer the ride of a steel frame. You're spot-on that
steel has more flex to it than aluminum. And that's why the
aluminum-ride is less "forgiving"... every road bump and dip
gets amplified. I'm using a Brooks B-17 saddle on my
Bridgestone cromo and have no complaints about comfort. A
long trip for me would be 10-12 miles, with some moderate
hill climbing.... (actually, there is one "killer-hill" that
I attempt to climb). The aluminum bike has heavy suspension
forks that are necessary to cushion the stiffness of the
aluminum ride. I don't find suspension forks necessary w/ a
cromo. Of course, I would prefer titanium but the price is
prohibiting in my case. I do like suspension in the
seatpost, however. Do you (or anyone) know if there is a
significant weight difference between that and a non-
suspension post?

Thanks for your recommendation, Mike. Unfortunately the Trek
7300FX has an aluminum frame.... darn!

Original Message:

Quoted message said:

In a larger-sized frame, I'm rather surprised you prefer
the "ride" of a steel frame. Why? Because, due to tubing
diameters used on steel frames, larger-sized bikes tend to
be a bit flexy compared to aluminum. A manufacturer
*could* get around this, by using larger-diameter tubing,
but they generally don't due to both the expense of using
a special tubeset

and

Quoted message said:

the added weight. And, as has been often pointed out here,
if you want a softer ride, just go to a bigger tire.

At your price range (less than $500), you could start with
a bike like the TREK 7300FX, make whatever changes you
need to, and probably still be

within

Quoted message said:

your price range.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

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

Quoted message said:

Hi all. My first post here. I'm looking for some good
advice. I'm 6"

2"

Quoted message said:

and nearly 300 lbs... but plan on losing about 40 lbs. I
have two

bikes.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

One is a 1993 Bridgestone G6 (26" wheels"😉 and the
other is a

Specialized

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

("Limited"😉 Expedition (26" wheels.) I use the
Bridgestone for

commuting

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and the Expedition for "joy-rides." The problem with the
Expedition is

that

Quoted message said:

due, to the heavy front suspension forks, the bike has
no "zip" to it.

So

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm considering a 3rd bike. My Bridgestone has a
chromaly frame, w/o suspension forks and I actually
prefer the ride -- for long distances

at

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

least-- to my Specialized. IMO, the aluminum frame of
the Expedition

makes

Quoted message said:

for a less smooth ride than could be attained if it were
chromoly. But where can one find new bicycle these days
w/ a CroMo frame that's in the price range I looking at?

What I'm looking for is a bicyle that has a CroMo frame,
is < $500, w/

NO

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

front suspension fork (but HAS seat-post suspension) has
700cm wheels,

SRAM

Quoted message said:

grip shifters, and has handlebars that will allow me to
ride in an

upright

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

position (a must, due to back problems). The bike would
be used on a

12

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

mile bike path and occasionally on the street. By the
way, I'm

wondering

Quoted message said:

if a 700cm wheel frame is going to be a problem because
of my weight? -

( I

Quoted message said:

won't be pulling and wheelies or jumping curves)

I know that Jamis once made an Aragon (at $300) that had
a CroMo frame

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it has been discontinued in favor of aluminum. Bottom
line is I simply prefer the ride of ChoMo and I'm
looking for a bike that different from

what

Quoted message said:

I already have. Preferably something with some zip to
it. Is what I'm looking for impossibe, in a new bike,
without having it done "custom?"

Sure

Quoted message said:

would apprecitate some input.

Thanks Glenn

Glenn Civello said:

Hello Mike. Thanks for you input. You indicate surprise
that I prefer the ride of a steel frame. You're spot-on
that steel has more flex to it than aluminum.

I think what Mr. J was getting at was the propensity of the
frame to flex under heavy pedaling loads. I'm a heavy guy,
and when I used to ride my old (1980s) Raleigh, I could feel
the bike bend a bit as I stood up to pedal.....

Quoted message said:

And that's why the aluminum-ride is less "forgiving"...
every road bump and dip gets amplified. I'm using a Brooks
B-17 saddle on my Bridgestone cromo and have no complaints
about comfort. A long trip for me would be 10-12 miles,
with some moderate hill climbing.... (actually, there is
one "killer-hill" that I attempt to climb). The aluminum
bike has heavy suspension forks that are necessary to
cushion the stiffness of the aluminum ride. I don't find
suspension forks necessary w/ a cromo. Of course, I would
prefer titanium but the price is prohibiting in my case. I
do like suspension in the seatpost, however. Do you (or
anyone) know if there is a significant weight difference
between that and a non-suspension post?

There is. You're adding the complication of all the
necessary springs and damping to what should otherwise be a
fairly simple part.

