Good bike for starting off

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Date: 31 Oct 2007 23:53:51
From: em
Subject: Good bike for starting off

Hi,

I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really rode
it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose some
weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like its
harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those big
knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I really don't
like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been getting kind of
sore.

Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to be
taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to an hour
a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.

Thanks!!

Mike

Date: 10 Nov 2007 11:49:39
From:
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On Nov 1, 1:53 am, "em" <i...@dun.no > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really rode
> it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose some
> weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like its
> harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those big
> knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I really don't
> like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been getting kind of
> sore.
>
> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to be
> taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to an hour
> a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> Mike

even though i love road bike, mountain bike or hybrids are easier and
more fun for starters. the road bike rides to harsh and will kill your
back at the begging. mountain bikes are easier on your back
you can get awesome deal on ebay. i recommend you go with big names,
not cheap bikes. for $200 you can get an awesome giant, specialized or
trek in very good condition
regards,
carlos
www.bikingthings.com
Get Faster, Enjoy Cycling, Get Fit, Live Better.

Date: 07 Nov 2007 12:54:02
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Bill Sornson wrote:

> Bill "old joke about Americans: put junk in garage and $40,000 cars out
> in the elements" S.

It's not just Americans either...

Date: 02 Nov 2007 14:37:56
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On Nov 2, 10:52 am, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com > wrote:
> "nmp" <addr...@is.invalid> wrote in message
>
> news:472aee55$0$226$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...
>
> > Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>
> > [..]
> >>> But for your purpose, any bike will do.
>
> >> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
> >> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.
>
> > That is also what I meant with "any bike will do". You don't have to have
> > a specific type of bicycle to go cycling.
>
> That's still not quite right. Some may, in fact, *need* a specific type of
> bike to motivate them to ride. What we don't know is what type of bike that
> will be. The bike that's just hanging around may not have that spark that
> encourages someone to ride.

And it doesn't provide the LBS with a new bike sale, either. And all
those absolutely necessary accessories.......

> Sometimes the bike can be perfectly fine, a
> perfect match for the riding opportunities in the area, but it doesn't
> matter, it's not new & exciting and has a dull paint job so it just sits,
> while a new bike might not. Yeah, sure, people are shallow sometimes.
>

Slow season at the bike shop? ;-)

Date: 02 Nov 2007 21:10:13
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

> "nmp" <address@is.invalid> wrote in message
> news:472aee55$0$226$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...
>> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>>
>> [..]
>>>> But for your purpose, any bike will do.
>>>
>>> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
>>> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.
>>
>> That is also what I meant with "any bike will do". You don't have to
>> have a specific type of bicycle to go cycling.
>
> That's still not quite right. Some may, in fact, *need* a specific type
> of bike to motivate them to ride.

We are not in disagreement in case you thought so. It's perhaps due to my
lousy English skills, to which I will readily confess, that we have this
misunderstanding.

When I say "you don't have to have a specific type" I mean there is no
prescriptive requirement, be-shunned-by-society-if-you-disobey sort of
need to have some type of bicycle to start riding on roads. Literally:
any bike will do. Just pick one you like. You are free.

You don't need that advice. The OP probably does not need that advice.
But I thought I should mention it anyway because there are people who do
think that way.

All the rest of the advice was meant to show the OP some ways how to make
his current bike more comfortable for him. He didn't seem *too* unhappy
with his bike. If a few minor inexpensive modifications would make the
bike really perfect for him, why not?

Or if he finds, after the mods and some riding experience, that he does
want another, well... At least he will have *two* nice bikes ;)

Date: 02 Nov 2007 05:34:39
From: em
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Thanks, everyone, for all the comments and suggestions. There are some good
trails to ride around here in Palos Verdes, California. Some really nice
scenery. I'm going to try a few of these before switch out the tires on my
bike. It may be that I enjoy trail riding enough to keep my mountain bike
the way it is and then buy a street bike. Too bad none of these trails are
within reasonable biking distance, I'll have to drive my bike out there,
ride, drive back... -- Mike

"em" <i@dun.no > wrote in message news:5KeWi.25$zN3.0@newsfe14.phx...
> Hi,
>
> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really
> rode it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose
> some weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like
> its harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those big
> knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I really
> don't like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been getting
> kind of sore.
>
> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to be
> taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to an
> hour a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> Mike

Date: 02 Nov 2007 09:31:01
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

[..]
>> But for your purpose, any bike will do.
>
> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.

