My new toy... (road bike)

[legoshoe]

Well I've been looking for a road bike that would suit my needs. I first started looking at used and soon found that most of it under $500 was mediocre or just plain junk.

I've ridden many from the cheapy ones to the high preformance ones. But the reasons I wanted one was for simple cross training purposes for my mtb. and to ride the century here in Freeborn county. (Anyone else interested in this should really go, all the money goes to the cancer society so it's a good cause). But anyways, I have finally settled on an entry level road bike. I got myself an 03 Raliegh Grand Sport.

Yes, the componetry is just the entry stuff, but that's what suited my needs. It was also 25lbs, kinda heavy for a road bike but it'll seem a lot less than when riding my Fisher Sugar 4. But I'm not a weight weenie like some, if you want a lighter ride, lose some pounds off yourself!

I also got a pretty good deal on it since it was an 03'. I got the price down to $489, but I traded in my brother's Schwinn Mesa GS and got $125 for that so it brought it down substantially to a price I could grin at. He got my Mesa that has a 21" frame and was in much better condition, so I had him give me $20 for it so he didn't have to blow a wad on a bike that he doesn't need quite yet. So I did him a favor.

All in all, I think I'll be totally satisfied with my new ride.:banana:

[ice ice baby]

TRADER!:mad:

[cheese4brains]

Good show :) The Raleigh was fairly highly rated in Consumer Reports comparison of economical road bikes, and they supposedly use experts to do their comparisons.

The way I view it, when it's too wet to MB (at least it USE to rain), a good sprint on a road bike is the next best thing :)

Good luck!

[TrailPatrol]

Originally posted by ice ice baby
TRADER!:mad:

"Trader" as in he traded bikes with his brother and the LBS, or "Traitor" as in "enemy of the state" (of mountain biking) ?;)

Just curious.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[legoshoe]

Originally posted by ice ice baby
TRADER!:mad:

Yeah, I know I got a good deal ice, hehehe:D . But on being a traitor, that isn't happening. Mtn biking will still be my main dig. When spring comes around and everything is still mush or snow covered, I'll be on the roads keeping the trails nice until dry while the majority of you will go crazy waiting.:D

tb

[Trevize1138]

I applaud you! :)

Yeah, go with the cheap-but-good road bike if your main gig is the MTB thing. It's nice to have a road bike to hop on and tear around in during inclement weather. But, if you'd rather hit the dusty trail, don't waste your money on a fancy road machine.

Now, put some rise bars on it! :crazy:

[jaybird]

Being able to change it up now and then, I believe, will make anyone a better and happier rider. :p

[legoshoe]

Aren't those usually directed towards middle age people to save their backs? Just wondering about that because today I turn the ripe old age of 18!!!!!!!!!!!

Also by getting the entry level bike, later on if there's something I wanna do to it, I'll always have tons of room to upgrade parts too!!!! So 20 years from now when I still have the antique I might give a thought to those riser bars.:cheesy: I couldn't see where I could go wrong.

I'm apalled!!!!:crazy2: It won't let me put 18 birthday bananas up!!!! So I guess just one will have to do.:banana:

tb

[Trevize1138]

Been piecing this baby together for a few years now ...