What brand of bikes?

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dds14u

Golden Member
Feb 24, 2004
1,310
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Homerboy: I agree, I looked up hybrids and they look like the right thing for me.

All: I was actually looking to buy a bike online, but the fact that so many people talk about getting one with the right fit has made me think twice about that.

I will have to wait until this weekend to go to the local bike store since they usually close by the time I get back from work =\. I'll take into account brands like Trek and Schwinn and hope there's one that I can fit...I haven't rode bike in a couple of years :eek:
 
HomeBrewerDude

HomeBrewerDude

Lifer
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Originally posted by: dustmann
Originally posted by: stirfryguy
go to a bike store and ask them to fit a bike for you..once you try the ones you like go hunt them down, or buy from them. buying from a walmart or local everything store has cheap bikes but you will lack the comfort you need for a 5 mile ride.

trek, schwinn are some brands to stick with...i love my trek and i bike everywhere
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+1. Don't buy any bike from anywhere but a bike store. The local guys will hook you up with a nice bike in your price range, fit it for you, make sure it's put together right, and might even cut you a deal on helmets etc.

I have a fuji roubaix road bike, and I use it around town, but I would highly recommend a hybrid. The roubaix is nice for 30 mile rides, but around town it's pretty rough even with carbon fibre forks/seat stays. :D

Edit - Also, be SURE to get a good bike lock. I have a kryptonite 5/8" cable that mounts on my seat post, and hangs out of the way where my back reflector would be. If you're gonna drop 300+ bucks on a nice bike, it's gonna catch (possibly unwanted) attention.
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ditto.

I bought a lemond hybrid about 18 months ago. Its more on the roadie end of the spectrum and is fast, comfortable, and joy to ride.

You get what you pay for with bikes. Buy something that will be fun to ride.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/homebrewerdude/LeMond.jpg
 
gsellis

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
6,061
0
0
If you have a REI in your area, try there too. I got one of their store brands, Novara, years back that kitted better than I could DIY and was cheaper than all of the bike stores in the area for a similar bike.
 
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imported_Zeke

Senior member
Sep 18, 2004
956
0
0
I jsut picked up a FUJI police bike. Love it, adjustable front shock, you can turn the travel waaaaay down for road riding, comfortable seat and still very fast. Its nice to have the option to go off road in case you have to cut through a park or somthing, or if you ever want to try out some trails.
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
I love my specialized comfort bike. its great. well worth the money
 
S

Stuxnet

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2005
8,392
1
0
Originally posted by: dds14u
I was actually looking to buy a bike online, but the fact that so many people talk about getting one with the right fit has made me think twice about that.
Click to expand...

You're really not going to save much online, at least not with the quality brands. Spend a extra couple dollars and build a relationship with a good bike store.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
986
126
Originally posted by: dds14u
Anyone from Southern California can tell you that the traffic down here is pretty bad. My coworkers have started biking and I'm thinking that it's a good alternative.

I live a little more than 5 miles away from work and I know the amount of time it takes to drive will be more than the amount of time it takes to bike to/from work!

Anyone know good brands? where to buy? Sportsmart, Walmart??, Local store, used on craiglist?
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I'm in San Diego and ride to work a couple days a week on a LeMond Zurich road bike. My commute is 20 miles round trip. I usually leave a pair of slacks (rotate them out weekly) and shoes at work along with all the toiletries I will need (I can shower at work) and carry shirt, underwear and socks in a backpack.

I'd go with a local bike store and just find something comfortable that fits you well. You might look into a hybrid (relaxed road geometry with wider road tires and rack mounts).

I'd steer clear of walmart or pretty much any department store bike. They are junk and you won't get many miles out of them.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
techincally the Walmart bikes aren't THAT horrible and would arguable suffice for the OP in most instances (most tend to use actual Shimano components now, allow rims, SS spokes, actual cable stops etc. Specifically the Schwinns at Wally World are "nice". HOWEVER (and thats a BIG however) the trick is there is no sizing except 26" wheels which is horrible, and the worst part, if you don't know what you're doing is that the bikes at box-stores are assembled by the pimply faced kid that got pulled from stocking ladies underwear in isle 6. At a bike store, while still likley a pimply faced kid, at least he/she has been trained on how to adjust brakes, derailluers, and true up wheels, properly route cables, adjust headsets, hubs and BB... and for that matter actually does it before it rolls out the door. Not to mention you can likley test ride, get fitted etc.

