The Official MS Bike Talk Thread - motors need not apply

I have a few pics. It really wasn't a picture taking opportunity at my house. Too far along in the route and people were spread way out. I missed the first guy to go by. The next two pairs were about 2 minutes behind, then 2 more minutes.

Mike I got your team/group but I'm not sure I got you in the picture. I'll get them uploaded some day soon. You were def in the 1st third of riders. I was going to get the SUBARU banner we have in service at Evergreen but I forgot to snag it before I left work Saturday. So I just parked the car at the end of the driveway. Its the only thing I could think of.

For the second time this season I got to see a race. Its pretty inspiring and exciting watching soooo many go by. The race earlier this summer was a shorter one which also went by my neighborhood. Packs of 20-40 were going by then. This time the largest pack was 10, but its understandable due to the extreme distance my vantage point was in this ride. Being at mile 59 I got to see some pretty beat up riders. Many were happy to see us supporting way out there in redneckville. Some pretty ladies were very cheery too. haha. Well, I was so excited about the big 50 & 100 miler I thought about getting back into riding. I used to build bikes in the late 80s, Cannondales mostly. And I did triathlons in 86 and 88. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be back out there, passing all you young whipper-snappers.
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pics soon!

 
Thanks for hanging out and cheering Inski! I was amazed by the number of people along the 100 mile route that were just sitting out and cheering as riders went by. Never seen anything like it. On a ride of that length it is very motivating to see people of all ages cheering you on. At a few points there were kids riding their bikes along cheering. Makes the everyday schmo cyclist feel like a rock star. Also gives that boost of energy to keep pedaling.

Kudos to all the people along the route and the volunteers who made the most delicious PBJ sandwiches!

When you decide to dust off the old bike just let us know. We'll go easy on you.
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Now's the time to start training for next year's Dempsey Challenge (October 9, 2011)

 
Thanks for hanging out and cheering Inski! I was amazed by the number of people along the 100 mile route that were just sitting out and cheering as riders went by. Never seen anything like it. On a ride of that length it is very motivating to see people of all ages cheering you on. At a few points there were kids riding their bikes along cheering. Makes the everyday schmo cyclist feel like a rock star. Also gives that boost of energy to keep pedaling.
Kudos to all the people along the route and the volunteers who made the most delicious PBJ sandwiches!

When you decide to dust off the old bike just let us know. We'll go easy on you.
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Now's the time to start training for next year's Dempsey Challenge (October 9, 2011)
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Ditto that. Support along the route was unreal. I think they kept hoping to see Patrick Dempsey. Suckers!

Actually, I would recommend this event to anyone getting into/ getting back into riding. Amgen really has their stuff together, and the variable distances (10/25/50/100mi) make the event accessible. Plus, it's comparatively cheap from a fund raising perspective.

 
Ok bikey peeps...

I am looking to get something to do a little winter training. Currently I am looking at this: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst_al_carb_x.htm

what are your thoughts? The last time I was fitted for a road bike I was pretty comfortable in a 52cm. I am 5'10" and about 200-210. I haven't ridden road ever. So I figured I would dabble in the cheap. (and I absolutely LOVE my MTB converted to SS)

The only thing that is holding me back is I have only ever ridden Steel comfortably. Is the AL going to annoy the hell out of me?

Loaded question I know, but I am lookng forward to your responses.

 
I haven't ridden a aluminum track bike, but that thing looks stiff. You might find it more harsh that you hoped. Of course, AL is also wicked responsive. Of course, for $360, you really can't go wrong.

Have you thought about a 'Cross bike? They are a bit more money, but would give you a more laid back geometry, and possibly a more comfortable ride. Come summer, you can slap road skinnies on it if you find you want something quicker. Sample:

http://www.realcyclist.com/swobo-crosby?cmp_id=ODAT_RR5001&rrType=ClickEV&rrProd=SWB0040

Also, keep an eye on bonktown.com for specials

 
I was looking at one of their SS cross bikes (motobecane)as well. There is a guy in my office that rode one for a long time and is quite a bruiser.

I was reading some reviews on the previously posted one and it is apparently road geometry rather than track which is why I was considering it. Although the all steel Motobecane messenger is $300 which is super cheap.

 
At that price, you really can't go wrong. Resale would likely be $150-250 if you hate it. Generally, AL bike tend to be very snappy and stiff, and pretty light. I think it's probably worth a try, especially if paired with some decent shoes and pedals. And gloves.

A few other thoughts particular to this model: wheels look pretty cheap, despite claims that they're only found on more expensive bikes. The exposed bearing races and bolt mounting (opposed to quick release) doesn't inspire confidence. Plan to ride them and replace them as soon as they get crunchy. Saddle and seatpost look like crap. Plan to pick up a nice saddle (wtb rocket V would be my choice- with Ti rails for ~$100) to spare your ass the road vibration.

Everything else looks as expected at this price. Anything that gets you out to ride is good. Plan for ~$150 on top of the retail price for bits to improve the experience.

Mike- second opinion?

 
That is about what I expected to spend. I figure the wheelset will last me maybe the winter on rollers and if I don't hate it come spring, a new set will be built. Seatpost and saddle will likely be the first changes. My only concern is going to Al frames as i never jumped onto that bandwagon with the MTB world. I have really only ridded Steel other than my DH bike which doesn't count for obvious reasons. For shoes I still ride my Northwave Team mtb shoes from the late 90's.

is there a pedal that I can run on both MTB and road? Or a cleat that will go both MTB and road? I am way overdue for new pedals on the MTB as well.

