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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/24/2010 12:58:10 PM

Aneirin

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I think, unless you know your onions when it comes to bicycles you are best directed to a bicycle specialist who has your safety and comfort in mind to ensure future good will.

Also, with some, in fact most specialist enthusiast run shops I use, they quite often have pre owned cycles in stock which have all undergone servicing and repairs to make them saleable. Also it is not a case of they can only offer what they have in stock, for you will find specialist cycle shops talk to each other, if they have not what you want, they will direct you to another specialist or in some cases, get the cycle in for you depending upon their relationship with others.

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/24/2010 1:18:57 PM

thompsonx

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A bicycle with shocks will be more difficult to peddle than one with a rigid frame. If you know how to ride then your
legs and arms act like shock absorbers if you can't do this then get a bike with shocks.
I would sugest you do your research on bikes and bike types and then hit the swap meets and garage sales and buy the bike you want for about 20 dollars.

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/24/2010 1:36:02 PM

DesFIP

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Please invest in a reflective vest for nighttime. Especially come winter when night falls so early. You don't want cars to be on top of you before they can see you and they don't want it either. Lots of mountain biking trails around here and it's not uncommon to drive and suddenly there's someone in all black on a bike and no time to brake.

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/24/2010 1:39:23 PM

pahunkboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: thompsonx

A bicycle with shocks will be more difficult to peddle than one with a rigid frame. If you know how to ride then your
legs and arms act like shock absorbers if you can't do this then get a bike with shocks.
I would sugest you do your research on bikes and bike types and then hit the swap meets and garage sales and buy the bike you want for about 20 dollars.

$20 is a good price. I see em all the time.

My body is not as agile as when I was 20- so sturdy is the next item.

I think it is a great idea. :-)

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/24/2010 6:42:56 PM

Fnordstrum

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My current bike is a 24 speed Mountain bike with full suspension and disc brakes, which I use to get to/from work every day... I realize that a road bike with thin tires/etc. would probably be faster, however I personally just don't really trust thin tires.. especially for biking in the snow/etc.

So fnord.

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/24/2010 6:46:07 PM

KatyLied

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I have a Trek 720, hybrid, so it works well on pavement/trails, but it is not for mountain biking as it as skinny tires. I bought it in Sept as a close out model, paid $200.00 for it. I think you should start out on flat trails, build up your stamina, then move on to mountain biking, just my opinion, because you are gonna feel it in your legs and arms until you get used to it. I hope you decide to get a bike and that you enjoy it. I love mine!

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/24/2010 11:04:02 PM

masterjim37

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Hey, go to the bike store, and have them teach you about the different bikes, test ride them there see what works for you. then look on ebay or craigs list for the same bike at a cheaper price. Just be nice and take the bike you buy back to that store for work, as well to buy any accesories you might want or need.

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/25/2010 8:35:48 AM

happypervert

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quote:

ORIGINAL: barelynangel

The more i read here and in research, the more i think i will probably go the ebay or craigslist or target walmarty store even goodwill route initially as PAHunkboy stated i think it was -- i need to make sure i am going to do this pretty much religiously before i invest a couple hundred bucks into it.

This is a good idea for saving LOTS of money IF you have a good idea of which brands are "good". You want to avoid brands sold through WalMart or other department stores because they're made with the cheapest components so shifting won't stay good or brake levers probably won't be smooth, especially if the bikes have been sitting in somebody's garage a while.

So look for "bike store" brands -- Trek, Cannondale and Specialized are popular along with some others. Differences in price are driven by the components -- a model line will use one frame with different models using better component groups. Shimano is the most common supplier, so look on their website to get a grasp of how their component groups rank, and that will give you the best benchmarks for comparing one bike with another. Or, you can get a brochure from a bike shop, and you'll see which component groups are used in a model line and benchmark that way.

Cyclocross and hybrid bikes have been mentioned above -- they give you a lot of options because they're designed to handle wider tires than road racing bikes. That means you can get a spare wheel set where one set of wheels has knobby tires for off road use and another set has slicks for pavement, and it's like having a 2 bikes for the two minutes it takes to swap wheels . . . that is, if you decide you want to go off road.

< Message edited by happypervert -- 3/25/2010 8:48:40 AM >

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/25/2010 9:55:44 AM

Vendaval

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Definitely check out the different types of seats and test them if at all possible. Avoid the Vlad the Impaler models unless you are into that sort of kink. And consider something specific to women, how far will you be leaning over and what impact that will have on your breasts and back.

Edited to add -

You could also check the local police and sheriff's departments auctions.
The local campus police have yearly auctions of unclaimed property and that includes all sorts of bicycles.

< Message edited by Vendaval -- 3/25/2010 9:58:53 AM >

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/25/2010 10:55:51 AM

Rochsub2009

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i'm being lazy, and admit that i haven't read any of the replies, so i apologize if i repeat info that has already been stated.

i am a pretty avid biker. However, i am primarily a mountain biker. I prefer riding up hills and on trails etc. The hills give better exercise in my opinion.

Mountain bikes give the benefit of being able to ride on all types of terrain. Conversely, road bikes are lighter, sleeker, and can go much faster.

Regardless of which type you get, get as many gears as you can. My bike is a 21 speed. The various gears allow you to tailor the resistance to your personal liking. Even on flat roads, you can put it in the highest gear and get a good amount of exercise. On hills, being able to put it in a low gear is critical.

You should have no problem finding a decent bike for under $300. You don't sound like you're ever going to enter the Tour de France, so budget should not be a problem. i'd start in a bike shop and talk to a knowledgeable sales person to learn all of the little details that you might find to be important. Then i'd take what you have learned and go to Walmart to see what types of bikes they have to offer. i'll bet you can find a good bike at a good price at Walmart.

Lastly, the most important thing for most casual bikers is comfort. Regardless of what bike you get, you will probably want to upgrade the seat. A comfy seat is well worth the investment.

Hope that helps.

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RE: Any bike riders out there? Advice pls? - 3/26/2010 2:49:35 PM

sophia37

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I did lots of research before I bought. I thought I wanted an electric bike (long story). I knew I wanted folding bikes because I want to put them in my car and wherever I go, Im ready to ride by myself or with a friend. But I had to figure out what it was I wanted first. And that took some time. I went to a bike store several times as well. I was also concerned as to where I would get the bike serviced once I bought it. So keep that in mind as well. Will the place service your bike if say its a cheapie from Wal-mart? Keep that in mind.

I figured out what I wanted in folding bikes and also looked on Craigslist for used. So I started to see what was a good deal and what wasnt. I concur with whomever mentioned having a bell and a helmet. I also made sure I have a pump I like and put it on the rack over the rear wheel. Some bikes come with pumps in the seat pipe. Very cool.

In the end I found two new folding bikes on-line for the price I would have paid for one new one. I bought them new in the off season. So far Im very happy. Helmet and all. Im thrilled in fact. So read read read. Im not sure what city you're in but theres a bike shop near you. It took me about 9 months before I bought. But after all the research, I knew I got what I wanted needed and got the best deal. Yup. That's how long it took. Good luck. The time spent looking will make the purchase all that much sweeter.

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