LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community - View Single Post

Chococar · 06-26-2009, 05:31 AM

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Some answers:

I used to be a Cat IV rider (30 years ago), riding 300 miles/wk in Colorado, including mountain roads. I rode criteriums, road races, and a couple of stage races. I think time trials would have been my best event, but I never did one. One of my favorite rides took me from my house at 8,000 ft. to the top of Mt Evans, a 14,000 mountain--all on paved roads. Fantastic views, wildlife, crazy weather. The biggest danger was melting my tire glue on the scary descents :-). I did set a personal best of 56 mph on my daily descent into work down in Golden

Now, I'm just doing one 30+ mile social ride on Sundays. It's difficult for me to ride during the week because of my work schedule. I ride an exercise bike and run during the week. I will need to design a serious training plan and figure out how to put in some serious mileage for the next year to get ready for the "big ride".

The purpose of the bike is to support a possible cross-country (or cross-state) ride next year to mark my 60th birthday. I haven't quite committed myself emotionally to this goal yet, but the purchase of a new bike would embody that commitment. It would be "credit card camping", so I would be carrying minimal stuff on the bike--no panniers, tent, etc.

I think I want more of a RAAM bike than a Touring bike. Whatever that means... I've ridden a custom bike for many years now, so I'm expecting this one may be as well. I agree with the statement made by many of you: fit is the most important thing.

I'm willing to spend whatever it takes to get the "right" bike. $5K, $10K, $2K, whatever. It's much easier to afford the "best bicycle in the world" than it is to afford the "best car in the world", the "best house in the world", or even the "best watch in the world". Of course, if I could be happy with the performance of an inexpensive bike, I'd be thrilled to make that choice--I'm not dying to spend a lot of money, but I do appreciate great products.

I'm currently at 220 lbs, aiming for 199 by the start of this ride next summer. In the past, my bicycle frame selection was all about the strength of the bottom bracket, rear stays, etc. as well as steep angles and a short wheelbase. I don't have the strength I did when I was in my 20s (somehow), and I don't do as much serious climbing, so I think that's less of a concern now.

My bike rides like my Lotus, which is great for a few-hour ride, but my priorities are different for a 1-month or 1-week ride.

SRAM has certainly become a force since I bought my last bike. Back then, GripShift was new (and their only product). I bought Avid stuff from Avid, and RockShox was the rage, but I wasn't riding a mountain bike. I will definitely consider their groups.

I'm lucky to have a good bike shop: FasTrack Bicycles, owned and run by Dave Lettieri. Dave was Lance Armstrong's mechanic for the 2000 Tour de France. Dave is also a very successful racer in his own right (and also team manager). They are knowledgeable, competent, fair, quick, and carry great stuff.

I'll be heading to the bike shop on Tuesday, after my Monday track day at Willow Springs.

Thanks all!

Joe

06-26-2009, 05:31 AM	#11 (permalink)
Chococar #334 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 1,547	Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Some answers: I used to be a Cat IV rider (30 years ago), riding 300 miles/wk in Colorado, including mountain roads. I rode criteriums, road races, and a couple of stage races. I think time trials would have been my best event, but I never did one. One of my favorite rides took me from my house at 8,000 ft. to the top of Mt Evans, a 14,000 mountain--all on paved roads. Fantastic views, wildlife, crazy weather. The biggest danger was melting my tire glue on the scary descents :-). I did set a personal best of 56 mph on my daily descent into work down in Golden Now, I'm just doing one 30+ mile social ride on Sundays. It's difficult for me to ride during the week because of my work schedule. I ride an exercise bike and run during the week. I will need to design a serious training plan and figure out how to put in some serious mileage for the next year to get ready for the "big ride". The purpose of the bike is to support a possible cross-country (or cross-state) ride next year to mark my 60th birthday. I haven't quite committed myself emotionally to this goal yet, but the purchase of a new bike would embody that commitment. It would be "credit card camping", so I would be carrying minimal stuff on the bike--no panniers, tent, etc. I think I want more of a RAAM bike than a Touring bike. Whatever that means... I've ridden a custom bike for many years now, so I'm expecting this one may be as well. I agree with the statement made by many of you: fit is the most important thing. I'm willing to spend whatever it takes to get the "right" bike. $5K, $10K, $2K, whatever. It's much easier to afford the "best bicycle in the world" than it is to afford the "best car in the world", the "best house in the world", or even the "best watch in the world". Of course, if I could be happy with the performance of an inexpensive bike, I'd be thrilled to make that choice--I'm not dying to spend a lot of money, but I do appreciate great products. I'm currently at 220 lbs, aiming for 199 by the start of this ride next summer. In the past, my bicycle frame selection was all about the strength of the bottom bracket, rear stays, etc. as well as steep angles and a short wheelbase. I don't have the strength I did when I was in my 20s (somehow), and I don't do as much serious climbing, so I think that's less of a concern now. My bike rides like my Lotus, which is great for a few-hour ride, but my priorities are different for a 1-month or 1-week ride. SRAM has certainly become a force since I bought my last bike. Back then, GripShift was new (and their only product). I bought Avid stuff from Avid, and RockShox was the rage, but I wasn't riding a mountain bike. I will definitely consider their groups. I'm lucky to have a good bike shop: FasTrack Bicycles, owned and run by Dave Lettieri. Dave was Lance Armstrong's mechanic for the 2000 Tour de France. Dave is also a very successful racer in his own right (and also team manager). They are knowledgeable, competent, fair, quick, and carry great stuff. I'll be heading to the bike shop on Tuesday, after my Monday track day at Willow Springs. Thanks all! Joe