Hi all, I've been lurking around here for a while trying to get info on all the different types of bikes out there, so now that I'm just about ready to actually pull the trigger with my finances in place, I figured I'd better get some advice from those of you whom are more experienced! To give a little background, I currently do not own a vehicle of any sort, relying on the bus to get anywhere I want (rather inconvenient for weekend trips since it runs 1/2 as much), and with the prices of passes raising as well along with my gym membership (shared with my brother) becoming too much of a cost as well, I've decided to drop both and put some mileage on a sturdy bike.
As far as cycling is concerned, I suppose I could be considered a beginner for all intents, though I used it as a primary form of transportation during my teenage years with a 'K-Mart Special' MTB. Here are a few 'quick points' as far as what I'm looking for in a bike:
- I guess you can say I'm a 'big guy' at 6'4", 230lbs, and when I did a quick measure, looks like I'll be going for something around the 58-60cm range for bikes.
- I'm planning on doing a 4-mile daily commute to and from work during the weekdays. I'll be on the street the whole time as I'm heading from a suburb to downtown. The bike's going to need to hold together, since my plan is to clock somewhere around 100-150 miles a week minimum (8-miles for the commute, then an additional 5-10 miles a day on weekdays depending on errands or activities planned).
- I'm seriously interested in doing some weekend touring as well, since my area has plenty of good bike trails / campsites, and would like to do some overnighting. No plans on extra-long tours though, but I wouldn't put it past myself to do one of these every other weekend until winter.
- I've purposely set aside around 800$ for the bike and all needed accessories (helmet, lock, rack, etc.), though I'm flexible up to 1,100$ if I find a bike that does everything I need and more.
My area has a wide range of bike brands available, Specialized, Trek, Fuji, Giant, Surly, Diamondback, etc. Still, I'm not fully sure as to what I should get. I know most at this point would suggest 'buy used,' but unfortunately I've been looking that direction since the first week of May and most in my area are too small for me, and I want to get a bike that's fitted properly for me obviously. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated nevertheless to point me in the right direction, seeing that I'd like to hear what experiences others have with certain types of bikes.
That kinda goes straight to my straight max of my budget unfortunately and outside of my comfort zone without having any other things bought just yet. Thankfully there is a store in my area that has one so I'll check it out though. Any other suggestions?
Wouldn't this (http://www.rei.com/product/736945) work better for you?
Honestly, at 230Lbs, anything with 28-32spoke count rims will hold up if you keep them trued by a "true" wheel builder.
It basically all comes down to what geometry feels good to you. If you plan on going off any paved trails-roads, then road and hybrid bikes are just about out as an option. I used to commute those distances during college on a Schwinn Frontier MTB with slicks. That bike is a heavy beast and I look back at those times seeing how much energy was wasted to ride it on the road.
My suggestion would be to get a good hybrid or road bike for the commute/errands and maybe a 2nd-hand mountain bike for anything else (like a Specialized Hardrock).
st0ut
06-15-08, 01:22 PM
Fuji Touring I love mine.
But your best bet is to go to your LBS's tell them what you want a bike to do and the price you are looking at.
they'll set you up. or should anyway.
Tenshigure
06-15-08, 01:41 PM
You're in Des Moines?
Wouldn't this (http://www.rei.com/product/736945) work better for you?
LoL, well that's more of the Cedar Rapids area necessity, but the waters are dying down finally (I'm just four blocks from the evacuation area, though I wouldn't have been able to bike to work these past few weeks, heh).
My primary terrain I feel is going to be the paved roads / trails. I was considering potentially a Cyclocross bike, but was unsure if it'd be able to withstand decent loads. I guess my primary concern is the 'form of transportation' versus the 'touring' use, seeing that I'd use it to get around a lot more than the leisurely stuff.
I'll definitely look into the Fuji Touring bike though, I had heard good things about that one. Any opinions on the Crossroads or Crosstrail bikes from Specialized?
AndrewCO
06-15-08, 01:46 PM
LoL, well that's more of the Cedar Rapids area necessity, but the waters are dying down finally (I'm just four blocks from the evacuation area, though I wouldn't have been able to bike to work these past few weeks, heh).
