On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 08:21:03 -0400, "Glenn Civello"
<
[email protected]> wrote:
>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.....
>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
>
>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.
>
>