Recreational & Family - New Bike Suggestions

Hi all!
I'm looking into purchasing a new bike that I can ride ~10 miles on paved bike paths and a bit off road (no rock hopping!). I had a Schwinn Ranger MTB, but felt that I could stand to have a lighter bike with tires better suited to pavement. My LBS pointed out a Cannondale Adventure 5 to me, and I also test road an Electra Townie 21 and a Trek Lime. I liked them in the order that they are listed. But they are a tad pricey. What about some of the sporting goods store's options? Dick's Sporting Goods had a Diamondback Kalamar that I liked quite a bit (not too many gears however), and Target sells a Forge comfort bike that has been favorably reviewed. Would these be decent bikes? I know they probably have not been set up by an expert, but perhaps after an LBS tweaks them, they may be fine. What are your thoughts? Eventually, it would be nice to commute on said bike, but that is a long ways away...Thanks!

http://pvbikeshop.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=48404

I cannot afford an expensive bike, [ to me that is over $600 ] , so I know very little about them. I have owned several different Giant brand bikes, & ride one daily. I have serviced them as well, as the local neighborhood repair guy. My daughter is 28 & still riding the Giant bike she got for her 10th birthday !! I am not a dealer. I think that Giant offers the best value & has a nice selection of bikes. Not everyone will agree, but that is my opinion. Look at the above bike, & see if you mighty like it. I think it would serve you well & will cost under $400. They have good warranties, too. If that is not the bike you like, look at other Giant bikes, then find a local dealer thru Giants website, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/ & check them out.

Thanks for the reply Esteban! I've heard nothing but good things about Giant bikes, especially their frames. The bike you linked to is nice, but from Giant's offerings, I like the Suede models (the flat-foot technology really makes for a stable bike). I'll keep my eyes open!

I have never ridden a Suede, but I see a good many college girls riding those about 25 miles from here. I am sure it is a good bike for the money. I have ridden & worked on Schwinn Rangers, & ANY Giant will put it to shame. You won't believe the difference.

Esteban,

I ended up winning that Giant Suede DX (the Men's frame), and I'm pretty excited about it. I've read online that Giant's are pretty highly regarded, and the Suede gives a great ride like the Electra Townies do. Thanks for your advice!

GREAT DEAL ! Just get it adjusted , looked over, [ if needed ] & outfit it the way you want. I rode my Giant Rincon, today.

For what its worth, Giant is a great company for "normal" folks. I ride the OCR2 and love it. I tried their FCR2 and loved it, but wanted drops.

Their Sedona is a great priced bike and rides great as well.

My wife is REALLY wanting a Suede as well. Please post your experiance with it.

Jerry

Congrats on the new bike. I ride a Suede as much as I can. 10 mile rides are the norm in the summertime. My bike is good to go for paved streets, dirt & gravel, rails to trails (cinders), etc.

Hope you enjoy your bike as much as I have mine. My bike has over 2,000 miles on it now, in 2 years. The main change I made was switching to North Road type handlebars to help my wrists. Happy riding.

Well, my Suede 21-speed has been shipped, and should be arriving tomorrow. Once I get a peak at it, I'll be able to see if I want to attempt the build or have my LBS do it.

I've noticed on these forums and online in general that the Suedes/Townies/Daytrippers etc. seem to be a very popular bike with female riders. So much so, in fact, that I did some research just to make sure that I wasn't bidding on a women's bike. Any guys on here that ride this style of steed?

I was at my LBS a couple of days ago and rode a couple fo the Suede verison they had. If I had a nice urban setting and large park to cruise around in, I would get one ASAP! I still might get one or a Transend this fall for around town and under 10 mile oneway trips to near by parks with my youngest's tag a long bike.

I like the lower to the ground feeling and actual center of gravity. I see why smaller riders like it and will be pushing this model of bike to a friend's daughter who was balance issues and has never riden a bike before.

I've seen several crank forward bikes in St Louis being ridden by both sexes, so I wouldn't worry about it.

About the only thing I don't like on some versions of the Suede is front shocks. I think on a crank forward bike you would REALLY feel the power being absorbed by them.

Jerry

Well, the Suede DX arrived a few days ago, and WOW! The eBay seller's LBS did an excellent job packaging and shipping it! I put the seat, wheels, pedals, stem and handlebars on. I only tightened everything with an Allen wrench; I didn't set anything to any specific torque or anything because I lack the tools/know-how. I need to have my front brake attached, the rear brake tweaked , and the derailleurs calibrated as well. Is this all something I could do myself, or should I toss some money to my LBS and have them do it? What would a ballpark estimate of the cost be? I know my LBS doesn't carry the Giant brand, but they would probably still check it out, and set it up, right?

Regardless, it's a beautiful bike, and the flat-foot geometry (just straddling it anyways) is really a neat idea - it feels very stable and comfortable. I may end up replacing the seat, however. It actually feels a bit hard. It's totally adjustable, so I can probably fiddle with it and get it tweaked just right.

Sorry if I'm rambling! I'm excited because this bike is such an obvious up tick in quality from the Schwinn MTB I bought from Target :) You weren't kidding, Esteban!

The LBSs around here charge $25-$30 for a quick "tune-up" and it calls for replacing or adjusting the things you mentioned. Hope that helps.

Jerry

Here's a good site for relative newbies - everything you need to know to keep from making expensive mistakes:

http://www.biketoledo.net (http://www.biketoledo.net/pages/touring.html)

http://bicycletutor.com/

The link above will take you to videoes of " How To " repair, adjust ,& maintain your bike. Really, it would be a good idea for you to learn some of the basics of repairing your own bike. Keep learning as you go, & there will be little that you cannot do yourself. As what was said above, probably $30 in a local bike shop, would get it ready &&& adjusted for you to ride. ENJOY !