There it is. I've been wanting a mountain bike for a long time, and I finally pulled the trigger tonight after finding exactly what I wanted and needed. I got it for a great price from Amazon.com, for about 45% less than most retailers charge for it.
It's quite a machine. 21-speeds with Shimano derailleurs and Sram shifters. It also has full suspension and a front disc brake.
Now for a mountain bike to be truly usable for me, I have to be able to use it whenever, including the dead of winter and on rainy days. So I also bought a bike trainer, which will allow me to use the bike as a stationary bike. The exact model I bought is pictured below:
What's neat about this bike trainer is that it is rim drive. Most bike trainers' resistance wheels contact the bike's tires, which for mountain bikes is too rough, too noisy, and too hard on the tires...the rim drive system is uniquely suited for mountain bikes. This trainer has a magnetic resistance system that is controlled via a remote that mounts on the bike's handlebar. Unfortunately, the rim drive trainer is more costly than a traditional trainer, but I didn't have much choice. It turns out the trainer was just as expensive as the bike itself. (!)
My next purchase in this area will be a spare tire mount, so I can carry my little Jeep on my big Jeep. :-) I plan on riding the trails of Toledo's extensive Metropark system this upcoming spring and summer. Part of the reason I decided to go mountain bike over road bike is that I would much prefer to ride off-road trails as opposed to the roads and streets around here...I think biking alongside automobile traffic is a death wish around where I live...the last thing I need is to wind up a hood ornament on some speeding soccer mom's Odyssey minivan. I'm going to hold off buying the bike carrier for now because I don't plan on riding anywhere except the basement until it warms up.
What I really like about this arrangement is that, for the price of a decent stationary exercise bike, I have a setup that is far more usable and way, way more fun.
Now, which one of you slackers (you know who you are :-P) is going riding with me next summer? :-P :-P :-P
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4 comments:
i'm in!
You know, when I was riding 10-20 miles a day, I ran the mile and a half Air Force Death march in 10:14. I never knew what a cardio workout I was getting.
Great purchase. See you in the summer of 2k8. I'll ride my trail bike up to Toledo.
Tony
So Brian's in. One down, a couple more to go. Although, since these bikes don't have motors, the rest of y'all might be scared off.
:-P
Tony,
I'm really looking forward to the cardio workout. I have a weight set for the basement but that alone doesn't make for a complete workout.
I'm going hold my feet to the fire and stick with the complete workout plan when I get my stuff. No way will I let a purchase this size go to waste!
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