Bike guys

[kingjason]

Why yes he did a couple of months ago. I believe he is a manager now but it has been a few months..

[black2002ls]

I was talking to my dad today, he was wondering. I wonder if he will remember my dad. Some of my fondest memories were with my dad going to RBM. Anywho, unless something comes up, I plan to make the trip over there on Tuesday, hopefully they can give me some insight into cycling post back surgery and have some suggestions.

[no4njnk]

Does anyone know if Woody still works at RBM?

I have hated every experience at RBM except the one time I had Woody help me. I think Woody bought the store from the owner and I don't know how often he is there. Every other time I call the salespeople out for trying to sell me something I don't want or need. Met Lance Armstrong's old tri coach that time too, cool no BS guy.

Plano cycling sells the same way that RBM does but they explain why they are trying to sell you the most expensive bike when you said you are just starting off. Needless to say I would not buy from there either unless you get someone that will listen to what you want. I don't need a full carbon bike to ride around town.

My best luck has been at Plano Tri Shop off Dallas North Tollway. If you can go for it get their bike fit (I think it is $200-300 but don't quote me). This includes them using the fit machine and getting you the bike that fits you, not making a bike fit you. I don't like messing around with back surgeries so that's just me. They also do basic bike fits and your standard bikes.

[black2002ls]

I have hated every experience at RBM except the one time I had Woody help me. I think Woody bought the store from the owner and I don't know how often he is there. Every other time I call the salespeople out for trying to sell me something I don't want or need. Met Lance Armstrong's old tri coach that time too, cool no BS guy.

Plano cycling sells the same way that RBM does but they explain why they are trying to sell you the most expensive bike when you said you are just starting off. Needless to say I would not buy from there either unless you get someone that will listen to what you want. I don't need a full carbon bike to ride around town.

My best luck has been at Plano Tri Shop off Dallas North Tollway. If you can go for it get their bike fit (I think it is $200-300 but don't quote me). This includes them using the fit machine and getting you the bike that fits you, not making a bike fit you. I don't like messing around with back surgeries so that's just me. They also do basic bike fits and your standard bikes.

Thanks for the input. The bike fit sounds like it'll be way out of my budget. I've been doing some research on line, reading lots of positive stuff from people who have had surgeries in the same region and are going strong on road bikes. I plan to go by as many places as I can when I get over that way. I've been in sales for quite a while now, I work in a non commissioned sales location and preach to my employees that customer service is #1. That will be what I'm looking for.

[Beej]

The one thing that every bike shop will tell you is get as much bike as you can afford, because if you don't you will be back in 6 months to a year to upgrade. I went through 2-3 bikes before I got my Current setup. I will ride it till I crash the frame out.

You will spend a lot of time and money upgrading, so get as much as you can now.

[no4njnk]

The one thing that every bike shop will tell you is get as much bike as you can afford, because if you don't you will be back in 6 months to a year to upgrade. I went through 2-3 bikes before I got my Current setup. I will ride it till I crash the frame out.

You will spend a lot of time and money upgrading, so get as much as you can now.

Agreed, I never thought I would be in the market for a $3500 bike but when you are doing 110+ miles you need a perfect fit or life sucks.

[black2002ls]

Thanks for all of the input guys. Any recommendations on what to stay away from? Or am I going to be in fairly good shape with most bikes they try to show me?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

[kingjason]

The one thing that every bike shop will tell you is get as much bike as you can afford, because if you don't you will be back in 6 months to a year to upgrade. I went through 2-3 bikes before I got my Current setup. I will ride it till I crash the frame out.

You will spend a lot of time and money upgrading, so get as much as you can now.

