Introductions - SE MI Newbie

Hello everyone,

Im a 36yr old soon to be rider from SE MI .

In this amazing information age, the easiest way to quickly increase my knowledge about ...... well about anything is to join a nice forum/community.....
so here I am... I come for the great wealth of knowledge, and experience that this community holds....


OK, I got here by Googling "bike forums"..... I have found in my experience that the first 1 or 2 links that come up are usually great communities, this one was #1 under that search.

Can some one quickly bring me up to speed on the history/size of this community and how long it's been around......
What made this community the right one for you, or do you have other sources for your info as well?

To be honest, I have not read many of the threads . I just found the forum today, and read 1 sticked thread about what do you ride/how/where, type of thing. I found the info well thought out and very informative.


I have known for a year or two know, that I wanted a road bike. To use for my cardio to compliment swimming, and running.

I love being out doors, & enjoy all types of sports and activities.


I will be picking out an entry level road bike, and I thought that I could come and get some info on what to, and not to purchase ....

I also wanted to quickly learn how to be safe on the roads, and what my rights as a cyclist are.




http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2646/roadbikejb0.jpg


I was considering this road bike, it's $150 (walmart) anyone have an opinion on it?
I just need something inexpensive, so that I can figure out if serious biking is for me or not.

thanks.

sorry just read... sticky dont ask ? here

It's all right road racer, I don't think anyone's ever quite asked those questions before.

I don't know the whole history of Bike Forums, but it's been around for quite a while, and I think it's the biggest around. There's something for everyone here!

As for your GMC Denali--here's a link that should keep you busy for hours:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=237231&highlight=denali

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

^^ thank you very much for the welcome, and the thread link...
to be honest I thought that I would get flamed for asking questions about such a low end road bike...
but it's nice to see that there something here for everyone, not just professional calibar bike snobs. hahaha ,lol.

That thread is an absolutely fascinating read. I think the general consensus was that if you are willing to learn to wrench your own bike, it's really not a bad deal. If you decide that cycling's not for you--you didn't put a lot of money into it. If you love cycling as much as we do, then it will get you started reasonably well.

Another way of getting started cheaply is to take a look at the offerings on Craigslist, or at your local thrifts/garage sales.

If you see something of interest to you on CL that's over 20 years old, you can ask about it in the Classic & Vintage forum...

How tall are you, by the way?

East Hill

^^ Im 5' 6....
yes it is a very good read.
I am a UAW skilled tradesman (industrial electrician).... so yes I have the ability to wrench my own bike :)
I am on page 9 of the thread I plan on finishing it tonight....
also Im checking into craigs list, and have found a few leads....
I also am checking out bikes direct, a link that i found in the Denali thread.... they seem to have some nice equipment in the $330-$350 price range.

It may take me a few days of reading the information on this forum in order to make a well informed purchase.


thank you for you help.
Road Racer

Hi there, I'm in SE Michigan too (Clinton Township).

Welcome! :) I grew up in Downriver. If you're in that direction, Al Petri & Sons was always a good place to get a solid but not too expensive bike. Don't know what they're like now, though.

^^ Im 5' 6....


I asked because I noticed that there is currently a nice older Fuji for sale in Livonia (on CL), but it would be far too tall for you :( .

Enjoy the rest of the thread!

East Hill

I'm an oakland county guy. I would strongly recomend against buying a walmart bike, and instead suggest buying a used road bike. Something used from a quality maker like Trek or pre 2000 Schwinns. You can pick older bikes up from ebay or craigslist real cheap. You can wrench on them yourself, and if you don't like it, a used good bike will hold its value and be quite sellable.

If you ever get real into road biking, I would suggest Wolverine Club rides. I do them frequently with several other BFrs. www.lmb.org/wsc

I'm an oakland county guy. I would strongly recomend against buying a walmart bike, and instead suggest buying a used road bike. Something used from a quality maker like Trek or pre 2000 Schwinns. You can pick older bikes up from ebay or craigslist real cheap. You can wrench on them yourself, and if you don't like it, a used good bike will hold its value and be quite sellable.

If you ever get real into road biking, I would suggest Wolverine Club rides. I do them frequently with several other BFrs. www.lmb.org/wsc
The CL idea is ok, but how long will it take me to find, build, and start riding a cl bike, I know almost notthing about road bikes, how do I keep from getting ripped off, or an old pos....
my thought was to buy the cheep bike, use it to see if I even like cycling, ride it over the summer while i figure out what i really want/need, search for and build my bike from cl at a slower pace because I wont be having a fit to ride.

