albergj@stolaf.UUCP (The Mad Hacker) (05/23/85)
I've been considering buying a new bicycle this summer, and I have only a limited amount of money to spend ($200-$300). I would like any advice on what bikes are available in this price range. I'm especially interested in finding abike that would work as both a light touring (<250 miles) and a racing bike. I haven't done much looking around yet, so I haven't seen many bikes that would work for me. So far the best looking ones I have seen are the Puegeot PH 10 LE, and the Peugeot Le Vagabond. If anybody out there who has one of these bikes I would appreciate if they would send me any info they could. -- "Dance on your knees!" - Daryl Hall The Mad Hacker of Psychotic Software, or ihnp4!stolaf!albergj, or The Master (a long story, and not ihnp4!stolaf!agnes!albergj related to Dr. Who)
kfl@hoxna.UUCP (Kenton Lee) (05/23/85)
xxx You're probably looking for a "sport/touring" or "triathalon" bike. These are getting increasingly popular these days. There are loads of the former in the $200-$300 price range, although the triathalon bikes seem to go for more (similar frame geometry, racing quality components). These bikes generally have: * double-butted Crome-Molly steel main tubes * a compromise geometry (between racing and touring) * 12 speeds (42/52 front, 13-28's rear or 13-24 for the serious) * Japanese steel alloy components (medium quality) * 27"x1-1/8" aluminum wheels * plastic anatomic seat * braze-on mounts for water bottles, down tube shift levers, cables I can't recommend any specific models, but look closely at the Japanese bikes. These usually are the best buys in this price range. There are also a few good American bikes in this range (Schwinn, Ross, Raleigh). -- Kenton Lee Bell Labs - WB ihnp4!wbscc!kfl or ihnp4!hoxna!kfl
era@hao.UUCP (Ed Arnold) (05/29/85)
At the recommendation of a friend (who owns the Open Air bicycle shops in Santa Barbara), I bought a Univega Viva Sport for about $305. I've owned it over a year, and am generally quite happy with it. My only complaints: 1) The rear derailleur tends to fall out of adjustment very quickly. 2) The rear stock gearing (28 lowest) is probably too low for most areas of the country (but does come in handy on some of our tiny little hills in these here parts). 3) The cheapie stock handlebar tape fell off the first week. -- Ed Arnold * NCAR (Nat'l Center for Atmospheric Research) PO Box 3000 * Boulder, CO 80307-3000 * 303-497-1253 csnet: era@ncar * arpa: era%ncar@csnet-relay * uucp: ...!hao!scd-sa!era