My turn to ask for help buying bicycles

[MRM]

I haven't biked seriously since college, but I've always loved it. I have long promised myself that I would get a decent bike and ride for fun. My boys are now 12 and 14, and are old enough to get good bikes that will be with them for their teenage years.

What would you guys recommend for us? Is new or used a better option? I looked at bikesdirect.com for new bikes. Craig's List is the usual swamp, with people quoting the MSRP as the value of the bike and asking what any bike shop would discount the bike. I did see this bike, a Trek 2100 for $300 that looks good. Any comments?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/bik/1143023391.html

Our needs are pretty simple. I want a high quality road bike that's fun to ride on. I won't probably be riding centuries or triathalons. My boys need good road bikes that will encourage them to take off on a summer day, explore as far as they can ride, and come back at the end of the day.

I'm 6'4" and about 190. My 14 year old is already about 5'10" and built a little stockier. My 12 year old is about 5'4" and built more like me, but I think he'll hit a growth spurt soon.

What do you guys think?

Mike

[tangerine911S]

I would definately go lightly used or maybe some last years new stuff that is being discounted. One piece of advice I would give would be to make sure the bike fits you. Consider spending the money to have a bike "fit" to you. If its not comfortable, it wont get ridden as much, no matter how nice the bike is. Keep in mind that different manufacturers measure bike sizes differently and the geometries will determine if a bike is a good fit. I would not buy a bike sight unseen unless you are sure it will fit you. Good luck.

[creaturecat]

Stay away from aluminum, for yourself. Cheap aluminum will work fine for the kids.

[gtc]

I'll second the last year's stuff, especially for the kids.

[VincentVega]

Kids are still growing, get used. If they stick with it maybe get a new, fitted bike.

[T77911S]

i have not looked into what is out there lately either. but i always thought trek had the best bang for the buck along with specialized. i had great support from both companies. trek warrentied 2 5500 carbon frames for me.
i would go with ebay. you can pick up a $2000 frame for a few hundred and build it yourself. my brother has bought 2 hi end frames for next to nothing compared to the new cost.
i have a saeco cannondale caad 4 frame and carbon fork i would sell for $125. 55cm i think, maybe 56, did Cdale have odd or even sizes? i bought it as an emergency spare frame and fork, it is used of course. i never built it. bought it from a friend.

[dd74]

I would not go used, simply because of your and your first son's height. The taller the rider, the more stress is put on a frame. As frames decrease in size, they tend to be stronger. But with a big guy's used bike, who knows what sort of stresses he's put on the frame and components, particularly if the frame is al., which has a faster fatigue rate than any other frame material. Also, if something on a used bike breaks, there's no warranty, and it might kill your sons' desire to ride, if not your own.

Trek and Specialized make great products in the $850 to $2K range, that will hold together very well. Plus, a good bike store will be able to fit you and your sons much better than some guy who for whatever reason is unloading his used bike, and will tell you anything to get a sale.

You're in MN, right? I just bought a bike from a guy in Minnesota who uses Penn Cycle. He has only good things to say about these guys, and they seem to be pretty widespread throughout the state. I suggest you check Penn Cycle out and see what they have to offer.

[MRM]

Yes, I'm in Minnesota. Penn Cycle does have a good reputation. Penn, Bennett's Bikes and Erik's are all pretty well known chains. I will shop with them and see what I can come up with. I had not thought of the larger frame issue. That's a good point about buying used.

I have a couple of follow up questions. First, any thoughts on the Craigs List Trek? It is a mid 1990s carbon model. It would be nice to be able to buy at least a couple of the bikes in the $300 or so range. Second, how important is age to a bike? I was under the impression that bike technology has improved greatly over the last couple of years. Is a new starter bike a better technology than a ten year old formerly top of the line model? And finally, what about buying through bikesdirect.com?

[dd74]

Yeah, you'd be much better off with new rigs for yourself and your boys. That Trek looks and is old. I don't even know if half the components are around anymore.

Trek, itself, makes a very good mid-level bicycle. Get a frame and components which fit. And explain clearly to the salesperson that fit is your top priority - think of how you would explain this to a tailor in re. to a suit.

Components - most likely you'll be shown something with Shimano components. I would go no lower in the tier than 105. It's a strong modern component set with a worthy track record. I think they're now up to 20-speed bicycles with 105.

Aluminum - you'll probably get aluminum, which, if not fitted well, will cause you a lot of pain. This is why I stress that you must be fitted to the bike. If it takes the salesperson asking the mechanic to switch out handlebar stems or crank arms, then that's their responsibility toward a sale. Don't let them B.S. you.

Last - good product costs good money. But it's well worth it in the end.

[dd74]

Couple other things - new starter bike is much better than old top-shelf stuff. Lighter, stronger, makes you go faster in some cases.

Bikesdirect.com - never dealt with them. I wouldn't buy a bicycle from them either unless you were very comfortable measuring yourself for the frame size, then, once you receive the bike, endeavoring on making fine adjustments to it and/or swapping out parts -- all in the name of fit.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Bah, aluminum haters.

Al is fine, but base the material on what YOU like and what feels good for you, not just what someone else says.

Personally, I like steel the best (I miss my steel-frame Pino and still have a steel-frame Peugeot). My current regular rides are aluminum & aluminum/carbon. No complaints. Plenty comfortable I think and plenty light.

