General Cycling Discussion - hey i need some help

hey guys, i have literally just joined. my name is john, and i am a 14 yearold australian. i am not particualaryly fit, but then again, i'm not fat. i really enjoy riding and want to get into it more, to the extent that i can use it instead of running in the morning. i am aware that i need to get over 90rpm to hav any affect on my weight, but before i go any further, i need a new bike. i dont wanna spend too much, and i want to be able to be diverse. so what do i get?

thanks
-john

How much do you wish to spend? Bearing in mind that you'll need accesories as well ie helmet, frame pump, spare tubes, puncture repair kit at a minimum.

Where in Australia are you?

Where in Australia are you?
I am also wondering the same thing.

What type of riding do you plan on doing? Its definetly worth having a proper think if you will ever want to go off road or are you just after pure speed. Since you said you want to be diverse i would suggest a intro level mountain bike. There is a good post in the mountain biking forum suggesting mountain bikes under $500

hey guys, i have literally just joined. my name is john, and i am a 14 yearold australian. i am not particualaryly fit, but then again, i'm not fat. i really enjoy riding and want to get into it more, to the extent that i can use it instead of running in the morning. i am aware that i need to get over 90rpm to hav any affect on my weight, but before i go any further, i need a new bike. i dont wanna spend too much, and i want to be able to be diverse. so what do i get?

thanks
-john


You need to give us more information or we can't help you, this is like asking - "what car should I buy?"

well, i am 14 years old, i am not very fit, quite tall (5foot10), i hav to pay for it myself, so i dont want a bike too expensive but i want a good quality ride, i ride everywhere, i enjoy all sorts of riding, ummmmm, what else do u need to know?

ok

cya
-john

How much is "too expensive"?

well i hav a job (its slave labour but all i can get) and i hav $81 cash leftover after all my upfronts. so think about it, i need it before november, u do the math

Hold on, we're trying to help you, but first and foremost you have to help yourself.

You work out how much money you have to spend on a bike because you are in the best position to know that.

Then let us know in which city you reside so the forum members who live there can give you some options as to what you can do and where you can go to get a bike.

I think if you ride a lot on and off road you'll want a mountain bike or a hybrid but without giving us more detailed information we can't really provide you with any specifics.

well lets see. $81x6=eqals close to $500. i live in s/e melbourne, and i do a lot of both types of riding, so a hybrid would be good.

plz reply

Go to the bike shops and ask if they have any used cyclo-cross bikes or tourers. These look much like road bikes but have slightly wider tires that can handle unpaved trails. Make sure the bike fits you.

Your best bet to buy a quality bike for that price is to buy one secondhand.

Something like an Avanti Blade (I own one) or a Specialized or Giant hybrid may be able to purchased for your budget, but not new.

Check out bikes in the Trading Post and on ebay.com.au.

Have you discussed your needs with the local bike shop?

Go to the bike shops and ask if they have any used cyclo-cross bikes or tourers. These look much like road bikes but have slightly wider tires that can handle unpaved trails. Make sure the bike fits you.


I don't think the sell cyclocross bikes in Australia. I've never seen one at least.

thanks guys for all ur responses, my local bikle shop kicked me out cos they said i wasnt interested in buying :(. these tourers and cyclo-cross bikes sound ideal, and i'll look into that avanti and tose hyrbids.

thanks
-john

thanks guys for all ur responses, my local bikle shop kicked me out cos they said i wasnt interested in buying :(. these tourers and cyclo-cross bikes sound ideal, and i'll look into that avanti and tose hyrbids.

thanks
-john

wait woh, your LBS kicked you out because you werent interested in buying. Man you really need to get a new shop. An LBS should not kick you out if you arent intersted in buying but looking. Thats Bull.

I like the hybrid Idea, you are able to put nobbys and slicks on it (nobbys:a road tie with mountain bike tread)(slicks:road tire that has pretty much no tread and is smooth) Do alot of hybrids have brakes that can accomodate larger tires E.G. cyclocross tires?

...i am aware that i need to get over 90rpm to hav any affect on my weight

Hi John! Where did you get that idea about 90rpm? My experience is different. I'm a low-rpm/high torque type of cyclist. Without any 90rpm, I'm steadily losing weight and gaining muscle tone. The key, in my personal experience, is longer time at elevated heart rate. There are plenty of ways to get heart rate up. Spinning is only one.

thanks guys for all ur responses, my local bikle shop kicked me out cos they said i wasnt interested in buying :(. these tourers and cyclo-cross bikes sound ideal, and i'll look into that avanti and tose hyrbids.

thanks
-john

Really? Post name of bike shop please.

On your budget, stick to used bikes. You can pick up some quite good bikes for a fraction of their new price. Try newspapers, charity shops, you could even advertise in a newspaper yourself in "cycles wanted".

Make sure the bike fits you (adequate standover clearance and not too long or short for you).
Avoid bikes that are worn out (rear cogs with a shark's tooth profile, sloppy chain or gears). You may need to fit a new chain, tyres and brake blocks. The best is one that has hardly been used.
The style doesn't matter too much for general purpose riding around. A non-suspension MTB, hybrid, touring or even road bike will do, depending on how rough your terrain is. Threaded holes for a luggage rack and fenders will allow you to use the bike for commuting and even touring.
Do get a helmet, gloves and basic puncture repair kit.