^Performance usually has good service at their Durham/Chapel Hill store, and the Novara brand of bikes at REI have seemed to hold up pretty well that I've seen.

Newer hybrids usually have upwards of 21-24+ gears - unless you are hauling something heavy like in a trailer or doing some epic touring, you shouldn't need more than 21 for regular riding in the Raleigh area.

4/15/2011 1:58:57 PM

look around on craigslist for a used one. Raleigh always has a lot of good bikes for sale. if you're patient you can get an awesome deal.

4/15/2011 3:14:03 PM

I am not patient at all.

I've actually been waiting for several weeks to get my bike out of storage in the mountains and it all fell through the day I was supposed to get it. (Very complicated situation, blarg) I just want to ride! That bike was only 99 bucks and I loved it to pieces.

4/15/2011 3:18:03 PM

so i want to start commuting to work and get in shape so i'm looking to pick up my first road bike.

should i buy or build? budget is about a grand or so.

if buy, where do you recommend? i've been to performance bike in cary and they seem a bit pricey.

if build, do you have any preferences on where you source your parts or is ebay good enough?

[Edited on April 15, 2011 at 6:04 PM. Reason : ]

4/15/2011 6:00:23 PM

^
Building a bike doesn't seem worth it unless you enjoy the process. Components are sold at a markup when bought individually versus buying a bike from a manufacturer. It really sucks.

Personally, I am getting a touring bike pretty soon for my daily commute b/c I want thicker tires, a pannier, a steel frame for a comfier ride, and I want to do some long tours! The bikes I'm considering right now are:
Surly Long Haul Trucker
Jamis Aurora
REI Randonee
Fuji Touring
You might be able to find a Trek 520 used but in my experience finding the right bike used is extremely difficult (at least where I live).

4/15/2011 7:00:21 PM

[Edited on April 15, 2011 at 7:02 PM. Reason : [double post]!]

4/15/2011 7:02:22 PM

The quality of what you need will depend on how long a commute you have and how good the roads are, but if your budget is around a grand, I'd say you can probably get a lot more bike for the money if you buy online (I've used bikesdirect.com before after checking out geometries and frame sizes at brick and mortar stores, but they're not the only good site out there). Alternatively, a thousand dollar bucks will go a very long way on craigslist for a nice used road bike.

If you enjoy building but don't want too much fuss, buying online would still require a minor amount of assembly, or you could get a complete bike for a bit less and spring for a few individual components that would result in a more comfortable ride for commuting. But otherwise, I'm in agreement that building your own from scratch isn't worth it at your price point.

4/15/2011 7:47:45 PM

Went to performance bicycle off falls of neuse and found exactly what I was looking for, and got it for less than I was willing to pay. <3 my new bike!

4/15/2011 10:51:57 PM

^^ I've got a Long Haul Trucker, stock components. I put Schwalbe Kevlar-belted Marathon Plus tires on it to keep out the crap in Durham roads, put on a touring rack and fenders Pretty decent set-up- got it for <$1000.

4/16/2011 12:23:24 AM

I'm selling a tandem in the classifieds section. It's cheap, and a great way to try it out before shelling out a few grand for a nice one.

message_topic.aspx?topic=611631

4/18/2011 10:39:59 AM

New NC State cycling jersey for sale/trade.
message_topic.aspx?topic=611940

4/21/2011 6:15:13 PM

I recently started getting a little knee pain (in both knees) after a ride, and during the high resistance parts of Spinning. any ideas what it could be? I just take it easy if my knee starts to hurt but I'm worried it might get worse?? I've never had knee pain before

5/3/2011 2:21:02 PM

Maybe tendinitis? I'd go easy for awhile and take an anti-inflammatory dose of Ibuprofen, but I'm no doctor.

I am actually having my IT band act up recently and I think it's due to cycling.

5/3/2011 4:13:32 PM

If I try to do a high volume of cycling (particularly hilly stuff) after taking it easy for a while, my IT bands will start flaring up. Most of it can be treated with some stretching though.

5/3/2011 4:17:26 PM

What kind of knee pain, and where in the knee does it hurt? Did you start the spinning recently, or have you been doing it for a long time? It could be a bike fit issue.

