Recreational & Family - buying a bike

Hello, I want to get a bike for the road. However I know nothing about bicycles.I hope someone can give me some advice on the different types of bicycles or simply give me some tips on choosing a right one.

Mainly I just want to use it for commuting.


BTW I am thinking of getting rollarblades.If anyone can give me some tips on this too, I will be most grateful.

Thanks,Carrottan.

Why don't you go to a couple of good Local Bike SHops(LBS) and look at the different options. These might include

Hybrid - compromise between mtn bike and road bike, not bad for general commuting
Mtn Bike - combined with slick(non knobby) tires provides decent and inexpensive (about $300) entry into commuting.
Cyclo Cross - more expensive but sturdy "road bike" type for longer and faster commutes.
Road bike - More "delicate" bike for faster riding and the feel of speed on the road. Many of us with road bikes also have mtn bikes.

You likely will not want a "cruiser" or a "comfort" bike for serious commuting.

Almost any bike at a good LBS will be built well and suitable. Typical good brands include Raleigh, Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Bianchi and many others.

The single most important feature of a bike is that it fits you well. A good LBS will take some time and effort to make sure your bike fits you correctly. A poor bike shop will try to sell you any bike they can without due coonsideration of you body build.

Good luck.

Sorry, I know nothing about rollerblading, but it looks like a lot of fun, and is excellent exercise.

Here's all you need to know about rollerblading.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/skates.html

Hello, I want to get a bike for the road. However I know nothing about bicycles.I hope someone can give me some advice on the different types of bicycles or simply give me some tips on choosing a right one.

Mainly I just want to use it for commuting.


BTW I am thinking of getting rollarblades.If anyone can give me some tips on this too, I will be most grateful.

Thanks,Carrottan.

If you haven't made your purchase yet, the latest issue of Consumer Reports has a good section on selecting the right bike. It also has an interesting comparison between department store bike buying versus buying from a bike shop. The article also makes their recommendations for good value and performance in four different bike categories.

If you haven't made your purchase yet, the latest issue of Consumer Reports has a good section on selecting the right bike. It also has an interesting comparison between department store bike buying versus buying from a bike shop. The article also makes their recommendations for good value and performance in four different bike categories.


This guy's got absolutely nothing original to say.... :(

He's quoted this same paragraph 3 times (or more) all over the forum...

Must work for Consumer Reports! ;)

This guy's got absolutely nothing original to say.... :(

He's quoted this same paragraph 3 times (or more) all over the forum...

Must work for Consumer Reports! ;)

Dear Mr. Chilidog,
It seems that somehow I've caused you some irritaion. You are partly correct in your somewhat caustic reply, in that I made no claim to be saying anything "new". However, have you considered that others might appreciate knowing where they can acquire information that bears directly on the question they ask regards selecting a comfort, hybrid, or whatever bike? There are so few instances when people post responses to this site, where the response is grounded in knowledge or research. As is obviously true in the case of your response to my post.

In a very quick perusal of the threads in this forum, there were three different fellow cyclists looking for opinions/information on selecting a comfort, hybrid, or someother bike. I copied and pasted the Consumer Reports tip to all three. As you noticed. You were offended?

I am not employed by the publisher but it is a magazine that I've subscribed to for a number of years.
I sincerely hope you end up having a better day than apparently the one you're having so far. And please, in the future don't take it personal when someone suggests reading as a source of knowledge.

Hey, Donald, you're the one who needs to quit taking everything so seriously on forums. Obviously you don't possess a sense of humor or fun or understand the use of "emoticons" to express levity.

I had a GREAT DAY before and after your snotty response...you continue to present as patronizing and arrogant...and yes, after 3 college degrees, 2 at the graduate level, I think I know that "reading...is a...source of knowledge". Now, do you ride a bike, or just read about it? Let me guess....

Mr. ChiliDog, Mrs. ChiliDog, Ms. ChiliDog, and all the little ChiliDogs

[QUOTE=ChiliDog]Hey, Donald, you're the one who [...] possess a sense of humor [...] to express levity.
...you continue to present [...] the graduate level, I think [...] of knowledge". Now, [...]ride a bike [!]

Dear ChiliDog and Don,

Thank you for writing to the Forums. :D! I want to be there to take pictures when y'all go out on the tandem next time. :rolleyes:

'Dog,
I couldnt't resist making a "David Letterman" type edit of your original statement.
Y'all have a nice day... and this time I mean it! ;)

Neal the "VéloSíDad"

[QUOTE=ChiliDog]Hey, Donald, you're the one who [...] possess a sense of humor [...] to express levity.
...you continue to present [...] the graduate level, I think [...] of knowledge". Now, [...]ride a bike [!]