My primary terrain I feel is going to be the paved roads / trails. I was considering potentially a Cyclocross bike, but was unsure if it'd be able to withstand decent loads. I guess my primary concern is the 'form of transportation' versus the 'touring' use, seeing that I'd use it to get around a lot more than the leisurely stuff.
I'll definitely look into the Fuji Touring bike though, I had heard good things about that one. Any opinions on the Crossroads or Crosstrail bikes from Specialized?
If you looking at the Crossroads, change over to the hardrock with slicks. About the same components and weight, but cheaper.
I'm running a simple Trek 7.2FX (felt better to me than the 7.3 and 7.5 FX) stock with myself (5'11"@345lbs), my backpack (~10lbs) and my rack with bag (~15lbs) with no issue. I ride paved-path or road. Of course, I haven't had it long, but I suspect it will do ok.
txvintage
06-15-08, 02:06 PM
LoL, well that's more of the Cedar Rapids area necessity, but the waters are dying down finally (I'm just four blocks from the evacuation area, though I wouldn't have been able to bike to work these past few weeks, heh).
My primary terrain I feel is going to be the paved roads / trails. I was considering potentially a Cyclocross bike, but was unsure if it'd be able to withstand decent loads. I guess my primary concern is the 'form of transportation' versus the 'touring' use, seeing that I'd use it to get around a lot more than the leisurely stuff.
I'll definitely look into the Fuji Touring bike though, I had heard good things about that one. Any opinions on the Crossroads or Crosstrail bikes from Specialized?
A cyclocross bike with a 32-36 spoke count (pretty average) should do anything you want it to do. Most come with braze ons for adding fenders and racks if you want them. These can be switched out at anytime you want. Lot's of guy's are using them to commute.
After you have had it for awhile, a second wheel set will let you have a quick change road and off road set of tires at your finger tips.
Cool thing about cyclocross is that you can ride it to a trail head on the road and then hit the trails. The standard out of the door LBS tires they come with work well enough on either paved or unpaved. I kind of like teh idea of being able to hop a curb is needed and not sweat killing the set up.
I seriously think one is in my future, as soon as I seek professional help about my Vintage Aquisition Obsession Syndrome...........
AndrewCO
06-15-08, 02:26 PM
I seriously think one is in my future, as soon as I seek professional help about my Vintage Aquisition Obsession Syndrome...........
I know the feeling, I just setup a deal to buy a 1985 Fuji Sagres Road Bike
bautieri
06-15-08, 02:33 PM
Maybe you aught to take a look at the Specialized Globe City 7
Already comes will all the commuting do-dads you can ask for.
You could also grab a Trek 7.2 or 7.3 FX and all the parts after-market and be about the same price range.
That is a nice looking bike though *puts the credit card away*.
Tenshigure
06-15-08, 03:32 PM
A cyclocross bike with a 32-36 spoke count (pretty average) should do anything you want it to do. Most come with braze ons for adding fenders and racks if you want them. These can be switched out at anytime you want. Lot's of guy's are using them to commute.
Any suggestions on a particular brand of cyclocross bike I could look at you'd recommend?
Also, with the Globe 7, anyone have experience with how well it rides with drop handlebars? I'm not a huge fan of the flat bars, and if I were to get a bike that has them I'd be haggling with the LBS for a price on installing them on the spot.
I'm definitely getting a laundry list of bikes to take to my LBS this upcoming Friday, and I appreciate all of your help a lot! Keep the suggestions coming if you have them!
v1k1ng1001
06-15-08, 03:43 PM
Any suggestions on a particular brand of cyclocross bike I could look at you'd recommend?
Also, with the Globe 7, anyone have experience with how well it rides with drop handlebars? I'm not a huge fan of the flat bars,
I'd take a hard look at the surly cross check which is a nice cyclocross bike that you install a rear rack on if you choose. It comes in grey or black too. I think they run about $900 full retail but you may be able to find a hot deal.