looking for a bike (Maggeh, Col. Psycho, Xhair get in here)

[t00bsoks]

Yeah, I realized I burn a metric fuckload of gas just driving around town. So, I think either a mountain bike or a BMX (My city is pretty flat, so I don't think gears are that important) style ride would be the way to go.

The most I could spend would be $400-450. And I'd prefer something made in the first world.

[maggie]

BMXes are a bitch to ride around for commuting; can't really go fast, and you work your ass off to get anywhere.
Mountain bikes or hybrids are a better choice if you want something you can use for regular transportation.
You absolutely will not find a $450 new bike "made in the first world". They don't exist. You can occasionally find bikes made with frames that are constructed in N.A. or Europe, but all the components are still going to be made in China, because that's just the way life is.

As I see it, you have 2 good options:
1. Find a good quality used bike in decent condition.
2. Go to a local bike store and pick up an entry level bike.

Option 1 comes with a few hassles - how do you know if it's in good condition? What do you do if you have problems a month after buying it? If you go this route, you'll want to be prepared to spend an extra $50 - $100 getting it checked out / repaired at a proper bike shop after buying. Used bikes can suck up a lot of money in the long run if you get a lemon.

Option 2 is simpler, but probably a bit more expensive at the outset. Most local bike shops will let you test ride the bikes before you buy, which is nice. They'll make sure you get the right size bike and that it's set up properly for you. They'll have proper mechanics on hand who assembled the bikes, and who know what they're doing. The bikes will come with a manufacturer's warranty, and usually with some kind of extra maintenance package from the shop (free tune-up or something usually).

Don't be seduced by full suspension frames and disc brakes and such. At that price point, they won't be good quality and in the long run, you'll regret it. Above all, stay away from department store bikes and anything sold at Wallmart.

[Captain Colon]

Honestly, for just getting around town I don't really see the problem with a sears special...I've had mine since I was like 14 and it still works fine.

Not that I've ridden it in the past 2 or 3 years or anything D:

[GusButts]

I can go fucking fast on my BMX, I go faster than all my friends combined on the bike trails. :D Even up hills. Though my legs work harder at the end of the day.

But yeah, don't get a BMX for around town. I bought a BMX because I keep jumping staircases/everything in my town whenever I go somewhere, but I can do that with a mountain bike too.

Get a nice bike with fat tires and some shocks at the front and you're in business.

[pk!]

I'd say the opposite - for the road you want 27 x 1.25" tires and a lightweight frame. You don't need shock absorbers unless you're doing serious offroad. You do need gears because especially in traffic you'll be changing speed a lot.

Go for the lightest bike you can afford and don't save money by getting a cheap lock. Also, don't support the trade in stolen bikes - only go to a reliable dealer. It's probably better to buy new as you get a warranty.

I'd recommend something with a slightly tougher frame than a racing bike, with 700c road wheels and a mountain bike gear system. If you have to carry stuff, panniers are a much better idea than a backpack or shoulderbag for weight distribution.

You should have the option to swap in tougher off-road wheels to give you a bike with good but not perfect offroad capability (but use the road wheels on roads as they weigh less).

Something like this

http://www.whycycle.co.uk/images/hybrid.jpg
or
http://www.whycycle.co.uk/images/city.jpg

[Col. Psycho]

Well, you mention BMX on one hand, and regular bike on the other. maybe you want something in between?

http://cgi.ebay.com/05-NORCO-Charger-complete-15-inch-BRAND-NEW-NR_W0QQitemZ180087297409QQihZ008QQcategoryZ98083QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

that should be alright for you, im aware its out of your price range but use that as inspiration. it has the best of both worlds - its a jump inspired frame mated to XC inspired parts. (XC = cross country, i.e normal mountain bike)

beware though - along with riding a bike, you need to know how to maintain it anywhere. I recommend if you dont want to be pushing home, learn how to fix punctures on the side of the road, or to fix a part with bare essential tools. in other words, it might be suited to practice maintenance and to purchase maintenance equipment. pump, tools, spare tubes, the basics.

If you are looking for more jump inspired bikes, give me a shout on MSN so i can talk to you directly and help you search for stuff. my email: the_dude1180-at-hotmail.com.

P.S - pk! has a point with what he says, but tbh, for street commuting, i wouldnt leave home without a bike that can take a little bit of a thrashing. those lightweight wheels n tyres are good if you plan on sticking to the roads, but if you have to do any offroad or go off any obstacles (2 stairs, sudden drop offs, etc) most road wheels will buckle or break. so instead of taking a chance, rather buy something better suited. If you are honestly not going to put your bike through any stresses or strains, then go for what pk! says. :)

[Col. Psycho]

some other choices, but i dont know how some of them would fair up (quality wise)...

http://cgi.ebay.com/GT-Moto-freeride-mountain-dirt-jumping-bike-cycle-MD_W0QQitemZ230096339222QQihZ013QQcategoryZ98083QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/GT-Avalanche-2-0-disc-mountain-bike-bicycle-16-Blu-05_W0QQitemZ230096392667QQihZ013QQcategoryZ98083QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-GT-Ruckus-SS-L-Hardtail-X-Country-Mountain-Bike_W0QQitemZ190086189254QQihZ009QQcategoryZ98083 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


the ruckus IS A SINGLE SPEED. keep that in mind. the GT Moto Freeride bike looks alright, its more rugged than the other two. the Avalanche is a pure mountain bike, its not as rugged as the other two, so i dont know.

also, im not aware of what size bike you are looking for, so those are all different sizes. if you asked me, i'd go for the GT Moto, because it leans more to what i do, Trails / Freeride / light DH.