5/3/2011 5:11:32 PM

another vote for bike fit

having previously been one that argued that paying $100-$250 for a bike fit is ridiculous, depending on how much you enjoy the sport, i can now say it is totally worth it.

5/3/2011 5:41:04 PM

I used to spin twice a week, but I just started going again after about a 3 week break. Same with riding, last weekend I rode for the first time in 3 weeks or so. (various reasons ... got sick, had to work, etc) Maybe that could be why?

as far as the "type" I don't really know ... it's like a dull pain sort of on the front of the knee

5/3/2011 6:13:02 PM

I would back off a bit to let them heal and then build up slowly. I'd only do the bike fit if it persists over a long period.

5/3/2011 9:47:32 PM

I pretty much bike everywhere that I need to go around NCSU and downtown. I have to say that in all that I have learned from my experiences on the road that it's best if you spend a good chunk of your money on a quality bike that you enjoy instead of trying to save and get something that's just practical. Also don't blow money on accessories and doohickeys, just invest that in the bike itself, grab that stuff later. A good frame, a nice pair of brakes and gears that catch will do you well in your travels through campus where every car is impatient as a cat in a bathtub to see you get off the road or off to another world (special attention to Cameron village where every light is a green one, I love you folks too).



[Edited on May 4, 2011 at 1:46 AM. Reason : edt]

5/4/2011 1:40:52 AM

^ If by accessories you mean practical things like fenders, a rear rack, lights, a helmet, maybe gloves, and possibly some panniers or a basket, then yes, I would also budget the $150-200 if you fully intend to commute every day and actually enjoy it.

I would also throw in a lock and toe clips, and maybe some raingear, to that list as well, or maybe some clipless pedals and shoes if you're into that. Let's not forget the patch kit and multitool as well, and maybe some comfy cycling-friendly clothing .

5/4/2011 1:34:42 PM

So I have been riding into work on a Cannondale quick 6 hybrid and am contemplating buying a road bike.
My commuter is great for what it is, a solid, comfortable bike with a rack on the back for a change of clothes etc.
Because of the renewed interest in cycling from commuting I've taken to Triathlons and other endurance races and want a nicer bike for races, group rides, etc.
The local bike shop has a Specialized transition, S-works TT/Triathlon bike that is really nice for $2000, Shram Apex components and alluminum alloy wheels.

I guess my question is should I drop the 2k on a GREAT carbon fiber frame with decent components or spend it on a Road bike.
I like the idea of a Tri-bike but didn't know what the etiquette is using one for group rides or if it would be odd to occasionally commutte on one vice a road bike.
Thanks!

5/4/2011 3:20:23 PM

As someone who had a very nice tri-bike for a while (cervelo P3), I would recommend getting a road bike. Tri-bikes are not gonna be ideal for commuting or group rides. Most group rides won't allow you to ride in the line in your aero position and I'd go so far as to say that they are uncomfortable if you ride it out of the aero bars for any length of time. They are great for one purpose--riding alone very fast because the geometry gets your body into a very aerodynamic position.

Besides that, you can get much more bang for your buck from a road bike purchase because it's not a niche. I'd get a nice road bike and it will do it all--commuting, racing, group rides and triathlons. You could even get clip-on aero bars if you wanted to simulate the tri position.

[Edited on May 4, 2011 at 4:36 PM. Reason : d]

5/4/2011 4:34:08 PM

+1 for what Jochristian said.

^^
If you've never owned a road bike before, I'd get an entry-level road bike with a more forgiving geometry than what a seasoned cyclist might ride, something even with eyelets for racks and light touring. Your primary objectives with endurance events at the moment should be comfort, being injury free and learning to ride in groups . An all-around bike will also allow you to commute, do some touring, and some charity rides, and enjoy cycling a lot more than a tri bike.

Depending on your preferences, most entry-level road bikes tend to be a steel/carbon frame or an aluminum/carbon frame, with at least a carbon fork. The carbon will help dampen the stiffness of the aluminum.
Specialized, Trek and Cannondale are popular brands that hold up over time.

