Bike buying advice · Public discussion

question on a bikes

Started by jettafreak5768 · · Last activity · 28 posts · 1,585 views

← Back to Bike buying advice

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

01 / Original postquestion on a bikesjettafreak5768 · 22 Mar 2014 02 / This pagePosts 1–20Page 1 of 2 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #28jettafreak5768 · 25 Mar 2014

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section
Bike buying advice
Published
22 March 2014
Last activity
25 March 2014
Original author
jettafreak5768
Posts
28
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
1,585
Views / 30 days
0
Topics
CommutingCyclocrossTouringAero positionBike fitBrake padsReturning after a long breakSingle-speed and fixed-gear

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Showing posts 1–20 of 28
Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Text size
  1. Original post
    jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #1

    ok so im new to the whole cycling scene, i used to ride a little here and there as a kid but nothing serious. and as of the late i've gained some weight and have started to get my rear into gear and start losing wieght and such. so im looking to buy a bike and start cycling. i live out in the country so i have miles upon miles of flat roads andd small hills. i was looking at a few bikes and was wondering what you guys think about them.

    im 5'11, and around 260 i know im a pretty big dude :O

    1.Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
    2. Schwinn Men's Prelude Bicycle (BBWhite)
    3.Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano

    I'm looking for something within a budget of 200-400$ if possible, i figured i would need a hybrid so im not exactly sure about the takara, but #2 seems to be a decent fit but i may need to upgrade tires or the tube.

    but if you guys have any advice or some other bikes you may know about let me know if you wouldnt mind!!!

    Report
  2. Volnix
    Archived post
    #2

    Depends...

    For higher loads there is also the option of checking some touring bikes, which are built to carry extra weight. Or a road bike fitted with the correct brake pads etc so it can accomodate the extra weight if the manufacturer says it's ok. The LBS can give advice wether a bike is suitable for a specific load.

    If you go for a road bike then you wont be able to go to dirt rides, which are very popular. For example I have a road bike and when I go to the excursions planned with a local bike tour company, I have to rent a 15kg hybrid! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    Then again if you go for a very fast road bike, there are commuting issues. Which means it wont accomodate fenders etc.

    If you go for a hybrid you will have to haul all the extra weight of suspensions etc, plus you wont have the aero position of the drop handlebars for a windy day or fast ride etc.

    One definite all-rounder is a "cyclocross" bike like these, dirt tires, rack fittings, fender fittings and not that heavier then a road race bike. They are still great for dirt rides, commutes, training, the lot. They are not really for racing, as a Carbon Road bike, a Carbon Cyclocross bike, but they are pretty good for commuting and touring:

    There is the option of a double or triple crank which makes alot of difference in climbing efforts. You can easily climb with a 15kg bike with a triple chain ring but a double with a 12 - 25 cassete is much more difficult.

    Fixed gear bikes, hmmm, why??? [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    In steel for higher mileage but with potential corrosion issues (might be taken care of with the use of a rust inhibitor, but that is toxic. [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]) or Aluminium, cheaper, less corrosion, thicker walls so no worries for dents, but a less good fatigue damage resistance then steel. Also the "feel" of steel is apparently "smoother".)

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    Also available without disk brakes (which are pretty good for commutes in the rain). This one also doesnt use "Brifters" (brake shifter combination) which cost around 130 euro each in some cases). The bar end shifters should be fine too and much cheaper to replace.

    Good luck! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.png[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    Report
  3. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #3

    which bikes are these?

    Report
  4. Volnix
    Archived post
    #4
    Quoted post said:

    Originally Posted by jettafreak5768
    which bikes are these?


    Specialized Tricross disk,

    Specialized Tricross disk steel.

    Surly Cross Check.

    The surly is the least expensive, maybe around the same price as the Alu Tricross, probably because of the lack of brifters. It's also not using "brand" steel tubes like the Specialized (Reynolds).

    Report
  5. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #5

    what do you think about this one?

    http://eddys.com/product/13specialized-crossroads-172334-1.htm

    Report
  6. Volnix
    Archived post
    #6

    Looks pretty good. [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comwink.png[/IMG] Of quality too.

    Maybe not too exciting, or fast... [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    Report
  7. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #7

    well i wont be using the bike for anything fancy i just want to do it for the exercise aspect, i have always enjoyed riding bikes and i figured incorporating it into my workouts would be a great idea

    Report
  8. Volnix
    Archived post
    #8

    That's pretty much what I am doing too...

    Btw that one is also not very windproof, it's gonna behave like a boat sail if it's windy with the upright position...

    One problem that I found with exercising on a bike is that it can become boring, a more exciting bike kinda helps.

    Still not as boring as running though...

    A very good exercise is probably swimming but it's kinda more tedious going to and back to the pool.

    At some point I was commuting by bike to and from the swimming pool, those were good times! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.png[/IMG]

    Report
  9. MotownBikeBoy
    Archived post
    #9

    A $350 Specialized is going to be a lot better bike for the $ than a $350 Wal- Mart special, in my opinion.

    Report
  10. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #10

    ya i don't go to walmart for very much of anything unless absolutely need be

    Report
  11. MotownBikeBoy
    Archived post
    #11

    Actually, I find cycling anything but boring with this caveat - I do get bored by the same old streets time after time, which is why I prefer the longer rides into new territory and alternate routes as much as possible. And music - no matter what workout I am doing, as long as I have something to listen to I'm good, it seems to be the type of stimulus I am hard wired to require.

    Report
  12. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #12

    True I live out in the country/suburbs type areas so I have long roads and such out here and tons of variations I can try no problem to keep me busy and ya music is a must on any workouts I do as well

    Report
  13. MotownBikeBoy
    Archived post
    #13

    It looks like a pretty good all purpose entry level bike. Specialized is a great brand, IMHO.

    Report
  14. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #14

    I've read up on them and I see that specialized is a well known and very good brand I just wish k had a little more money so that I could get some others maybe I'll wait and see what else there is so I can save up some more

    Report
  15. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #15

    What's your opinion on the bikes j mentioned at the top?

    Report
  16. MotownBikeBoy
    Archived post
    #16

    I don't know enough about them to give a worthwhile opinion. Specialized is the only brand among your options I have personal experience with.

    Report
  17. Volnix
    Archived post
    #17
    Quoted post said:

    Originally Posted by jettafreak5768
    well i wont be using the bike for anything fancy i just want to do it for the exercise aspect,

    Yeah yeah, that's what they all say! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG] "I just wanna commute a bit", "I just wanna go for a fitness ride" and a few years later they look like this: [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    A drop bar bike is not a bad thing to have for exercise... [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comwink.png[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    Report
  18. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #18

    i looked at the few you showed me ( out of my current price range) and i liked them from what i saw and read on reviews, but i need something closer to budget i was thinking of going tomorrow to one of the few buge big bike shops by my house and finding out what they have in stock and stuff.

    Report
  19. jettafreak5768
    Archived post
    #19

    lol i dunno if i can pull off spandex in any way shape or form in anytime of my life

    Report
  20. Volnix
    Archived post
    #20

    Thought of used or ex-display?

    Used sells for about half the price (but it needs attention to detail) and ex-display sells for less too. Last season sells for 30% less or something.

    This website has some custom bikes (Thorn) from ex-display and cancelled orders.

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/new-used-cycles-and-frames-dept671_pg1/

    Report

Keep exploring

Browse the sectionBike buying advice Return to CyclingForumsStart at the home page Search discussionsFind another thread

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.