Looking to buy a bicycle

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legoman666

Diamond Member
Dec 18, 2003
3,628
1
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So I've been riding my $70 cheapo department store bike that I've owned for ~8 years a lot more recently. As such, I think it's time to get a decent bike. However, I don't know crap about them.

specifics:
1. Going to be riding it on the road/sidewalks. These roads are not in the best condition.
2. Lots of hills. Lots and lots. I live on a hill, and to get anywhere, I have to go up and down several hills.
3. don't want to spend over $500
4. new or used is fine.
5. I live in Cincinnati, so if anyone could point out a bike on my local craigslist: http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/ I'd appreciate it.
6. I'm 5' 10"

I think that's it, if anyone has any questions that will help make a recommendation, don't hesitate to ask.
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
Honestly, I'd recommend going to a local independent bike shop.

There's a bunch of good respectable bike companies and the bike shop will be able to point you in the direction of a few good ones.
 
spacejamz

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,927
1,574
126
your actual height doesn't matter...you need to find a frame that provides about 2-4" of clearance between your crotch and the tube when you are straddling the bike in a standing position...as nate603 suggested, stop by your local bikeshop and they can tell what frame size you need...if you buy the wrong sized frame and don't have seat adjusted properly, you will have a miserable riding experience if you ride a prolonged amount of time.

roadbike tires/tubes are not nearly as rugged as their mountainbike/hybrid counterparts so you better learn how to change a flat (you need to ride with some tire levers, a spare tube and a small CO2 pump cuz there is no way in hell you can pump up a road tire with a hand pump)...either that or you can try those self sealing tubes with the gel inside them (I haven't heard good things about them, but that doesn't mean squat)...

with those hills, you might want to consider getting clipless pedals/shoes (if you tried really hard, you can get some shoes and pedals for $100 - you don't need the the $200 pedals). when you use them, you will get power from both the upstroke and downstroke while you are pedaling...takes a bit to get used to, but well worth it once you get the hang of it...

i went from a $80 sears mountain bike w/ a steel frame to a $500 kona with an aluminum frame back in 1997 and it was like going from a ford pinto to a corvette...
 
Linux23

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,370
741
126
How much does a good Carbon Fiber bike run? I'm actually thinking of riding to work instead of driving.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: Linux23
How much does a good Carbon Fiber bike run? I'm actually thinking of riding to work instead of driving.
Click to expand...

A couple thousand dollars. Why would you want to commute on a race bike though?

Personally, I've been thinking of buying a decent hybrid bike to commute on.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: legoman666
Hm.. I'll check out local bike shops. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Whatever you do, don't get a mtb. The suspension is practically worthless on city roads because it just adds weight to the bike and it just saps energy. You also don't want to be riding in the city on knobby tires because they give you more rolling resistance.
 
Sumguy

Sumguy

Golden Member
Jun 2, 2007
1,409
0
0
Originally posted by: legoman666
http://www.campuscyclery.com/fsSales/onlineCatalog.htm

This place is about 5 minutes walking distance from my apartment, looks like they have a pretty decent selection. I was looking at their road bikes; they seem to be significantly higher priced than the cross/hybrid bikes. What's the difference?
Click to expand...

From what I learned at my local shop, road bikes just have really thin tires for less resistance while pedaling. They all seem to have those funky handles too, and I wasn't paying too much attention but I think the frames are smaller/made of lighter material.

I ended up buying a hybrid, they have thin tires but not as skinny as road bikes (700 somethings). Its a simple Schwinn 7 speed ($250), but compared to my walmart Huffy its like gliding over water.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: legoman666
http://www.campuscyclery.com/fsSales/onlineCatalog.htm

This place is about 5 minutes walking distance from my apartment, looks like they have a pretty decent selection. I was looking at their road bikes; they seem to be significantly higher priced than the cross/hybrid bikes. What's the difference?
Click to expand...

As you go up in price you get better and lighter weight race components/wheels. Also, frame materials are generally better on the more expensive bikes. These things are important to people who race bicycles and they'll pay thousands of dollars to shed a few grams off their wheelset.

The hybrid/cross bikes are aimed more at the urban/commuter crowd who generally don't care about fancy lightweight bikes.

It's not about the bike. The rider makes the biggest difference, a lightweight road bike will not be significantly faster than a bike that costs half that and weighs 1 pound more given the same rider.

BTW-A friend of mine is racing a Cannondale SuperSix this season. ;) He got his race bike a couple weeks ago.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: legoman666
Originally posted by: Injury
Pay a visit to Montgomery Cyclery.

http://montgomerycyclery.com/
Click to expand...

Will do!

In the meantime, what does ATOT think of these:
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/718084202.html <-- this one in particular
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/717288594.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/711101476.html
Click to expand...

That Motobecane is a bit overpriced. Offer him $400. You could buy a new 10 spd model for $799 here.

That last Trek is too big for you. I'm 5'11" and I ride a 56cm bike.

The middle one doesn't list components. Find out what components it has then get back to us.
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
I was shopping around, for your same budget (In Columbus), and I found that I had to go with a used bike.

Road bikes are a minimum of $500 for anything decent.

I went with a Craigslist Trek from 1992, for $200. (it has Shimano 105 components)
He threw in a bike stand and clip-in shoes, which are at least $100 together.

I really like it so far.
You can't believe the efficiency and speed of a road bike, compared to a mountain or hybrid bike.

I really enjoy it so far.

I would get more details on the middle Trek in your post.
The Motobecane would be good too.
Don't get hung up on a brand name. Any bike shop will work on any bike.
 
D

dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
I just got a Dahon Jack. I got it on sale and with a 10% off coupon from nashbar.com for $380ish.

It folds very quickly into a size that fits easily in any trunk or even a closet. For urban life it's great. It is also incredibly light. It feels a little too light at times but overall it's really nice and I am happy with it. If the folding is of no concern for you I would not recommend it.
 
L

legoman666

Diamond Member
Dec 18, 2003
3,628
1
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
That Motobecane is a bit overpriced. Offer him $400. You could buy a new 10 spd model for $799 here.

That last Trek is too big for you. I'm 5'11" and I ride a 56cm bike.

The middle one doesn't list components. Find out what components it has then get back to us.
Click to expand...

I offered the owner of the first bike $400 (lowball, I'd buy it for $475 or so).

He got back to me saying he bought it new in May '07 for $800. Apparently it has a wireless bike computer ($60) and some decent pedals with toeclips. He said the price was fairly firm; though I feel I can probably get it for $475-500 ($525 was his listing price).

I'm still waiting to hear back from the owner of the Trek bike.

Assuming the two bikes were the same price, which would be better?
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
Originally posted by: Bignate603
Honestly, I'd recommend going to a local independent bike shop.

There's a bunch of good respectable bike companies and the bike shop will be able to point you in the direction of a few good ones.
Click to expand...

This ends the thread.
Just go to a few local independent dealers and talk to them, sit on a few and test ride a few.
That is how you make your decision for sure.
 
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