That is also what I meant with "any bike will do". You don't have to have
a specific type of bicycle to go cycling.

Date: 02 Nov 2007 16:52:43
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

"nmp" <address@is.invalid > wrote in message
news:472aee55$0$226$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...
> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>
> [..]
>>> But for your purpose, any bike will do.
>>
>> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
>> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.
>
> That is also what I meant with "any bike will do". You don't have to have
> a specific type of bicycle to go cycling.

That's still not quite right. Some may, in fact, *need* a specific type of
bike to motivate them to ride. What we don't know is what type of bike that
will be. The bike that's just hanging around may not have that spark that
encourages someone to ride. Sometimes the bike can be perfectly fine, a
perfect match for the riding opportunities in the area, but it doesn't
matter, it's not new & exciting and has a dull paint job so it just sits,
while a new bike might not. Yeah, sure, people are shallow sometimes.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Date: 02 Nov 2007 00:00:57
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

landotter wrote:

> http://www.rei.com/product/629508

People who are not familiar with that type of handlebar, please note that
the picture is upside-down.

On a bike, it should look like this:
<http://surlyville.net/harvw/lht/lht-069.jpg >
Or this:
<http://cybrmarc.tripod.com/bike/hbars.jpg >

Minus the mirror, perhaps...

> http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?
SKU=2311&subcategory_ID=5425
>
> or just start fresh with a good basic bike:
>
> http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/commuter1.html

That looks like a nice bike and may well be a very good option. But if it
were mine I would throw away the "suspension" seat post. As far out of
sight as possible.

Date: 01 Nov 2007 16:42:09
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On Nov 1, 5:42 pm, Ozark Bicycle
<bicycleatel...@ozarkbicycleservice.com > wrote:
> On Nov 1, 9:40 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Nov 1, 1:53 am, "em" <i...@dun.no> wrote:
>
> > > Hi,
>
> > > I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really rode
> > > it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose some
> > > weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like its
> > > harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those big
> > > knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I really don't
> > > like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been getting kind of
> > > sore.
>
> > > Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to be
> > > taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to an hour
> > > a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.
>
> > > Thanks!!
>
> > > Mike
>
> >http://www.rei.com/product/629508http://www.performancebike.com/shop/......
>
> > or just start fresh with a good basic bike:
>
> >http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/commuter1.html
>
> That Jamis is such a nice, sensible bike for commuting. And, a good
> deal for under $300. But, will it sell, or will the Wannabe Snobs
> denigrate it as a "fred bike"? (After all, every real Wannabe knows a
> commuter should have a plastic fork, drop bars, a ten speed freehub
> and low spoke count wheels. Oh, and a fanciful name; "Commuter 1.0" is
> so utilitarian.)

I'm tellin' ya! Even those luxe comfy handlebars will be derided as
"grandmotherly"! Thing is, that's the sort of bike I recommend or help
build up for folks wanting to start riding again--something stupidly
simple that can be ridden in pretty much whatever clothes you're
wearing right now. They'll ask about where to ride and what distance,
and I'll just tell them to get a rack and bags/basket and fetch
something delicious from the other side of the river. My weakness are
ahi tuna medallions, which require a 15 mile round trip. Exercise? Not
at all, it's just a simple ride to the store.

I do like the simple single ring mit Megarange system. 7 speed is
incredibly non-fussy, and it's linear up or down with no perplexing
2nd set of rings to think about or front derailleur to rub--as they
always do on cheap bikes that click and can't trim.

That Jamis with fenders and a rack is pretty much a modern Raleigh
Sports. Good stuff. People deride such practicality, till they see it
being used. Like when I first decked out my Kona with racks, fenders,
bags, and bungees galore--the LBS guys deemed it fredly--but then I
stopped in on a cold wet day with 30# of detritus in the bags and a
six pack bungeed up front and everybody got all "dude, I need that!"
on me. Even the LBS's owner's wife got in on the game demanding of her
husband, "honey, this is good, you need to sell them like this."

