Cleared the cobwebs out of the 106 inch yesterday

 

Good call!

Does this look like a good deal? Raleigh Talus MSRP is right at $1000

I'm only 5'7" so a smaller bike is right for me.

 

That Raliegh has about the same crank as your current bike.

I would look for at least 54 teeth on the big crank so you can put the hammer down.

 

Raoul is correct, if you are doing mostly pavement riding you probably need more than a 44 tooth for a big ring.

I have road specific bikes with 700 x 23c wheels/tires, but for most people that cruise the neighborhood or city those are not the most comfortable or practically bikes. I also have a couple of cross/mtb bikes with treaded tires in the 1.95x27 to 2.50x27 range. I also bought a cheaper seat of city wheels that would take a 1.00x27 tire at a higher pressure(65 to 110 psi). It allows me to have essentially two bikes for the price of one and the cost of the extra wheels. If I'm doing primarily street riding with a bit of dirt or gravel trail I use the city wheels at 100 psi.

Take a look at something like this:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000__400319
OR
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000__400319

My next adventure in a couple of months is the Chief Lagida/Silver Comet trail. I will park in Smyrna, Ga and ride to Anniston, Al., spend the night in a motel and ride back to Smyrna the next day. About 100 miles out the first day and 100 miles back the next.

 

I've considered getting another set of wheels and tires that are more for city riding but right now I really don't like the gearing on my bike. It always seems like I'm about half a gear off of where I should be especially when climbing steep hills. I've been looking around at the Hybrid style since it seems more like what I use. Most of these have a 48 tooth big crank and 11 as the smallest out back. This is a little more than what I have now but I haven't seen one over 50 yet.

My other question is brake style. In most of the bikes around the range I've been looking at one of the big differences is disk or rim-squeezers. I know the disk is the "cooler" of the two but does it really make much of a difference?

 

Most of the hybrid type bikes are in the 48 tooth range because of the triple cranks. It's difficult to get decent shifting across such a wide range of teeth. Some range from 28 to 48 on the front to 11x34 on the rear. You have to take up a lot of chain slack with the rear derailleur to make it work right. If you start putting a 50 plus big ring on it means you sacrifice on the bottom end. You would have to run a bigger small ring. You could go with a double up front rather than a triple, but then you lose all your capabilities in the woods/trails and on short steep climbs. It's all a trade off. The 11 tooth bottom on the newer cassettes have given a bit more flexibility.
I find a 48 is all I need on my cross bikes. If I run out of gear it's usually on a downhill and I really don't need the additional power or speed.

Brakes:
I have one bike with a disk brake. All the rest are "rim squeezers". I'm old school, rim brakes are fine for me and have never given me a scare because I couldn't stop when I needed too. The disks are great for woods and dirt riding because the tend to work better in all conditions. Would I pay extra for a set of disk brakes on one of my bikes? NO, I'm fine with all my rim brakes. A properly adjusted set will lock up my rear or front wheel in a heartbeat if I squeeze down on them. At that point your tire and weigh transfer are the deciding factors in whether you stop safely or not.
There is quite a difference in rim brakes. The cheaper ones allow too much flex and the braking power is suspect. Stick with Campagnolo, Shimano, Cane Creek, Sram, etc.

 

Makes me miss my Lemond Zurich i had to sell 8 years ago..all steel frame..bike road like a dream. One day i will get back on the road..

 

Lemond bicycles have flip flopped from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the Zurich is arguably the best of the bunch with it's 853 steel main triangle. I wee bit heavy, but a fine riding bike that would last forever.
I wouldn't turn one down for the right price.

 

Yea, when you didn't actually have to "Pay" for it, you can do that.

 

Well that too but, Wookie since your 5'7" one of your first questions can be how tall is the owner. Better bikes are fitted like a suit coat.

My friend is 5'8" and scored a $1,500 road bike for $450 because it was too small for the average buyer.

 

Ha, reminds me of a questionable character that used to race with me years ago. He always said he filed the serial numbers off his frames because it made them more "aerodynamic". (He also tested positive for PED's twice and was expelled from Masters racing.)

 

I was kicked off an organized bike ride for 'utilizing excessive SAG support' i.e. falling.

Plus, they found vodka in my water bottle.

 

Wait a second, sounds like you're calling me a little short guy! I ride a medium frame with an 18" tube between the seat and crank. If the distance is too much more than this I'll need to get the sawz-all out...

I've been looking around the local shops and have found a few things out. They are really proud of some bikes and there's a ton of selection but nothing exactly like I think I want.

 

I bought a Specialized 'Stump-Jumper' back in 1996 but haven't rid it since 2001 cuz of a back injury.

Little over 2,000 miles on it and FOR SALE. New, it was a little over 2,000$us.

Front shox, Arimad reinforced tires, shimano XT derailers, twist grip shifters, 1-1/2" frame.

Now I ride my Segway XT cuz of the back injury. Lots more fun, too.

Well, that and my Harley's.

 

So after hitting a few of the local shops I have pretty much setted on a Cannondale Quick CX3. It's basicly a commuter bike a mountain bike forks. The local shop knocked off $100 because the bike they had in stock had the wrong price on it. I planned on buying local instead of scouring the internet to save a few $$$. The local places will do adjustments for free when you buy from them and I'd rather keep my cash in town.

Any of y'all have experiance with Cannondales? I know they are a well respected brand but every company drops a dud from time to time.