He should get some skinny/smooth tires for his MTB, known as slicks. It will feel like a new bike.
2010-06-16 20:28:26
7
Bike shops Buffalo + Advice Needed
1. Anyone know any good places to buy a used road bike in Buffalo or the WNY area? Or to trade a used MTB for a road bike?
2. I'm asking for my brother, who is planning to ride 62.5 miles in the Ride for Roswell with me on June 26th. He currently has a pretty heavy MTB and wants to get a road bike before the ride. I'm inclined to advise him to stick with the ride he's got for now, and if it sucks really badly, just cut the ride short - but what the hell do I know? Anyone have any advice for a situation like this? There are now just 9 days till ride time, and I also doubt he's been out on any long-ish prep rides...
2010-06-16 20:10:59
http://www.rickscycleshop.com/
I'v never been in the store, but according to their website they sell used bikes. It's a stone throw from Rosewell Park.
2010-06-16 20:42:19
is he living in buffalo? are rochester area shops an option? if so i'd checkout trailblazers in victor or park ave bikes in the city or towpath bikes in pittsford.
2010-06-16 20:48:18
I'm currently using a mountain bike for my primary transport. If I want it to handle like a road bike, I swap to wheels with skinny (1") tires with road treads, and I pump up the shocks to be pretty stiff. (I plan to buy another bike... when finances permit.) I have no trouble doing 70 miles on that (which for me, is the trip to Ohiopyle).
2010-06-17 02:34:48
huh. i just got back from buffalo, where i did a tour of LBSs to find my sister a bike.
i don't really know about used bikes, but i advised my sister to check out craigslist. she ended up getting a performance-ish hybrid (trek fx 7.2) from handlebars on englewood near starin, in north buffalo.
9 days is probably enough time to "break in" a new bike and prepare for a 62.5 mile ride if he's already in any reasonably decent shape. but it might be best to put on higher-pressure slicks, as has been suggested.
i went to like five shops east and north of the city, so feel free to email me if you or your brother have any questions (hidden.variable/gmail).
2010-06-17 12:25:05
Awesome - thanks all for the advice! Passed this along to him and he is going to check out some of the shops yinz recommended this weekend - but if he doesn't find anything great, throwing slicks on is a great option.
2010-06-18 13:11:06