Anyone know about bicycles???

[cruelpupet]

Didnt want to say bikes in the thread and get people confused.

I've been thinking about getting a bike for exercise and transportation. Transportation will mostly be here in Staten island with occasional manhatten use and occasional country road use. There is also a good chance of it being used in brooklyn on a regular basis.

Ive read about how to size your bike...etc off of REI.com, but their bike options are highly limited. Any suggestions on what I should get, and where. From what my friend has told me the local shops are extremely overpriced.


Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated.
(I havnt ridden a bike in about 12 years)

Link to the "how to size your bike" (http://www.rei.com/online/rei/learn/noDetail.jsp?URL=rei/learn/cycle/clfitf.jsp) for your curiosity.

[CynJon]

paging Cheapie...

[InfiniteNothing]

Didnt want to say bikes in the thread and get people confused.

I've been thinking about getting a bike for exercise and transportation. Transportation will mostly be here in Staten island with occasional manhatten use and occasional country road use. There is also a good chance of it being used in brooklyn on a regular basis.

Ive read about how to size your bike...etc off of REI.com, but their bike options are highly limited. Any suggestions on what I should get, and where. From what my friend has told me the local shops are extremely overpriced.


Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated.
(I havnt ridden a bike in about 12 years)

Link to the "how to size your bike" (http://www.rei.com/online/rei/learn/noDetail.jsp?URL=rei/learn/cycle/clfitf.jsp) for your curiosity.

Give us a budget range

[cruelpupet]

Give us a budget range


Well...I have no idea how much it should cost.


If you tell me every bike that costs under $800 is ****...and others here agree then...I will most likely spend over 800.

[Kevster]

Your height, arm reach, leg length, etc all are factors into what size bike you will want to get. For me, an 18" to 19" frame is perfect. I can use a 20", but I have to raise the neck of the handlebars to use it correctly so I am not hunched forward too much.

Also, since this is more of a road bike, what kind of handlebars are you looking for? Drop-down or MTB style?

[cruelpupet]

Also, since this is more of a road bike, what kind of handlebars are you looking for? Drop-down or MTB style?


in english please...


Last time I rode a bike i was probably 11 years old. It was a 1 speed bike.

[Kevster]

in english please...


Last time I rode a bike i was probably 11 years old. It was a 1 speed bike.

Sorry. Drop-down is the typical 10-speed road bike style of handlebars. MTB is Mountain Bike style, or the broad "T" type of handlebars. Also, the tire style is going to matter as well since there will be a decision between narrower slicks and wider MTB-type tires.

[cruelpupet]

Sorry. Drop-down is the typical 10-speed road bike style of handlebars. MTB is Mountain Bike style, or the broad "T" type of handlebars. Also, the tire style is going to matter as well since there will be a dscision between nawwoer slicks and wider MTB-type tires.


I think I'd like the broad T.

[Kevster]

I think I'd like the broad T.

Ok so you're looking for something that can be described as a "city-style MTB bike". In this case you will pay for what you get. It will come down to frame metal type, frame style, seat type, suspension (if any), and what level of components (front/rear deraileurs, shifters, brakes, etc) you will be willing to pay for. Also, you will probably want to get good road-type MTB tires since you'll be riding in the city and that's no place for normal MTB tires. From that you can start to make a better-informed choice on what you may want to spend.

Just about every major bicycle manufacturer has soemthing in this category so you will have a decent selection to choose from.

[Windsor]

If you're really just using it for commutting, I don't see any reason to drop $800 for a bike. I'm not a big bike enthusiast like say...cheapie, but I've put in a good amount of miles on a $250 mountain bike, both on the road and occassional dirt trails.

[cruelpupet]

Ok so you're looking for something that can be described as a "city-style MTB bike". In this case you will pay for what you get. It will come down to frame metal type, frame style, seat type, suspension (if any), and what level of components (front/rear deraileurs, shifters, brakes, etc) you will be willing to pay for. Also, you will probably want to get good road-type MTB tires since you'll be riding in the city and that's no place for normal MTB tires. From that you can start to make a better-informed choice on what you may want to spend.

Just about every major bicycle manufacturer has soemthing in this category so you will have a decent selection to choose from.


Tires are one thing my friend has an issue with (apparently issues with broken glass)

Suspension I would think would be needed as the roads here are pretty bad.

Im willing to pay good money on the frame as it will be the one consistent component. Something light weight.


as for what level of components (front/rear deraileurs, shifters, brakes, etc)
no idea what is good/bad

[DarkFury]

Dayuuum... you mean Cheapie still hasn't seen this thread yet?

Wow... :wow:

[cheapie]

lol. thanks to att, i found it.

#1. PLEASE go to your local bike shop/shops and check out what they have. they will do the best fitting you. they will offer you advice on which type of bike to get from them or elsewhere. 2004 bikes are on sale now as next year's stock is arriving. and you will get the factory warranty if you buy from them.

#2. which kind of bike? FELT (http://www.feltracing.com/2004_bikes/sr71.html) makes a GREAT commuter/sport bike. i would check them out. i have a meeting but will be back to list some other options.

btw, $800 should get you a pretty decent bike for what you need. you won't need to drop more unless you really want to.

[cruelpupet]

btw, $800 should get you a pretty decent bike for what you need. you won't need to drop more unless you really want to.


Thanks for the advice...this being GotApex...I am of couse looking for a good deal...so if possible less then $800 would be nice.

[rajatQ2]

Sounds like you need a Hybrid bike.

I'm an avid mtb'r , but I helped my friend pick a hybrid. He got a Trek 7000 series. Link: http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/citybike/7100.jsp

He paid about 270 for it, 1 month ago. We both live near boston, so we ended up driving west of the city in order to find a cheaper bike shop.

I agree with cheapie on the "GO TO THE SHOP". There is no other way to do it. Go to a good bike store, and they will let you ride a good variety of bikes, and will probably even make some adjustments for you.

[cheapie]

wanna know what my suggestion would be? if i had to pick one foryou, i'd say the Specialized Sirrus Comp. very, VERY nice setup. MSRP of $980 but the shop would likely sell it for less. even the step down from the Comp (Sirrus Elite - MSRP $770) is about the best bike for your needs. very cool! hybrids are, and no offense to my wife and rajat's friendly, semi-ghey. the specialized sirrus is a tremendous idea. fast enough to make your commute shorter. but comfortable enough to make it fun. they both have a dampened front fork and the elite is equipped with a seat post with a shock in it. (the elite doesn't because most weight don't mind sacrificing weight for comport, hence the suspension seat post on the more expensive bike.)

this is the Sirrus Comp

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04SirrusComp_l.jpg

this is the sirrus elite.

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04SirrusExpert_l.jpg


my opinion? go test a sirrus and buy the elite. it doesn't sound like you would worry about clipless pedals that would come with the comp and would appreciate the added comfort of the cheaper one.

[cheapie]

click on the following link for a local specialized dealer and let me know what you think.

http://specialized-loc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/specialized_loc.cfg/php/loc/enduser/loc.php