[keytarjunkie]

I've always loved biking. I have a very pretty Cannondale R500 that my dad gave me when I left for college last fall. It's been a great bike and I ride it every day, no complaints (besides having the shifters down below the handlebars. everything else about it I love). The folks and I have decided that I really won't need a car at college next year either. They want to get me a better bike though. the one I have is more than enough for me, I thought. And then I discover this place haha. Anyway, the idea is to buy a new bike for getting exercise (it would be nice to stay under $1000? I'm not sure what they want to spend but that's a lot of money) and turn my Cannondale into a fixed gear bike that I can ride around campus.

My only other friend that is at all interested in biking works in a shop during summers and owns a Bianchi. I'm really interested in either a Bianchi or a Cannondale. My dad offered to give me his Cannondale R600, which is pretty new, almost never used, and has the modern shifters. I just rode on it today and really liked it. Doesn't fit me like the R500 does though. I'd like a CAAD9 but it's a little out of the price range I'm thinking of.

For Bianchi, right now I'm looking at those C2C Via Nirone 7 Alu bikes, as well as the Brava and the Vigorelli (also out of my price range but if I could find a used one it would be fine). I'm going to go to a local shop that carries Bianchi tomorrow and see what they have.

I'm not a terribly serious rider but I'd like to be. I typically get a 15 or 20 mile ride in once a week or two, besides being on my bike every day. I'll have plenty of time for riding this summer and less in the fall. As usual I have some typical beginner questions:

-are there any bike pumps for less than $50 that don't leak all that much air, and don't break after three months? I've had no luck.
-what do I do in the winter when there's too much ice/snow on the ground to even think about riding outside?
-I'd like to have pedals with shoe clips, but is there anything that can clip onto those kinds of pedals to be used with normal shoes? or is that a really stupid idea?

Thanks!

 

[atomheartmother]

I don't have any advice on a specific bike. Just got to a few shops and try out all bikes in your price range.

For the pump, I have a Topeak Joe Blow Sport II that seems to work pretty well. I got it for $40 at a really small LBS. You could probably get it for less elsewhere.

In snow/ice, I don't know I'd ride a road bike, but that may be me. If I were going to ride any bike in those conditions, I'd probably look into something with wider tires.

For the shoes, you can't put cleats on a normal pair of tennis shoes. You need special bike shoes. If your concern is that you would like to walk in them, you can get bike shoes with recessed cleats or mountain biking shoes that also work fine with walking. If you have two bikes (one for exercise and one for biking around campus), just put clipless pedals with road shoes and cleats on the exercise bike. It's been a while since I've ridden around a college campus, but I don't think I'd want to ride around with clipless pedals. There was way too much stopping and starting and weaving around people to feel comfortable with clipless pedals. Besides, it's not like you'd be looking for great performance and speed when cruising through campus.

 

[thegock]

Pump, ice, toe clips

I have an Air Tool Pro or something like that, which is going strong after five years. I think it's a Specialized.

Ice is too risky for my taste. I hit the YMCA for spin or exercise bike and also the KKR trainer in the basement.

Lose the clips and get some real pedals but figure out what you want. My cousin told me that the Shimanos that I use are the easiest to hit the target.

Be careful.

 

[Mr. Versatile]

When you asked about pumps did you mean floor pumps or carry on the bike pumps? There are so many brands of both kind it'll boggle your mind. I have a Serfas Floor pump that I like a lot. If you do a search for floor pumps, or mini pumps you'll get more info that you could read in a month.
For an on-the-bike pump the Topeak Road Morph just cannot be beat. Period. I wouldn't call it a mini pump. It has a hose, a gauge, will fit either schrader or presta valves, and it also has a fold out foot pad and a fold out handle. It's the next best thing to carrying a full sized floor pump on your bike. There are many mini pumps, CO2 inflater's, etc. If you do a search you'll find it easily. You might also take a look at the review section. If you haven't been there, stuff is rated and comments made by users are also there.

 

[Mr. Versatile]

I forgot...I live in N. Central Ohio and I ride year 'round. My criteria for riding are mid teens or warmer, and clear roads. I won't ride if there's snow, ice, etc on the roads. When I ride in the cold, this is what I wear:
I used to commute 36 mi/day all year in N. Ohio. I'm also a cheapskate, so I don't go nuts buying things from Assos, etc. I wear Performance Triflex windproof/waterproof tights for really cold days with no long johns or other base layer. Other tights are all right above 35*. On top I wear a top from Sahalie made from Polartec. They call it butterfleece." No pockets, but they are very warm & zip up into a nice turtle neck. I wear no base layer with that unless the temp goes into the single digits. Over the jersey, I wear a Performance windproof jacket with Illuminite, (I ride in the dark a lot). I bought a pair of Grandoe Expedition gloves for around $40 from Sierra Trading Post. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...s-Waterproof-Insulated-For-Men-and-Women.html They're the warmest I've ever had...Primaloft insulation, with 2 pair of removable liners. If goes into the teens, I have a pair of Gortex mittens that I wear. I wear smart wool knee length knee socks, and below 30* I wear Performance neoprene booties. http://www.performancebike.com/bikes//Product_10052_10551_1018749_-1___ A balaclava is also a must for me, as are glasses with at least 2 sets of interchangeable lenses.
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[keytarjunkie]

Thanks for all the great advice guys! I'm pretty set on my dad's Cannondale R600/CAAD5 with Shimano 105 everything except for ultegra front derailers and pedals. Looks like you guys answered the rest of my questions.