Hello All,
This is my second day on cycling forums and my first post. It's also my second year cycling. I bought a cheap mountain bike at Wal-Mart at the beginning of last summer because I was looking for some kind of exercise that was not as boring as a treadmill and easier on my feet (bad arches) than running or walking. I figure $99.95 was not a bad price to pay just to see if I would like it.
Anyway, now I'm hooked and am ready to buy a more serious bike. Here is what I have in mind and am hoping for some feedback and advice:
I ride to and from work (not a long commute, only about 3 miles one way), and do a lot of riding just for the sheer pleasure of exploration. I also want to tour, maybe some light touring later this summer and something more serious next year. The idea of century riding appeals to me also. But I also have a couple friends who have lighter road bikes that would like me to come along with them occasionally and maybe more.
Ideally I would like to have 2 bikes. One for commuting and touring and one for just getting out there and riding. BUT that is not an option. I must stick with one bike and I want to get the right one now so I don’t have to worry about changing or upgrading too soon. I would like to have something comfortable and not TOO slow for daily commuting and "sight seeing" that will also be able to handle touring when I get more into it. I also want to know that I can hold my own in an occasional century ride and to be able to ride with my friends and their road bikes without slowing them down TOO awful much. I would like to spend around $700 but am prepared to spend up to $1100 if I need too.
Just based on things I’ve found on the internet I’m thinking about looking into the Trek 520, Jamis Nova or Aurora, Fuji Touring or Giant OCR Touring.
Any thoughts on these given my funky criteria? Any advice on what I should ask the dealers and any advice on equipment swapping for the kind of riding I want to do? Naturally I will try out some different bikes, but I want to go into the shops with at least a little knowledge so I don’t get taken advantage of.
I would appreciate as much or as little advice as anyone would care to share. Also, can anyone recommend a reputable dealer in the Toledo, Ohio area or is that a no no on these boards?
This is my second day on cycling forums and my first post. It's also my second year cycling. I bought a cheap mountain bike at Wal-Mart at the beginning of last summer because I was looking for some kind of exercise that was not as boring as a treadmill and easier on my feet (bad arches) than running or walking. I figure $99.95 was not a bad price to pay just to see if I would like it.
Anyway, now I'm hooked and am ready to buy a more serious bike. Here is what I have in mind and am hoping for some feedback and advice:
I ride to and from work (not a long commute, only about 3 miles one way), and do a lot of riding just for the sheer pleasure of exploration. I also want to tour, maybe some light touring later this summer and something more serious next year. The idea of century riding appeals to me also. But I also have a couple friends who have lighter road bikes that would like me to come along with them occasionally and maybe more.
Ideally I would like to have 2 bikes. One for commuting and touring and one for just getting out there and riding. BUT that is not an option. I must stick with one bike and I want to get the right one now so I don’t have to worry about changing or upgrading too soon. I would like to have something comfortable and not TOO slow for daily commuting and "sight seeing" that will also be able to handle touring when I get more into it. I also want to know that I can hold my own in an occasional century ride and to be able to ride with my friends and their road bikes without slowing them down TOO awful much. I would like to spend around $700 but am prepared to spend up to $1100 if I need too.
Just based on things I’ve found on the internet I’m thinking about looking into the Trek 520, Jamis Nova or Aurora, Fuji Touring or Giant OCR Touring.
Any thoughts on these given my funky criteria? Any advice on what I should ask the dealers and any advice on equipment swapping for the kind of riding I want to do? Naturally I will try out some different bikes, but I want to go into the shops with at least a little knowledge so I don’t get taken advantage of.
I would appreciate as much or as little advice as anyone would care to share. Also, can anyone recommend a reputable dealer in the Toledo, Ohio area or is that a no no on these boards?