 
I run MTB pedals on my road bike (Time ATACs). I don't think MTB -> Road matters as much as the other way around. Dedicated road shoes will give you a bigger, stiffer platform, but if you're looking to do one set of pedals/shoes, MTB would be the way to go.

I think you'll be fine with AL

 
after all of this talk these two just popped up on my office classifieds:

Bike #1
Lemond Zurich 51cm

2000 model with 853 Reynolds steel frame

27 speed

Shimano Ultegra components

Rolf Vector Comp wheels

Paid $1,800; yours for $450

Bike #2

Lemond Chamberey 58 cm

2000 model with 6061 T6 aluminum frame

18 speed

Shimano Ultegra components

Rolf Vector Comp wheels

Time Stiletto forks

Cane Creek stem

Paid $2,200; yours for $550
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Personally, I hate AL frames. I'll never go back. As soon as my cross frame is sold my house will be AL bike free. Carbon, Titanium or Steel are the way to go in my opinion. You can get away with the cheapie components on the BikesDirect bike but my concern would be that you want to use it for winter riding. I doubt you could fit a fatty 700x34c tire on there.

If you plan on just using it on a rear wheel indoor trainer just make sure you get one that has on the fly adjustable resistance. That'll help with the lack of gears.

Of the two bikes you just posted... i'd think that the 58cm would be too big for you. 51cm might be too small. I have those same Rolf Vector Comp wheels and they're pretty bombproof.

Don't rule these out either... I figgin' HATE WalBag but if you just want a beater bike for cheap:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-700c-Varsity-Road-Bike/4698938

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mongoose-Deception-29-Men-s-All-Terrain-Bike/14956326 --> prob weighs a metric sh!t ton

Walbag used to have a full rigid 29er single speed for CHEAP. Didn't see it on the site though...

 
You might try that 51cm and see how it fits. I think Mike is right- a 52/3cm might be better. It's a lot of bike for $450 though.

If that's no good, I would hit the classifieds. Mike and I were talking about this last night, and we both thought a singlespeed would be pretty boring on the road for anything except a quick jaunt downtown.

I'm not a AL hater. Rode it for years, and really like the responsiveness and weight- especially given the price. That said, steel, ti, and carbon are all a lot more forgiving on the road. And being able to ride distance depends on being comfortable on the bike.

 
For the winter I am going to be riding on rollers and a stationary trainer. I don't really want to mess with a geared bike right now. My MTB is a singlespeed convert right now and I LOVE it. I could ride that outside during the winter, but I want to keep the frame in good shape.

I will probably end up snagging one of the steel framed SS road bikes. I can't stand walmart, but I guess if there is something decent I will go in.

funny.. I have a '73 Varsity... you know... back when they were a Chicago company and actually made something.

 
if you're looking for a beater... go with the cheap aluminum SS road bike. If you want a road bike to do longer rides, get a road bike. There should be some sweet deals at shops around town as they try to dump 2010 models to make room for ski gear. And if you're buying a road bike to ride longer rides, get steel or carbon. I rode aluminum on the road from '97 until '06. I found it painful but compromised for weight because carbon was too expensive at the time. Looking back... I would've been much happier on a steel bike. My wife has a Specialized Allez Comp made of Columbus steel tubing. It's a REALLY nice ride.

The key is get a good base that fits (frame & fork). From there, everything else can be swapped out over time.

What kind of gearing do you run on a SS road bike? I need to finish my Merckx SS Roadie build but I need gearing... I have a road double crankset that I can pick a ring from as well as my old RaceFace MTB crankset using the 44t big ring. Rear I am thinking of using the extra 18t cog I have from my mtb SS.

 
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My SS MTB is 34/17 if I remember correctly. but that was mostly flat stuff when i was in the Kennebunk Village area. I haven't really gotten out on it since we moved.

My main interest in the el cheapo SS roadbike is that I have NEVER ridden on the road. So if I I find it boring I can either sell the thing for a small monetary loss or run it on the trainer when the weather is bad. I will probably stick with the Singlespeed idea just because of the huge price break due to the lack of components.

If the roadie thing is something I stick with, I will definitely get something more suited for longer rides or whatever my endgame becomes. But for now I don't want to drop anything over $400 on this before I know it is worth it to me. I definitely understand that these bikes have less than awesome components and wheels, so that I go into this knowing full well.

BF.net has decent reviews on the Kilo and the Moto/messenger. so I may just go that route as they are both steel. (I have only ridden steel by choice other than my DH bike)

 
Dude! You're huge! 34/17! Damn! That might be a little tough on rooty, rocky hill climbs

Both the Kilo and Messenger look pretty good. I've seen a lot of folks on the Moto mountain bikes. From what I hear, they are decent.

 
let me double check that when I get home. But I am pretty sure that was what I was running. Granted there were no real hills and I was using it as more of a beach cruiser in the kennebunk beach area.

 
That's what I ran on my 26" mtb when i made it a single speed. Gets a little tough at times but overall the 2:1 ratio is a good starting point for a 26er. I have really been enjoying my 29er since converting to a SS. It was a 1x9 before but the simplicity of the SS is perfect.

 
so many choices. Now I am looking at the Motobecane Cyclecross bike in Singlespeed. It might be a bit better for winter if I get out on the road. ahh! I have to narrow this down and just pull the trigger soon.

 
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