The problem with making choices is not what you get, but what you have to give up. That's why so many people on this list, myself included, own multiple bikes. Here's some thinking on your situation.
The Hilson is probably not the optimal choice for keeping up with a rider of equal strength on a carbon fiber, one trick, go fast bike. But it is a great choice for everything else you want to do. So why give up everything else for that one goal? The biggest difference between a typical AHH & a racing bike is not the weight of the frame but the weight of the wheels. I would buy the AHH & put the bar ends on it. That will save you at least $250 and unless you're racing it doesn't make much difference ( Down tube shifters are faster than SIS in most situations, but bar ends are more convenient and just as fast as SIS). After the bike is paid for you can consider a second set of wheels, using the money you saved by not getting brifters. The second set of wheels could be light weight, go fast wheels. Skip the racks and fenders until you're convinced you need / want them. Get a good size saddle wedge or a Carradice Barley, which you can shed when you think the extra weight will be a handicap. The most important thing you need for fun riding is the getting the right attitude. The most important race is the human race and the goal of life is not to make everything end sooner. There will always be riders out there who can go faster than you and others who will benefit when you slow down a say a word of encouragement. Keep the rubber side down & the sunny side up. Michael On Aug 31, 3:55 pm, Erik <elang...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi all: > > I am in the market for a lugged steel frame, and am about ready to > pull the trigger on an A. Homer Hilsen. Based on my needs (described > below), I would greatly appreciate any guidance as to whether or not > this is the right bike for me, and how I might choose the right > tires. > > I live in Boulder and plan to use the bike primarily for road riding > in/around Colorado, so there will be a significant amount of climbing > involved. There are also quite a few gravel paths that I would like > to take advantage of around my house. I have no experience camping or > doing longer multi-day trips, but the concept intrigues me. > Basically, I do not currently own a bicycle, so I want this bike to > serve all of my needs. > > My largest concern is this: most of my friends and neighbors go on 3 - > 4 hour rides up into the mountains on their super-light carbon > frames. Is there a way for me to set up the AHH so that it is > functional on mellow gravel roads, but also keeps up with my friends > on the steep climbs? Will a 32 tire work for this? I would prefer to > only own one set of tires if this is possible. > > And I am leaning towards building the bike with bar-end shifters. Any > reason I should consider otherwise? > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