Date: 01 Nov 2007 15:42:32
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On Nov 1, 9:40 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com > wrote:
> On Nov 1, 1:53 am, "em" <i...@dun.no> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hi,
>
> > I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really rode
> > it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose some
> > weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like its
> > harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those big
> > knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I really don't
> > like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been getting kind of
> > sore.
>
> > Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to be
> > taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to an hour
> > a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.
>
> > Thanks!!
>
> > Mike
>
> http://www.rei.com/product/629508http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2311&subcategory_...
>
> or just start fresh with a good basic bike:
>
> http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/commuter1.html

That Jamis is such a nice, sensible bike for commuting. And, a good
deal for under $300. But, will it sell, or will the Wannabe Snobs
denigrate it as a "fred bike"? (After all, every real Wannabe knows a
commuter should have a plastic fork, drop bars, a ten speed freehub
and low spoke count wheels. Oh, and a fanciful name; "Commuter 1.0" is
so utilitarian.)

Date: 01 Nov 2007 14:39:11
From: Matt O'Toole
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:53:51 -0700, em wrote:

> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really
> rode it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose
> some weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like
> its harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those
> big knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I
> really don't like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been
> getting kind of sore.
>
> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to
> be taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to
> an hour a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.

The best bike for starting off is the one you already have!

If your neck and lower back are sore, you're probably too hunched over,
and need to raise your handlebars.

Some soreness after not riding for awhile is normal. But if it doesn't go
away after a few rides, then you need to address the fit issue. A
good bike shop can help you with this. You may need a new stem or
extender to raise your bars enough, etc.

Replacing your knobbies with a good set of slicks will make a world of
difference in pedaling effort. You'll feel like you can ride two gears
higher.

If you're finding it difficult to pedal up steep hills, then stick with
the mountain bike for now. Road bike gearing is taller, with smaller gaps
between gears. Of course you can put taller or lower gearing on any bike.

It wouldn't hurt to go to a bike shop and try a few different bikes though.

Most people are more comfortable on mountain bikes or hybrids at first,
but find road bikes more comfortable later as they become fitter and
faster. Drop bars do give more hand positions for long rides, but the
aerodynamics don't come into play until you can comfortably maintain
speeds over 15 MPH. Until then, a mountain bike with appropriate tires
and gearing is just as fast.

Finally, keeping your hamstrings and lower back stretched will help a lot
with your lower back soreness. Stretch before riding if you can, but
you'll make the most progress after riding, when your muscles are
thoroughly warm. Work on it between rides too.

Matt O.

Date: 01 Nov 2007 12:10:53
From: David L. Johnson
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

em wrote:

> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road?

Hmm. Consider what you wrote. Of course a road bike is better for
riding on the road. Mountain bikes, with their knobby tires,
suspensions, flat bars, etc., are meant for riding on trails. All that
stuff makes trail riding more comfortable, and easier. But it just gets
in the way on the road. Suspensions are no help on the road, and are
heavy. Knobby tires really slow you down on the road compared to smooth
ones. Everything special about the design of a mountain bike is either
just unnecessary on the road, or is a real impediment.

On the other hand, a road bike will not help your back. If the mountain
bike feels like you are too bent over, a road bike would be even more
so. Consider these options:

Hybrid bikes are better on the road than mountain bikes, and they have
the upright bars (not just flat ones) that would be easier on your back.
they are not as good on the road as a road bike, though. They are a
compromise between road and mountain design, and fall short on both
ends. Hybrids are best for smoothish trails.

A road bike with the bars adjusted rather high, above the seat level,
might also work for you. It would have all of the advantages of a road
bike, and, if you get fit properly to the bike (very important) should
be good for your body as well.

