need bicycle recommendations

[hlothery]

. When I told him I was planning to trim my toenails to compensate for the added extra weight of the shrader valves, he asked me to leave his shop.

.

Now, that's funny right there! I don't care who you are!

I have met many a fellow biker who apparently feels that raising the seat to the proper height also puts one on higher moral ground. I agree, don't fall for that crap. Just ride!

 

[geisterfahrer]

After undergoing back surgery in 1999, I found I could no longer comfortably ride a conventional bicycle. So, after a great deal of research, test rides, and saving of money, I bought a Longbikes Slipstream recumbent.

'Bents aren't for everybody, and they tend to be rather expensive. Still, I would highly recommend trying this style of bicycle to anyone who is looking to get into biking on surface streets. There are also recumbent tricycles, which are REALLY fun to ride!

 

[Cal]

First thing you need to do is decide what type of cycling you are to do, then go to a good shop and remember that the difference between a $5K bike and a $1K is four thousand dollars of ego.

I would look for a good reliable road bike with a steel frame and decent but not top of the line components. Ask for a short ride it is all subjective to how you feel on it.

Computer is good but not necessary HRM is.

Bicycles riders are as snobbish as any motorcycle rider, Roadies do not like tourists who do not like mtn bikers etc. They all look down on the Freds who are not dressed properly.

Cal Garcia

 

[bob_m]

not a fred

 

[Wkoppa]

What Bike is Best?

The best bike is the one that makes you happy.

"First thing you need to do is decide what type of cycling you are to do, then go to a good shop and remember that the difference between a $5K bike and a $1K is four thousand dollars of ego."

Get a good idea of what type of riding is going to make you happy and make you want to go out and ride. I have been through the mountain bike phase of my life (kid in town by the name of John Tomac made us all look slow) and tried a little road riding. Ended up with a Dahon folding bike.

http://us.dahon.com/folding-bicycles

It rides three times better than it looks. I can take the Dahon on vacation (Key West) and a lot of other places. It may not be for you but try to find something that will make you want to get out. Between the motorcycle and Dahon I have not had the car out in almost a week.

If you get into it there are all types of events where people get together for everything from a short to a long ride. Lots of fun and lots of people to meet.

Like this http://www.grayling-area.com/blackbear2010/

Find a good dealer, stick with them and find out what kind of riding you want to do. The dealer will sort out the details.

Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI

R850R
R100RS (77)
Sweedish Army Bicycle

 

[longridgebuilder]

Decide on what you want to spend. Then pick a color. Then have the tech fit the bike. Done !

 

[mwieck]

I like to ride a bicycle. Not far not fast. I buy mine at garage sales. If I get one that feels good ,I ride it. If I don't like it, I give it to someone who needs a bike.

 

[deaconjones]

As a long-time cyclist, I'm going to offer some advice that will run against the grain of most serious cyclists' thoughts.

Riding bicycles is fun and it's great exercise, so no controversy there, but...

Serious cyclists can be a snobby bunch who tend to go in for all kinds of expensive, if not genuinely useful, gear designed to perform mystical feats like shaving quarter seconds off 50-mile journeys. I once got into an argument with a mechanic at a bike shop who sneered at my request to drill out the holes in the rims of an old bike to fit shrader valve stems. When I told him I was planning to trim my toenails to compensate for the added extra weight of the shrader valves, he suggested that I leave his shop.

My point is for a beginning, not-yet-so-serious biker who just wants a good, solid bike to ride in order to get some exercise, don't let yourself get bamboozled by the mystical fanaticism of the lycra-wearing crowd. By all means, visit a good bike shop, but if the sales guy starts touting the need for ultra-light-weight carbon composite frames, high-tech add-on components, infinitely adjustable suspensions and then turns his nose up at your suggestion that maybe you really don't want to bolt your feet to the pedals of your new bike, politely leave the shop and go elsewhere.

Like you said, you're not trying to emulate Lance Armstrong, and since you likely don't plan shaving off all your body hairs to reduce wind resistance, so you probably won't benefit from paying an extra thousand dollars to reduce the weight of your bike an additional two pounds. Personally, when I'm out for exercise, I prefer my older, heavier mountain bike that requires a little more effort and doesn't break when I run it over a curb or take it on a dirt trail.

