Conference noted::bicycle

    
    A lot of the people here are bike enthusiasts (read: obsessives)
    so replies (such as mine) will be tainted in that regard.
    
    Yes, #3 or #4 sounds best.  I think you'll find it more trouble and
    expense than it's worth to go for #3.  Things may not fit quite right,
    and components bought separately can be more expensive than a new
    "bundled" bike.  Also, another plus with #4 is you have a "beater bike"
    or back-up bike in reserve!  (That is, your old bike.)
    
    You can get quite a good bike for $700 - though it may seem expensive
    to you.  Or $600.  The Bridgestone RB-2 is an example of a well-designed
    steel frame with carefully chosen, mixed components (value for money,
    not the blanket use of one gruppo from one manufacturer, e.g., "all
    Shimano 105").  But there are other choices out there, too.
    
    Other people may be able to comment on the quality of the Raleigh
    Grand Prix frame.  As everyone will say, the frame is the most important
    component - go for quality there, if you have to skimp anywhere.
    
    -john

    
    
    I don't think you need to spend 700-$1,000 on each bike.  In fact,
    you can probably get two good quality bikes for that.  My wife
    has a Trek hybrid.  It is designed for people who do 99% of their
    riding on the road, but don't like to slow down for curbs, speed
    breakers, or pot holes-- it's bullet proof.  It has a fancy shifting
    system too. It has eyelets for mounting racks & fenders, etc. 
    It cost $360.00, new. 
    
    You probably ought to reasses what the function of the bike will  
    be and design your purchase to meet those demands.  I wouldn't
    like commuting on a road-racing bike, but to each his own.  
    
    In a nutshell, you may be happier with a new type of bike rather
    than a new model of the old bike.
    
    Good Luck!
    
    r�

    
    John, 
    
     It might just be that your enthusism (sp?) level is not as high 
     due to the condition of the bikes. In my opinion, getting hi-tec
     components for an old (20 year old) frame that was nothing special
     to begin with, is not a good investment. At a recreational level
     going to index shifting could probably make a difference on your
     bike, and good wheels.  
     One nice approach IMO is to find a good bike shop with a variety of 
     bikes, road (sport, touring) hybrid, and ATBs. Try them, most stores
     will allow you to take the bike out to ride. See which one best 
     suits your needs, eg, your wife will probably be happier/more 
     comfortable on a hybrid, you might prefer ... etc...
     Once you decide which type suits you best, then you can compare
     between you current bike and the new feel. 
     For recreational riders, there are many good deals especially this
     time of year, which is slower for bike shops and you can find very
     good deals for last years models.  I don't think you need to 
     spent $700.00, unless you plan on doing some serious off road or
     racing or touring...On a recreational level, for last years models
     you could find new bikes from $250.00 to $450.00 which would be 
     just dandy. Compare to spending money on wheels and components on 
     your old bike, which would cost about the same. 
    
     Shaw

    Go for 4, it's probably cheaper in the long run.
    
    If you're not too fussy, the best prices should be available
    in October -- end of season sales and still before Christmas.
    
    as for .1's "obsessives".  WHO? ME?  Nah.
    
    ed

    Also check out any used bikes for sale.  There are many in this
    conference, and many in the Want Advertiser and other places.  A lot of
    people either find that they don't ride, or get totally fanatical and
    trade up -- leaving plenty of nice, fairly new bikes for sale at good
    prices.

    
    	I too have a Grand Prix that is sitting somewhere in the past
    residences. I overhauled it 8 or so years ago and it is rideable
    today. New cost $170 cost to fix up (9 years ago) $85. I did the work
    and scrounged for deals. It now has a 600 rear derailer and a 6 speed
    cassette and kevlar tires and brakes and grips and seat. If you have
    the shop do the work and you replace the inferior cranks the cost will
    exceed the worth of the bike.(poor economics)
    	The Grand Prix frame is too soft too.
    
    	Roger

Hi John,

I have seen your machines up close & personal and I do believe that they should
be retired. I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised at the advances made
since you bought your last set of bikes.

The "end of season" sales should start to happen very soon...

good luck,
-tom

    > My wife and I both have ~20 year old Raleigh "Grand Prix" 10-speed
    > bicycles that definitely need work.  We've been riding more during
    > the last couple of years (to/from work 1-2 times/week, 25 miles
    > round-trip...also geared up for and completed the MS150), but still
    > can't be classified as "enthusiasts"...we do this more for exercise
    > than for fun.
    
    I think you've earned some new hardware!  Whether or not you do it for
    fun, you'll enjoy it a lot more if you don't have to deal with the
    problems inherent with old machinery - to say nothing of the joys of
    light wheels, indexed shifting, etc.  Since you don't seem to be hung
    up on high performance or equipment mystique, you'll find good,
    dependable, enjoyable bicycles for $500 or less - bicycles that'll last
    another 20 years.
    
    Andy (who waited only 14 years, not 20)

    Just go to a big bike shop and test ride a few.  That will answer your
    question, believe me.
    
    Dave

    Never test ride a bike that you aren't prepared to buy.  A new bike
    will always make your old bike seem like a dog.  And it isn't fun to
    ride the old one anymore.
    
    Peter

    I upgraded to new bikes last year and would definitely recommend option
    #4. New bikes are relatively cheap compared to the components, and the
    new features (indexed shifting, especially) are wonderful. It needn't
    cost you the earth, as others here have said.
    
    Piers
    
    Peter: the answer is 60170087060757.

    Also, check out note #2 in this conference which is the FOR SALE note.
    You might be able to find a nice bike(s) of recent vintage in good shape
    for reasonable dollars.
    
    						Thom...

Well....er...we took the plunge (I knew I would).

2 shiny new Trek 2200's now grace my garage next to my 20-yr-old Raleigh's,
172,000-mi, '82 RX7, and 176,00-mi Jeep.

Now I REALLY need a nice little commuting car...maybe a Lexus SC400??

Thanks for the advice, but the STI's finally did me in.
John

except now I won't be able to hear you & Ann coming up behind me at the MS150
(it was no trouble with your Raleighs)

STI will be a must on my next bike.

-tom