Gregg's Blog

Anonymous asked: I live in the suburbs of chicago and would like to have a bike mostly to ride on trails between the villages. I probably would ride for more than 2 hours. I was wondering what bike you would recommend and if there is a store that you know of locally. We have REI and also small bike shops. My aunt's husband bought her a bicycle at your store-think it was Haul 01? Thanks.

Hello,

Anything in the “all road” category of bikes or even a cyclocross bike would be great for what you are describing.  These bikes offer a wider tire with some tread on them for off road type of riding and can, in the case of the cyclocross bike, give you multiple hand positions for longer rides.  Any of your local bike shop should be good, as well as REI.  Just make sure to test ride as many bikes as you can and buy the one that fits.  I don’t know any specific bike shops in your area so I cant really help you there.

Hope that helps and have fun!

Jeremy

Anonymous asked: Will the SRAM's new Apex WiFLI (wide range of gearing) be able to "make the triple obsolete" or is that just marketing hype? If it's real, any ideas on which bikes will have it as an option? Thanks!

Funny, seems we’ve been getting this question a lot lately.  Here’s the answer for you…

Dear Anon,

We are certainly seeing the “compact double” killing off the triple in many cases.  The front rings on a Compact Double are usually 50/34 as opposed to a 53/39 on a “traditional” Double. The 34 is a big part of what can help you get to the same low range a Triple would.  Sram was the first to introduce an 11-28 cassette to work with this “compact” design.  They’ve raised the bar again with the 11-32 offering an even lower option, no doubt taking technology derived from their brand new 10 speed mountain group the XX.  To answer your question, there is a lot of merit for a person looking for low climbing gear and improved performance over a triple.  Let’s face it, the honing and performance of a modern triple is nothing to scoff at but these new offerings do provide improvement.  Bottom line, the gear ratios between a Triple and Compact Drive Double can be virtually identical.  The new C.D. needs less “throw” on the front derailleur for only 2 gear rather than 3 which means crisper shifts and lighter weight. You get more usable gears and less redundancy using the range on the cassette and the 2 front rings of a C.D.  We don’t have bike spec’s for 2011 bikes yet but all our major brands now offer bikes with both Shimano and Sram options in a compact drive.  I suspect we’ll see companies using this WiFLi idea but at the very least will give an aftermarket option for a wider cassette range on any compatible 10 speed group.  We’re seeing this on several bikes including specialized bikes in the women’s Doce and men’s Allez models.   Hope this helps,

Leif Thorsen

Store Manager

Anonymous asked: What kind of bike would you suggest for on road, paved trails and some dirt trails?

Any of these bikes in our “All Road” category will be great for the type of riding you’re describing.  Just make sure to go to a bike shop and get fit for it! 

http://bit.ly/aPRaHm

Anonymous asked: I would like to do the Ratpod next year in Montana. 130 miles..now I have been told I need a road bike but where do I even start to know what to get?

Hello,

People ask all the time what the “best” bike is.  The simple answer is, “the one that fits”.  

But what does that mean?  First of all, start with your local bike shop and stay away from the “big box” stores.  While there you’ll find good folks that will be able to spend time with you to figure out the best bike for your needs.  From that information you’ll be able to pick the price range that you are most comfortable with.  Road bikes start at around $700 and go up from there.  As the price goes up the bikes get better but you may not need to spend thousands on your bike to get the right bike for you.  So, pick your price range, go to your local shop (or a few of them) and then test ride everything in that range including one above and one below.  Through talking to your sales rep you should be to narrow your selection down to the bike that fits you best in your price range.  For more info on fit check out this link: http://www.greggscycles.com/blog/?p=8

Anonymous asked: I feel I need a triple for climbing and my old knees. According to a report in the latest Bicycling, SRAM's WiFli (having a 11-32 ten-speed cassette and a double crank) may "kill the triple" because of the weight savings, improved shifting and reduced chance of derailment. Do you agree? Which manufacturers will carry the WiFli?

Dear Anonymous,

We are certainly seeing the “compact double” killing off the triple in many cases.  The front rings on a Compact Double are usually 50/34 as opposed to a 53/39 on a “traditional” Double. The 34 is a big part of what can help you get to the same low range a Triple would.  Sram was the first to introduce an 11-28 cassette to work with this “compact” design.  They’ve raised the bar again with the 11-32 offering an even lower option, no doubt taking technology derived from their brand new 10 speed mountain group the XX.  To answer your question, there is a lot of merit for a person looking for low climbing gear and improved performance over a triple.  Let’s face it, the honing and performance of a modern triple is nothing to scoff at but these new offerings do provide improvement.  Bottom line, the gear ratios between a Triple and Compact Drive Double can be virtually identical.  The new C.D. needs less “throw” on the front derailleur for only 2 gear rather than 3 which means crisper shifts and lighter weight. You get more usable gears and less redundancy using the range on the cassette and the 2 front rings of a C.D.  We don’t have bike spec’s for 2011 bikes yet but all our major brands now offer bikes with both Shimano and Sram options in a compact drive.  I suspect we’ll see companies using this WiFLi idea but at the very least will give an aftermarket option for a wider cassette range on any compatible 10 speed group.  Hope this helps,

Leif Thorsen

Store Manager