Dear ChiliDog and Don,

Thank you for writing to the Forums. :D! I want to be there to take pictures when y'all go out on the tandem next time. :rolleyes:

'Dog,
I couldnt't resist making a "David Letterman" type edit of your original statement.
Y'all have a nice day... and this time I mean it! ;)

Neal the "VéloSíDad"

Now I'm REALLY confused!!! :eek:

Tell Aunt Bee I said "Hey"! :D

(from a North Carolinian family tree....High Point...know it?)

[QUOTE=ChiliDog]Hey, Donald, you're the one who [...] possess a sense of humor [...] to express levity.
...you continue to present [...] the graduate level, I think [...] of knowledge". Now, [...]ride a bike [!]

Dear ChiliDog and Don,

Thank you for writing to the Forums. :D! I want to be there to take pictures when y'all go out on the tandem next time. :rolleyes:

'Dog,
I couldnt't resist making a "David Letterman" type edit of your original statement.
Y'all have a nice day... and this time I mean it! ;)

Neal the "VéloSíDad"

You are very perceptive. Had I known that Mr. Chilidog were so educated, I would have used bigger words.

Another quoted post from another thread (Again, Mrs. Don hard at work here):


Registered: May 2004 Originally Posted by Don CookIf you haven't made your purchase yet, the latest issue of Consumer Reports has a good section on selecting the right bike. It also has an interesting comparison between department store bike buying versus buying from a bike shop. The article also makes their recommendations for good value and performance in four different bike categories.



No offence Don but did you read the thread before you posted? Not only did I indicate that I had made my purchase and picked it up, but mentioned CR in my last post? Was there something I missed that compelled you to post this reply? Just wondering.

S-----

****************************************************************
Here we see further demonstration that the fabulous "Mrs. Don" does not possess the fundamental capacity to read through a thread before opening her big mouth. Further evidenced by her quotation of Neal the "VeloSiDad", where we also see she does not have the capacity to read what is posted there either. She just likes to come on these forums and post a canned response willy-nilly. This will go on and on as Mrs. Don loves to trade insults with Mr. ChiliDog. Mr. ChiliDog is bored with Mrs. Don and will no longer engage in childish banter with her. We all hope Mrs. Don will not come back to these forums, but we know that she will, as she just loves to get in the last word. That's ok by all of us, however, as we are seeing more and more that Mrs. Don is a troll and probably has never ridden a bicycle, scooter, or rollerskates in her life.

Dearest ChiliDog,

I see from your earlier post that you have roots in North Carolina. We live in Durham, what I call "The Little House on the Freeway" because Interstate 85 keeps encroaching on our backyard. You also hint that you live in the "Midwest" whatever part west of the Appalachians that might be. A word to the wise. In the New England area "Don" means a senior leadership member of "la Cosa Nostra" (I've been watching cable TV to stay educated... just love "Lifetime") or a Mafioso. You probably need to tone down the rhetoric if the "Don" is a real Sicilian. :eek:

"Let's be careful out there."

Are we turning this into a Foo thread?

Neal

Dearest ChiliDog,

I see from your earlier post that you have roots in North Carolina. We live in Durham, what I call "The Little House on the Freeway" because Interstate 85 keeps encroaching on our backyard. You also hint that you live in the "Midwest" whatever part west of the Appalachians that might be. A word to the wise. In the New England area "Don" means a senior leadership member of "la Cosa Nostra" (I've been watching cable TV to stay educated... just love "Lifetime") or a Mafioso. You probably need to tone down the rhetoric if the "Don" is a real Sicilian. :eek:

"Let's be careful out there."

Are we turning this into a Foo thread?

Neal

Naw, I was just messin' with him initially and then he went all whiney and defensive with me, so I just kept eggin' him on. I usually don't get into this kind of stuff...it all started out as fun, but when he got mean, I got sarcastic...maybe a little on the "mean side", I'll admit. Me bad. :o

No, I'm not in Appalachia...far from it! I'm done...takin' my ball and going home for supper~ :D

Hi,

No matter what kind of bike you get make sure it fits you well. Since you are going to be commuting have you considered a recumbent? I used to be a roadie, but my 'bent is now my bike of choice.

'bent Brian