--

David L. Johnson

When you are up to your ass in alligators, it's hard to remember that
your initial objective was to drain the swamp.
-- LBJ

Date: 01 Nov 2007 08:40:12
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On Nov 1, 1:53 am, "em" <i...@dun.no > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really rode
> it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose some
> weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like its
> harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those big
> knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I really don't
> like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been getting kind of
> sore.
>
> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to be
> taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to an hour
> a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> Mike

http://www.rei.com/product/629508
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2311&subcategory_ID=5425

or just start fresh with a good basic bike:

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/commuter1.html

Date: 01 Nov 2007 08:38:46
From: Dana Myers
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

em wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really
> rode it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose
> some weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like
> its harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those
> big knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I
> really don't like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been
> getting kind of sore.

As others have pointed out, the neck and lower back soreness could be
addressed by having a proper fitting done, first by getting the bar
height right, then the seat height. When you first got this bike, did
the shop adjust it specifically for you, or did you assemble it
yourself?

Also, as others have pointed out, some of the soreness may just be
because you've started riding again and are working out muscles that
haven't been active. It's still worth a visit to an LBS to have the
bike fit checked-out.

As for the knobby tires, it's true that what works best off the pavement
won't be best on the pavement. The first thing I'd suggest is checking
the tire pressure frequently, and inflating the tires to the maximum
pressure when riding on pavement. This might make a big difference
by itself. Otherwise, you can get a set of "slick" tires for $40 or
so and swap them on yourself (if you can repair a flat, you can swap
your tires) and you may be really surprised the difference that makes.

A road bike will let you ride faster/farther on pavement, absolutely.
However, you're looking at an hour a day, I don't think you should
complicate your life more than you need to. A road bike will let you
go farther/faster/longer but that doesn't sound like what you're looking
for right now.

Dana

Date: 01 Nov 2007 13:26:52
From: JP
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

"em" <i@dun.no > wrote in message news:5KeWi.25$zN3.0@newsfe14.phx...
> Hi,
>
> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really
> rode it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose
> some weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like
> its harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those big
> knobby tires, I don't care too much for the gear ratios, and I really
> don't like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have been getting
> kind of sore.
>
> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to be
> taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to an
> hour a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> Mike

Road bikes are easier to ride on the road.
Knobby tires and suspension both suck away
pedaling efficiency, straight handlebars don't offer
any real hand placement options.

All around road bikes are not necessarily racers
though it can be hard to find one in a bike shop.

Neck and lower back pain can indicate that the handlebars are too low,
especially as one gets older.

I held off for a year debating the same thing,
should I put slicks on my mountain bike, etc?
Then I got a road bike. No comparison.
If you are going to ride, get a road bike.
If this is a temporary exercise thing do what you can to raise the bars for
now.

JP

Date: 01 Nov 2007 14:51:55
From: Matt O'Toole
Subject: MTBs vs. road bikes, was Re: Good bike for starting off

On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:26:52 +0000, JP wrote:

> "em" <i@dun.no> wrote in message news:5KeWi.25$zN3.0@newsfe14.phx...

>> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road? I'm not going to
>> be taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would like to work up to
>> an hour a day of reasonably intense up and down hill riding.

> Road bikes are easier to ride on the road. Knobby tires and suspension
> both suck away pedaling efficiency,

Tires do make a huge difference, but the power-sucking effect of
suspension is greatly overblown. Though world class mountain bikers do
use lockouts, many of them don't, and it doesn't slow them down any.

Personally, I don't find there's any difference, except when sprinting out
of the saddle, which I rarely do anyway.

I'm perfectly comfortable on club road rides on my mountain bike up to
about 18 MPH on the flats, 16 MPH average over hill and dale. After that
I get dropped. But it's not the suspension holding me back. It's the
draggy tires, the gappy gearing, and the poor aerodynamics. On long rides
I suffer from the lack of hand positions too.

Matt O.

Date: 01 Nov 2007 13:38:29
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: MTBs vs. road bikes, was Re: Good bike for starting off

Matt O'Toole wrote:
> ...
>
> Tires do make a huge difference, but the power-sucking effect of
> suspension is greatly overblown. Though world class mountain bikers do
> use lockouts, many of them don't, and it doesn't slow them down any.
>
> Personally, I don't find there's any difference, except when sprinting out
> of the saddle, which I rarely do anyway.
>
> I'm perfectly comfortable on club road rides on my mountain bike up to
> about 18 MPH on the flats, 16 MPH average over hill and dale. After that
> I get dropped. But it's not the suspension holding me back. It's the
> draggy tires, the gappy gearing, and the poor aerodynamics. On long rides
> I suffer from the lack of hand positions too.
>
>

I believe that the physics of the two give you a little more weight on
the front end of a road bike which, for me, makes it more stable. That
is the only other thing that occurred to me after I wrote my earlier note.

