Advice for bicycle novices required

[Dave Hughes]

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:13:06 +0000, Zebee Johnstone wrote:

> Most bottle dynamos have clamps designed for seat stays or similar. I
> decided that it was just another hassle and hubs are so much easier to
> live with. Plus they work in the wet, and for a commuter that's
> important.

Speaking of that - are there disc compatible versions out there, given
that disc braked commuters are getting more common?

Ah, Google answered that. Yes, but not obviously available locally, and I
can't be arsed further Googling.

--
Dave Hughes | [email protected]
"First things first, but not necessarily in that order." - The Doctor

 

[Zebee Johnstone]

In aus.bicycle on 02 Jan 2007 11:45:29 GMT
Dave Hughes <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:13:06 +0000, Zebee Johnstone wrote:
>
>> Most bottle dynamos have clamps designed for seat stays or similar. I
>> decided that it was just another hassle and hubs are so much easier to
>> live with. Plus they work in the wet, and for a commuter that's
>> important.
>
> Speaking of that - are there disc compatible versions out there, given
> that disc braked commuters are getting more common?
>

Yup. THe one on my bike is a disk hub.

When I ordered mine from Cheeky Monkey I asked for a disk one, and
they checked - the supplier had the 20" disk one in stock.

That's the GErman one, I presume Shimano (which are much cheaper) have
one too.

Zebee

 

[Nowhere]

Thank you all for your advice we will take all the comments on board. We are
in Mornington, ,Victoria


"Zebee Johnstone" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In aus.bicycle on 02 Jan 2007 11:45:29 GMT
> Dave Hughes <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:13:06 +0000, Zebee Johnstone wrote:
>>
>>> Most bottle dynamos have clamps designed for seat stays or similar. I
>>> decided that it was just another hassle and hubs are so much easier to
>>> live with. Plus they work in the wet, and for a commuter that's
>>> important.
>>
>> Speaking of that - are there disc compatible versions out there, given
>> that disc braked commuters are getting more common?
>>
>
> Yup. THe one on my bike is a disk hub.
>
> When I ordered mine from Cheeky Monkey I asked for a disk one, and
> they checked - the supplier had the 20" disk one in stock.
>
> That's the GErman one, I presume Shimano (which are much cheaper) have
> one too.
>
> Zebee

 

[Nowhere]

Where is your shop please Frank
"Plodder" <[email protected] (remove DAKS to reply)> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
>
>
> --
> Frank
> [email protected]
> Drop DACKS to reply
> "Nowhere" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hello everybody
>>
>> My wife and I have decided we would like to start riding a pushbike. Not
> on
>> the road as yet, only on bike tracks. The problem is we know nothing
>> about
>> bikes. The last push bike I had was a Malvern Star Dragster with a piece
> of
>> cardboard attached to the front with a peg to make the "spitfire" noise
>> which was about 38 years ago.
>>
>> We would like some advice on type of bikes, including sizes, gears etc.
>> My
>> wife is 5'6" and 60 kilos and I am 6'4" and 98 kilos and both in our late
>> forties. I have looked on ebay and in the trading post but the ads are so
>> confusing. We are looking to purchase the bikes second hand
>>
>> Any advice would be appreciated
>> Thank you
>
>
> As a bike shop owner I'd advise against buying a second hand bike. That's
> not because I'd prefer to sell new bikes, it's because a second-hand bike
> can cost you too much in repairs and servicing. Business-wise my margins
> are
> better on fixing a bunky than on selling a new bike. Ethically, I'd rather
> you bought something that's going to suit you at a fair price that's
> cheaper
> in the long run. Unless you're quite adept at inspecting used bikes (I
> suspect you're not), I'd advise going to your bike shop and looking there.
>
> A few things to bear in mind:
> First, beautiful people no loonger ride $200 pushbikes in the park - Yep,
> I'm that old too Prices have risen considerably but value-for-money
> has
> also improved. Look to spend around $500 each for a basic bike that's less
> likely to let you down. The cheapies at around $150-$300 have compromises
> which will cost you in maintenance.
> Second, realistically assess how much use you're going to get out of your
> bikes and buy accordingly. If you're never going off-road, look at
> somethign
> like flat-bar road bikes or 'comfort' bikes. You don't need the extra
> weight
> of mountain bikes. If you intend even occasional off-road riding, then
> look
> at bikes intended for that, not just the ones that look the part. If you
> buy
> on price rather than on purpose, you'll be disappointed.
> Third, make sure you take your bikes back for their first service. It's
> important to get stuff adjusted as it beds in. A decent bike shop will
> give
> you your first service free (or your first year's services free, as we
> do).
> Doing without the first bed-in tweaking can cause problems later.
> Fourth (and most important!) DON'T buy department store or toy shop bikes.
> They'll cost you lots to keep going. I love them because they bring repair
> business to my shop! We've had a run on Huffy, Dunlop, etc. bikes since
> Christmas with loose cranks (a couple already stripped!) bent wheels,
> buggered brakes, useless shifters, and so-on. Many of those people will be
> back at my shop within a few months to buy a better bike... saving money
> on
> the initial purchase is a very false economy.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank
>
>
>

 

[Plodder]

--
Frank
[email protected]
Drop DACKS to reply
"Nowhere" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Where is your shop please Frank

I have Jet Cycles in Kelmscott, WA. A bit far for you, I think

Cheers,

Frank


SNIPPED MY BIT....

 

[Bleve]

Nowhere wrote:
> Thank you all for your advice we will take all the comments on board. We are
> in Mornington, ,Victoria
>
>

Omara's in Cheltenham are a good, reputable shop, as is Trax in
Southland shopping centre, not -too- far from Mornington (no, neither
of these are where I work ). Jones Cycles in Frankston are ok too,
although my experience with them is limited to dropping in a couple of
times to borrow a track pump after a puncture. I think they're more
roadbike-highend stuff than you might be after, but I'm not sure. It's
been quite a while since I've been down that way.

 

[Terryc]

Nowhere wrote:

> Any advice would be appreciated

Do you have any LBS's? (Local Bike Shops).
Well go around to each and ask the same question.
Do not take your wallet or any means of payment.
Go home, think about their answers for a few days.
Go to the one who was most helpful.
Buy a couple of basic bikes from them.
Say $500 max each.
I would recommend mountain bike with NO suspension (lighter) and
flat/sit up bars
Buy two handlebar bags (for water, camera, pills, etc)
Buy two helmets.
Probably up to $AUS1,200 total now.

Go ride your bicycle for a few years, then you will know what you really
want .

 

[dewatf]

On Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:06:11 +1100, Terryc wrote:

I agree with your advice except for...

> I would recommend mountain bike with NO suspension (lighter) and
> flat/sit up bars

That's a fairly tough ask these days.

Giant still have a version of the Upland, but few shops stock it and for
$500 you can do much better.

There was a Specialised bike that fitted the specifications but I haven't
seen one for 2 years.

You even have trouble finding nonsuspension hybrids in this country.

dewatf.