[COLOR= #0000ff]Good morning to all my friendly, SUPER helpful buddies on here.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]After weeks of pestering you with "What's your opinion on this bike," and "Do you think this bike would work for me," and weeks of reading your great suggestions and links on components and brands, etc., I think maybe there's one more question I should ask before I settle down and actually pry some greenbacks out of Frugal Hubby's hands.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]If you had $700 to $1000 or so to spend, and wanted a comfortable bike for everyday use plus 2-3 very easy credit-card tours on mostly level terrain each year, what would you buy? [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]The bike should meet these criteria:[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]1) It has to be able to support a considerable amount of weight; like the weight of an NFL linebacker who at least is losing a couple pounds a week riding his bike. /img/vbsmilies/smilies/redface.gif[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]2) I'm also tall and long-legged. REI fitters said I need a 19" frame -- hard to find in women's bikes, but that's what I need.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]3) [/COLOR][COLOR= #0000ff] It must have 700c tires at least 28 wide.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]4) Please keep in mind that it will never be used for racing or mountain biking, so super speeds and the ability to climb steep hills aren't nearly as important as comfort and dependability. Really! Because if I ever start to morph into Lance Armstrong or develop a craving to climb the Alps on a bike, I'll buy a different one at that point. [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]5) If it doesn't have internal gear hubs or handlebars that permit an upright riding position (because of a previously broken back), those will probably be changed out at some point. But we will do that for the right bike -- or not, if the bike turns out to be great without those changes. [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]6) If after you bought the bike you would change certain components in it, please let me know that too.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you for your help so far. Once I actually get this bike bought, I will stop pestering you with what-bike-to-buy questions, and start pestering you with how-can-I-be-a-better-biker questions, lol... but there should be fewer of them, because I should be spending a lot more time actually out RIDING the thing! /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]I can't wait to see what y'all would buy![/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]Happy pedaling![/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]Sierra[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]After weeks of pestering you with "What's your opinion on this bike," and "Do you think this bike would work for me," and weeks of reading your great suggestions and links on components and brands, etc., I think maybe there's one more question I should ask before I settle down and actually pry some greenbacks out of Frugal Hubby's hands.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]If you had $700 to $1000 or so to spend, and wanted a comfortable bike for everyday use plus 2-3 very easy credit-card tours on mostly level terrain each year, what would you buy? [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]The bike should meet these criteria:[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]1) It has to be able to support a considerable amount of weight; like the weight of an NFL linebacker who at least is losing a couple pounds a week riding his bike. /img/vbsmilies/smilies/redface.gif[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]2) I'm also tall and long-legged. REI fitters said I need a 19" frame -- hard to find in women's bikes, but that's what I need.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]3) [/COLOR][COLOR= #0000ff] It must have 700c tires at least 28 wide.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]4) Please keep in mind that it will never be used for racing or mountain biking, so super speeds and the ability to climb steep hills aren't nearly as important as comfort and dependability. Really! Because if I ever start to morph into Lance Armstrong or develop a craving to climb the Alps on a bike, I'll buy a different one at that point. [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]5) If it doesn't have internal gear hubs or handlebars that permit an upright riding position (because of a previously broken back), those will probably be changed out at some point. But we will do that for the right bike -- or not, if the bike turns out to be great without those changes. [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]6) If after you bought the bike you would change certain components in it, please let me know that too.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you for your help so far. Once I actually get this bike bought, I will stop pestering you with what-bike-to-buy questions, and start pestering you with how-can-I-be-a-better-biker questions, lol... but there should be fewer of them, because I should be spending a lot more time actually out RIDING the thing! /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]I can't wait to see what y'all would buy![/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]Happy pedaling![/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]Sierra[/COLOR]