Conference noted::bicycle

	You might want to look into the Schwinn hybrids. Schwinn has
	3 models, the mid priced model, at about $320.00, has been 
	been rated a best buy by several magazines.


	George

	

    	RE: Schwinn
    
    	BICYCLING rated the Schwinn Crisscross as one of the best buys
    	of the year. Coincidentally, one of my coworkers was thinking
    	about buying the same bike for her teenage son. She was happy
    	to see that BICYCLING thought it such a good bike.
    
    	Price is around $340.
    
    	Scott

re "European" version:

It sounds like you don't want the fenders.  What's the difference in price between
the American + rack (+ light if you want one) and the "European" version?

Rich

    Becareful with low end hybrids.  Most are made for fitness and
    commuting riding.  If you plan to take it on remote dirt roads, you
    should get at least a mid-quality hybrid with real mountain bike
    components like the Shimano Deore LX (or better) group.
    
    Also, think about your riding position.  Most hybrids come with flat
    handlebars.  For mixed pavement and dirt riding, especially on longer
    rides, I think I'd prefer dropped handlebars.
    
    Ken
    

    
    	Thanks for the thoughts.
    
    	Although I don't like the looks of fenders, I realy don't like
    	having water spin off the wheels onto me.  I'll probably
    	get them.  If I choose not to, I doubt I'll get the European
    	model (which also includes a bell, now that I think of it).
    
    	Well, I'm not going to buy a bike right away, so keep
    	that advice coming.
    
    		-pk.
    
    
    

Try something different also. I rode the Bridgestone X02 the other day and the
moustache handle bars were a blast. If you are a USA consumer look at
Cannodale. At least the assebly of the frames at actually built in the US.

Try several models other then Trek. They are ride a little different. Do just
go by Spec's alone.

Good Luck,

Dave

    I picked up last year's TREK 7900 for a dynamite price.  It is by far
    the nicest bike I've ever owned, and I plan to use it for moderately
    fast day rides (50mi in 3 hrs or so) and some day plan to go cross
    country with it.  It's the first aluminum frame I've ever considered,
    and the gearing is a bid broad at the high end, but it's a fine steed. 
    Since it's hard to travel very far in central Texas without a few dirt
    roads, I needed something with a stable geometry, and something more
    rugged than my road bike, but not something as tank-like as my
    Diamondback Ridge Runner.  I think this is an ideal compromise -- fast
    and supple, but not a bone-crusher.
    (But I did have the dealer swap the stock tires for the TREK Inverts -
    something I'd suggest if you're riding more than a 75% or so mix of
    hardtop.)

    
    Howdy!
    
    I just picked up a Bianchi Eros (Raspberry and navy blue) 1992, fitted
    out with Shimano RX100 Components, including 21 gears, on a 61cm frame.
    
    Other riders convinced me not to by a hybrid or touring bike since
    I mostly want to just ride around.  They pointed out that riding the
    other types of bikes would be alot like driving a truck instead of 
    a car.
    
    
    	Maybe I'll convert my old bike to a light off-road bike
    	aka a Beater Bike.
    
    		Thanks for your input,
    
    		-pk.
    

    
    	I've been thinking of buying a bike.  My father has a pair of Trek
    	Antelope 800's [I believe that's the model #] for he and his girl-
    	friend, and I've taken his out for a spin the last few days and it
    	seems like it could be reasonably good for exercise and fresh air.
    
    	I live on a back road in Uxbridge MA and would be doing most of my
    	riding on roads like that ... mostly paved [90% or so?] with maybe
    	a bit of dirt riding [but no jumping or logs].
    
    	A friend just picked up a Cannondale M400 that he uses for dirt
    	riding and he loves it, and I'm thinking I'd like to get one of
    	these.  I like the look of the bike, and it looks more solid than
    	the Trek [to an amateur, at least].  Also, the front derailleur
    	on the Trek [Exage] doesn't impress me too much in that it seems
    	to be "uncertain" in its required positioning.
    
    	Are there any real advantages to owning the Cannondale over the
    	Trek?  The Cannondale is aluminum, correct?  But if I don't do
    	jumps or logs I shouldn't have any problems with frame stress,
    	and I'm NOT a heavy person [134, I believe].
    
    	Thanks for any info.
    

    
      For the type of riding you described, mostly paved, some dirt.
      Both bikes will suffice. Go with what you like best, as that will
      be a major criteria in how often you visit your bike.;-) 
      If you do most of your riding on paved, when you purchase the bike
      have them change the tires for you. You don't need knobbies, as they
      will only slow you down and not provide a smooth ride on paved roads.
      There are tires that have the grooves cut inward, and smooth on the 
      outer surface (slick tires), these will still have a good bite on 
      the dirt trails and provide less rolling resistance on paved and 
      quite a bit smoother ride.  The only thing with C-dale alu. frames
      sometime the ride is a bit more harsh than Carbon or even steel 
      frames, but if you already like the M400, then go for it.
    
