(K) said:Background: I live in San Diego city proper (North Park). I
will not be commuting. I will be riding around the city for fun and
fitness. I will be grocery-getting. I don't plan to tour.
Probably don't want a road bike, then.
Quoted message said:I will be
on pavement mostly, but would like to take the dirt paths in Balboa
Park and elsewhere.
Okay, this seems to be heading into hybrid or cross territory. To
maximize choices, and given your height, I'd recommend looking at the
26" hybrids, as that gives you the biggest field of potential choices
for options. You may also want to look at non-suspension mountain
bikes with a swap to a smooth tire to make an instant hybrid. The
other reason to look at a smooth-tire mtb is that you often get a
lower low gear on them, thus making the climb up a few of the hills
easier. Last but not least, because there are so many choices in the
mtb area, it's often easier to get a good deal on a bike with
everything you want alrady on it except the tires...and those are
easily dealt with.
Quoted message said:I do not see mountain biking in my future ever. I
haven't ridden for a few years but want to get back into it and don't
want to have to upgrade my bike in a couple years. I plan to throw on
some Cane Creek ergo bar ends and a rack.
Not sure of: Fenders. Do I need them?
In Diego? I wouldn't bother. It's dry what, 340+ days of the year?
Quoted message said:Do most bikes come with mounts these days?
Fender mounts are still common on bikes that have no suspension.
Quoted message said:Shocks. I don't want to deal with repairs.
You can probably live without a suspension fork, though it does smooth
out the bumps a bit.
Quoted message said:Best tire choice? I have no idea about tires.
Tires are not a critical item brandwise in my opinion, but I'd pick a
fairly fat and smooth tire. You're looking for a mostly-street ride,
and your trail riding will probably be mostly on hardpack, so knobbies
are a waste of energy and a source of needless vibration.
Quoted message said:Concerns: Handlebar width, brake reach
Good brake levers can be adjusted for reach. Bar width is a fit
issue; address that with the lbs. Brake levers with ergo extensions
so that you can use them from the bar ends are hard to come by; I have
some and like them, but they're rare...and reach is an iffy issue with
them.
Quoted message said:and stealabilty. I had a
Cannondale stolen from inside my car once.
Peel all the brand labels off and ugly the bike up a bit if you're in
an area where theives tend to grab good stuff by preference. No
matter where you are, buy as much good lock as you can afford. Don't
park or leave the bike where it's visible.
Quoted message said:Want: flat handlebar road bike or hybrid for $800 or less. A lot
less, preferably, but I'll pay more for a bike I don't have to upgrade
later.
"flat handlebar" = not a road bike. Definitely hybrid territory.
There are lots of choices in that area, particularly when you include
the concept of swapping smooth tires onto a mountain bike to make a
roll-yer-own hybrid.
One final note; You live in the part of the world where the infamous
goathead weed is found; its seeds are spiny and sharp, and will
puncture a bike tire easily.. Many people in your part of the world
find that tire liners and/or Slime makes life easier around goatheads,
though nothing that's practical will absolutely prevent them from
puncturing a bike tire. Talk to the folks at the lbs; they'll have a
better idea of whether this is worth bothering with in your case.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
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