Comfort bike as next step?

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2005-06-17 9:01 AM

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Subject: Comfort bike as next step?
Hi,

I am using a mountain bike now, and on a good day my pace with some hills is a bit over 15 miles per hour.

I'm pretty big, and think that my size without shocks would make a 'pure road' bike more likely to break, and I want something with more ride flexability anyway.

I'm looking at the Speciallized Crossroads XC Elite right now, it's a comfort bike with a road bike geometry.
It's street price is ~$650 which is as much as I could afford this year.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9613&bikeTab=tech...

I figure with the 700mm tires, more of a road bike position, higher max gearing, and some added aerobars I should be able to get 2 more miles per hour out almost right off the bat, and with training might be able to build up to 20+ over the next year.

If I wanted to damp the shocks down for a race I could, and with my cross section and weight the extra drag and weight isn't much of a issue.

What do you folks think?

2005-06-17 10:26 AM
in reply to: #176745

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Comfort bike as next step?
Just what do you mean by "pretty big"?  Road bikes are not as flimsy and weak as most people think.  I weigh in at 215 now, sometimes more, and have always ridden road bikes.  I have been riding my present aluminum bike since 1998 and it is still in one piece.  Certainly a hybrid will serve you better than a mountain bike for a triathlon but a road bike will serve you even better.  Talk to your local bike shop dealer to see what road bike would best suit you and your price range. 
2005-06-17 10:33 AM
in reply to: #176745

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Subject: RE: Comfort bike as next step?
6'6" and 360-370lbs, kinda a middle aged white fridge.

Edited by BigDave 2005-06-17 10:41 AM




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2005-06-17 11:26 AM
in reply to: #176745

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Champion
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20002000500100100100100
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: Comfort bike as next step?

Yes, a "middle-aged white fridge" looks to be just about right.  You are a big lad, no doubt of that.  Maybe a hybrid might be the ticket for you for now although I still think a road bike is better.  There are certainly road bikes built for guys your size but you have to look around.  Your best bet at this point is to go to a bike shop--a reputable one--and see what they would recommend for you.

2005-06-22 7:52 PM
in reply to: #176745

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Subject: RE: Comfort bike as next step?
Update,

After looking at my finances and the bikes at the local shop, I came to the two conclusions.

1) I can't afford a bike this year.
2) my best bet is a cyclocross bike next year.

The cyclocross bike I'm looking at is the 'Bianchi Volpe". It looks like a good combo for the price (under $850). One of the reason's I wasn't looking at cyclocross bikes before was the price, I really want to keep at as low as possible and have something I can use for a few years.

Does anyone have any experience with one?
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