Why not go for something totally different? 700C wheels,
drop handlebars, no suspension. You know, a road bike. Or,
to be more precise, a tourer. If you must have CrMo steel,
the Jamis Aurora will fit the bill nicely. I picked mine up
for US$450, on clearance; they usually go for anywhere
between US$500-600. If the price is right, go with it.

Otherwise, go with a road bike, but insist on real wheels--
NOT stupidlite ones.

Be sure the bicycle fits, don't be bullied into riding with
the bars too low & saddle too high, remember that the drops
allow for *multiple* hand positions with easy access to the
brakes--and then go for a ride.

-Luigi

Quoted message said:

Thanks for your recommendation, Mike. Unfortunately the
Trek 7300FX has an aluminum frame.... darn!

Why not ride the bike, and then decide? In the end, it's the
bike that you're riding, not someone else's opinion.

In article <[email hidden]>,
luigi12081 @cox.net says...

Quoted message said:

Glenn Civello said:

Hello Mike. Thanks for you input. You indicate surprise
that I prefer the ride of a steel frame. You're spot-on
that steel has more flex to it than aluminum.

I think what Mr. J was getting at was the propensity of
the frame to flex under heavy pedaling loads. I'm a heavy
guy, and when I used to ride my old (1980s) Raleigh, I
could feel the bike bend a bit as I stood up to pedal.....

My old Schwinn LeTour from 1979 did the same, but my
new (last year) Fuji Touring doesn't flex at all under
hard pedaling.

...

Quoted message said:

Why not go for something totally different? 700C wheels,
drop handlebars, no suspension. You know, a road bike. Or,
to be more precise, a tourer. If you must have CrMo steel,
the Jamis Aurora will fit the bill nicely. I picked mine
up for US$450, on clearance; they usually go for anywhere
between US$500-600. If the price is right, go with it.

Very good suggestion.

Quoted message said:

Otherwise, go with a road bike, but insist on real wheels--
NOT stupidlite ones.

Be sure the bicycle fits, don't be bullied into riding
with the bars too low & saddle too high, remember that the
drops allow for

It's even ok to put the bars *above* the saddle level if
that's what feels best!

Quoted message said:

*multiple* hand positions with easy access to the brakes--
and then go for a ride.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in
the newsgroups if possible).

Thank you Luigi. It's good to find out that suspension
seatposts add significant weight to a bike. Shortly after I
bought my Specialized Expedition the seatpost wiggled from
side to side. Because it was still under warrantee, my LBS
installed a non-suspension post in its place. This made my
ride even more stiff... so I wanted it replaced with a
suspension post. They ordered it, so by next week I should
be riding w/ seat-post suspension. Again, my Bridgestone
doesn't have suspension in either the forks or the
seatpost; I suppose that's why its lighter in spite of
having a steel frame.

Gosh, that Jamis Aurora sure looks sweet... but with the
price and the low handle bars I wouldn't be able to manage.
I slipped a disc in '86 and since then reaching and leaning
over is uncomfortable. Before that I had no problem riding a
roadbike...
=======

Original message: <snip> >> Do you (or anyone) know if there
is a significant weight difference between that and a non-
suspension post?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There is. You're adding the complication of all the
necessary springs and damping to what should otherwise be
a fairly simple part.

Why not go for something totally different? 700C wheels,
drop handlebars, no suspension. You know, a road bike. Or,
to be more precise, a tourer. If you must have CrMo steel,
the Jamis Aurora will fit the bill nicely. I picked mine
up for US$450, on clearance; they usually go for anywhere
between US$500-600. If the price is right, go with it.

Otherwise, go with a road bike, but insist on real wheels--
NOT stupidlite ones.

Be sure the bicycle fits, don't be bullied into riding
with the bars too low & saddle too high, remember that the
drops allow for *multiple* hand positions with easy access
to the brakes--and then go for a ride.

-Luigi

The Jamis Aurora is a terrific looking, but I'll have to
pass on it for the reasons I explained, in my last post, to
Luigi. However, you guys got me to thinking about Jamis'
other bikes... I see that there Coda Sport and Elite use
cromo frames and when the '05's come out I may be able to
get it at a good price. Anybody have any experience with
either of these bikes?

tinyurl.com343pkOpen ↗

tinyurl.com2gjoqOpen ↗

I'd have to swap-out the handle bars w/ something that has a
comfortable rise to them.

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

Quoted message said:

Luigi de Guzman said:

Or, to be more precise, a tourer. If you must have CrMo
steel, the Jamis Aurora will fit the bill nicely. I
picked mine up for US$450, on clearance; they usually go
for anywhere between US$500-600. If the price is right,
go with it.

Mine was $730 a few weeks ago. Still a good price and a
fabulous bike, though, IMO.