My most important recommendation is to get the bike that feels best, is most comfortable and is sturdy enough to do what you want it to do without breaking. Ride it for mile or so before agreeing to buy it. Don't feel compelled to buy the latest, fanciest, lightest, name-brand, extra in and trendy stuff just because failing to do so might seem uncool to "real" cyclists. You can get a dang good bike for under a thousand bucks. It might be a little heavier, not have the lastest, coolest, most "in," brand of mechanical gizmos, but honestly, based on your reasons for getting a bike, you don't need them.

Flats are a constant problem, so tire liners might be a good idea, along with a compact, easy-to-carry-along tire changing kit and a portable pump (again, cyclists will often argue). After a month or so on the seat that came with your bike, you might want to get one that is more comfortable. I'd recommend giving it a while to get used to, though, before buying another. Sometimes, it takes a while to get your butt adjusted.

My wife and I have spent many thousands of dollars on custom-fit bikes and bike gear over the years, and honestly, my favorite bike is an old, no-suspension Bridgestone mountain bike with flat pedals that I take up into the hills wearing a T-shirt and biking shorts ÔÇö the multi-thousand dollar Orbeas and Sevens spend most of their time hanging out in the garage.

This is wisdom transferable to every aspect of our lives. Kudos!

 

[mistercindy]

My point is for a beginning, not-yet-so-serious biker who just wants a good, solid bike to ride in order to get some exercise, don't let yourself get bamboozled by the mystical fanaticism of the lycra-wearing crowd.

LMAO!!!

And great advice! I love the "lycra-wearing crowd" reference! Its so true, too! I have relatives with more money than sense and they're into the pricey lycra-ish accoutrements that go with that whole crowd.

I've ridden street bikes forever, and I did intramural racing in college. But these days I ride for moderate exercise and fun. My riding clothing has always been regular athletic shorts, t-shirt, and old running shoes. I only had two points of contention with the guy who built my bike. One was the saddle: I insisted on a Brooks B17, and he wanted to get me something Italian, tiny and light. The other was convincing him to get pedals where I could attach clips. When I park my bike I just want to walk away from it without jacking around with shoes. Besides, I like clips. Always have.

One of the great bike manufacturer websites for ordinary people who love good bikes is Rivendell's (LINK). Rivendell is kind of eccentric, but link on the articles about bikes, fit, touring, etc... Good stuff. They're expensive bikes, as the cheapest frame they have is $1,000. I understand that some of their frames are made by Waterford (LINK) and Mark Nobilette (LINK), so that explains the price. But its a great website that is not designed for the lycra wearing crowd.

 

[richardak]

A lot of great advice here. I have ridden touring bikes all over the west including Mexico and Alaska. I would also recommend visiting a number of specialty bike shops especially if you can get there when things are somewhat slow. Having ridden many tens of thousands of miles both touring as well as commuting, I would second the view of looking for somewhat quality components. Not for light weight, snazzy Italian name or their finish but for durability and being able to repair rather than replace. Especially important if you are sitting on the side of the road somewhere. I went with very durable 48 spoke wheels on sealed bearings (replaceable) hubs, sealed bottom bracket, Reynolds steel frame, exposed, short shifter cables, cantilever brakes and brazed on mounts for all racks and fenders. Also, look for the lowest gears you can find (knees are expensive and difficult to replace).

Good luck in your search.

 

[osbornk]

Heck, he was told by the doctor to ride a bike for exercise. Nothing gives you more exercise than a cheap mass market bicycle. You have to go farther on a good bike to get enough exercise but the cheap jobs gets the exercise done more quickly.

 

[bob_m]

Heck, he was told by the doctor to ride a bike for exercise. Nothing gives you more exercise than a cheap mass market bicycle. You have to go farther on a good bike to get enough exercise but the cheap jobs gets the exercise done more quickly.

True enough, but if a bike is not good fitting, smoothly operating and reliable, like a good quality bike, it will not be pleasant to ride, and not be ridden. The excercise only comes if the bike gets used.