It is funny because some people swear there is no difference in the higher groupsets. I have been riding road bikes since I was 14 or so and that information is a lie. When I broke every bone in my right elbow it pained me to sell my Cannondale Team bike. I averaged around a hundred miles a week and cycled almost everyday. The Dura Ace on that bike was so smooth and crisp it was crazy. I came from a 102 group Cannondale and it was a huge difference. I only bought that bike because wheels and motion found it in their attic from a prior yer and had it marked down from 3600 to 1500. I am sure the jump from Ultegra to Dura Ace wouldn't have been as great but from 102 it was. Now that being said a few years after the elbow incident I gave road bikes another shot. I had a Fuji Marseille 853 steel frame bike with Ultegra and it was very nice. Fit me like a glove, busted elbow and all, and was only like 979.00 from Bicycles Inc. The steal frame and slight raise in the bar helped alot with the burn in my tri-ceps and elbow.

I bought my current Hybrid (Trek 7.5) to see how much I would like the riding position and flat bars. The thing is really great for screwing around and rides in the 20 mile range. I absolutley agree with the above that I would be better off getting a set of wide road bars with multiple grip positions. The paddle grips on my bike are very nice for short distance riding but when you start getting into double digits they can be uncomfortable on your wrists. I was actually screwing around one night and laying down on them like aero bars. I think aeros would make a nice addition to it for just a different position, but not if I had back issues. I believe the more relaxed frame would make aero bars an easier transition then having them on a full on road race bike.

They key really is get what you like and what you will ride. Even at 100 miles a week I am sure I was no where close to a lot of riders.

[black2002ls]

I was actually screwing around one night and laying down on them like aero bars. I think aeros would make a nice addition to it for just a different position, but not if I had back issues. I believe the more relaxed frame would make aero bars an easier transition then having them on a full on road race bike.

They key really is get what you like and what you will ride. Even at 100 miles a week I am sure I was no where close to a lot of riders.

Could you elaborate on that a little more? Seems like it might be directed at me with the comment about back issues. I don't expect to be able to roll out and ride double digit miles the second I hit the pavement. But I would like the ability to grow into longer distances and it be comfortable without having to sell and upgrade.

[kingjason]

The Trek FX has a little bit more relaxed design then a full on road bike. The frame slopes up just a tad from the seat and the stem riser is elevated an inch or two. It makes it to where you are not slumped over as much on the bike. When I was screwing around a month or so ago it would have actually been really comfortable to have a aero bar on the Trek after a few miles. Probably would have been similar to riding in the drops on a regular road bike as far as my back position. They also sell nice road bikes with elevated stems to put you in a more relaxed position.

[TeeShock]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/3255912202.html

[kingjason]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/3255912202.html

He is way to high on that.

OK didnt see the rack but I would get all bike at first.

http://bikemart.com/product/12trek-7.2-fx-123180-1.htm

Or something from clearance.

http://bikemart.com/articles/closeout-bicycles-pg1055.htm

[TeeShock]

He is way to high on that.

OK didnt see the rack but I would get all bike at first.

http://bikemart.com/product/12trek-7.2-fx-123180-1.htm

Or something from clearance.

http://bikemart.com/articles/closeou...les-pg1055.htm

You know the rules - Always offer half of list price. I had the opportunity to get some seat time on one of those and it wasn't as horrible as I anticipated.
OP is looking to spend $300, I don't know of any new bikes in that price range that are worth a flip.

[kingjason]

You know the rules - Always offer half of list price. I had the opportunity to get some seat time on one of those and it wasn't as horrible as I anticipated.
OP is looking to spend $300, I don't know of any new bikes in that price range that are worth a flip.

True that. I actually enjoy riding my FX a lot and it is not a slow bike. I know some people laugh but I have Shimano SPD Sandals that are great in the summer. I like to ride and be comfortable while doing it.

[black2002ls]

Again, thank you guys for all of the info. I wish my dad was still into like he used to be, I would be picking his brain. I'm hoping to be able to at least double my initial budget. I don't want something I'm going to grow out of or be sick of in 3-4 months. I'm trying to clear out my storage unit and make some $$$ on old furniture and car parts, and it looks like some things are going to change at work and I'll be working some extra hours in the next two weeks. If I wait until after christmas, I could probably have $1000-$1200 to work with.

That looks like a pretty good deal on that Trek, though I'm a shorter gentleman. 5'7.5"