[bikebum1975]

Originally Posted by drwsport

What about an older Schwinn varsity as a road bike? Is it a decent choice for starting on group rides and rallies? Or would I be shunned?

HA you should see the old single speed I ride. I have had the bike for close to 7 years now and have put I would guess god close to a couple thousand miles on it myself alone. I ride the thing all over. and you will laugh it's an old ladies bike seriously. But I have ridden it max distance for one ride was 60 miles round trip so to me the term "real bike" is any bike that has wheels on it it works for me.


As far as what people would say bout your old Schwinn who cares ya know? If it fits you and rides good I would say use it still lots of those old Schwinns around.

[rawhite1969]

all that really matters is that you are riding, want to continue to ride, and are not experiencing pain associated with injury. I ride a Hybrid 75-100 miles a week in the 15mph range. Is a nice cadence, a safe speed where I ride, and a great workout. I've lost weight this year doing so, which was the initial goal. I continue to ride because I really, really like it.

[momule]

Originally Posted by JTGYK

you may get a little better performance from your bike by going with a higher pressure street tire rated for 90psi or over. You should be able to go 90psi in a 32 or 35's...higher if you went with 25 or 28's.

Tire pressure has only a little do with performance unless the rider is hugely seriously track racing or wants to be like Lance. All you get from a high PSI is a rough ride. All this business about high PSI is a bunch of BS because like most of us, we ride in the real world and not a velodrome.

See any reputable place and you will see that they also agree. My advice: get a good tire and you should be able to pay under 30 bucks each, read the PSI ratings on the side of the tire and put half that high end pressure in each tire...then adjust up or down from there. Getting a flat is a good exercise in learning basic bike mechanics.

[momule]

Originally Posted by bikebum1975

HA you should see the old single speed I ride. I have had the bike for close to 7 years now and have put I would guess god close to a couple thousand miles on it myself alone. I ride the thing all over. and you will laugh it's an old ladies bike seriously. But I have ridden it max distance for one ride was 60 miles round trip so to me the term "real bike" is any bike that has wheels on it it works for me.


As far as what people would say bout your old Schwinn who cares ya know? If it fits you and rides good I would say use it still lots of those old Schwinns around.

I've ridden several little old ladies in the past and.....ahhh, wait, sorry I forgot that this is a bicycle forum.....I just left a different one.

[rich88]

unless you race most riders don't need a high end bike but as you get more into the sport you will find yourself wanting one.

[retromike3]

I go the other way when I pump up my tires. since part of the rolling resistance is the deformation of the tire, if you pump up the tire to a higher presser the tire will turn easier. I was told by my old boss at the bike shop you could pump up the tire to twice the presser before it would blow off the rim So I always put an extra twenty pounds or so in my tires and you can feel the difference.

As for a ruff ride I think that has more to do with the super stiff frames they make now. If you go with a super stiff frame and tight head and seat numbers. Add to that a small tire like a 18c your going to have a very uncomfortable ride.

mike

[worthlees]

I choose "Little Old Ladies" bikes for the same reason I chose scooters over m/c, ease
of getting on board. Throwing a leg over over a saddle ain't as easy or comfortable as
50 odd years ago!!
Like several other members stated; matters not what or which type bike you ride as long
as it lets you ride happy & safely. You will want to up grade sometime, just human nature. My day dream, old Schwinn cruiser made into geared cruiser 3x7!! Yep, crazy
idea!! Enjoy your rides & be safe!!

[Weav]

if you are going to start doing longer, hilly rides I'd suggest you get a road bike. If you're on a tight budget then get a used one, even if it's 10 years old, it should work out better for you than your hybrid. Soreness is part of the game when starting out cycling for 20 miles, your muscles will adjust. Don't spring for the professional bike fit, do some researching online on "bike fit" and you can get pretty close to where your bike needs to be. That is what I did and if you find good advice you can get pretty close and you will have the know-how to tweak your fit until you are able to spring for a professional fit. Look for a nice, used aluminum frame like Cannondale, I'll bet you can find a decent one for $500. Sell your hybrid for cash towards the new one. Just make sure the bike fits you. If you don't know what fits you go to a bike shop and ask them what size you would be so you have a ballpark size to work with, keeping in mind that all bikes from different manufacturers tend to fit a little differently.