Reid

Glenn Civello said:

Thank you Luigi. It's good to find out that suspension
seatposts add significant weight to a bike. Shortly after I
bought my Specialized Expedition the seatpost wiggled from
side to side. Because it was still under warrantee, my LBS
installed a non-suspension post in its place. This made my
ride even more stiff... so I wanted it replaced with a
suspension post. They ordered it, so by next week I should
be riding w/ seat-post suspension. Again, my Bridgestone
doesn't have suspension in either the forks or the
seatpost; I suppose that's why its lighter in spite of
having a steel frame.

Gosh, that Jamis Aurora sure looks sweet... but with the
price and the low handle bars I wouldn't be able to manage.
I slipped a disc in '86 and since then reaching and leaning
over is uncomfortable. Before that I had no problem riding
a roadbike...

My handlebars are at about the same level as my saddle. I
don't lean over much, if at all, unless I'm riding deep in
the drops.

The marketing types insist that anything with dropped bars
must be shown set up for Miguel Indurain, with super-low
handlebars. This is [censored]; handlebar height is something that
you determine for yourself. After all, it isn't Big Mig
riding your bike, but you.

A decent shop should be able to accomodate your desire to
have the handlebars at around the same level as your saddle.

As far as price: I admit that I was stupendously lucky on
mine, but bargains can be had on similar bikes: REI Novara
Randonee, Fuji Touring, for instance.

=-Luigi

Quoted message said:

=======

Original message: <snip> >> Do you (or anyone) know if
there is a significant weight difference between that and a
non-suspension post?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There is. You're adding the complication of all the
necessary springs and damping to what should otherwise be
a fairly simple part.

Why not go for something totally different? 700C wheels,
drop handlebars, no suspension. You know, a road bike.
Or, to be more precise, a tourer. If you must have CrMo
steel, the Jamis Aurora will fit the bill nicely. I
picked mine up for US$450, on clearance; they usually go
for anywhere between US$500-600. If the price is right,
go with it.

Otherwise, go with a road bike, but insist on real wheels--
NOT stupidlite ones.

Be sure the bicycle fits, don't be bullied into riding
with the bars too low & saddle too high, remember that
the drops allow for *multiple* hand positions with easy
access to the brakes--and then go for a ride.

-Luigi

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Gosh, that Jamis Aurora sure looks sweet... but with the
price and the

low handle bars I wouldn't be able to manage. I slipped a
disc in '86 and since then reaching and leaning over is
uncomfortable. Before that I had no problem riding a
roadbike... >>>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My handlebars are at about the same level as my saddle. I
don't lean

over much, if at all, unless I'm riding deep in the drops.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The marketing types insist that anything with dropped
bars must be

shown set up for Miguel Indurain, with super-low
handlebars. This is [censored]; handlebar height is something
that you determine for yourself. After all, it isn't Big
Mig riding your bike, but you.>

I hear you Luigi but w/o trying out the bike I wouldn't take
the chance. The one bike shop that has the Jamis line won't
order it unless I buy it. He's got a Coda Elite in stock
that looks good to me, but its the frame is too small. He's
also carry's the Giant line but all are aluminum frames.
Other bike shops in the area carry Trek, Kona, and Fuji, and
Bianche (sp?) I'm pretty sure a Coda Elite or Coda Sport
would work out well, if I were able to change the flat
handlebars over to high-rise adjustable stem. I don't know
if that's possible though (I forgot to ask the bike
salesman) Also there a used bicycle shop in the area that
has a pretty good selection... unfortunately, most of the
frames are 19 inches or less. I need a 21"... 22" would be
better. I visit that shop regularly, figuring that if I can
something with a good frame I could upgrade the rest of the
parts. No luck so far.... I've been looking since April.
Thanks for all your help!

Quoted message said:

A decent shop should be able to accomodate your desire
to have the handlebars at around the same level as
your saddle.

As far as price: I admit that I was stupendously lucky on
mine, but bargains can be had on similar bikes: REI Novara
Randonee, Fuji Touring, for instance.

=-Luigi

Quoted message said:

=======

Original message: <snip> >> Do you (or anyone) know if
there is a significant weight difference between that and
a non-suspension post?

Quoted message said:

>

Quoted message said:

There is. You're adding the complication of all the
necessary springs and damping to what should otherwise
be a fairly simple part.

Why not go for something totally different? 700C
wheels, drop handlebars, no suspension. You know, a
road bike. Or, to be more precise, a tourer. If you
must have CrMo steel, the Jamis Aurora will fit the
bill nicely. I picked mine up for US$450, on clearance;
they usually go for anywhere between US$500-600. If the
price is right, go with it.

Otherwise, go with a road bike, but insist on real wheels--
NOT stupidlite ones.

Be sure the bicycle fits, don't be bullied into riding
with the bars too low & saddle too high, remember that
the drops allow for *multiple* hand positions with easy
access to the brakes--and then go for a ride.

-Luigi