i am currently living abroad in Grenoble, France and loving it. i sold my old bike (Giant OCR3) in order to get some extra cash to "survive" over here. soon after finding out that it does not cost that much for a person to live here due to government allocations, i realized that i will have some extra cash left over to buy a new bike when i return (up to 2500 USD).
in the past, i bought a bike in Colorado to get in shape and to have fun. being a college student, i did not have money, so i immediately bought the cheapest, low-end Giant at the nearest outdoor store in order to fulfill the dream. after training heavily, i learned that i absolutely loved exercising (not just biking)...i came back, joined the biking team at my university, started doing tri's, marathons and the like. on the weekends, i frequently packed everything on my bike and rode off to wherever the road would take me. this summer, i plan on riding my bike home from Estes Park, CO to a small town near Chicago, IL, a feat that will take me a few weeks.
my question is this:
is there a bike that could double as a racing/touring bike? it seems as if there is a big enough difference between racing and touring set-ups to make me consider buying two rigs for their separate purposes. i understand the differences between the two styles.
problem is, i dont have that much cash, and i would like to continue being somewhat competitive when i get back.
i have had a few friends do the same ride i am planning, and they put on a hiking pack and just rode. i feel as if that is not the most comfortable/efficient way to stow your stuff (as panniers are great!).
is there anybody else that has had the same problem? how did you decide which rig to buy? is it menial? am i just looking for excuses to buy as many bikes as possible, therefore investing money set aside for school into "useless" stuff?
thanks
jeff
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by noguffjeff
am i just looking for excuses to buy as many bikes as possible, therefore investing money set aside for school into "useless" stuff?
yes, but who cares?
I spent half the money I made during the summer between my 2 years of graduate school on a piece of art. Definitely not a practical decision. Made the last year of grad school tougher financially but that piece of art still occupies pride of place in my house 25 years later...
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by centexwoody
a piece of art.
It was a bicycle, wasn't it...
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by noguffjeff
am i just looking for excuses to buy as many bikes as possible, therefore investing money set aside for school into "useless" stuff?
thanks
jeff
You probably are, but that's OK.
One solution to your dilemna would be a BOB or other trailer hitched on to your road bike. Another solution would be a giant seat bag like the Carradice Camper or (if they become available again) a big Rivendell Baggins seat bag. A handlebar bag would be useful, too.
Whichever route you go, try to keep your gear to a minimum.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by markf
You probably are, but that's OK.
One solution to your dilemna would be a BOB or other trailer hitched on to your road bike. Another solution would be a giant seat bag like the Carradice Camper or (if they become available again) a big Rivendell Baggins seat bag. A handlebar bag would be useful, too.
Whichever route you go, try to keep your gear to a minimum.
oh dont you worry, i am very minimalist, often forgetting important things in the name of being simple!
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not into racing. However, I do like to do long distance rides that are supported and for this type of ride I like to switch out the wheels on my touring bike. I have a Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30. Made from reynolds 853 steel - a frame material that is used in good quality road frames. The Sherpa 30 comes with STI shifting and road gearing on the front. I prefer this set up to what normally comes on a touring bike - they usually have bar end shifters and much smaller chain rings on the front. Hey, if you are in "race shape" you could probably get away with road gearing on the back to do your touring.
Originally Posted by noguffjeff
am i just looking for excuses to buy as many bikes as possible, therefore investing money set aside for school into "useless" stuff?
yes, but who cares? 
