Need Some Bicycle Advice

[cabinetman]

About 10 years ago I sold my old buddy a Peugeot PX10, and got a 21 speed mountain bike. With the larger tires and all those gears, made more sense for casual riding. I got off the pacing type of riding, as I had nobody to ride with.

Then my wife wanted to go riding, so I got her a mountain bike. Neither bikes are what I would call anything special. They serve their purpose. We now want to get some higher end bikes and are unfamiliar with what's new and different, and where to get a good deal.

Any suggestions?
.

[eddy merckx]

OK Cabinetman. You will probably get lots of advice on this. It's kind of like asking which tablesaw is best.

Here's my 2 cents worth from 25 years in the bike biz:

First, locate a bike shop which you like the feel of. Make sure it's not too far away because you'll need to make occasional visits for service, etc.

Second, find a salesperson who you feel comfortable with. If you get a kid who isn't going to understand your needs, ask for someone else or go elsewhere. After that, explain to them what kind of riding you'll be doing, your riding goals, fitness level and budget. They will show you a couple of bikes that fit your profile.

Third, you can probably expect to pay around $500 for a decent quality adult bike. More $ will get you lighter.

Fourth, avoid big box stores or the internet. You really need to talk to a live, engaged person to get properly fit. Also, it's worth noting that the bike industry is very competative. Most brands have nearly identical models at nearly identical prices, so you're getting pretty much what you pay for.

Have fun shopping. Lots of us have big March Madness sales in the Spring to clear out old inventory. You can probably find some pretty good deals.

Eddy

[JR]

I'm gladd Eddy chimed in. He's an expert. Plus my long-winded answer got messed up somehow.

He didn't mention that you'll want to make a choice as to which of the many categories youll want. Judging by what you said, I'd think the new category of Hybrids would suit you well. They use mountain bike components, on a somewhat lighter frame, with skinnier tires (but not as skinny as a road racer).

Eddy was a bit conservative, IMO, in price objective. I'd say to expect to pay $750-$1,000. The bikes in that range are going to be more reliable and a bit lighter/faster than cheaper ones.

I will second Eddy's advice to buy from a local bike shop (LBS). They'll set you up properly, making sure the bike fits, is properly set up, etc. They'll also spend time with you demo'ing, understanding your needs, etc. Don't buy a bike on line unless you know exactly what you want. LBSs make their margin on accessories, so expect the hardsell on racks, lights, speedometer, etc. These things can be bought online, though, as time and budget permit.

Buy a helmet and wear it. A hugely disproportianate number of bicyling accidents involve head injuries.

JR

[cabinetman]

OK Cabinetman. You will probably get lots of advice on this. It's kind of like asking which tablesaw is best.

Here's my 2 cents worth from 25 years in the bike biz:

First, locate a bike shop which you like the feel of. Make sure it's not too far away because you'll need to make occasional visits for service, etc.

Second, find a salesperson who you feel comfortable with. If you get a kid who isn't going to understand your needs, ask for someone else or go elsewhere. After that, explain to them what kind of riding you'll be doing, your riding goals, fitness level and budget. They will show you a couple of bikes that fit your profile.

Third, you can probably expect to pay around $500 for a decent quality adult bike. More $ will get you lighter.

Fourth, avoid big box stores or the internet. You really need to talk to a live, engaged person to get properly fit. Also, it's worth noting that the bike industry is very competative. Most brands have nearly identical models at nearly identical prices, so you're getting pretty much what you pay for.

Have fun shopping. Lots of us have big March Madness sales in the Spring to clear out old inventory. You can probably find some pretty good deals.

Eddy

Some great advice Eddy, I appreciate your advice. Do you have favorites or some brands that I should look at, and more importantly what should I stay away from?

What are some of the newest innovations? Do they still have friction type brakes?
.

[cabinetman]

I'm gladd Eddy chimed in. He's an expert. Plus my long-winded answer got messed up somehow.

He didn't mention that you'll want to make a choice as to which of the many categories youll want. Judging by what you said, I'd think the new category of Hybrids would suit you well. They use mountain bike components, on a somewhat lighter frame, with skinnier tires (but not as skinny as a road racer).

Eddy was a bit conservative, IMO, in price objective. I'd say to expect to pay $750-$1,000. The bikes in that range are going to be more reliable and a bit lighter/faster than cheaper ones.

I will second Eddy's advice to buy from a local bike shop (LBS). They'll set you up properly, making sure the bike fits, is properly set up, etc. They'll also spend time with you demo'ing, understanding your needs, etc. Don't buy a bike on line unless you know exactly what you want. LBSs make their margin on accessories, so expect the hardsell on racks, lights, speedometer, etc. These things can be bought online, though, as time and budget permit.

Buy a helmet and wear it. A hugely disproportianate number of bicyling accidents involve head injuries.

JR

Thanks for the response. The LBS makes a lot of sense. The shop I bought my Peugeot I think is still in business. I thought about Internet shopping, but it ain't the same as hands on. I like the idea of "getting fitted".

That's a good call on the safety equipment. We both already have all that as we use the same for biking as we do for rollerblading.
.

[Adele]

I can't believe I am answering this post. One of Sam's many hobbies is cycling. He would also say got to your LBS. He has had a Trek (which he sold to buy my engagement ring 16 years ago), a Canondale and now a pretty nice Giant. He is a road biker. Likes the light weight. He bought me a hybrid a couple of years ago. To be honest I didn't ride it much. But since I lost a bunch of weight it is something I am looking forward to this spring and summer. I also can't believe I am going to say that $500 is the low end. I road several bikes before he bought me one and I could tell a huge difference between the $500 and under bikes. Weight does make a difference and so does the seat.


Adele

[andrew.r.w]

Two wheels ain't enough for real fun ..

[Lee4847]

My wife and I have Giant brand comfort bikes. Mine is two years older and best guess has 12-15K miles on it. Hers has somewhat less. Last winter I went over them and replaced bearings tires brakes ect. They should be good for a couple of more years. As was said before, go to a bike shop. This time of year you will usually find the owner and a couple of his older workers. ( the seasonal know nothing kids are laid off this time of year). They are more inclined to have the time to find out what (trail, road, or mountain) kind of riding you plan to do and match you with the proper equipment.

We love the rails to trails and canal trails. Especially the ones in PA.

such as http://www.avta-trails.org/

Have a good ride...
Lee

[drumpriest]

Components are pretty standardized at this point, so it's really about frame geometry and such. And getting the best components for the price. Sometimes that means avoiding huge names like Trek, which can jack up the price because they are recognized.

I am not super up on mountain or comfort bikes, as I'm a roadie, but most importantly is finding a good shop that you can stand servicing the machine over the life span, and a great fitting bike. You should go out and ride a bunch of them, that's for certain. The one that "feels" right is probably the right bike. The longevity of the machine will have to do with component quality, and how you treat it. That's where the $ is. If you are trail riding, I'd imagine that aluminium isn't necessarily the best option, as it's very stiff, and tends to transfer the roughness. Chromo steel was the standard, and carbon is getting there now, big money though.

If you are getting shocks, then the frame stiffness is less of an issue, but you are loosing some of your energy into the shocks.

Just some thoughts...

[Tom Slick]

Brand doesn't make a big difference as long as it is a common brand name. I own a high end GT and it has been a great bike. If I were out shopping right now in the sub $1000 range I'd be interested in a Gary Fisher or Specialized, I just like their bikes. Giant and Iron Horse can be good values.

If you really want to step up to something special then check out one of these builders.
http://handmadebicycleshow.com/2008/...d=12&Itemid=26

They'll build a bike that exactly fits you because it was made just for you.

[radhak]

Whoa! $500...$1000 bicycles !?! Wow, I was interested by CM's question, thinking of upgrading myself based on what you experts might say, but that dollar range is scary, to put it mildly.

Isn't there a BT3000 of bikes? Something that's decent value at the lower scale of money?

I confess : I have a bike that cost me $150. I know it's heavier than the others I see on the road, and maybe I might be more tired than them at the end of a trip, but it keeps me rolling, and gives me the workout. And it has motivated my girls to join me in pretty long rides with their own smaller versions. If I have to dig that deep into my kids' college funds to get a cooler bike, I dunno if I'd enjoy it that much more...

[LinuxRandal]

Two wheels ain't enough for real fun ..

Excuse me, but could you actually tell us that don't know, WHAT is it? I never see recumbent bikes around here, and don't know brand a from zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Whoa! $500...$1000 bicycles !?! Wow, I was interested by CM's question, thinking of upgrading myself based on what you experts might say, but that dollar range is scary, to put it mildly.

Isn't there a BT3000 of bikes? Something that's decent value at the lower scale of money?

There used to be a local bicycle shop, but it closed long ago. I do know of three others locally, that I know the owners of (one is WAY outragously priced, because he would rather be riding). I seriously considered going that way, but I wasn't sure I would get enough use out of one, and I live in a high theft area. So I went and bought a wallyworld one from a used sporting goods store. I have enjoyed it enough to consider a more expensive (bike store), but with the skills I want to learn, and things I am interested in (see above), I have seriously considered just building my own. I even joked about trying to make a pedal version of an old car.
When I got into it, it was for exercise, not fun. It is a less stressful (on my joints and lungs), and somewhat engaging (can stop and take a picture), form of exercise.

[jon_ramp]

When you go to a professional bike store make sure they understand the type of riding you wish to do. I would guess that a mountain bike is not well suited to you or your wife's needs. Being an older road bike rider, I'm now looking for stem with a longer quill and/or shorter reach to get me in a more upright position for comfort. Take a look at the stems on the bikes in the store. It's not as easy to change the length or swap a stem for a different size any more. Have the sales person explain.

Being "old school", if you appreciate the beauty of a lugged steel frame you might contact Dennis Kilfoy. He used to build the custom frames for Schwinn Paramount in the 80's and now lives in FL. http://www.denniskilfoy.com/contact.htm
I purchased a my frame from him, ordered the components and had them shipped to his house and he did the assembly and built the wheels.

I ordered the build kit from here
http://www.gvhbikes.com/

[Lee4847]

This is a WW form...so

Here you go....watch out for splinters!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Wooden-Bike/

Lee

[eddy merckx]

"What are some of the newest innovations? Do they still have friction type brakes?"

There are actually lots of new innovations. You'll find shifting to be much more reliable. You can also get disc brakes. Discs are huge in our area because always work and don't require much service.

There are also a whole bunch of choices for those in the baby boomer age category. Lots of bikes with more upright posture, suspension, more humane saddles, etc.

You gotta find a shop and check out what they have!

Eddy