I will go back and see whats on CL, and perhaps I can get help from you guys/girls and find something good quickly...

ill get back with everyone in the morning..... errr later in the morning.

Some of the bikes on CL are in pretty good shape, even the older ones. It's pretty easy to change out cables for the brakes and derailleurs on older bikes, and there's always the Bike Mechanics forum to check out too.

PM me if you have further questions :) .

East Hill

Before you get anything from Craigslist go to a bike shop to find out what size you need. Older bikes that have 6 or fewer cogs on the back wheel, have inferior bearing arrangement which can lead to rear axle failure. Many are available on CL, and are probably OK but dont pay top $ for one.

Greetings & Salutations RR! I'm in SE MI as well. I'm in the Dearborn area. It's not the greatest in terms of location for road riding, but we have pretty close access to one of the good locations for road riding; Hines Drive. I ride there at least 2-3 times a week; I just got back from riding to Northville and back just a few minutes ago.


I have known for a year or two know, that I wanted a road bike. To use for my cardio to compliment swimming, and running.

I love being out doors, & enjoy all types of sports and activities.
You sound like a Triathlete in waiting... ;) I've done a few Duathlons ('cuz I suck at swimming) both road and Xterra. Tri's sound like events that suit your ability.



I will be picking out an entry level road bike, and I thought that I could come and get some info on what to, and not to purchase ....

I also wanted to quickly learn how to be safe on the roads, and what my rights as a cyclist are.
I'll echo the advice already given, take the time to go to a local bike shop (LBS) and get yourself fitted. But do yourself a favor and don't just go to one. Try and find one that will work with you on fitting, needs, and information, and not just try to sell you a bike. Al Petri & Sons was mentioned, and they're pretty good. I like Roll Models in Allen Park, Trails Edge in Northville, D&D in Northville also, and I've gone as far south as Monroe to Jack's Bike Shop (they have a store in Dearborn, but I personally don't like the service there). There's plenty more to look for, though, so take your time. Remember you're not just shopping for a bike, but also for customer service.

Once again, greetings and welcome!

Hope that helps,

Before you get anything from Craigslist go to a bike shop to find out what size you need. Older bikes that have 6 or fewer cogs on the back wheel, have inferior bearing arrangement which can lead to rear axle failure. Many are available on CL, and are probably OK but dont pay top $ for one.

thanks for the tip....
my lack of knowledge is exactally the reason that a used oldschool ride off of CL seems like a more risky move right now....

I can find some security in the warrenty, and ease of working on a brand new bike.... even if it is a really low end road bike.... hell it's $150, and if something breaks within the first 90 days I can return it no questioms aksed...


I tried to go to the LBS in the neighborhood where I grew up, but sadly it's no longer there...
I will have to go find another LBS near by...
anyone have any LBS sugestions in the Canton/Plymouth area?

Hello from Southfield. :)

I'll echo the advice already given, take the time to go to a local bike shop (LBS) and get yourself fitted. But do yourself a favor and don't just go to one. Try and find one that will work with you on fitting, needs, and information, and not just try to sell you a bike. Al Petri & Sons was mentioned, and they're pretty good. I like Roll Models in Allen Park, Trails Edge in Northville, D&D in Northville also, and I've gone as far south as Monroe to Jack's Bike Shop (they have a store in Dearborn, but I personally don't like the service there). There's plenty more to look for, though, so take your time. Remember you're not just shopping for a bike, but also for customer service.

Once again, greetings and welcome!

Hope that helps,


thanks for the warm welcome and the info on LBS...


BTW im a long way from being a tri.... im running like 2 miles every other day, & my swimmings not strong at all...
Im just trying to compliment my weight training with some carido, and excessive running is really hard on my knees/joints... ill be 37 this year, and I just cant do it quite like i use to.... :)

Hello from Southfield. :)
thanks... and hello from canton

this is a link to the used CL rides that i have been looking at.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=292521

Road racer, my dad bought me a Peugeot of that era from Petri's when I was 13. Mine was red. I liked it a lot, but then I had a growth spurt and it was too small. I can't tell what size the one in the ad is, but I can tell you it's a good, solid bike that held up under the abuse of a young teenager. :)

I hope you have fun at the Ann Arbor bike show. I have a girlfriend from high school who lives in Canton Twp. She's a mechanical engineer and she fixes everyone's bikes in her neighborhood.