Starting to bike again.
07-09-13, 06:27 PM
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Starting to bike again.
Me and Savagenerdz are getting into biking for the first time in a long while. We do some road and off-road. I have a old typical Wal-Mart mountain bike, and I would like to get a better one since i'm sure we're going to be at this for a long while. Any suggestions? Also are there any good seats I can get, because i've done 12 miles in the past 2 days, and my butt hurts pretty bad lol.
07-09-13, 06:44 PM
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Nothing beats a good pair of padded shorts, made a HUGE difference for me. In fact, I've had non-cyclists ask me how I can ride my bike for any length of time without making my butt-crack sore.
If you're looking for a bike, what price range and type of cycling are you looking to do?
As a frame of reference, I was looking to replace a 15 year-old mountain bike and start riding farther on roads and paved paths. I explained my intents to a LBS (local bike shop) and he pointed me to a Trek 1.1, but there are other options. The most important part is that the bike is the right size and you feel comfortable riding it.
If you're looking for a bike, what price range and type of cycling are you looking to do?
As a frame of reference, I was looking to replace a 15 year-old mountain bike and start riding farther on roads and paved paths. I explained my intents to a LBS (local bike shop) and he pointed me to a Trek 1.1, but there are other options. The most important part is that the bike is the right size and you feel comfortable riding it.
07-09-13, 06:46 PM
#3
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Welcome! First the saddle. Your butt will hurt till you get it toughened up a bit. That isn't to say there isn't a better saddle for you, but saddles are very personal and what works great for one person is a torture device for another. Stay away from really soft or really wide saddles and give your butt a chance to get with the program.
As to the bike question, how much do you want to spend and what kind of off-road riding are you looking at doing?
As to the bike question, how much do you want to spend and what kind of off-road riding are you looking at doing?
07-09-13, 06:54 PM
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Well my saddle is like cardboard so it really sucks, but I'll look into another one at my LBS. I'm looking to buy a good one, but i'm personally a cheap person and 300 would be good for me, but if i have to do 500 i'd do it. i just don't understand sometimes why things are as much as they are and why. i used to ride bikes as a freshman in high school all the time, that was about 6 years ago. i know that it does take time for your butt to get used to it. i just don't remember it being this bad haha. i used to have problems with getting blisters under my fingers. sure hope that doesn't happen again haha.
07-09-13, 07:45 PM
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Craigslist can be a good resource as well. Looks like you're not to far from St Louis Just a quick look showed a few, though i am not sure of your size
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3924955635.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3924781291.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3919661447.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bid/3924413187.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3922995896.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3923023459.html
A couple of these are a bit over your stated range but they may be willing to negotiate. As for saddles, I realize they are a personal choice but I bought a Brooks B17 and it has been very comfortable. The only downside to them are the lack of weather resistance which may be an issue if you plan on getting muddy/wet. And they are around $100 new, though you can sometimes get them cheaper on Ebay. Some people say they take forever to break in but my 265 pounds broke it in in very few miles and I can ride without padded shorts. I commute to work in jeans regularly 7 miles one way. Good luck!
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3924955635.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3924781291.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3919661447.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bid/3924413187.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3922995896.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3923023459.html
A couple of these are a bit over your stated range but they may be willing to negotiate. As for saddles, I realize they are a personal choice but I bought a Brooks B17 and it has been very comfortable. The only downside to them are the lack of weather resistance which may be an issue if you plan on getting muddy/wet. And they are around $100 new, though you can sometimes get them cheaper on Ebay. Some people say they take forever to break in but my 265 pounds broke it in in very few miles and I can ride without padded shorts. I commute to work in jeans regularly 7 miles one way. Good luck!
07-09-13, 08:04 PM
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I'd really like to buy a brand new bike though.. It's just a preference though. and are those skinny tires on the bikes ok for going off road?
07-09-13, 09:21 PM
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Does anyone know if this would be a good bike? the reviews look good, but i just want your opinions. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes.../sport/820/820
07-09-13, 10:23 PM
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Does anyone know if this would be a good bike? the reviews look good, but i just want your opinions. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes.../sport/820/820
07-09-13, 10:38 PM
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I would prefer it because what we plan on going has quiet a few bumps so i would like it. i've been looking at some Diamondbacks too. these are the 2 I like also. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008O0XCKS/...iamonbicycl-20 and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008O0XA9Q/...iamonbicycl-20 i'm just not sure what to get i'm new to doing this kind of stuff and i don't want to waste my money.