I don't remember whether the OP mentioned that he had suspension or not.
Some people love it, others don't mind it, but I didn't feel that I
needed suspension at all on my mountain bike the short time I had it
mainly because I ride on the road all the time. I didn't bother locking
it out as I was transitioning to road bikes anyway. I would probably
enjoy riding a mountain bike with no suspension, if I had one, but I
don't have one at the moment.

Date: 01 Nov 2007 09:48:33
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

JP wrote:
>
>
> Road bikes are easier to ride on the road.
> Knobby tires and suspension both suck away
> pedaling efficiency, straight handlebars don't offer
> any real hand placement options.
>
> All around road bikes are not necessarily racers
> though it can be hard to find one in a bike shop.
>
> Neck and lower back pain can indicate that the handlebars are too low,
> especially as one gets older.
>
> I held off for a year debating the same thing,
> should I put slicks on my mountain bike, etc?
> Then I got a road bike. No comparison.
> If you are going to ride, get a road bike.
> If this is a temporary exercise thing do what you can to raise the bars for
> now.
>
>

Great advice. Make sure that cycling is what you want to do before
making a big $$$ investment. You can do a lot with the bike you have,
most likely, for not very much money.

The road vs mtn bike contrasts for me inspired me go all road. Road
bikes are lighter, so easier to get up to speed, more options for hand
positions and generally have good gears for me. The road bike
"negatives" of a hard saddle and rougher ride are not a big deal to me.
There are some options in between, called hybrids, etc. Do your
homework and check them all out before you buy anything. What you have
may be quite suitable for a long time. You can also find bike rental
places and/or borrow road bikes to see if you like them.

If your old bike has been sitting around and you're not a mechanic,
consider getting it cleaned up and lubed at a local shop. Often this
can make your old ride quite tolerable while you are deciding things.
Good luck.

Date: 01 Nov 2007 12:57:20
From: bluezfolk
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Date: 01 Nov 2007 11:20:51
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

em wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really
> rode it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose
> some weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like
> its harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those
> big knobby tires,

You can easily replace them with some big slick tires. You will love
those.

> I don't care too much for the gear ratios,

What's wrong with them? Not going fast enough on descents? ;)

> and I really don't like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have
> been getting kind of sore.

Some of that may be due to not really being used to riding. If that is
the case, it will go away.

But perhaps you should be visiting a bike shop where they can have a look
at your posture. Because your bike may well be adjustable to suit you and
your riding style better.

For instance, a straight mountain bike handlebar gives good control on
tehcnical trails, but it stinks for doing much else. So your bike shop
may want to suggest curved bars, or "butterfly" bars. And perhaps throw
in an adjustable handlebar stem. A slightly more upright position may
make all the difference.

> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road?

What everybody here calls a road bike is really a road *racing* bike.
Light, strong, agressive geometry, tine little saddles. They are indeed
better (that is, faster) for riding races. But for your purpose, any bike
will do.

> I'm not going to be taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would
> like to work up to an hour a day of reasonably intense up and down hill
> riding.

I have read (here? bikeforums?) that three hours of light training may
help lose weight better than one hour of intense training. I do not
remember the exact argument, just that it seemed to make sense.

Either way, your climbing up and down the hills is going to make your
legs very strong. This will happen before you know it.

Date: 02 Nov 2007 00:24:35
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

>> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road?
>
> What everybody here calls a road bike is really a road *racing* bike.
> Light, strong, agressive geometry, tine little saddles. They are indeed
> better (that is, faster) for riding races.

Such bikes are preferred by many for just about anything involving
reasonably-well-paved roads and not carrying heavy loads. Rarely are such
bikes used for "racing" but neither are they used inappropriately. If
someone wants to cover longer distances quickly & comfortably, they may be
just the ticket.

