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What should I be looking for in a bike these days? My friend had two recommendations. First, buy technology because at our age we need everything we can get. Secondly he suggested a composite bike. My first online driveby though put those bike in the range of $3-$5k which seems like a bit much for my tastes.
We have a top of the line upright bike I'm using to start training because it's winter here right now. So there's no rush to get a bike just yet. Wondering if there's a better time of year to buy this - now (winter) or later (spring)?
Cheat.
There's lot's of bikes with Electronic Assist motors to be had for under $1500.
Good luck with your training though :)
Will you be taking luggage on the bike?
For the distances you intend to ride, you'll be very happy with a good saddle and proper cycling pants. Otherwise you won't make it until the second day ;)
JUST BE SURE YOU ARE PROPERLY FITTED for the frame, else you can injure yourself (knees, falling, etc). Ignore the "advanced geometry" bikes as that's a lot of who shot John.
Prices for 10 up to 21 speed road bikes
Road test many different bikes to see what fits you best and feels the most comfortable. Assuming you're going to get back into riding (and continue after the trip), buy a bike for the type of riding you'll be doing most of the time, not just a single 2-day trip.
A general rule of thumb is that most people should be able to build up to a century (100 miles) in 10 weeks. But since you're going to be doing the same distance the following day as well, you should definitely add quite a bit more time for extra conditioning. Instead of doing long Saturdays/rest on Sundays, do several long Saturday/long Sunday weekends. Also, if you can't get out on a bike yet because of the weather, get some weight training in to help build up your base.
And there's also the issue of how much gear will you be taking with you on the bike. Practice several long rides with the same configuration.
[edited by: LifeinAsia at 4:36 pm (utc) on Jan. 23, 2009]
My second bike was a Montague Paratrooper Tactical Folding Mountain Bike. Totally sexy. It fit me and I fit it. I bought it gently used for 400.00 or so and man oh man was I cool. Finally we're getting somewhere. I could fold it up and throw it in the back seat and head out to the lake and do some serious bike riding.
It never happened. I start things with a passion but I'm a poor finisher. I couldn't ride that bike in the neighborhood I live in because I'm cheap and I live in a very bad part of town. It meant I would have to actually put the bike in my car and drive somewhere nicer in order to ride it and that simply added too many steps to the equation for it to be practical to me. I sold that bike last year and now I'm just waiting for the next big fitness kick to hit me so I can start and quit it too.
In my limited experience with bikes I learned 2 things.
1) Unless you do this a lot you'll probably need a different seat. I opted for wide and well-cushioned. Serious bike riders must have butt cheeks made of stone because those little seats are pure torture for a flabby guy like me.
2) As Tangor said - Make ABSOLUTELY sure you are properly fitted for the frame. Get it wrong and you can hurt yourself. I came close several times to eating some serious pavement and it would NOT have been pretty.
LIA is a serious bike rider. Hopefully he'll chime in here and can maybe give you some good tips.
Good luck and have fun wheel! You're doing your heart a favor, not to mention all the other benefits involved.