 

[rad]

This thread cracks me up. I just don't understand the need to put down folks because of how much money, or how little they spend on their sports, in this case bikes, or if they wear Lycra or if they don't.

Ride the type of bike you like, wear the gear you like, just don't get arrogant enough to think your way is the "right" way to bicycle......It is just your way, nothing more.

 

[kbasa]

LMAO!!!

And great advice! I love the "lycra-wearing crowd" reference! Its so true, too! I have relatives with more money than sense and they're into the pricey lycra-ish accoutrements that go with that whole crowd.

I've ridden street bikes forever, and I did intramural racing in college. But these days I ride for moderate exercise and fun. My riding clothing has always been regular athletic shorts, t-shirt, and old running shoes. I only had two points of contention with the guy who built my bike. One was the saddle: I insisted on a Brooks B17, and he wanted to get me something Italian, tiny and light. The other was convincing him to get pedals where I could attach clips. When I park my bike I just want to walk away from it without jacking around with shoes. Besides, I like clips. Always have.

One of the great bike manufacturer websites for ordinary people who love good bikes is Rivendell's (LINK). Rivendell is kind of eccentric, but link on the articles about bikes, fit, touring, etc... Good stuff. They're expensive bikes, as the cheapest frame they have is $1,000. I understand that some of their frames are made by Waterford (LINK) and Mark Nobilette (LINK), so that explains the price. But its a great website that is not designed for the lycra wearing crowd.

If I"m riding farther than a couple miles, I'd prefer something with a chamois. Having your junk flopping around getting squashed by the seat and your leg is not good.

And don't forget the chamois butter. Chafing sucks.

I like the pockets on my jerseys. I can keep snacks in there, along with my wallet and phone, which don't work well in my pants pockets when I'm pedaling.

YMMV, of course, but bicycle clothing helps if you're actually going somewhere.

Especially the chamois butter.

 

[kbasa]

First thing you need to do is decide what type of cycling you are to do, then go to a good shop and remember that the difference between a $5K bike and a $1K is four thousand dollars of ego.

I would look for a good reliable road bike with a steel frame and decent but not top of the line components. Ask for a short ride it is all subjective to how you feel on it.

Computer is good but not necessary HRM is.

Bicycles riders are as snobbish as any motorcycle rider, Roadies do not like tourists who do not like mtn bikers etc. They all look down on the Freds who are not dressed properly.

Cal Garcia

The tourist riders here are a plague. I was riding over the Golden Gate Bridge last weekend and almost got taken out by a tourist who was riding and shooting video of his kid.

Idiot.

 

[hlothery]

True enough, but if a bike is not good fitting, smoothly operating and reliable, like a good quality bike, it will not be pleasant to ride, and not be ridden. The excercise only comes if the bike gets used.

Not only that, it may cause injury to knees and back. I often recommend non-weight bearing exercise (swimming, bicycling, stationary bicycling) for those with arthritis in the large, weight bearing joints. I always stress proper fit, and even discuss that when recommending. You can definitely exascerbate a problem with a poorly fit bike, but a properly fit bike can be very theraputic for arthritic knees. DAMHIK!

 

[kbasa]

Not only that, it may cause injury to knees and back. I often recommend non-weight bearing exercise (swimming, bicycling, stationary bicycling) for those with arthritis in the large, weight bearing joints. I always stress proper fit, and even discuss that when recommending. You can definitely exascerbate a problem with a poorly fit bike, but a properly fit bike can be very theraputic for arthritic knees. DAMHIK!

+1

Key items are bar width, relation of knees to pedal pivot point and seat height. Get the basics right and you'll be riding pain free, even with arthritis.

 

[roostershooter]

Update....have looked at a few bike stores in town, most of them carry Trek, Giant and Diamondback. One store has a brand called Marin. Anyone familiar with this one?

 

[bob_m]

Marin makes a sweet bike. They have a broad product line that would provide you with what ever style and level of excellence you decide upon.

 

[kbasa]

Update....have looked at a few bike stores in town, most of them carry Trek, Giant and Diamondback. One store has a brand called Marin. Anyone familiar with this one?

Marin? Yep. They're here in SF. Decently made bikes, all named after local places.

And it's pronounced muh-rin, not mare-in.