Carbon is cool but personally I don't let it sway me just because it's carbon. There's good carbon fiber and lousy carbon fiber out there, just like with any other material. Good aluminum stuff is NOT that much heavier (if at all) than carbon counterparts too - just something to consider.

I did see a carbon fiber water bottle cage that was something like only 17g though (the utter hilarity of that still cracks me up - especially for nearly $100!)

Get (and ride) what you like.

[dd74]

Actually, the real value these days is in titanium - a full Ti bike from Linskey with SRAM Rival gear on it goes for $2,400. I think the bike weighs in at around 16 pounds. The beauty about this is between the components, frames, even the wheels, it's all American made/built.

Beh! Who needs Campy or anything ending in "o" or "ini."

[Dave L]

I bought treks for my kids, they are 5 and 7. I think they are a better bike and the store offeres a 50% trade in on the bikes if they are returned in 2 years. Based on that the end cost is $25 - $30 more than a typical "walmart" bike. If your kids are growing or you see buying new bikes from time to time this might be an option. Im not sure if this type of program is available everywhere but it seems to be common with skiis and bikes in my area.

[gtc]

Jeff's right. There are plenty of great aluminum frames out there. But with a tight budget you really just have to take what you can get, IMO.

[MRM]

Looks like I'll get the kids new bikes from a local bike shop. I don't like the looks of anything used or on line for them.

As for myself, I had just about given up on gettign a used bike, when I saw this.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/bik/1153610819.html

It's a 2001 Bianchi Talledega. It's a steel bike with full Ultegra components for $750. It was probably a $1,500 to $2,000 bike when new in 2001, so at $750 it isn't a steal, but I dropped the guy an email and I'll go look at it. I saw some other adds for similar bikes at the same price or a little higher. I'll report what I find.

[David McLaughlin]

I don't go for long rides anymore nor do I do any real off roading anymore so I'm looking into the new (old/ retro) cruiser bikes. I really like the comfort of the seat (no more pain down below) and upright riding position. What I'm not sure about is going back a three speed (or single speed) in my area due to the hills. Some are even automatic which could be cool.

Here's the company I'm looking at: http://www.electrabike.com/
I tested one out the last time I was at LL Beans.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by MRM

Looks like I'll get the kids new bikes from a local bike shop. I don't like the looks of anything used or on line for them.

As for myself, I had just about given up on gettign a used bike, when I saw this.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/bik/1153610819.html

It's a 2001 Bianchi Talledega. It's a steel bike with full Ultegra components for $750. It was probably a $1,500 to $2,000 bike when new in 2001, so at $750 it isn't a steal, but I dropped the guy an email and I'll go look at it. I saw some other adds for similar bikes at the same price or a little higher. I'll report what I find.

You should buy that. Many steel riders/racers lust highly after the Talladega. Plus it has Ultegra. $750 is a good deal, IMO.

[85eurocarrera]

I am your size and weight. That Bianchi, May be too small for you. If not, not a bad deal. It is hard finding a nice used road bike around here in 61-63cm. BTDT They get snatched up quick!

I thought I needed carbon this, 105 that ect... I ended up finding a 1987 Bridgestone 550 all steel bike for $350. Maybe a little high $$, but I could tell this bike had been "loved" by its prior owner(s). I am a avid MT biker, so this is just used for times when the single trac is closed. Although I am having fun putting miles on it. It can hang with full carbon roadies on 50 mile rides. Plus I get a better workout!

Give Freewheel Bikes in Mpls. a look. Great service! and a knowledgeable sales team. Way better than Eriks IMO. Penn is good too.

I will look/ post info for the guy I bought my Bridgestone from. He sells bikes, mainly larger framed, out of his home in Edina/ Hopkins.

[dd74]

IIRC the Bridgestone is another desirable bike.

You guys have good taste.

[MRM]

Well, I looked at the bike last night. It was very clean and the guy claimed it has only 600 miles on it so I pulled the trigger. He seemed like the kind of guy who would decide to get into shape, spend a lot on a bike and then let it sit, so it's condition made sense.

The nice thing is that he is almost exactly my height, so the bike was set up perfectly for me. He just had it tuned so it felt like it had been professionally fit for me. I didn't even have to adjust the seat. He made me pay full price, though, and as I pulled out my checkbook (my firm checkbook, too) he stopped me and demanded cash. I couldn't believe it, so I have to go back tonight with $750 is cash.

I haven't had much luck finding used kid's bikes. I think I'm going to have to buy new for them to make sure the fit and style are right for them. It seems like all the bikes that would be good for them are either beaten or the seller wants more than retail for them used. Just because a bike has a $900 "list" price doesn't make it a $900 bike.

My 12 year old has fallen in love with a Cannondale cross bike. I'm not sure if he likes it or just the color. I thought it was quite expensive for what it was. We're going to a different shop tonight and I'll make him ride some more. County Cycles in Roseville has some 2008 model Trek cross bikes that are in the $300-$400 range than I think will take care of him for several years.

And although it would seriously break the budget, I am thinking about getting my 14 year old a last year's model Trek 1600. It retailed for $1,299, and is on sale for $999. It has full Shimano 105 throughout the bike. This year's replacement model would be a 1.5 or 1.6, that is more expensive, has the same frame, but has significantly cheaper components. They have three or four left over. Maybe I can justify it by thinking of the use he'll get out of it in college.