Conference noted::bicycle

    I see that you are in Colorado Springs, you might want to try
    TYFYS::COLORADO_BICYCLING notes conference.  This is more or less
    local stuff.  You could ask about things there but you might find
    a wider audience for your questions here in this conference.


    Mtn Biker from Woodland Park

    Hi Cathy,
    My name is Bob, I work at CXO, package systems.  There is a bike shop
    on San Miguel just east of Acadamy, the name is The Bike Habit.  They
    are very helpful to novice riders and have bikes from $250-$2000.
    To answer your question about cost for a good mid-range bike is about
    $400-$500 with accessories.
    Some accessories you will need are HELMET, tire pump, seat bag for carrying
    spare tube and/or patch kit and tire levers,  water bottle(s) and
    cages. 
                                 Good luck
                                 Keep Pedallin'
                                    Bob

    Hi Cahty,
    I forget to mention, if you go to the Bike Habit, tell them Bob sent 
    you.
                                    Keep Pedallin'
                                        Bob

    Don't forget bike shorts with lots of padding, and gloves to help
    your palm from getting skinned when you fall.
    
    A good midrange price is $3-400. Be carefull to get a real mountain 
    bike if you will use them on the dirt a lot. they will have stronger
    wheels , shift better under load ,wider tires for traction and cushion.
    get the right size also the frame must clear the crotch by 3" for off
    road use. Univega and yokota will be less expensive than most brands.
    good luck
    Ed

    
    Hi,
    
    I bought a mountain bike last summer to take across country.  I am very
    pleased with it.  It is a GT Avalanche and I spent 800.00.  You may
    want to check out a less expensive model.  Make sure to get a frame
    that fits you (You tend to want a smaller frame than a road bike frame ).  I
    used Scott aerobars to deal with the headwinds of North Dakota and the
    midwest flats.  I also got Avanti bars which are at the end of my
    handlebars and curve upwards.  These are life savers for hill climbing
    with mountain bikes.  If you are an athlete as you say you are, I would
    think about making the investment in a bike that will let you test your
    athletic skills.  Also, if you fall in love with it, as I have, you 
    probably will want to compete, and then you definitely want a solid
    bike.  If you want to discuss further, send me mail.  Good luck.
    
    deb
    

    I'd recommend against a real cheap mountain bike.  The low end ones are
    made to look like mountain bikes, but aren't reliable enough for real
    single track or off-trail riding.  In this price range (up to around
    $400), you're probably better off getting a hybrid bike.  These aren't
    sturdy enough for single track, either, but they are quite a bit
    lighter, and thus more fun to ride on paved and dirt roads.
    
    Ken
    

    re .6
    
    We are beginning to get our plans together for this canal trip and need
    to sort through much the same stuff around equipment.  
    
    In the .6 usage, "real single track or off-trail riding" = what?
    
    How does a "real mountain bike" differ from a hybrid and which would
    work for a biker and a towpath - plus have an after life ....
    
    Ron
    

    Single track means riding on narrow "hiking" trails.  Off trail means
    riding cross-country, without a trail to guide you.  Riding either
    usually means riding over rocks and logs, through bush, and up/down
    steep slopes.  Marginal quality bikes (or components) will eventually
    fail in these conditions, leaving you stuck quite a way from the
    nearest phone.
    
    Roads (dirt or paved) are usually free of these obstructions, and offer
    more maneuvering room and visibility, so bikes don't have to be as
    tough.  In dry conditions, almost any bike can handle flat dirt roads
    (e.g., a tow path).
    
    The minimum quality bike I'd recommend for single track riding would
    crome-moly steel tubing on all tubes, TIG welding on all joints,
    Shimano Deore LX components, aluminum alloy wheels, wide knobby tires,
    and a weight of under 30 pounds.  Bikes like this start at around $400
    from any manufacturer.  Of course, you can improve in all areas, often
    markedly, but for a price.
    
    Ken

    Never mind
    

    
    RE: .-1
    
    What?

    Hey everybody,
    RE:-1 I was just going to say to Ken that that was very well put, but I
    chickened out.  Oh well.
                            Keep Pedallin'
                                 Bob

    I probably should add that those all my opinions (well, some are
    stolen), based on riding in California.  Soil, terrain, weather, and
    proximity to help might make recommendations different in other parts
    of the country.
    
    Ken