Bike Recommendation Needed

[bebeklein]

I like to rollerblade on a greenbelt and have been thinking of getting a bike to mix things up. I rollerbladed the whole trail once and it took me about 5 hours, 35 - 40 miles if I remember correctly, so this would be the most I'd travel on the bike.

I know close to nothing about bikes except I need a tire I can easily remove with my own paws so the bike fits inside my car. I only plan on riding the greenbelt and my budget is in the $200s

I was at Walmart yesterday and they just had 2 bikes with a "quick release tire" (proper term??) and the best one was this 26" Schwinn Aluminum Comp bike @ $200. I liked it because it was really light (ships at 35 lbs)! However, the seat doesn't look as comfortable as the ones I've seen on beach cruisers (none seem to have a quick release tire unfortunately).


http://www.walmart.com/catalog/allRe...ct_id=10660677

I also found this Dahon (DLT) Boardwalk folding bike for $250 and I'm in love with the concept. But it only has 1 speed. Is that a big deal? Shipping weight on this one is 18 lbs.


http://www.amazon.com/DLT-Dahon-Lice.../dp/B001UL5MQU


Opinions?

[SP1966]

The seat can be changed very easily. I myself would want one with gears if you will ever ride off paved paths or on any hills!

My bike cost maybe $180 from Target, nothing special, aluminum frame, full suspension, and more gears than I have a need for. Nothing you would compete on but great for recreation and a little cardio!!

Edit: There is a bike thread in the O35 advanced section, they may be able to give you good advice on this.

[taf1968]

I would check out the newspaper, Craig's list, etc to see if you can find a nice used bike that someone is getting rid of . . . a lot of times you can find great bikes that people are dumping just because they are buying the latest expensive new toy. I bought a nice Specialized Stumpjumper that way for only $250 a couple years ago. Very light, front suspension, and most of the mid-range and up mountain bikes these days will have the quick release tires.

If you really like a particular bike, but don't like the seat . . . it's really easy to slap a new seat on.

Agree that you'll want gears, especially if you plan on riding where there are hills or inclines.

[KLMARB]

I bike quite a bit. In my opinion, you should pick up a used one at a garage sale first. Once you decide that you really want to do it on a regular basis, break out the big bucks. I bought an Italian touring bike (for my son) at a garage sale for ten bucks. It cost nearly $500 new, about ten years ago. Deals can be had....

[dbx]

Edit: There is a bike thread in the O35 advanced section, they may be able to give you good advice on this.

Yep. If I was asking about anything bike related, I'd ask the folks who post in that forum/thread: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=115962551

[SP1966]

Yep. If I was asking about anything bike related, I'd ask the folks who post in that forum/thread: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=115962551

Just trying to relate here, ya know!

[dbx]

Just trying to relate here, ya know!

Whoa! Wait a minute, what's this, Japanese?

[bebeklein]

Yep. If I was asking about anything bike related, I'd ask the folks who post in that forum/thread: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=115962551

Thanks for all the replies everyone and I put a link to this thread in that other thread.

[SP1966]

Whoa! Wait a minute, what's this, Japanese?

Now we are both confused!

[dbx]

Now we are both confused!

I understood your reference, but then upped you one..... by referring to line in a short lived, yet humorous TV commercial .

[SP1966]

I understood your reference, but then upped you one..... by referring to line in a short lived, yet humorous TV commercial .

Must have missed that one... don't like being "upped"!

[EMISGOD]

I absolutely agree with trying to find a used bike. There's always a couple million of those around and most can be had really cheap, unless you want a very specific bike (such as I did when I was shopping). If you're riding on a trail, you will be wanting tires that have some ruggedness to them or your bike will be constantly disabled due to flats (unless you decide to become really adept at tire/liner repair). In fact, I'd almost say your tire choice may be the single-most important consideration, but that's also partly because I think those are also the biggest weakness to any bike.

What you're asking for has really meandered around quite a bit, so I will try to answer some of your questions in the light of "why wouldn't EM make this choice"...

I would not select ANY fixed gear or beach cruiser because they typically can only perform one function. The fixed gears have very finite speeds, which is ok if you don't mind spending an absurd amount of time going anywhere. This also applies somewhat to the beach cruiser. I chose a road bike as it is fast enough to race cars (at least for a little while) and trucks and to be able to be used for actual transportation and with a switch of a seat, it will also operate well as a boardwalk or cruising bike. It does not, however, have shocks and springs, such as a mountain bike or cruiser would have, but it is for road/paved surfaces and ideally will not encounter too many situations where those things would be necessary. You could also choose a mountain bike for this kind of dual function.

This brings up the main point about what is important to you. Is ride comfort really all that crucial? If it is, look to either a mountain bike (probably will need to consider switching the tires for something less knobby) or a cruiser. Is speed important? If so, anything with one or few gears is right out. This also applies if you will be riding up hills.

Quick release tires are mainly for performance bikes, a category which a beach cruiser will never qualify. Your choices are to then buy a beach cruiser and put quick release tires on it or buy something else and attempt to make it into a beach cruiser. Unless you find an extremely good deal, I'd suggest that neither option can be done for a couple hun if you're starting at zero.

Also, I'd consider throwing $20 at Wal-Mart and just buying a car rack rather than screwing with taking tires off. You will save yourself endless amounts of time and grief by doing this. Definitely also buy yourself a bike pump while you're there.