[maggie]

What's pk's pointed out are typical hybrids, which are ideal for city riding, but as col pyscho mentioned, not as tough as a mountain bike. They are nowhere near delicate though, so your regular potholes and paved jogging/bike paths will be fine. Trouble is, most teenagers are too cool for hybrids :p

The bikes col psycho are showing are definitely cool, but certainly more bike that you need or want if all you're going to do is commute.

The first thing you need to do really is identify exactly how you see yourself riding this bike, decide your general style of bike based on that, and then start looking for specific models.

[t00bsoks]

The first thing you need to do really is identify exactly how you see yourself riding this bike, decide your general style of bike based on that, and then start looking for specific models.

Yeah, that's why I was leaning towards a BMX that I could just treat like shit, wouldn't really have to worry about attracting attention to it, and just pick up and ride.

[maggie]

There's definitely something to be said for that. They are in fact tough as nails and there's very little that can go wrong with them because they're mechanically quite simple. They are more work to ride, though, so I'd consider that carefully if you have longer distances to travel.

[Col. Psycho]

well, make sure its a moderate ratio then.

i ride a single speed freeride bike (similar to that ruckus i showed you on ebay) but on an easier pedal ratio so although i might not get up to a shitload of speed (which i do anyway) i dont have to worry about pedaling too hard either.

[Daywalker]

I don not want to hi-jack the thread or anything, but I am looking into starting to bike as a form of transport this spring/summer.

Whats wrong with a walmart special? Since I am trying out bikes as a form of transport I do not want to blow a lot on a bike, then realize "oh, this doesn't seem to safe/easy/practical, I'll just use my car" and be out a ton of money. So, is it jus that I would be better off with a "real" bike, and should look into it once I get into using it instead of a car.

Whats some safety/traffic advice? Most places aren't really designed to have people on bikes.

[maggie]

I don not want to hi-jack the thread or anything, but I am looking into starting to bike as a form of transport this spring/summer.

Whats wrong with a walmart special? Since I am trying out bikes as a form of transport I do not want to blow a lot on a bike, then realize "oh, this doesn't seem to safe/easy/practical, I'll just use my car" and be out a ton of money. So, is it jus that I would be better off with a "real" bike, and should look into it once I get into using it instead of a car.

Wallmart specials are assembled by people who work at wallmart. People who have no idea what they're doing. At a bike shop, your bike is assembled by a mechanic who's been building and repairing bikes for years. They know their shit, they double-check everything for safety and to ensure that it will work properly and not fall apart in the first month. That's the big difference.
If you want cheap, get a good quality used bike instead of a brand new wallmart bike.

Whats some safety/traffic advice? Most places aren't really designed to have people on bikes.

It's best to work out good routes ahead of time. A lot of cities publish cycling maps, which show the safer routes to take. In general, for a novice rider, it's best to take side streets and multi-use paths if you're lucky enough to have them. Do get proper lights and reflective stuff. Honestly though, no matter what you do, some drivers just aren't paying attention. The best thing is to always assume that everyone else on the road is going to do the worst possible thing at the worst possible moment. You've got to be defensive, and be smarter than the drivers.

[Elwood]

I don't know about your city, but in my town twice a year they have what we call "townie trash day" where denizens can haul stuff too big for a trash can to the curb and the city'll come in a week and pick it all up. The week beforehand is when you build your bike. Me and another guy built three bikes from cavenged parts over a week or so, at a cost of $0.00, and a little wd-40 we had on hand. They weren't pretty and the brakes weren't always great, but they certainly filled their purpose, which was being treated like shit and looking so ratty they didn't get stolen.


My favourite was a pseudo-racing bike from the seventies which we turned into a single-speed and geared it so high nobody without hellacious bike legs wanted to ride it. Often I found it four feet from where I left it...People would pump twice and give up. I called it the sui-cycle...Gave it away...=/


Anyway what I'm saying is if you have some decent mechanical aptitude either cobble one together or check the yard sales. Offer someone five bucks and fix it up a little yourself, that way no-one will want to steal it, and if they do, who cares? I bet if you work the yard sales you could fix up two bikes for the cost of a full tank of gas, on the outside.

[maggie]

Elwood gets 2 thumbs up. If you've the mechanical aptitude for it, garage sale bikes can be fun and cheap.

[Daywalker]

I see, well my dad and I put it together, so I guess it should be able to handle the couple months when I try to see if I can ditch the car for a bike.

[Daywalker]

are there any bike racks that work on moutain bikes with shocks? Im using my walmart bike until I can figure out if this biking thing would be feesable and I need a rack to carry shit, all the ones I can find are for regular framed bikes.

[Col. Psycho]

yeah dude most bike racks are universal, but it depends. :o also, check the max weight of the bike rack, thats always important.

[Daywalker]

really? The ones I've need look like they have to be hooked to the frame near over/infront of the wheel where teh seat post is kind of. The things that go on where the wheel is looks like it cant hold much

[maggie]

There's a thing made by Saris that's like an add-on bar for your rack. it clamps around your seat tube and your stem, and you hang the bike off it if your top tube is too low, as in the case of ladies' frames and y-frame bikes.

http://www.saris.com/p-170-bike-beam.aspx