nkotb
Joined: August 15, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 6500
Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 01:29 PM UTC
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I woke up this morning to find my bike stolen from my yard. It's not too much of a bust (the bike was a mountain bike from Target that set me back $45 more than a year ago), but now I'm in the market for a slight upgrade.
I don't need anything too fancy; I generally only use it to get from home to work and back, which is about a 3.5 mile trip each way, and occassionaly a trip around town. I'd like to keep it relatively reasonable too, although I know absolutely nothing about buying a bike. Any suggestions?
ratioci nation
Joined: November 22, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 4463
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 01:51 PM UTC
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i bet if you take a stroll around your neighborhood you will find somebody offering a great deal on a bike a lot like your old one :D
brennser
Joined: October 21, 2002 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3760
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 01:52 PM UTC
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where markie and chimbley when you need em?
I would try Craiglist first…..lots of people trying to offload impulse purchases/stolen goods at a fraction of the price
godsshoeshine
Joined: September 18, 2003 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 4826
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 02:12 PM UTC
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craigs list or pawn shop
thirsty moore
Joined: January 11, 2000 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 6131
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 02:44 PM UTC
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Sorry to hear that your bike was stolen. That is infuriating. So you're not looking for anything fancy.
What do you consider reasonable pricewise? Below $700?
Originally posted by nkotb:
I don't need anything too fancy; I generally only use it to get from home to work and back, which is about a 3.5 mile trip each way, and occassionaly a trip around town. I'd like to keep it relatively reasonable too, although I know absolutely nothing about buying a bike. Any suggestions?
nkotb
Joined: August 15, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 6500
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 03:20 PM UTC
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Thanks for the tips, and I'll definitely see what kind of deals I can find, but I really need suggestions of what I should look for in a bike. The past two bikes I had were both department store floors models, and were purchased because they were quick and cheap. I know absolutely nothing about anything else.
brennser
Joined: October 21, 2002 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3760
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 03:37 PM UTC
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get a hybrid type bike….mountain bikes are too slow for commuting, roadies too uncomfortable, but its all down to personal preference
or buy a mountain bike and put slicks on it
if the main goal is to get from A to B and thats only 3.5 miles theres no need for anything too fancy
I commute 17-20 miles a day and my wife got me
this for xmas - I think it was around $500 - its fine and I have not experienced any of the spoke problems mentioned in these reviews and I am not gentle with it
imrotten
Joined: February 20, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1089
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 03:52 PM UTC
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I'm very happy with my Trek I purchased at Spokes in Vienna,I don't ride much and wasn't willing to spend a ton of cash…..I would hit a Spokes or a Performance Bicycles,etc. and just tell them what you're willing to spend and what your needs are and let them hook you up……gotta be comfortable or it just ain't worth it!….
Doctor Doom
Joined: April 23, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3745
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 17, 2006 at 09:47 PM UTC
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The Specialized Sirrus is a nice bike, although it sounds like it might be more than you're willing to spend.
dfmcpete
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 18, 2006 at 01:40 PM UTC
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poorlulu, funny you mention the redline. I spent like a weekend on bike boards/mag sites, etc., and, though I haven't bought one, that model was the clear frontrunner. I believe citybikes in DC carries them. Dig the fenders!
HoyaSaxa03
Joined: March 22, 2004 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 7053
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 18, 2006 at 04:00 PM UTC
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Originally posted by poorlulu:
Personally I would steer well clear of craigslist and second hand bikes in general until I was more bike savvy.
what websites would you guys recommend for bike reviews and whatnot?
ggw
Joined: December 16, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 14237
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 18, 2006 at 04:10 PM UTC
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Originally posted by HoyaSaxa08:
Originally posted by poorlulu:
Personally I would steer well clear of craigslist and second hand bikes in general until I was more bike savvy.
what websites would you guys recommend for bike reviews and whatnot?
www.930.com
RatBastard
Joined: January 07, 2003 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 2955
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 18, 2006 at 04:22 PM UTC
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Check my PM to you. I may be able to help you with a deal on a bike.
lwoxley
Joined: October 06, 2004 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 4792
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 18, 2006 at 05:58 PM UTC
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I agree with the decent mtb then put some slicks on it…..because I can almost guarantee that once you start riding a decent bike, you'll start taking the long way home…..then going out for rides during the nice evenings…..then getting up early on the weekend for a spin….then before you know it you'll be getting withdrawal symptons if you don't get 150+ miles in per week. And it would suck for you to have to upgrade yet again once the bike-bug bites you.
I've had a trek 850 for years and the only thing it's needed are new brake pads, so for mtb's I'd have to say I'm a trekkie :D , although I love the Kona "Jake The Snake" but can't justify buying one myself as long as my Trek keeps rolling along. Roadbikes are a different story, but you don't want one of those as a commuter anyway.
Doctor Doom
Joined: April 23, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3745
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 19, 2006 at 11:47 PM UTC
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There is no reason to get a bike with no gears unless you're 1) a track racer or 2) trying to prove something.
vansmack
Joined: October 04, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 19725
Re: Bike Recommendations
July 20, 2006 at 12:08 AM UTC
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Originally posted by poorlulu:
If Markie ever read the board he would probably recommend this:
And if poorlulu were actually typing, she wouldn't use capitalization.