Very finally, the folding bike thing looks flimsy and untrustworthy to me. I would not consider this as any kind of option.

Good luck!

[Dw33z1L]

Long time biker here...definitely go with Craigslist. I've bought/sold all kinds of good bikes that way. Just have a general idea of what size bike you need and what type of bike you want (mountain, road, hybrid, etc.). Also, don't be afraid of bikes with clipless pedals or pedals with toe clips. If you're uncomfortable with these types of things, pedals are extremely easy to swap out. Look for bike names such as Cannondale, Specialized, Trek, Giant, GT, etc. Stay away from Huffy or anything you might find in a Walmart or Target as they are typically quite heavy, the components (gears/brakes) are usually of lesser quality, and you won't get alot of mileage out of it. You should be able to find a decent bike with a respectable name in the $200 range. With bikes, you DEFINITELY get what you pay for. I might also recommend going into an actual bike shop to ask them a few questions about what to look for in a used bike...they should be able to help you quite a bit. Happy trails!

[immuno]

I think I have to agree with the consensus on here. If you purchase from Walmart, K-Mart, etc, I'll bet you would eventually become irritated with your purchase down the line. I paid $400 (I think) for my bike many many moons ago (in the bike thread), and I still love the thing.

What state are you in? Your greenbelt sounds a lot like my greenbelt.

[EcksOa]

I'd avoid the folding bike for that kind of mileage. It's made more for convenience. Such as those who may wish to take it with them to work and need to take short trips.

The first bike sounds closer to what you'd want. While it's not as light as a pure road bike, it's built to stand a lot more punishment and the tires allow you to ride though dirt, grass and less than ideal conditions that would be problematic for a racing bike with very skinny, high pressure tires.

Multiple gears are going to be important to as conditions, course inclines, wind direction, and even your strength will change from day to day. You don't want to be stuck on really low gears where you're slogging slowly and struggling to push the pedals and you don't want so easy a granny gear that you're peddling furiously and barely moving. Hills, head-winds, strength, fatigue will all affect your ideal gear for any point during your rides.

So even if it were mostly a recreational bike, I'd still go with the bike that gives me the most options. If you wanted to veer off a trail and ride across some grass, the tires and the gearing options of the first bike would allow for it, while you're less likely to be able to do it with a fold up bike or something with fixed gears.

Thrift shops sometimes have nice bikes come in, though it's only a bargain if it fits you. At your height, might be tough to find the right bike. Thought your profile said 5'10" at first. But at 5'0", the trick when it comes to finding used bikes is finding one where the frame is not made for someone much taller. Police auctions can be good places as well. But again, I'd keep in mind to get the bike that suits my needs and one where the frame fits. You want a couple inches of clearance between you and the frame when you're off the seat and standing with both feet on the ground.

[Hibiscus09]

Used bike vote here also. I sold my used Bianchi Eros on Craig's List (decent road bike I bought new for $1,100) for pretty darn cheap ($350, I think) (*slaps self in head!). It was in great shape.

I'd go with a hybrid or fitness bike if I were you -- judging from what you've described as your terrain. If you can roller blade on the trail, I don't think you need a mountain bike.

The difference? First, a road bike puts you in a much more aggressive position and is a very light weight bike (relatively speaking) with road tires -- which are very narrow. There's also that clipless pedal option, etc. A hybrid bike is a bit more upright position, but still not a cruiser type bike. It would be good for exercise. A fitness bike is almost like a hybrid, but lighter with road bike tires.

From one petite woman to another ( ), I recommend you look for a bike that is WSD (Women's specific design). It matters. I bought the Bianchi Eros new -- a man's bike -- found out later there was an Eros Donna which was WSD. I was brand new at biking and thought I had done my research, but duh. I ended up having to change handle bars and all sorts of things to get to a comfort level where I didn't feel neck pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, etc. If you decide to go with a road bike, clipless pedals, etc. -- remember those types of bikes need to be fitted to your size very specifically -- especially if you decide later to go longer distances.

[terribletriad]

Go to a reputable bike shop where bikes are priority. Tell them your situation and ask them to point you in the right direction. Most have many different models to choose from and have salespeople that actually understand bikes.

Oh..and if there is a bike you like a bit out of your price range. Smile... a lot!

[bebeklein]

(decent road bike I bought new for $1,100)

oh my gawwwwwww!!!!

Thanks to everyone for all your great advice! I feel so much more bike smarter now

I'm thinking the hybrid is best for me. I was in Costco the other day and was riding around on one of those bikes with the skinny tires and didn't like the feel of them. Will be visiting a bike shop shortly.

Thanks again and I repped everyone! (Hibby I have to spread some love first)

[V-240]

If you are anywhere near an REI store, check them out. They have a great bike dept with lots of choices and some how-to classes on bike repairs and a good repair department. Their stuff runs the gamut. I took my hybrid bike in there to be reconditioned with tougher tires and slime liners, and while I was there I looked around at their bikes. Nice selection of road, mountain, hybrid, city, "lifestyle" bikes.

I concur with others here to check around craigslist before you buy anything. But look around in stores like REI to see what's out there.

[Tallgntlmn]

The friend I am staying with went and bought a mountain bike today. I was with her and have always been interested in buying one. I am afraid, at my size, I might have to actually buy retail.