Best bikes for NYC/Brooklyn

[desant012]

What's up forum,

I know this question probably gets asked a lot, but what's the recommended bike for travel in NYC? This is more of a recreation/sometimes commute deal. I live in Williamsburg (yes, Williamsburg and biking), but I don't want one of those 400lb iron-wrought 1970s bikes you see people riding around there, as cool as they can look.

Thanks in advance,

some dude

[desant012]

Oh yeah, I'm more interested in just going places rather than doing intense, Tour de France style exercising, if that helps any.

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!??

[superslomo]

What, if anything, have you had/ridden/used in the past? Not specific brand, but just style or type of bike.

That will have some impact on what anyone might suggest/recommend.

I would be careful about anything with really lightweight wheels, and too much flash. The first will get damaged, the second will get your s$%t stolen.

[desant012]

The last time I rode a bike was back when kids raved about GT Dinos and Mongooses and the hobby was stealing chrome caps off the wheels. Of course, I just had some Sears thing.

A humble bike good for joy rides across NYC bridges and streets is fine... $300 or less. I just want an easy, fun way to get a little exercise and travel around. I've seen bikes totally mutilated on lamp posts, so nothing too pricey.

[Lucky07]

desant, check out nycbikes.com. I really like this model. http://nycbikes.com/item.php?item_id=508

All their bikes are solid & meant for taking city abuse.

[Hambone]

If all you want to do is cruise, I'd say check out craigslist or a local bike shop and get a used MTB.

Put street tires on it and have fun. If you get hooked, buy a nice road bike and join us for the NYC Century in the fall. (100 miles on the streets/bike paths of NYC.)

I don't know your LBSs (Local Bike Shops) but somebody here can probably recommend one in your area.

The most important thing is fit. If you have a friend who has a bike you can spend some time on so you get more used to how it feels before you go trying, that is always a good investment in time. Otherwise everything is so knew.

[dendawg]

My wife is in the market for a road bike. If she buys one her Fuji Hybrid will be for sale. A little over a year old and she has changed the original knobby tires for skinny armadillos, but she will include the original tires as well if she sells. Contact me off list for a price if you are interested. It's a 27 speed Del Rey model. I will also be selling my older more abused Gary Fisher Nirvana Hybrid, as I just bought myself a roadie.

[keithnyc]

Personally, I like the Dahon folding 20" bikes. I have the Speed D7 (the '06 model is about $60 cheaper if you buy it from a place that sells both the '06 and '07 models, otherwise they may try to charge you an '07 price for the '06 model....the '06 model is cobalt blue, the 07 model is puke olive). Anyway, I digress......the price was right ($295 including tax and shipping), it's super-sturdy and it folds up small and quick enough for the bus and subway (my main mode of travel). You can also easily carry it with you (if it's in a Bolso bag or something similiar...) so you don't have to lock it up.

[Bacciagalupe]

I vote for the Swift folding bike, designed in Brooklyn.

It's more expensive than a Dahon (around $700ish) and doesn't fold quite as small, but it's a superior bike. Excellent components, great ride, adaptable, upgradeable, light (22-24 lbs).

Folders are great for urban use. You can keep it in your apartment, under your desk at work, or bring it inside when visiting friends. The less time it's on the street, the less likely it will get stolen. (Bike thieves in NYC will take anything, even the most junked-out bikes....) Plus you can take a folder on the subway or rails any time.

If you are considering a folding bike, drop by Bfold on 13th Street. They've got a few different types, including the Brompton (super-small fold) and Swifts.

[keithnyc]

Baccia- Yeah, my decision was really based primarily on price on on the great expereinces people have had with the Dahons in general. I heard a lot of great things about the Swift and the Dahon, and they both make excellent bikes on the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
Once I start using my bike (when the weather warms up...), I'm certain to be either upgrading my parts or getting a higher end bike althogether. One thing I have noticed, Dahon does seem to be very responsive to their customer base. Their website has lots of activity in the user forums, and the Dahon tech guys actually respond to people, either giving them suggestions or sending them additoonal parts they may need. Very cool.

[LBIkid]

+1 for NYCbikes.
They are located on Havemeyer Street and will build you a bike tailored to your specific needs and on a budget. For $400 you can get a decent city bike. It might not be name brand quality, but their bikes are designed for city use, so I expect they will hold up. Been thinking about buying one of their bikes for my wife.

[geo8rge]

Folding bike is mass transportation and small space friendly. If you have no idea what you want Downtube, sold on ebay, is a cheap but decent choice.

An alternative chaining outside. Keep your chain well oiled if you do this.

Bicycle habitat offers bicycle maintenance courses.

[slvoid]

One thing to keep in mind, for a city bike, you want it to be comfortable and discrete. Discrete because this is NYC and it will be STOLEN.