      Shaw

    I don't believe Trek makes the Antelope anymore or at least doesn't
    call it that.  My girlfriend has one that is about four years old.  The 
    new line I believe is the Mountain Track series which is geared towards 
    fire roads, bike paths, some street riding.  Sand, mud and technical 
    single track would be (was) difficult.  She needed to upgrade her tires 
    to allow her to enjoy the woods more which she does.  The Mountain Tracks 
    come with Tourney top mount (sport) Altus/GS (800,820), Acera/GS (830), 
    and Alivio/RF (850) components.  These go for $245 - $460.  The next step 
    up is the Single Track series which is designed for just that.  
    
    The M400 is more of single track capable bike.  It has Acer-X/Alivio
    Grip Shift components.  Retail is $615.  A better comparison to the
    M400 would be the Trek 6500 @ $600 with STX/GS.  
    
    Figure out what you want to do and go look at/ride bikes that will fit 
    those requirements.  Trek and Cannondale both make good quality bikes
    so picking one of these certainly would not be a bad choice.  There's a
    whole bunch more that are pretty good as well though.  
    
    Happy hunting!
    
    Brian

    
    	I'd like to stay local if possible ... Landry's in Westboro is
    	on the way home if I choose to go that way, and would be very
    	convenient for service and/or parts.
    
    	I believe the M400 had a price of $539 when I stopped in the
    	other night ... not sure what that includes, or how much extra
    	it'd be if I wanted to change the seat and/or tires.  And of
    	course I'll have to get some sort of seat-mounted bag and maybe
    	a helmet at the same time.  Will they negotiate on a package
    	deal, like if I wanted to buy a pair of helmets for my father
    	at the same time?
    
    	The guy that sent me there paid $45 for a pair of white finger-
    	less leather riding gloves.  He wasn't too happy when I told
    	him I'd paid $15 for the pair I bought when I had my motorcycle.
    	8^)
    

    
    	I am now the proud owner of a blue/silver H400 with street tires.
    	$598 included the bike, helmet and sales tax.  I'll go back for
    	the bottle/pump/bag/kickstand.  Kickstand!!  A street bike that
    	doesn't come with a kickstand!!  I guess it's been a while since
    	I've bought a bike [OK, 15 years to be exact, when I got my 1st
    	10-speed, a Columbia.  And that came with a kickstand, which was
    	included in the $88 price.  8^)]
    
    	Maroon was my 1st choice, and they didn't have one.  Dark green
    	was my 2nd choice and they didn't have that either.  So I went
    	with my 3rd choice ... the one they DID have.  8^)  Heck, it's
    	only a color, right?
    
    
    	When I first saw the bike I didn't like the grip shifters.  But
    	when I rode it around the parking lot I realized that it wasn't
    	as loose as I figured it'd be and I wouldn't be shifting it all
    	the time accidentally.  It's actually a very good place to have
    	the shifter.  After the test ride, I commented that the rear der-
    	ailleur was having a hard time with 5th/6th, but a quick adjust-
    	ment on the Alivio [I believe] took care of that.  Nice and smooth.
    
    	I also didn't like the toe grips at 1st, especially since it
    	looked like the attached strap was a heel strap.  Closer inspect-
    	ion revealed that it's actually a vertical strap that clamps to
    	the top of your foot to keep it "snug".  I'll leave them on, but
    	unstrapped for the easiest release possible ... so I can get most
    	of the benefit of the strap without the confinement.
    
    
    	I rode the H200 and then the H400.  A couple minor cosmetic dif-
    	ferences and the rest is the same.  But the H400 was another $130
    	and the salesman said it was a better bike, so I bought it.  8^)
    
    	With the front tire removed, it barely fit in the back of the
    	Supra [and that includes me being scrunched up in the driver's
    	seat all the way home].  I'm not worried about transporting yet,
    	since I'm going to do most of my riding around the neighborhood.
    	I might pick up a roof-mounted rack one of these days, but it'd
    	be stupid to invest in specialized brackets if I'm not going to
    	keep the car.  And ANYTHING on the roof of the Duster is a def-
    	inite no-no for me.
    
    
    	Yesterday I commented that I paid $15 for gloves that Landrys
    	charges $45 for.  In all fairness, Landrys very probably sells
    	PADDED fingerless leather gloves [as is recommended in the man-
    	ual for long trips] so I'd like to correct myself: Landrys sells
    	$15 gloves with $30 padding.  8^)
    
    	So, in a nutshell, some of you might be seeing me out on the
    	road ... that is, unless I see you first.  8^)
    

    
    	After reading your most recent reply, I assume you're applauding
    	my color choice ... correct?
    
