Bicycling

In my 20s I wanted the bike that was the fastest, a bike easy to peddle and go both a long distance and fast. Turn down handlebars, nine or ten rear gears (At the time when I was 20 it was five rear speed, but I am looking at what I would get when I was 20 today). Make or model is less important then frame, Titanium or Carbon Fiber for max rigidity/ Brooks B-17 seat, no front shocks.

I am now in my 50s, and prefer a much more upright position and a wider distance between the end of the handlebars, thus an upright bike, nine or ten gears, Brooks B-135 seat (lots of Springs) and a front shock. The frame with a sightly shorter wheel base then when I was in my 20s (For a more comfortable upright ride), frame the same material as when I was in my 20 for the more rigid the frame the easier it is to peddle.

If I was going on bike trails only, I would look into a recumbent, but I think they are to unsafe on public roads (Car drivers have hard enough time seeing upright bikes, let alone a recumbent).

What now I am looking at Waterfords Bicycles. They are all Chrome Moly but can be made with straight handlebars (Titanium and Carbon Fiber are plus points for a bike, but NOT that much of a plus point).

http://waterfordbikes.com/now/home.php?newstype=home&navcommand=showall

Right now I like the 33 Sport Tourer, but before I buy I would have to do a lot of research fro I am satisfied with my present bikes and thus have NOT looked that closely at new bikes:



When I have looked I could not find anything better, but starting at $2300 (Frame only) expensive but worth every Penney.

When I was in my 40s I did look at Recumbents, I liked the old Cannondale Bent, no longer in production, but an overall good bike: