Nicolaki From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2233 times:
Hey everyone,
I plan to buy a bike very soon to fully enjoy the summer this year. I would like something of good quality, but i wouldn't like to ruin myself with it, so i was wondering what is the most important thing to look for when bying a bike?
EGGD From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2001, 12426 posts, RR: 40 Reply 3, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2211 times:
I look for a comfortable saddle (buy one if the bike doesn't come with one) good brakes, V-brakes or if you have the money disk brakes, And if you do buy one don't try and buy a cheap model, they will only fall apart and give you grief.
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7673 posts, RR: 18 Reply 4, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2212 times:
Find a good bikeshop in your neighborhood. They will likely have several different manufactorers there covering all price ranges. They should be able to find a bike that suits you best and if you are going to be in the same place they will be able to provide you with good personal service when you need it. Don't go to a department store or a sporting goods store. The folks at the bike shop are there to help you out and find you a bike. Plus it is always good to support local small merchants.
Stop drop and roll will not save you in hell. --- seen on a church marque in rural Virginia
Western727 From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 579 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 2197 times:
On top of what has been said: I would look for something with a quality frame, such as aluminum. (At least aluminum is my favorite frame material - light and stiff, responsive.) Components may break, fall off, cease to function, but the frame is what you are stuck with. I know this may be termed "elitism," but I would make sure the components were pretty decent too. That way you can enjoy the bike for many summers to come. My personal dream bike for the moment is a Schwinn Moab. I would avoid disc brakes unless you absolutely need them. Disc brakes are superior to V brakes as far as stopping power, but in most situations, they are overkill. But make sure you get good V-brakes. Now that I've been riding for a while, I wouldn't spend less than $900. Also, remember that at most prices that normal people would pay for a bike, there are a lot of compromises. You may be getting a great frame, but a weak drivetrain. Or a great component mix, but crappy wheelsets. A lot of it depends on where you plan to ride. If you are going to do a lot of dirt riding, you would be ahead to buy the more expensive stuff, because you will be less likely to have to replace it later. Also, if you are planning to do dirt riding, clipless pedals are the way to go. They are hard to get used to, but well worth it in the end.
Starship From South Africa, joined Nov 1999, 1098 posts, RR: 16 Reply 7, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 2196 times:
I would say the most important things are to first establish whether you want a road bike (racing bike) or a mountain bike (all terrain bike). Once you have made that decision, borrow, or hire one and ride around on it to make absolutely sure. In my case I was convinced an all terrain bike was the way to go. After having borrowed one from the bike shop, I eventially decided I wanted a racing bike. I am happy with my decision.
The next most important thing is to ensure that you get the right size bike for your height and there is a formula used to calculate this.
Set yourself a budget and see what is available that meets with your criteria. Buy reasonably good components from a well known manufacturer. I would suggest Shimano - it is good quality and not as expensive as some of the other makes from Italy (Colnago) and France (Mavic).
Bike shops often have a selection of used bikes. Borrow them, ride them and decide what you like or don't like. Eventually you will be able to select a bike with which you will be happy. There is nothing worse than buying a bike and deciding a day later that you bought the wrong thing. It will end up in your junk room and never get ridden.
What kind of a budget have you set yourself and is it to be a road bike or all terrain bike? Perhaps we can point you in the right direction.
Nicolaki From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 2192 times:
Well thanks for the great answers guys. The bike I am looking for would be mostly for recreational, aka no off-road stuff,mostly for paved road. I'm on a very tigh budget, maximum 200$ CAN.
Aloha 737-200 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 2186 times:
Aloha!
I agree with EGGD! Make sure you get a bike with good shocks, at least in front, handlebar brakes (Make sure they're good buggahs), strong frame and at least 18 speed. Go out and buy a Velo X-tra large bike seat, they're da kine, man!!
You get a bike like that, come on over and we'll bike Haleakala!!! (Maui)
Western727 From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 579 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2181 times:
Aloha!
Aloha, maybe you could help me out with a little pidgin... "Da kine..." how do you pronounce that?
Starship From South Africa, joined Nov 1999, 1098 posts, RR: 16 Reply 11, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2186 times:
Nikolaki,
You will battle to find anything decent for $200 Can. However, you possibly need to consider a used bike. Check out you local classified ads, or check out what is available at the local bike shops. People are always upgrading and trading bikes in.
Buy some cycling magazines - Bicycling is one of the best. You can visit their web site at http://www.bicycling.com
Here are some 2001 bikes along with their prices which are in US$. The list may be found at the bicycling website.
Aloha 737-200 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2180 times:
Aloha!
da kine is pronounced like "DAH-KIND, without the "d" sound!
More words to know-
Bummahs- Bummer, too bad, hard
Brah- Brother
Fo Days- Alot, in great quantity (I got friends fo days!)
How you figga? How do you figure, that makes no sense
Suck Rocks- buzz off
Shahk Bait- A pale, untanned man or woman
Mo Bettah- That is better (This food is mo bettah)
Shaka- great! All right!!
Stink Eye- dirty looks
I have more, but I think for the sake of space I'll save it!!
Planning on coming to the islands? Get a pidgin guide, it'll help!!
Nicolaki From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2178 times:
Starship,
Seems like you're really into bikes. You know, since here i would only be able to ride my bike 6 month a year. But you're right, i will have a look for used bicycles.
