Bike advice

[dmcummins]

First off I know nothing about bikes. I havn't ridden a bike that didn't have a motor on it since I was in junior high. I'm 53 now. Well I bought a RV and plan on going on several trips next year. The wife wants me to get a bike so we can ride them together while we are camping. She has an Electra.

From what looking I have done I suppose I want a hybrid, comfort, or commuter. We will be riding on paved or gravel surfaces I would think most of the time. I would rather spend less than a $1,000.

What should I be looking for? Any particular brands? What should I stay away from? ect.

[cantdrv55]

If she has an Electra and you will be riding alongside her, I'd recommend a comfort bike. More upright on the saddle, higher bars and built-in strut on the seat post. I'd check craigslist or bikeforums.net. If you think you will move up/on to doing club or charity rides then I'd opt for a beginner, steel road bike.

[jyl]

How about a used hardtail mountain bike. Nothing fancy. Cheap, durable. Will come w/ the tires for dirt and gravel roads. Add a rack and a bag for groceries, picnics.

[cantdrv55]

Good advice, John. I just picked up such a bike on craigslist for $35. Perfect for hauling my little boy in his Burley buggy. Not as upright but I can replace the stem if I want to go that way.

[flatbutt]

I have a Trek 7300 hybrid, very comfy. Cost me around $600 new 5 years ago.

[patssle]

I have the Trek 3700, entry level mountain bike. Great bike for just a couple hundred.

[peppy]

My wife and I just bought a pair of Specialized Crosstrail Sport bikes. They were about $600 each.

New Bikes

[tcar]

Just get another Electra... twins.

[john70t]

GreenWheel Turns Pedal Bike Into Electric Hog: Discovery News

I'm waiting for this to arrive on the market.
Should cost a few hundred $'s, last 40,000 miles, and give a range of about 20 miles without pedalling or double with.

[vash]

cyclocross bro. i am on the lookout for used SURLY cross fit.

[carreraken]

Recently picked up a Specialized Sirrus and love it!

Had a basic mountain bike and the Sirrus suits us much better.

[bgyglfr]

Go to a local bike shop. All of the box store bikes are crap! They might say schwinn or Giant but they are watered down with cheap components. Plus a bike shop will do a proper fitting and help you make an educated decision. That is more important than what brand you buy. If the first shop doesn't seem to be helpful, go to another until you find someone knowledgeable. Any of the respectable brands will do fine (Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc.). You should be able to get what you need for a lot less than $1000. I just bought my wife a nice aluminum frame Cannondale for $450 this summer. By the way, Cannondale is the last major manufacturer making frames in the US. Typically, spending more money moves you up in components. The frames will all be pretty solid.

[vash]

if i had the funding..i would get an Atlantis, made by Rivendell. cool, retro, comfy..

if i crapped hundred dollar bills, i would buy a Vanilla bike..but i dont.

[vash]

this is cyclocross PORN! for the money, you cant leave it parked..i would ride it everywhere, and lose weight!! hahah. that spin doenst work on my wife, at all. VANILLA!

[bgyglfr]

Here's a retro mountain bike. A Bart Brentjens Specialized Gold Edition M2 mountain bike. #62 of 100 made to commemorate his winning gold the first year mountain biking was in the Olympics. On a Specialized, of course.

[bgyglfr]

That is absolutely sweet. Maybe I could sell my 911 and.......
Nah.

Originally Posted by vash

this is cyclocross PORN! for the money, you cant leave it parked..i would ride it everywhere, and lose weight!! hahah. that spin doenst work on my wife, at all. VANILLA!

[Laneco]

Set your price low and buy used. Don't spend more than $200, Craigslist is your friend, but always take a look at used inventory in a bike shop. Get a hybrid or mountain bike that is the right size for you. Take it to a bike shop for a tune up, BUY A GOOD SEAT. Not kidding here, the money is well spent. More people quit cycling because of the atrocious cheap azzed seats that come stock on most bikes. Don't buy a tractor seat, they chafe like sandpaper, buy a fairly wide men's comfort seat and cycling shorts. The mountain bike shorts are baggy, with strategic padding and don't look goofy. You could walk into a store and not feel nekkid.

Plan on being into the newly tuned bike with a fresh seat and a decent pair of shorts for $350 maybe $400 absolute tops.

Should be good enough to let you enjoy it and cheap enough to dump without losing any money if you decide you hate it. On the other hand, if you LOVE cycling after you try it, again, you'll lose no money on it and be able to sell it/upgrade to a better bike.

A fair warning, my friend, cycling is as slippery of a slope as modifying a 911!!! Keep it cheap until you're sure you love it or you'll never believe how far it is to the bottom of the slope - LOL!

angela

[RWebb]

another trick beyond used, is to just buy last year's model

you want one of those seats that does NOT make you impotent

[HardDrive]

Fixie.

[look 171]

Spend 2-400 bucks and buy it from people like Performance bike locally. They are all over the country. The sales staff should able to help you with general fit. Tell them you are not interested in racing or long hour / day touring. So they wouldn't bend you over and break your back. You just want to ride a bike down to your local coffee shop or into town and have breakfast when you are camping? Any mountain bike will do. Everyone's talking about fit. Fit to do what? Just make sure the bike is not too big for you and have fun with enjoy riding with your wife.

Jeff