Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.RebelZero
09-02-09, 10:19 PM
Hi, all;
I bought a Diamondback Kalamar today. I've been looking for a hybrid/comfort type of bike for casual riding. I'm not a hardcore bike guy at all. I wanted something pretty comfortable for fitness as well as getting groceries, going to the bank and just generally getting around town. Nothing major, probably no rides over 10-12 miles. I like the idea of leaving the car at home for errands within 4-5 miles. I've never been comfortable on a road bike and I don't really want a MTB with a suspension fork and fat tires.
I settled on the Kalamar because my budget is severely limited. It was the best I could acquire within my price range. It was comfortable when I test rode it and I truly enjoyed spinning around the parking lot for 10 minutes.
Now that I'm home, though, I'm wondering if I've made the correct decision. Will I hate this bike in a year? Is it too low-end for even a casual user? I'd like to ride 3-4 times a week for fitness at least, plus a couple errands here and there. Are 7 gears too limiting? Will I be destroyed by moderate hills?
I guess I'm wondering if this bike will satisfy me for a while. If I really dig riding I'd obviously like to upgrade a couple years from now. What I don't want is to get fed up with the Kalamar in a few months and wish I'd gotten something else.
What do you all think? Should I return it and just wait longer till I have more cash and can get something more expensive? Or will this be good for awhile? Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Thank you.
I bought a Diamondback Kalamar today. I've been looking for a hybrid/comfort type of bike for casual riding. I'm not a hardcore bike guy at all. I wanted something pretty comfortable for fitness as well as getting groceries, going to the bank and just generally getting around town. Nothing major, probably no rides over 10-12 miles. I like the idea of leaving the car at home for errands within 4-5 miles. I've never been comfortable on a road bike and I don't really want a MTB with a suspension fork and fat tires.
I settled on the Kalamar because my budget is severely limited. It was the best I could acquire within my price range. It was comfortable when I test rode it and I truly enjoyed spinning around the parking lot for 10 minutes.
Now that I'm home, though, I'm wondering if I've made the correct decision. Will I hate this bike in a year? Is it too low-end for even a casual user? I'd like to ride 3-4 times a week for fitness at least, plus a couple errands here and there. Are 7 gears too limiting? Will I be destroyed by moderate hills?
I guess I'm wondering if this bike will satisfy me for a while. If I really dig riding I'd obviously like to upgrade a couple years from now. What I don't want is to get fed up with the Kalamar in a few months and wish I'd gotten something else.
What do you all think? Should I return it and just wait longer till I have more cash and can get something more expensive? Or will this be good for awhile? Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Thank you.