On 2/21/08, frank theriault <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 3:52 PM, Malcolm Smith > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Richard Ballantyne (sp?) whose bicycle book I considered essential reading > > in the 70s had a different take on this. His view was that you should > spend > > money on a good cycle with quality components, so that you don't get > > discouraged by one that is forever in need of repair or a horror to ride. > I > > think his phrase was 'a good cycle ride doesn't allow you to have apple > pie > > and ice cream' but regular exercise, especially if you do get into > cycling, > > is likely to lead to you watching what you eat etc - and your weight will > > drop. > > > > Bicycling magazine is right that most could do with losing 10 lbs (if only > > in my case!) but the longer view is that an expensive bike may get you > there > > - both in terms of destination and ideal weight. > > > > > I don't disagree with what you (rather, Mr. Ballantyne) say. I > heartily endorse the purchase of good quality bicycles with the best > groupo that one can afford. If one buys a slug of a bike, too much > effort will go into riding it, it won't be fun, and the bike will > languish in a garage or basement rather than fulfilling it's destiny > of being ridden by smiling owners. > > IMHO, even more important than weight or quality is ~fit~. I see too > many people on very expensive bikes that do not fit them. Aerodynamic > and pedaling efficiency can only be obtained by proper fit, including > appropriately sized and adjusted frame, stem, seatpost and seat, > cranks, etc. > > Bicycling was referring only to weight. The shaving of pounds and > ounces drives up a bike's price exponentially - at some point on > reaches the point of diminishing returns. A (relatively) heavy bike > with high-quality frame and components, a bike that fits properly, > will always outperform a poorly fitting 14 pound CF/titanium wonder. > > > cheers, > frank >
Ditto. Bike fit and good components matter. losing 3 grams, not so much. -- M. Adam Maas http://www.mawz.ca Explorations of the City Around Us. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