5/5/2011 10:05:24 AM

I second the road bike with clip-on aero bars and the fit advice by ^ and ^^. I also recommend not getting a carbon frame, especially if you intend to keep this a while, commute on it, or retire it to a commuter when another bike comes along. Carbon has some wonderful characteristics, but they do not include good surface impact resistance, damage tolerance or repairability. Small cracks or nicks are likely to spread and require replacement of the entire frame. Excellent steel frames can be inexpensively acquired from a variety of places (Waterford Precision's Gunnar line for example), and well made aluminum frames can reduce the renowned stiffness while being more corrosion resistance. I've fallen in love with titanium, and though you can spend more than one fortune on custom ti frames, careful and patient shopping acquired mine for the same price I paid for the Gunnar it replaced.

Save the carbon frame for the dedicated tri-machine you buy when you upgrade.

5/5/2011 1:50:03 PM

The only group I've seen that seemed to encourage riding in aero even in a damn pace line was the (naturally) inside out group rides. Granted, the pace lines weren't Tour de France tight, but they were close enough that one person going down was going to take out several. I suppose the one thing to say about this is these are people that tend to ride together often, know the roads they are riding (because they are frequently the exact same route), and are just generally very experienced riders.

And I'll be honest...there is something mildly cool about riding in a paceline at a sustained 30+ mph for several mile clips.

5/12/2011 8:21:04 PM

man, i'd have to know the person really well before I would even consider riding in a paceline with someone in aero. especially in the less experienced groups. shits hairy enough as it is.

5/12/2011 10:35:33 PM

Did anyone (else) race the 24 Hours of BURN this weekend? I saw an NCSU jersey, but I never got a chance to talk with them.

Joshua

5/30/2011 5:18:03 PM

^^ It took me 3 months to even consider drafting on my friend's wheel on our weekly road rides. You have be confident the road is good and won't cause surprises- I had another good friend who got his pedal hooked onto his friend's spokes from his friend drafting and hitting a bad patch of road (road crumbling away from erosion) and causing both to go down in a bad accident. I'd like to not repeat that.

5/31/2011 12:24:51 AM

Signed up for the Copper Triangle ride this year.
http://www.coppertriangle.com/

Quote :

"The Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle course is a spectacular 78-mile loop cresting three Colorado Mountain passes - Fremont Pass (elevation 11,318’), Tennessee Pass (elevation 10,424’) and Vail Pass (elevation 10,666’). The course passes three ski areas and is littered with historic mining outposts and camp Hale, the training ground for the famous 10th Mountain Division. The total elevation gain for the course is 5,981 ft."

6/1/2011 5:52:20 PM

^ no thank you!

i'm doing my century ride on sunday and i am completely unprepared for it... oh well. let's hope i live through it

6/1/2011 5:59:35 PM

dont think of it as a 100-mile ride

think of it as four 25-mile rides

if you are able to stop and stretch the legs for a couple minutes every hour or so (even if you dont feel the need) you will last much longer

good luck!

6/1/2011 6:06:49 PM

2-years ago I did my first century ride, I'd highly recommend stopping at all the aid stations. I only trained up to 60-miles and still averaged 16mph (finished in 6 hours, 15 minutes ride time, I think 7 hours total, 5 stops, roughly 6-9 minutes each) on the course (5900ft vertical gain).

[Edited on June 1, 2011 at 7:02 PM. Reason : ']

6/1/2011 7:02:04 PM

yea they have aid stations every 10 - 12 miles on this one... last year i did the 64 miler and stopped three times maybe?

but i was a lot more prepared... oh well. as long as i finish it i'll be happy

6/1/2011 7:18:48 PM

Anyone else doing the Tour de Cure this weekend? My team did a ~74 mi ride last weekend as a shakedown run, so I think I'll be fine for 75 miles. Not so sure about the second 75 miles

6/2/2011 10:06:48 PM

^ I'm doing the one in Reston, VA

6/2/2011 10:11:41 PM

Has anyone considered riding the entire blue ridge parkway over the span of a week?

6/3/2011 11:36:00 AM

What sort of bike do you guys recommend for biking around town on a budget? I used to have a bike like this so I'm not picky


Where's the best place to look for used bikes? Craigslist?

