General Cycling Discussion - Bikeforums Buyers Guide

Hey guys, with Spring being here and all new cyclists are booming. So I thought I'd start this thread and users can add advice to it. Please only post buying advice. I'll start

When buy a pair of Lycra shorts, look for a pair with a real Chamois, not just some foam stuff. And look for a pair with a higher Lycra content. Some cheaper shorts have very little Lycra and a lot of Nylon. But more Lycra makes for a better, more comfy fit.



Thanks to Harry for correcting me about Cotton.

And it would not hurt to post web sites to purchase same . Good deals , good sites . :crash: :D ;)

Never buy cheap tubulars.

Marty

This really is a good idea . I just bought road pedals and shoes this morning , following closely the advice of Bikeforum posters . :beer:

Who sells real chamois nowadays??? Just curious, because the modern substitutes sure are a lot easier to maintain. Just the thought of having to use chamois cream sends shivers.

Cheers...Gary

Don't buy the first bike you see that excites you. Shop around and find the best value in the type of bike you like. That includes not just reasonable price, but also quality of componenets, warranty, quality of build, service after the sale and also extras that might be offered.

Oh yeah, also don't buy a bike before you ride it! Fit is THE most important aspect of bike riding! If the store won't let you ride then move on to the next one, there's plenty of places to buy bikes.

Originally posted by fubar5
Hey guys, with Spring being here and all new cyclists are booming. So I thought I'd start this thread and users can add advice to it. Please only post buying advice. I'll start

When looking for shorts, make sure you buy a pair with a honest to God chamois and durable Lycra.

What exactly do you mean by "durable Lycra"?

Try helmets for fit rather than just buying one with a good specification and reputation - your head is an even more peculier shape than mine :)

Richard

Unless you can spend over $3000.00 on a bike try to care not at all about weight and/or appearance. A previous poster is right on the money--fit rules. Fit and the durability of components.
Avoid "Penthouse Syndrome," wherein adults of both genders who are bike shopping make too many decisions in the manner of straight teenage boys looking for girlfriends--that is, their thinking is influenced by fantasies they have while looking at pictures in magazines!

For your first bike, don't go ga-ga and get the latest, sexiest Litespeed you can afford; unless your name is Lance and your ride a Trek, a less expensive bike will easily suit your needs. Shop around, and if you don't like the way a certain bike shop feels -- leave.



Think of why you are riding: Am I doing this to get fit? To save money on gas? To help the envrionment? Get a bike that suits your reason for starting to cycle. If you plan on never hitting the trails, get an inexpensive roadbike; if you can't stand the thought of cycling in traffic, a mountain bike is for you. For those who plan on commuting and/or running errands, get a hybrid bike that has threaded holes to mount a rack on.



Try and work the bike into your life if you can, and until you own more than one bike, *never* hang it in the garage, lest you may never take it down again. Run some errands on it, or plan an evening stress-relief ride after work. The people that buy bikes and then let them rot in the garage are the ones that view a bicycle as an accessory, not as a necessity.



Don't be worried about looking cool or keeping up with the hardcore roadies; getting discouraged because the U.S. cycling team blew past your struggling arse on a hill won't help you become a better cyclist. Just enjoy the ride; the skills, speed, and strength come with time.



Keep your new bike maintained. Not only will it be safer to ride, but it'll be a more pleasant experience, and the bike will last *much* longer, and won't leave you stranded by the side of the road.



Buy a helmet. Wear it. Looking like a fruit is better than being a vegetable.



Carry a spare tube, patch kit, pump, and some simple tools (hex wrenches and the like); use a wedge [bag] if you don't like backpacks. Learn how to use the patch kit before you need it, and tuck a small needle in the kit to poke a hole through the glue-tube for the first time you need to use it. Oh, and you will need to use it, sooner or later.

If you are buying bikes as a him 'n her couple of differnt sizes, please dont buy 2 identical bikes. I saw a couple like this on 2 brand new quality bikes, him 5'10, her 5'2, on him-sized machines.

I hope you meant dont get wannabe bike shorts meant for prancing around a gym, but real cycling shorts with synthetic insert pads. Real Chamois comes from mountain deer, who are somewhat attatched to the stuff.

If you are looking for a good deal, buy in Jan or Feb, rather than April or May. Get last years model, not this years. Negotiate for extra accessories, these are cheaper for dealer to throw in than for cash discounts, so you get a better deal.

Always remeber the bike is only as good as the rider, unless your looking for a long term investement or have a reasonable amount of expeirnce, u won't need a sick @$$ bike. DON"T BE A POSER!

Make sure you find a good LBS (Local Bike Shop) that treates you good, is knowledgable, and doesn't treat you like crap. There is nothing worse than an incompitant (sp?) employee at a bike shop.

-Matt-

If you're going to get a rack for touring or commuting, make sure it attaches to the frame and not the seat post. Seat posts don't take as much punishment as frames do (I know).

Along with advice from above, don't buy a bike that's too big, just because it's a bargain....get one that fits in the first instance!