    	8^)
    

    just the purchase. when a dump a ton of $$$$'s on a toy i like to have
    some company :-)
    
    actually, i applaud you getting a bicycle and entering a fun and
    rewarding activity.
    
    welcome,
    
              Chip

    
    	Well, thanks ... it's a pleasure to join the club.
    

    K I C K S T A N D !!!!!
    
    :-)
    
    :-)
    
    :-)
    
    :-)
    
    ed
    
    (Hey you only have to put up with me for a few more days!

    
    	Well, I don't want to throw it on the ground when I'm done with
    	it!!
    

    Sure you do! :-) Ummmm, we all lean them against something, tree,
    wall, post, SO :-)
    
    Getting your last shots in, eh Ed? :-)
    
    Chip

    if you lay it down, it can't fall over.
    
    yep :-)
    
    ed

last year i was riding along banks of MO river just after spring flooding with
a group of 3-4 others;  we came to a spot in the trail where the river washed
away a bridge over a 'ditch';  the 'ditch' was only about 4-5 feet wide, but it
was ~6 feet deep;

after coming to a quick stop, i just picked up my bike at the bottom of the fork
and seat stay and heaved it across the 'ditch' and jumped across;  this
horrified some of the other members of the goup, needless to say;  anyhow, i
waited about 10 minutes while they retrieved a couple pieces of dirft wood and
replaced the bridge

needless to say, i dont have a kickstand   :~)



'ditch' is probably not the right term, someone who has too much time on their
hands can figure out the official word to insert; it was where a slough drained
into the river.....

--roger

    izzat like one of the ubituitous "Caution water on road" places in Texas?
    
    ed

re: .23

I like the "Don't drive into smoke" signs in Oklahoma better.

Bob

    
    	Well, the bike is ready for riding [almost].
    
    	Kickstand 8^)
    	Saddle bag
    	Frame-mounted pump
    	Water bottle
    	Padded gloves
    
    	I think I'll go back and get a computer also ... like my father
    	says, it's good to know how far you've gone [maybe just for brag-
    	ging rights, I don't know] and how long it took, etc.
    

    
     RE:-1  Don't leave out the helmet, especially if you ride in the
            city.  Kickstand?  real gearhead don't have no kickstand ;-)
    Shaw

    
    	Oh yeah ... bought the helmet with the bike.  Got the rest of the
    	stuff last night.
    
    	And this is a street bike, one which I'd like to keep looking
    	good ... which means no scratches and yes kickstand.
    
    	And DEFINITELY no throwing the bike across ditches.
    
    	8^)
    

    back in the days when *I* used a K-k-ki-ki-... (geez can't quite say
    it), having one, guaranteed scratches.  :-)  then again, you might
    never carry panniers.  good luck.
    
    ed

    -1 now that Ed mentions it, i remember when i was a kid with a
       kickstand-ed bike the nice abrasion marks on the stay from
       pushing it down with my foot.
    
       Chip

    re: .25
    
    If you haven't settled on a computer yet, I recommend the Cateye Mity
    II (not Micro).
    
    It's simple and cheap ($24 at Performance recently).  It's not wireless
    but it has most necessary functions if you don't need cadence.
    
    One feature I especially like is auto start/stop.  This feature saves
    you from turning off the timebase when you stop for any reason and then
    forgetting to turn it back on and losing track of some miles.  (You 
    can turn this off if you don't like it.)    
    
    Erik

    -1 yeah, but with wireless you don't have any wires tie-wraps to mess
       up your paint or the fine looks of your machine :-)
    
       gee, i've had a micro for over 4 years on my beater it has never
       failed me.

    I have some Ice Red duct tape I'll sell you for you new MTB...

    I am cheap and wired when it comes to bike computers.  My cat MTTY II
    died on Monday and yesterday I bought a vetta C-15 (?) which also has
    auto start/stop.  All the wrapping of the wire is a bit unattractive.
    
    I suppose wireless would be the way to go on a mountain bike.  Wouldn't
    the wires get caught up in something?
    
    Rick
    

    -1 Ha! Whaddya wanna do... hook your sled up to mine the next time
       we go for a ride?  :-)

    -1 Ooops... that was for smart-butt Brian...

    Ouch, that hurts!  Maybe not such a bad idea though :-).  

    RE: wires getting caught....
    
    I have had to do some involuntary bushwhacking and have had no problems 
    with getting the wires caught in stuff.  Toss the tie wraps they give you 
    and use electrical tape at fairly close intervals.  For the fashion 
    conscious, you can get it in a variety of colors these days.  I went with 
    a more formal basic black as it matches my ride :-).  For an extra measure 
    of protection, you could route the wire on the back of the fork as well 
    which I neglected to do.  No problems yet though.  
    
    Brian

    Brian's right. I have never lost a wire either, however I did not
    opt for the tape and went with boring tie-wraps :-).
    
    Chip