But the category of "road" bike has broadened (and, to some extent,
"mellowed") considerably. Using Trek as an example, off of their '08 road
bikes below $1800 are now 3cm taller at the front end (handlebars) than an
off-the-shelf "road" bike of yesteryear (a 5200 or Madone 5.2, for example).
And many allow use of tires up to 32c width. Thus a "road" bike can
accomodate a wider range of riding style (and even rider weight) than was
previously the case. Or maybe not, because traditionally "road" bike simply
meant a bike with drop handlebars, and those have come in many shapes &
sizes for quite some time. It's only recently that some have trailed to
confine it to a very narrow range of machine.

Gearing is another example of "road" bikes that aren't geared (so to speak)
for racing. The number of racers using triple cranks approaches zero, yet
most "road" bikes offer triple chainrings as a standard feature these days.

This is not to say that a touring or commute-oriented bike, or perhaps even
a hybrid, might not be the most-appropriate style of bike for how someone
plans to ride. Such bikes will carry heavier loads, be more stable on bad
pavement, and usually offer a more-upright seating position.

> But for your purpose, any bike
> will do.

In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to them
to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage. The bike that
gets them thinking about all the possible places they might go. Basically,
the bike that, for a variety of reasons, gets ridden more. That will be a
different bike for different people, even people in similar situations. It
might be a more expensive bike, it might be less expensive. In some cases,
it can even be because it looks better than another bike. I used to think
that was silly, but I've gotten over that. If there's something about a bike
that motivates someone to ride, great!

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

"nmp" <address@is.invalid > wrote in message
news:4729b693$0$242$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...
> em wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I just pulled my mountain bike out of long-term storage. I never really
>> rode it a lot but I'm motivated to do so now. (Doc says I have to lose
>> some weight before surgery.) Its a nice bike, I guess, but it feels like
>> its harder to ride on the road than it really should be. Its got those
>> big knobby tires,
>
> You can easily replace them with some big slick tires. You will love
> those.
>
>> I don't care too much for the gear ratios,
>
> What's wrong with them? Not going fast enough on descents? ;)
>
>> and I really don't like for the posture -- my neck and lower back have
>> been getting kind of sore.
>
> Some of that may be due to not really being used to riding. If that is
> the case, it will go away.
>
> But perhaps you should be visiting a bike shop where they can have a look
> at your posture. Because your bike may well be adjustable to suit you and
> your riding style better.
>
> For instance, a straight mountain bike handlebar gives good control on
> tehcnical trails, but it stinks for doing much else. So your bike shop
> may want to suggest curved bars, or "butterfly" bars. And perhaps throw
> in an adjustable handlebar stem. A slightly more upright position may
> make all the difference.
>
>> Is a road bike really much better to ride on the road?
>
> What everybody here calls a road bike is really a road *racing* bike.
> Light, strong, agressive geometry, tine little saddles. They are indeed
> better (that is, faster) for riding races. But for your purpose, any bike
> will do.
>
>> I'm not going to be taking day-long bike rides any time soon. I would
>> like to work up to an hour a day of reasonably intense up and down hill
>> riding.
>
> I have read (here? bikeforums?) that three hours of light training may
> help lose weight better than one hour of intense training. I do not
> remember the exact argument, just that it seemed to make sense.
>
> Either way, your climbing up and down the hills is going to make your
> legs very strong. This will happen before you know it.

Date: 05 Nov 2007 21:59:54
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.

In the GARAGE?!? That's OK for mountain bikes, /maybe/, but everyone knows
that road bikes belong in the living or dining room (corner reserved for all
the associated clutter like tires, tubes, parts, gloves, headbands, arm
warmers...).

Bill "the Mad One would not share space with a car" S.

Date: 06 Nov 2007 10:14:09
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

> Bill "the Mad One would not share space with a car" S.

Who said anything about a car in the garage? Seriously. We have maybe 6
bikes in the garage, plus all manner of other bike stuff. What would a car
be doing in there?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me > wrote in message
news:473002dd$0$32489$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>
>> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
>> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.
>
> In the GARAGE?!? That's OK for mountain bikes, /maybe/, but everyone
> knows that road bikes belong in the living or dining room (corner reserved
> for all the associated clutter like tires, tubes, parts, gloves,
> headbands, arm warmers...).
>
> Bill "the Mad One would not share space with a car" S.
>

Date: 06 Nov 2007 10:34:05
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>> Bill "the Mad One would not share space with a car" S.