Cheers

Rich

Originally posted by Harry


What exactly do you mean by "durable Lycra"?


Well, some Lycra has cotton in it to make it more comfy. But that just messes everything up. Go to a bike shop and feel the difference between a 40 dollars pair of shorts, and a 70 dollars pair.


This next thing isn't really a "Buyers" tip, but it's a good tip.

Always bring more than 1 dollar with you on training rides. You never know when you'll need an energy bar and the only place available might have inflated prices.

Originally posted by fubar5

This next thing isn't really a "Buyers" tip, but it's a good tip.



Always bring more than 1 dollar with you on training rides. You never know when you'll need an energy bar and the only place available might have inflated prices.

I hadn't thought of that one. Thanks!

Methinks tucking a fiver into the wedge (inside a plastic baggie) might not be a bad idea; or, if you use a Camelbak, tuck a gel or two into the outermost pocket.

Biggest complaint I hear from new cyclist is saddle comfort.Some will buy the widest most cushioned and others start with a narrow racing and end up really saddle sore.I suggest a tour style saddle with medium padding to at least start out with.Other than that holes,grooves and other features are personal preference.No matter what its going to take a while to break in a saddle (or is it break it your butt to the saddle?)...Hilly

WOW! some really good advice from you all. I enjoyed reading all the posts.
One thing I may add is bandades. Put one or two in your camelback pouch or seat post pouch. Never know when one may come in handy....
Sarah

Originally posted by Bbmoozer
WOW! some really good advice from you all. I enjoyed reading all the posts.

One thing I may add is bandades. Put one or two in your camelback pouch or seat post pouch. Never know when one may come in handy....

Sarah

I keep a small first-aid kit in my Camelbak; haven't had to use it yet[1], but you never know...

[1] My general attitude towards wounds is that if the blood isn't spurting out, it can wait until I get home. :D

Originally posted by fubar5


Well, some Lycra has cotton in it to make it more comfy. But that just messes everything up. Go to a bike shop and feel the difference between a 40 dollars pair of shorts, and a 70 dollars pair.



This is erroneous! Lycra does not have cotton in it! Lycra is an elastane which is a continuous non fiber elastane thread.

Garments containing Lycra are often referred to as Lycra. The actual percentage of elastane in sports garments is rarely over 30%!

One of the standards in cycling wear is Coolmax. This is I believe a polyester fiber and can be spun around a Lycra core. The more expensive garments usually contain a higher Lycra content and the companion fibers are more expensive.

Cotton is not really suitable for sportswear as is also Nylon. You onlyget what you pay for.

I've had good luck with shorts that incorporate some kind of wicking material. Harry mentioned Coolmax, which is probably the best known, but there are also some other great wicking fabrics out there-- Drylete and Dryline are a couple of them.

Regarding the buying of saddles, if you live with a new one for a couple of weeks and it still isn't happening for you, don't be afraid to go back to the store and ask to exchange it. Most shops and mail-order companies will be happy to do this to help you find the saddle that fits your bottom best.

Originally posted by Harry


This is erroneous! Lycra does not have cotton in it! Lycra is an elastane which is a continuous non fiber elastane thread.

Garments containing Lycra are often referred to as Lycra. The actual percentage of elastane in sports garments is rarely over 30%!

One of the standards in cycling wear is Coolmax. This is I believe a polyester fiber and can be spun around a Lycra core. The more expensive garments usually contain a higher Lycra content and the companion fibers are more expensive.

Cotton is not really suitable for sportswear as is also Nylon. You onlyget what you pay for.


Go look at the materials used for the less expensive Nike Dry-Line shorts. They have cotton in them.

Originally posted by fubar5



Go look at the materials used for the less expensive Nike Dry-Line shorts. They have cotton in them.

What percentage of cotton???

I work for DuPont and have a rough idea of what Lycra is all about!

Some of the Italian manufacturers use Linel which is an elastane.
The Russians might use Volksky...
The Germans might use Dorlastan...

Have a look at the Lycra web pages!!!

Might I suggest, in the spirit of togetherness, that Harry is talking about Lycra the material, and fubar5 is talking about shorts made with a mix of Lycra (the material) fibers and cotton fibers? Just a thought.

Cheers...Gary

After your ride take five minutes and go over your bike, make sure you didn't pick up anything in your tires or elsewhere and check and see if all nuts and bolts are tight, it could save you the next time out.
Also replenish what you used,

These are all very useful tips! :beer:

Carry a spare piece of rag or maybe a Baby wipe in your jersey pocket .
It is usefull to have as it is unpleasent to puncture or flip the chain, then having to handle the chain , smearing lubricant from your hands onto the rest of your bike .

Originally posted by willic
Carry a spare piece of rag or maybe a Baby wipe in your jersey pocket .
It is usefull to have as it is unpleasent to puncture or flip the chain, then having to handle the chain , smearing lubricant from your hands onto the rest of your bike .

And a pair of thin latex gloves don't weigh much.

Richard