Starship From South Africa, joined Nov 1999, 1098 posts, RR: 16 Reply 14, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2176 times:
LOL - I discovered a bicycle forum at the bicycling web site. One of the posters wrote the following and he's probably right:
"At the level of cost you are talking about, let your ass and legs make the choice, not a brochure."
Western727 From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 579 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 2171 times:
Dude, let me just say that you totally rock!!!
Yeah, I'd love to come to the Islands sometime. I always cruise around Island hopping on FS - it's pretty sweet in my downloaded King Air C-90. If pretty much a dry land kid, but I did learn to surf last summer in San Diego (Well, encinitas, but close) and I love the ocean. I know I'm a ways from hitting pipe or backdoor, but hey, I can ride a longboard in knee-high. I guess that's a start. I know I'm just a haole punk, but I'd really want to come out to Hawaii sometime.
Aloha 737-200 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 2165 times:
Gee, thank for your compliment!! (I think I made a new friend, what do you think, Lindy? LOL )
Well, I have a bit o a confession to make. God I am embarrassed to say this....but.....I can't swim well at all!!! I am ashamed!!!
But I love the other stuff about the ocean. HEY!! I've been to San Diego!! Man, that's one Kickin' town!! California was a party and a half!!
About the islands-
Oahu is amazingly beautiful. My fav part would have to be the windward side. If you stand on the eastern side (windward), you are actually inside the magma chamer of an ancient volcano. The wind and rain have eroded all but one flank of the volcano, the flank that's left is the Ko'olau range (Pronounced Koh-oh-laoo). Have you ever been to Salt Lake City? The mountains there look just like the Ko'olau, but the Ko'oalu is much, much greener. Sometimes you'll see mist coming down from the peaks. It's awesome!
But Oahu has too many people. Stay away from Oahu except to see Pearl Harbor (Which is very cool to say the least, brings a tear to your eye!) Avoid Waikiki altogether, unless you like a rush-hour New York feel.
The South Shore is alright, the beaches are a bit dirty, though.
the Southeast shore is fantastic!! Go to Hanauma Bay, you won't forget it. The North Shore has the Banzai Pipeline and killer waves!!! East shore is kinda dry, but some good beaches (some VERY good beaches).
Maui is not what you expect. Travel mags create scenes with the computer that don't exist. Maui's very pretty, but you need to know which areas to see. Forget the Central Valley, all there is is cattle ranges and cane fields. The South Shore is dry, but gorgeous!!
From Kahului to Hana is complete rainforest, complete with mist!! If it were up to me I'd live somewhere between Pa'ia and Hana itself, where you get more than 30 inches of rain a year in the dry spots, all the way up to 360 inches just a mile or two up Haleakala!
There's so many waterfalls, too!! You start to take them for granted!!
The Crater itself is fantastic! It's like a moonscape, it's real cool.
West Maui is very pretty. Lahaina is a gorgeous little town, and the mountians have been cut deep by 400 inches of rain.
Just avoid Central Valley and Maui will impress you.
Kaua'i can be described with one word- WOW. Green everywhere, enough green to take your breath away. Na Pali, need I say more?
Moloka'i (Pronounced Moloka-ee) is pretty on the north shore, with the Pali sea cliffs and all, but take a flight over it, landing there isn't worth your time. They hate tourists there, and there's not much to see.
Lana'i is fine if you have a million bucks.
The Big island- Go see Kilauea and the Hamakua Coast, maybe Kona, and avoid Hilo for its bad crowds. Drive the Saddle Road, and then leave, the rest of the island is cattle ranch.
Western727 From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 579 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2157 times:
Yeah, I grew up, skiied, biked, camped, backpacked, learned to fly, and lost love in Salt Lake.
Meister808 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 972 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (12 years 1 month 1 week 12 hours ago) and read 2144 times:
Yeah... u need to see your local smal bike shop.. do not go to a major store. Any experiences I have had in local shops are that they will work with u if u are open and tell them what u need. If they are impersonal, don't buy a bike there, and go somewhere else. Test-ride some of the bikes, and see what you like. Have a salesperson show you how some things work, etc.
Some brands to consider for a good, low-cost bike are Raleigh and Trek. If you do come up with a little more cash, consider a Marin or a Cannondale.
Good luck.
-Meister
Twin Cessna 812 Victor, Minneapolis Center, we observe your operation in the immediate vicinity of extreme precipitation
JAT From Canada, joined Feb 2000, 1095 posts, RR: 10 Reply 24, posted (12 years 1 month 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2129 times:
Did you check Canadian Tire? I'm looking at their catalog right now and they have some pretty cheap bikes. I don't know how good they are as I'm not into bikes all that much (I just have one that I got as a gift and I ride it mainly because it's a good mode of transportation). Anyway, SuperCycle seem to be the cheapest.
(all prices are Canadian)
for $129.99
XTI-18
18-speed
Falcon derailleur
for $109.88
SC 1500
15-speed
Shimano rear deraileur
for $159.00
SC 2100S
21 speed
Dynagrip indexed shifting
Western727 From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 579 posts, RR: 4 Reply 25, posted (12 years 1 month 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 2128 times:
DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT buy anything huffy-esque. You will just have to replace it...soon.
I agree - go to the small bike shops. They are a lot more friendly and knowledgeable, and they will usually swing you a deal.
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