Ride OzGolf Ride

[Grunt]

I am thinking of upgrading to the Ambit 3. I have an Ambit at the moment.

[moree golfer]

54k this morning. On Saturday, I rode up Mt Coot-tha by road which was bloody tough, then went downhill steeply by trail, which was scary. I also went through another trail that was for technical mountain biking, over rocks and that sort of shit.

I've conquered this riding thing. What's next?

You have got one over me on the bike, haven't ridden up Cootha yet.

[AndyP]

I think I should get a road bike, but really don't want to spend much (<$200?). Is that do-able without getting something crap?

[Captain Nemo]

I think I should get a road bike, but really don't want to spend much (<$200?). Is that do-able without getting something crap?

NO.

[AndyP]

Even secondhand?

[Captain Nemo]

NO.

[WBennett]

Not really AP.
Anything that is $200 new is rubbish.
Anything that is $200 used is worn out.

How serious do you want to take it? Daily, weekly, commuiting? 50k a week or less? Or a bike to ride with the kids?

[WBennett]

This looks excellent, but something must be VERY WRONG with it

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mango...ike/1066667869

[WBennett]

Offer $500 for this and get a bargain

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/warne...ike/1066369520

[goughy]

My roadie would probably only be worth that much, granted it was given to me. My tt bike cost me 250. Ok, so I'm a cheap ass.....

[jimandr]

How important is fitting for a bike?

When I bought my bike the guy just took a quick look at me, asked a few questions about my riding, and then put me on a bike and asked me how it felt.

I would think the main problem of buying a second hand bike would be the fitting, assuming it is important.

Even though I know next to nothing about road bikes, I would think $200 is too cheap.

[yoyo]

Unless you're doing a heap of K's, it's not really THAT important. A generic fit will do. It's alot like golf clubs in that regard.

[AndyP]

I just want something to get me by for fitness while I'm not running for a couple of months. I'm on a mountain bike now, so most thing would be an improvement on that. I ran 50k a week, so I would imagine that I would ride 2 to 3 times that.

Once I'm running again, I won't ride much except with the kids. Maybe I should just stick with what I have and make do.

[goughy]

Honestly, if you don't feel it will last I'd just stick with the mountain bike. Lot of money to waste, and you're still getting the workout. I actually think your money would be better spent on a better mountain bike, that you could keep for riding with the kids, it'd get more use I reckon. Maybe look at a 29"er. With regards to fit, it can make quite a difference, especially when you get it wrong. There's a site
www.competitivecyclist.com
which has a fit calculator on there, for road, TT and for mtb's. I've used it and found the numbers are very very close (if not spot on) to what my bike fit ended up with. I'd try using it first and you may find it will be more than sufficient.

[yoyo]

If the MTb has knobbly tyres try swapping them out for some smoother ones.

[goughy]

Yeah, I didn't even think of that!

[Hux]

AP

You would probably be on a Small or 52 frame - you are @ 5'8"?
Plenty of generic size calculators around.

Personally I think you will find something for not too much. $200 maybe but probably 3-400 and you get something better. Ally frame etc.
Problem is that a chain is $50, tyres 30-50 each etc. So basically you buy a worn out piece of crud and you can end up spending the extra $200 fairly quickly anyway.

You will find a road bike a lot more enjoyable if you want to ride a few extra k's.

[LarryLong]

$200? Is that the sound of a runner trolling the bike riders?

I figure if you're going for fitness, pushing a shitty old bike has to give you more benefit anyway, right?

[Grunt]

If the MTb has knobbly tyres try swapping them out for some smoother ones.

+1 for this, if you are doing mainly pavement riding fit touring tyres and the rolling resistance is lessened and the improvement will be noticeable. You could get really techno and get wheels as well and just have tyres ready fitted so you can swap to the appropriate one for the ride.

[AndyP]

Thanks for the advice, gents.

[WBennett]

I just want something to get me by for fitness while I'm not running for a couple of months. I'm on a mountain bike now, so most thing would be an improvement on that. I ran 50k a week, so I would imagine that I would ride 2 to 3 times that.

Once I'm running again, I won't ride much except with the kids. Maybe I should just stick with what I have and make do.

You will get fitter riding a mountain bike wtih nobbly tires. They are heavy and slow.

I found riding was more enjoyable with a road bike, as doing an hour ride at sunrise was more pleasurable and stimulating at 28kmh than 20 on the old clunker!

[AndyP]

Yes, one reason I considered a bike change was to cover more distance in shorter time allowing more exploring.

[Captain Nemo]

You will get fitter riding a mountain bike wtih nobbly tires. They are heavy and slow.

I found riding was more enjoyable with a road bike, as doing an hour ride at sunrise was more pleasurable and stimulating at 28kmh than 20 on the old clunker!

And if they have unlock-able suspension you will waste a hell of a lot of energy and efficiency bouncing around for no reason... jat.

[AndyP]

Too hard. I'll swim instead. Any recommendations on the best dicktogs to get?

[backintheswing]

Too hard. I'll swim instead. Any recommendations on the best dicktogs to get?

Togs, goggles, flippers, board, ear-plugs.

Swimming will be just as hard.