I need a little advice from the cyclists here

[Jay68442]

I really want to start taking part in some of the rides for cancer.

I currently own a giant sedona. Here is a link to the bike. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...yle/939/28415/

I was wondering if anyone had an idea of the distances this bike can travel. I only use it to take short rides with my daughter.

Also if it is not a good bike for going distances can someone suggest a decent bike to get me started.

Thanks Jason

[dadmo]

That's a fine bike for medium distance riding 50 miles. Both my wife and I have used that type of bike to do century rides (100 miles) but it's a lot of work. If you plan on riding long distances you're going to want a road bike (skinny tires) and you can pick up a decent one for a few hundered dollars.
Neither one is really better then the other I have both and I ride both. If you plan on doing century rides you may want a road bike but most people don't do that distance, not because it's hard but it takes a long time on a bicycle. Heck I wouldn't go 100 miles in my car if I didn't have to. If I had just one bike to pick it would be the type you already have. With a young family the rails to trails rides are great and they would ruin a road bike.

[dadmo]

I just noticed you're a scuba guy. I love that stuff. Nancy and I have been diving everything we can in the Caribbean from Tobago to Cayman Brac.

[Scott]

As Bill said, a 100-mile "century" ride is a lot easier on a road bicycle. You might want to start with a 40-mile Challenge route on the bike that you have. On the other hand, if you'd like to get a new bike and try longer rides, you can usually get great advice on what will work best for you at a local bike shop. You can shop for bikes like you'd shop for cars -- though fortunately bikes cost a lot less than cars! (I ride a 2003 Trek 2200.)

[Jay68442]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to give my bike a try are I start my training. I figure it would be more of a workout anyway. If I really enjoy it and want to go longer distances a road bike would certainly be the way to go.

dadmo
I love to dive but its been a while since my last dive. Once I had my daughter I just couldn't find the time. I was born and raised on Long Island, NY and only recently moved to PA. So as you can imagine I spent most of my life on the ocean. LI has so many good wreck dives but visibility is very limited. I only dove in the caribbean once but have done many dives in the keys. I hope to get back into it when the kids get a little older.

[Jay68442]

I have one more question.
I was looking at some road bikes on ebay and was wondering how do I go about measuring myself to know what size frame I should be on.

[Scott]

The best thing to do is to visit a local bike shop near you, let them measure you, and test ride a few different bikes.

[Jay68442]

I went to the local bike shop Friday and found what I think will be the bike I purchase. It's a giant OCR 3. It seems to be a good deal for the money as far as an entry level bikes go. I will be going back some time this week when I have more time to take it for a test ride. Anyone have any feedback on this bike before I make my final decision.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/3/11474/

[Scott]

Giant is known for good value. Bicycling.com offers this review in their "simply irresistible road bikes" section. The reviewer's final sentence: "For any new rider who is not sure exactly what he wants, but wants to try it all, the OCR3 is a find." Do make sure you take a test ride before buying, but it sounds like a good choice.

[dadmo]

J:
I purchased a giant OCR for my ride across PA. I'm really please with it. I put 1500 miles on it this summer without one problem.

[Jay68442]

Which one did you buy? The 1,2 or 3?

[dadmo]

I have to look at the exact model but I believe it's a Giant Alliance OCR 1. It has a composite upper body with a steel belly. It's about a $1200 bike .

[Jay68442]

Very nice bike. I read some reviews of it. A little too much for me right now. Have to make sure I will be cycling for a long time before spending that much money. The wife said she would kill me if I put a $1200 bike on the wall in the garage to collect dust.

[Jay68442]

Just got back form the local bike shop and yes I did buy something. I bought a Giant OCR3. I test drove it and will be picking it up tomorrow. Didn't have time to wait today for them to put the computer on.

They had two models in stock. A 2007 and a 2006. Both brand new. The 07 was $650 and 06 was $575. So I choose the 06. The year and color didn't mean much to me. None of it matters if I don't get my butt on and ride.

So tomorrow I should be out putting some miles on my new bike.

[dadmo]

I'm hoping Nancy doesn't read this thread