mikeprime said:I have been mtn. biking for several years, and after riding my friends
road bike for the first time(and a broken collarbone as a result of the
mtn. bike), decided I would like to get a road bike. I plan to do both,
and have been looking for a bike for a few months. My cousin-in-law
offered me his 1998 Trek Y77 Foil for $800 with Dura-ace group, shoes
and a helmet, and from what I've read online, it seems to be a good
bike, and a good price. Having never ridden on the road before, will
this be hard to learn on? Also, what size is right for some one 5'9"
(175 cm)? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
"Whatever you ride, ride it hard."
Mike
Y-foils handle just like conventional frames; their steering
geometry is nothing unusual. With the cantilever beam holding the
seat, you get some suspension effect for the saddle. One slight
difference I've noticed is that if you use pedals with lots of
rotational float, like Speedplay (non-Zero type), it's easy to
have your heel brush the upper rear stays, what would be called
the seat stays on a diamond frame. With low-float pedals it's not
a problem.
Whether you like the unusual looks is obviously just personal taste.
The frames are maybe a pound heavier than most new carbon frames,
which barely matters unless you're racing uphill. It is supposedly
one of the lower-drag (aerodynamic) frames around. If you want to
compete in races, it's not UCI-legal, and in the US, it's USCF-legal
for domestic races, but only until Jan 1, 2007, when the USCF adopts
UCI rules.
Fit depends on more than just your height. Try to find someone
locally who can help you. To some extent, you can change stems and
seat position to dial in the fit, but you don't want a way under or
over-size frame. $800 sounds like a good price, assuming you like
the bike, it's in good condition, and the right size. Other people
will tend to think the bike is either really cool or really strange
and ugly. They aren't very common.
Dave Lehnen