6/3/2011 11:45:23 AM

Craigslist. Just find someone that knows a little about bikes that can check it out with you to make sure the chains aren't crude, the brakes work/aren't worn down/etc.

6/3/2011 11:53:44 AM

Craigslist++

It'll require a friend with a bit of bike-knowledge, and probably some patience.

Alternative locations: REI/Performance/Local Bike Shop. They'll have geared cruisers at $500 or less, and will do initial and break-in adjustments for you. Thriftstore. With a little bit of handy-work you can get a very inexpensive rideable bike, or, with a little more work, you can make yourself a fixie.

As for kind of bike, that depends greatly on what you wish to do with it. Are you riding around recreationally, or replacing/augmenting a car? My commuter has fenders and a rack, has one (free-wheelin') speed and looks like a piece of crap, because I ride in the rain, carry stuff, am lazy and don't want to shift, and I don't want it stolen.

I'd strongly recommend visiting REI or Performance or a local bike shop to see (and test-ride) the selections, even if you have no intention of buying from them. It'll give you a good idea of what your choices might be.

6/4/2011 12:16:14 AM

first century ride EVAR done!

wasn't great, wasn't horrible. weather was perfect. about 75 and overcast. IT band started really bothering me about mile 75 after some serious hills, but all in all, didn't kill me

6/5/2011 4:22:20 PM

Congrats. Just finished up the 150mi Tour de Cure ride in Cary a couple of hours ago. With all the detours the route was actually about 165mi

6/5/2011 4:29:09 PM

DAMN! ours only went up to 100 - i did the one in Vienna... ours actually ended up being 107 i think

6/5/2011 4:31:29 PM

Congrats everyone! I went out for a quick 30-miler to Hillsborough and back today. Not racking up the century type miles. Yet.

6/5/2011 6:50:57 PM

it's not as awful as i thought it'd be. my longest training ride was 44 (a week ago) so yea - did it and was able to finish without being prepared at all.

6/5/2011 7:28:46 PM

At what point in terms of daily mileage should I ditch the hybrid and get an actual road bike?

6/8/2011 11:22:50 AM

Depends on your ability, I'd say anything over 10 miles a day would get frustrating on a hybrid. But it's all determined on your speed and how fast you want to go from point A to point B. A hybrid will always be more comfortable.

6/8/2011 12:05:44 PM

hmmmm well i did my century on a hybrid so i wouldn't be a good judge to answer ^^

6/8/2011 12:24:13 PM

My big problem is that I weigh in around 220, so I have to keep my tire pressure maxed out to keep them from sagging at all. I pump them up before every ride lately, but after 15 miles or so they get a bit soft. Yes, tubes are brand new.

An easier solution might be putting some thinner tires on it.

6/8/2011 1:20:54 PM

^^^^ Mr. Joshua, I'd look into getting some sort of touring or cyclocross bike for commuting- you get road geometry without sacrificing comfort, and you get the fatter tires ( 25-32 mm) to support your weight and make mild off-roading (i.e fire roads or singletrack) a possibility. The modern road bikes are too stiff and twitchy for commuting for my tastes, and sometimes don't come with the eyelets you need for attaching all the commuting crap I deem necessary: fenders, rack, etc.

I've always wanted the Rivendell Atlantis but could never afford it http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/atlantis-frameset/50-038

Heard ok things about the Salsa Chili con Crosso
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=good+cyclocross+bikes&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6451390814082628188&sa=X&ei=I9HvTYn3GYjdgQfchLmVDw&ved=0CGoQ8gIwBA

I've got a Surly Long Haul Trucker, and I love it to death for longer casual rides and short tours I've done in the past. My model comes with 26 x 1.5" wheels which are kinda annoying to find tires for, but the bigger than 54 cm frames come with 700c tires. It's also my trailer bike, with an Aesom trailer, and it's pretty good.

6/8/2011 3:49:35 PM

I've got a custom, handmade steel (TiCycles) cyclocross frame and fork (55 st, 56.5 tt) that is a bit too small for me that I am looking to sell soon. If interested PM me.

6/8/2011 7:01:54 PM