southcoast
Über Member
This chap seems to make some interesting bikes, I like the look of the curly stay model.
http://www.paulstubblebine.com/philbrown/index.htm
http://www.paulstubblebine.com/philbrown/index.htm
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I didn’t look at steel because I assume these are lower end bikes and there is a difference in quality of the components (I had an inexpensive steel bike along the way).
Have you got to Santiago de Compostela yet? What a beautiful church. Anyhow with your budget go carbon, but more importantly check out the world class architecture!I think the way I’ve seen bikes sold in L.A. is the more expensive the frame, the more expensive the rest of the bike. So partly I will be limited by what stores carry.
But looking at aluminum vs carbon, big dip in price and the weight is close. I didn’t look at steel because I assume these are lower end bikes and there is a difference in quality of the components (I had an inexpensive steel bike along the way).
But it seems to me that a good aluminum frame will be great value - IF I can find a bike that meets the key fit criteria, including wider tires.
I take your point about consumables and changing these over time. I also know I want the system to work well under stress. So I don’t know what’s solid and what’s ‘exotica.’
The other thing you mention that really strikes me is weight savings gets expensive when the delta in bike weight is less than a kg overall. My body weight will fluctuate that much (up and down) depending on how much bread I eat ! So light is good but lightest isn’t worth it to me.
PS: only one more day on our 7 day Camino walk. Today was 23 km. It is so much fun to do this with my wife. We are both tired, our feet are tired, but we will be sad when the walk ends. Walking thru rolling hills of varying kinds of forests is simply wonderful.
What I’ve learned from golf is expensive doesn’t always equal best for me - except sometimes it does. Learning how to find great clubs for me took effort, and I bought and sold a lot of clubs along the way. So I am trying to lessen the learning curve with bikes.
A curious bit of advice? Surely depends on what the bike is to be used for?. Anyhow with your budget go carbon,!
@Blue Hills I really appreciate your questions.Chuck, you said upthread
## will ride mainly on a long beach bike trail
Can you tell us what this is? Have any pics of such a thing?
Differences in language obviously. But to my brit ears it doesn't sound like the sort of thing you"d be wanting a full on drop bar aggressive carbon machine for. And I'd be inclined to leave the mankini at home.
How about spending maybe $1000 on a flat bar road type bike now and then get an something more 'roadie' as an N+1 for the hills in 6 months when you've got into your riding a bit more for a couple of $k?@Blue Hills I really appreciate your questions.
I don’t have pics with me of the bike path but it is about 20 miles of bikes only (and peds) along the Beach with well maintained concrete. It is essentially flat but with some ocean breeze. My ride from my home to the path is hilly but short.
The thing that gives me pause is I have the ambition to do some hill riding - at the south end of the trial there is a beautiful peninsula that is all hills - long steep inclines. My ambition in 6-12 months is to ride this - but this is not assured. It’s a tough ride for me. A goal.
But you’re right. My primary ride is flat and my primary goal is to maintain strength and endurance. 2-3-4 hrs on the bike without undue misery.
That said, light is good (within reason) Rumor is, I am not getting younger.