High-end Custom Bicycles >> Recumbent bicycles Previous Thread Index Next Threaded

Pages: 1 sloji friend Reged: 01/19/06 Posts: 29 Loc: San Luis Obispo bentrider seeks upright possibilities #8123 - 09/16/06 10:23 PM (24.180.7.101) Edit Reply Quote Ok, I love my Calfee Stiletto and for solo riding it's fantastic but it simply doesn't pace with roadies. This is a typical experience; Today I rode with some local racers on a training run. These are experienced cat 2 riders and set a good pace 24-26 on flats. We went through town and came to a short hill that I can manage 10 on, they went up at 14 which even on a 1/2 mile hill adds up, I saw them on the descent and one guy got a flat and some kept going, I caught the two leaders and put a big distance between us arriving near the halfway point rest stop at 23 miles and waited 10 minutes for the pack to arrive. We then headed home by a route that has rolling hills up to 5% which I hang fine with...but then we hit the local training run that has some steep sections and I got severly dropped! By the time I reached the crest they were on the descent and nearly a mile ahead. I descended and hit 43 mph and closed the gap but could not catch them on a long 1-2% grade, just too much distance. I could have kept going at the halfway and never looked back but that's not a group ride...still, when I got dropped there is no waiting by the pack. Point being I end up riding alone much of the time due to the inherent differences in platforms. So I am considering a road bike but have three discs gone in my neck so I need a semi-upright position which it I don't think would hurt on a hilly course at the back of a pack...so my question is what bike to choose for a 50 mile hilly run? I am 5'7 with a 30" inseam and weigh about 165... I'm thinking of spending up to about 3500 bucks but would be happy at lower! any help would be appreciated, thanks sloji -------------------- Calfee Stiletto Post Extras: Lon sage Reged: 12/20/03 Posts: 595 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Re: bentrider seeks upright possibilities [Re: sloji] #8125 - 09/17/06 05:53 PM (24.51.181.14) Edit Reply Quote You could build up a Calfee Luna Pro easily in that price range with a comfortable riding wheel and your pick of parts. The Luna is a awesome bike for the money. I have one along with a Dragonfly. One idea... I prefer building up a frame since you can pick exactly what you want...you can save money getting an off the shelf bike. The advantage also for you is that if you go somewhere with someone who is great at fitting you hopefully the components can be set up to help your back. The problem for me is the bike isn't why I get dropped on hills...it is me... Post Extras: sloji friend Reged: 01/19/06 Posts: 29 Loc: San Luis Obispo Re: bentrider seeks upright possibilities [Re: Lon] #8127 - 09/18/06 02:06 AM (24.180.7.101) Edit Reply Quote Thanks for the input. I'll give Craig a call and get some more info. It's quite possible I may have the same problem on the upright(getting dropped on hills)...I ride with some very strong riders. Additionally, I have never trained on any bike but a recumbent so it could takes quite a bit of time to adapt and that's without taking into account my neck injury (three blown discs). Maybe i'll borrow a bike for a bit and train for a month and see before spending the dough! thanks again, sloji -------------------- Calfee Stiletto Post Extras: Lon sage Reged: 12/20/03 Posts: 595 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Re: bentrider seeks upright possibilities [Re: sloji] #8128 - 09/18/06 02:54 PM (24.51.181.14) Edit Reply Quote From your previous posts you sure seem to be doing really well on your "bent." I should do so well... Post Extras: Pages: 1

Previous Thread Index Next Threaded

UBB.threads™ 6.4