> Who said anything about a car in the garage? Seriously. We have maybe
> 6 bikes in the garage, plus all manner of other bike stuff. What
> would a car be doing in there?

Well, if it's heated and carpeted, then I guess you're OK. :-P

Bill "old joke about Americans: put junk in garage and $40,000 cars out in
the elements" S.

{rest left for context}
> --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
> www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
>
>
> "Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote in message
> news:473002dd$0$32489$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>>
>>> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out
>>> to them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.
>>
>> In the GARAGE?!? That's OK for mountain bikes, /maybe/, but everyone
>> knows that road bikes belong in the living or dining room (corner
>> reserved for all the associated clutter like tires, tubes, parts,
>> gloves, headbands, arm warmers...).
>>
>> Bill "the Mad One would not share space with a car" S.

Date: 06 Nov 2007 09:48:15
From: Dana Myers
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Bill Sornson wrote:
> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>
>> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
>> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.
>
> In the GARAGE?!? That's OK for mountain bikes, /maybe/, but everyone knows
> that road bikes belong in the living or dining room (corner reserved for all
> the associated clutter like tires, tubes, parts, gloves, headbands, arm
> warmers...).

Heh. That's funny. My road bike does indeed live
in the "front" room, and the MTB in the garage. My wife
doesn't even complain as long as I keep the tires/tubes/gloves/
shoes out of the front room (they're in my home office).

Dana

Date: 06 Nov 2007 06:30:47
From: Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

Bill Sornson wrote:
> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>
>> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to
>> them to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage.
>
> In the GARAGE?!? That's OK for mountain bikes, /maybe/, but everyone knows
> that road bikes belong in the living or dining room (corner reserved for all
> the associated clutter like tires, tubes, parts, gloves, headbands, arm
> warmers...).

At least one bicycle should be kept in the bedroom.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
Tradition is the worst rational for action.

Date: 06 Nov 2007 02:19:38
From: Rex Kerr
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On 2007-11-02, Mike Jacoubowsky <MikeJ@ChainReaction.com > wrote:
> In my opinion, the best bike for someone is the one that calls out to them
> to go for a ride, every time they go past it in the garage. The bike that
> gets them thinking about all the possible places they might go. Basically,
> the bike that, for a variety of reasons, gets ridden more. That will be a
> different bike for different people, even people in similar situations. It
> might be a more expensive bike, it might be less expensive. In some cases,
> it can even be because it looks better than another bike. I used to think
> that was silly, but I've gotten over that. If there's something about a bike
> that motivates someone to ride, great!

I second that! My problem is the loud chorus of screams every time I
go into my garage. RIDE ME!! NO, TAKE ME OUT!!! PLEASE, CAN I
GO?!?!? Then there's the whole issue of placating the ones
that you don't choose for this particular ride! Last Friday my
favorite (and cheapest BTW) bike was yelling out to me quite loudly,
but I wasn't sure how hilly the road was that I'd be riding, so I had
to pass (it's a fixed gear, and a 60 mile ride!)... I could have
ridden one of the other bikes that was waiting patiently to be ridden,
but then I'd have had to move my pedals and some bags for tools... so
I settled for the one that's been ridden the most lately (the heavy
Trek 520 with full fenders/racks/lights/etc.) Didn't regret it, that's
for sure, but the others were crying when I left...

As for thinking of places that I might go... isn't that how we
evaluate everywhere we go/are?

Date: 01 Nov 2007 14:54:57
From: Matt O'Toole
Subject: Re: Good bike for starting off

On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:20:51 +0000, nmp wrote:

> I have read (here? bikeforums?) that three hours of light training may
> help lose weight better than one hour of intense training. I do not
> remember the exact argument, just that it seemed to make sense.

This is actually true. LSD (long, slow, distance) is better for building
a base of fitness and burning fat. Thus the importance of being
comfortable on your bike!

Matt O.