Structurally there isn't that much of a difference between a $250 bike store bike, and a $200 Walmart bike for casual riding. But service and professionalism wise its not even the same ballpark.
 
D

dds14u

Golden Member
Feb 24, 2004
1,310
0
0
Just stopped by a local bike shop coming back from lunch and didn't really like what I was hearing from the guy helping me out.

"If you're not really to spend a couple hundred more (after I told him my budget was around $200 and he showed me a $500 one) you might as well just go to Kmart"

As sincere as he was trying to sound...I think I'll pass on that shop.
 
AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: dds14u
Just stopped by a local bike shop coming back from lunch and didn't really like what I was hearing from the guy helping me out.

"If you're not really to spend a couple hundred more (after I told him my budget was around $200 and he showed me a $500 one) you might as well just go to Kmart"

As sincere as he was trying to sound...I think I'll pass on that shop.
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Keep looking around, you should be able to find a good bike shop with ones a little under $300.
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: dds14u
Just stopped by a local bike shop coming back from lunch and didn't really like what I was hearing from the guy helping me out.

"If you're not really to spend a couple hundred more (after I told him my budget was around $200 and he showed me a $500 one) you might as well just go to Kmart"

As sincere as he was trying to sound...I think I'll pass on that shop.
Click to expand...

and he was right.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
and he was right.
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no he simply wasn't
$200 maybe a hard find. 2007's are due out any day (actually most brands are shipping already) $250 is more feasible, but $220ish shouldn't be impossible for last year's model or a cheaper-end bike store brand.

OP, let your fingers do the walking. Call around.

 
AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: dds14u
Just stopped by a local bike shop coming back from lunch and didn't really like what I was hearing from the guy helping me out.

"If you're not really to spend a couple hundred more (after I told him my budget was around $200 and he showed me a $500 one) you might as well just go to Kmart"

As sincere as he was trying to sound...I think I'll pass on that shop.
Click to expand...

and he was right.
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I highly doubt he doesn't have a good local shop would not cater to the market that is looking to get something above what wal*mart carries but below the $500 price point.
 
J

John P

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,426
2
0
As a few have already posted....

A fairly nice Diamondback/Raleigh hybrid/comort series bike can be had at your local bike shop for less than $300. Plus, most bike shops throw in a year free maintenance.
 
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cheapgoose

Diamond Member
May 13, 2002
3,877
0
0
check out a performance if you have one near by. Their prices are ok. better with a coupon or double rewards days. Use the rewards to buy gear. or some lbs have used bikes.
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: Homerboy
and he was right.
Click to expand...

no he simply wasn't
$200 maybe a hard find. 2007's are due out any day (actually most brands are shipping already) $250 is more feasible, but $220ish shouldn't be impossible for last year's model or a cheaper-end bike store brand.

OP, let your fingers do the walking. Call around.
Click to expand...

$250? i doubt it but yes possible. i would be looking to spend $300 at least.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
986
126
If you are balking at the price of entry level bikes at a bike store but still want a decent bike I'd start browsing craigslist for a decent bike. You can get great deals on there if you are patient and keep searching for the right bike. Seriously, you could probably find a $500-600 bike easily for $200 or so.
 
D

dds14u

Golden Member
Feb 24, 2004
1,310
0
0
Gonna go check out a used (3month old) Trek 3900 today.

Seller is selling for $250...I hope it's the right size.
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
I went with Yamaha, personally. But my commute is slightly longer, and there's no shower...

Originally posted by: dds14u
Originally posted by: Pikachu
It would be a luxury for me, because I wouldn't use it often, but I'd like to buy one featuring the Shimano Nexus 8 speed internally geared hub
  • No more chain drop off or complicated adjustments. Smooth and reliable.
    Virtually no service needed. Shift gears while sitting still!
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Wow how does that work exactly??
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Probably something like this, although that one's from a motorcycle.
 
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