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.KingfisherB
04-21-12, 11:07 AM
BFSSFGers
I have been lurking for a while and decided I needed to ask a few questions before my impending purchase. My wife and I decided it would be fun to get bikes to take our 18 month old for rides around the neighborhood (less than 3 miles) and occasionally, probably rarely, to the zoo/large park (about 7 miles). I started thinking about all the crap bikes I had growing up and decided we should get good bikes from a local shop. I started doing some research and soon realized bikes are much more expensive than we had thought, and that there exists a thing called a “single speed.” Taking into consideration that we live in very flat New Orleans, I never really shifted gears on any bikes I’d had previously, and I like the clean look, I decided a single speed was right for me. After more research I discovered bikesdirect.com, this forum, and a culture that I didn’t know existed, and that I don’t particularly identify with, called “Hipster.” So after all of this I decided that the Windsor Timeline, with some modification, is right for me; I like the wider tires and the ability to take fenders. I do, however, have a few questions:
1-I don’t feel comfortable with drop bars and my child in a child seat, so I am wanting something more upright with a couple of hand positions. I like the VO Belleville and Montmarte. Are these good options? Also, I know I will need new brake levers, any recommendations or things I should look out for?
2-It seems that most Timelines are shipped with 15 tooth cogs. I think I’d like something bigger, maybe 18-20 teeth, to make it easier to carry my 25 lb kid around in a child seat and I’m not particularly looking to set speed records. Is this good rationale? What should I look for in cogs? Sizes etc.? Would I need a new chain?
3-Will I be able to put this thing together when it comes in? I’d like to be able to service it myself, and I figure this minimal assembly may be a good stepping stone. I can search youtube, I’ve worked on my own cars in the past, and I am moderately good at following directions. That being said, I can also take the advice of those more knowledgeable than me and have it put together by a professional.
4-Am I overlooking a more “appropriate” bike for my needs? Suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance for all of your help. I’m not going to ask a sizing question because that lemur ya’ll post on here kind of freaks me out.
-KingfisherB
I have been lurking for a while and decided I needed to ask a few questions before my impending purchase. My wife and I decided it would be fun to get bikes to take our 18 month old for rides around the neighborhood (less than 3 miles) and occasionally, probably rarely, to the zoo/large park (about 7 miles). I started thinking about all the crap bikes I had growing up and decided we should get good bikes from a local shop. I started doing some research and soon realized bikes are much more expensive than we had thought, and that there exists a thing called a “single speed.” Taking into consideration that we live in very flat New Orleans, I never really shifted gears on any bikes I’d had previously, and I like the clean look, I decided a single speed was right for me. After more research I discovered bikesdirect.com, this forum, and a culture that I didn’t know existed, and that I don’t particularly identify with, called “Hipster.” So after all of this I decided that the Windsor Timeline, with some modification, is right for me; I like the wider tires and the ability to take fenders. I do, however, have a few questions:
1-I don’t feel comfortable with drop bars and my child in a child seat, so I am wanting something more upright with a couple of hand positions. I like the VO Belleville and Montmarte. Are these good options? Also, I know I will need new brake levers, any recommendations or things I should look out for?
2-It seems that most Timelines are shipped with 15 tooth cogs. I think I’d like something bigger, maybe 18-20 teeth, to make it easier to carry my 25 lb kid around in a child seat and I’m not particularly looking to set speed records. Is this good rationale? What should I look for in cogs? Sizes etc.? Would I need a new chain?
3-Will I be able to put this thing together when it comes in? I’d like to be able to service it myself, and I figure this minimal assembly may be a good stepping stone. I can search youtube, I’ve worked on my own cars in the past, and I am moderately good at following directions. That being said, I can also take the advice of those more knowledgeable than me and have it put together by a professional.
4-Am I overlooking a more “appropriate” bike for my needs? Suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance for all of your help. I’m not going to ask a sizing question because that lemur ya’ll post on here kind of freaks me out.
-KingfisherB