Fifty Plus (50+) - Choosing a new bicycle

There is a website (dpreview.com) that has a neat feature for anyone thinking of buying a new digital camera. Basically, you enter your choices on a bunch of criteria, and based on your entries, the site pulls up several cameras that meet those criteria for you to consider. Price, features, megapixels, type of battery, size of the LCD, etc.

My question is whether anyone knows of a similar resource for bicycles? Slowly but surely I'm beginning to understand some of the basic differences between "types" of bikes -- roadies, MTBs, hybrids, etc. Nonetheless, it would be cool to be able to say I'm interested in a bike that has this feature, that sized tire, this kind of frame, that kind of brakes, brifters or no, etc. and then be given a list of whatever models that meet those criteria which I could then go test ride.

So is there such a site?

DG,

Don't know of one. Probably too hard to keep updated.

Gary, one more time.............you don't need a digital, no-soul device----you have us to direct your cycling life and most other aspects of your existence as well. Just input info, and we'll gladly output invaluable BS. And its all for free....except for your one-time membership fee of 25 smackers.

Not that I've found.

Anyway, +1 on what Granny told ya :)

Steve

I think the choice of bike depends on a person's riding style and not so much as to what they may think they want. I know that if I were ignorent and choosing a bike now, I would be mighty attracted to an apparantly user friendly bike like a hybrid or a mountain bike. But, in terms of use, a performance road bike is what I need.

Not that I've found.

Anyway, +1 on what Granny told ya :)

Steve

I was afraid I'd bore everyone with yet another thread on which bike should I buy. That's why I thought perhaps I could do a lot of armchair research on the internet first, then go ride a few (I also don't like taking up time at the LBS just to kick tires -- I'd rather be a serious shopper when I test ride). But, nearly a year into this cycling mania, I am beginning to get clear about what I like, don't like, etc. I just don't know which bike(s) best fit my list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, etc.

Know what I mean? ;)

http://greatadventuresports.com/page.cfm?PageID=679

http://bgindy.com/page.cfm?PageID=203

http://www.litespeed.com/choosing.aspx

I think riding with a club is the best way to gain this knowledge. After a few rides you'll find yourself riding with the same people again and again who have similiar riding styles, goals etc. The bikes they ride are probably what you will be happy with. These folks can be a primary source of information. Plus, it's great fun.

Not that the folks here at BF 50+ can't or won't help, but the hands on method is much easier in my opinion.

There should by plenty of clubs in the SD area to choose from.

I am beginning to get clear about what I like, don't like, etc. I just don't know which bike(s) best fit my list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, etc.

Big question is do YOU know what you like, don't like, etc; which bike(s) best fit your list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, etc? That's the big question.

I don't know about you, but my likes, dislikes, needs, wants, must-haves, etc; change pretty often--sometimes a couple of times a day. :D I can only find solace in owning a bunch of bikes--and buying more. Of course I do thin the herd occasionally...

JiO

I was afraid I'd bore everyone with yet another thread on which bike should I buy. ... But, nearly a year into this cycling mania, I am beginning to get clear about what I like, don't like, etc. I just don't know which bike(s) best fit my list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, etc.

Know what I mean? ;)

NO, help us out so we don't have to search


1. things I know I don't like are...


2. things that are must haves are...


3. things that would be nice to have are...


4. the ranking of my biking hot buttons is
[ ] riding very fast
[ ] riding without much effort
[ ] riding with lots of stuff
[ ] riding up hills
[ ] bling
[ ] road shock cushioning ride
[ ] able to ride well against the wind
[ ] etc....

5. My expected type of riding is...

___% hard pavement
___% rock trails
___% open trails
___% cruising slowly on bike paths
___% mostly level or slow rolling ground
___% mostly lots of up and down hills
___% long distances
___% 1 hour or less rides
___% 3 hour or less rides
___% solo
___% group of buddies
___% cycling team
___% racing
___% against head winds


6. How long do you expect to own this bike?


7. How many crashes at speed have you had in last year?

I was afraid I'd bore everyone with yet another thread on which bike should I buy.

All you have to do, is just ask yourself, "what would Steve buy?"

Steve

All you have to do, is just ask yourself, "what would Steve buy?"

Steve


:roflmao: :beer:

I've been crossing over this bridge. I bought a fairly middle-of-the-road bike when I first got into the sport, with the realization that I really didn't know what I want. My thought was that after X miles/hours, my real desires would be revealed. Well, the problem was that it's hard to compare my current bike with other potential bikes/features without riding them. Although my LBS is good about test rides, I can't really say, "hey, let me try this one for a couple centuries and I'll bring it back at the end of the month". You can only glean so much from a test ride.

So my approach was to build a bike with features that I *think* I want. I'm guessing that some will work, and some won't, but the benefit is that I'm also learning a lot of stuff in the process. Listening to people here and maybe at your LBS is great input for ideas, but there's no guarantee that you'll be as happy with X as the next guy (saddles are a great example). In the end, you're gonna have to take the plunge and try it.

For most of us, it's about the journey. If you want instant nirvana (nothng wrong with that), you can go to a Serotta or Seven place and they'll conduct extensive interviews, build a custom frame, etc. -- and outside of the big bucks they charge, most people seem quite happy with the results.

OK, I will take your survey:


NO, help us out so we don't have to search


1. things I know I don't like are... Paying over $50


2. things that are must haves are...Everything available


3. things that would be nice to have are... See #2 above


4. the ranking of my biking hot buttons is
[1 ] riding very fast
[1 ] riding without much effort
[1 ] riding with lots of stuff
[1 ] riding up hills
[1 ] bling
[ 1] road shock cushioning ride
[ 1] able to ride well against the wind
[1 ] etc....

5. My expected type of riding is...

___100% hard pavement
___100% rock trails
___100% open trails
___100% cruising slowly on bike paths
___100% mostly level or slow rolling ground
___100% mostly lots of up and down hills
___100% long distances
___100% 1 hour or less rides
___100% 3 hour or less rides
___100% solo
___100% group of buddies
___100% cycling team
___100% racing
___100% against head winds


6. How long do you expect to own this bike? Until I get my next bike


7. How many crashes at speed have you had in last year? None of your business!

There - that was very helpful! :D

garbage in, garbage out ;)

I noticed Gary didn't want to play. I only added #7 as I saw several broken CF frames in the past months. A frame in two parts is not a pretty sight.

Your perfect bike is ..... the one you grab today from your LBS for a joy ride.

Bike suitability is a bit harder than selecting a digicam. If two people have the same requirements for a digicam then the same models are going to suit them.
For riders, you have to take into account size, wieght, body proportions, flexability and experience.
For medium sized riders the choices are pretty simple but for riders at the extremes of the size/weight scales, the selection can be very limitted.

garbage in, garbage out ;)

I noticed Gary didn't want to play. I only added #7 as I saw several broken CF frames in the past months. A frame in two parts is not a pretty sight.

Your perfect bike is ..... the one you grab today from your LBS for a joy ride.

Actually, I've been out of town on business and without internet access for three days. Ugh! But I'm back now, although quite tired tonight. I do want to play, and I'll probably start a fresh thread for that very purpose. Look for "Analyze This!" sometime this weekend. Thanks for the questions!