07-09-13, 11:24 PM
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got the climbing bug
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There is a BIG difference in a $250 MTB and a $500 MTB if you plan to take it in the dirt. The service fees in the first 6 months on the $250 bike will cover a $500 bike. Buy something decent to start, w/ better(durable) parts that will last the first yr w/o having to change the cassette, chain, rear D, cables. Upgrade the parts as they break. Hard to upgrade POS 7-8spd speed stuff when no one makes them any more. Try to stay in the 9spd country and upgrades for low end to mid grade will be less painful the wallet.
If you stick with it for that first yr, you can prolly sell that $500 bike and upgrade into a $1000-1200 bike where the next performance bang for buck goes. Then it will double again
If you stick with it for that first yr, you can prolly sell that $500 bike and upgrade into a $1000-1200 bike where the next performance bang for buck goes. Then it will double again
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Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
07-10-13, 09:39 AM
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like going over stick, dirt, some water, and just some stuff like that. but before too long me and my friend are going to go to a place with some drops and stuff too.
07-10-13, 09:45 AM
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There is a BIG difference in a $250 MTB and a $500 MTB if you plan to take it in the dirt. The service fees in the first 6 months on the $250 bike will cover a $500 bike. Buy something decent to start, w/ better(durable) parts that will last the first yr w/o having to change the cassette, chain, rear D, cables. Upgrade the parts as they break. Hard to upgrade POS 7-8spd speed stuff when no one makes them any more. Try to stay in the 9spd country and upgrades for low end to mid grade will be less painful the wallet.
If you stick with it for that first yr, you can prolly sell that $500 bike and upgrade into a $1000-1200 bike where the next performance bang for buck goes. Then it will double again
If you stick with it for that first yr, you can prolly sell that $500 bike and upgrade into a $1000-1200 bike where the next performance bang for buck goes. Then it will double again
Yea i got ya, but i just don't know anything about bikes to be honest. I don't know what's a good brand what not I'm used to being the kid riding around on a Next or a Mongoose bmx bike because that's all we could afford. so if you could help me out i'd appreciate it, because i don't have a single clue what i'm doing. I'm just like ooooo that one looks nice I bet it'd be good!
07-10-13, 10:03 AM
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got the climbing bug
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Avoid getting a bike from the big box store, including sporting stores unless you have a REI near you. REI does carry Cannondale line up in there (good stuff). Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, K2, are all under the same corporation. And their big box retail bikes are ALLOT different then the Schwins and GTs you will find at a bike shop. I wouldn't trust taking a big box store bike off a curb more then once LOL, none the less on the dirt.
https://www.momentumcycles.com/produc...c-188233-1.htm
https://www.momentumcycles.com/produc...n-130702-1.htm
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...hardrockdisc29
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...hardrockdisc26
Giant's entry level bikes are a bit more, and has the same or worse parts. So I didn't list them. Also if you want singlespeed, Redline Monocog is a very sold bike for about $500 new or down to about $350 on the used market. Gear for the hills, not the flats or you will be walking more then you want. I run 32x22 on my 29er SS and does the job 90% of the time.
https://www.momentumcycles.com/produc...c-188233-1.htm
https://www.momentumcycles.com/produc...n-130702-1.htm
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...hardrockdisc29
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...hardrockdisc26
Giant's entry level bikes are a bit more, and has the same or worse parts. So I didn't list them. Also if you want singlespeed, Redline Monocog is a very sold bike for about $500 new or down to about $350 on the used market. Gear for the hills, not the flats or you will be walking more then you want. I run 32x22 on my 29er SS and does the job 90% of the time.
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Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
07-10-13, 10:14 AM
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I really like this one https://www.momentumcycles.com/produc...c-188233-1.htm The others are a little too far our of my price range. and by single speed do you mean I wouldn't be able to switch to a lower gear for going up big hills? because where i plan on biking, there will be a LOT of big hills.
07-10-13, 10:37 AM
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well there are three gears to a singlespeed. Stand & pedal, sit & pedal, walk 
oh yah, I got big hills here too..pain cave and some fitness helps
https://app.strava.com/activities/47774217
https://app.strava.com/activities/48670847
oh yah, I got big hills here too..pain cave and some fitness helps
https://app.strava.com/activities/47774217
https://app.strava.com/activities/48670847
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Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Last edited by jsigone; 07-10-13 at 10:40 AM.
07-10-13, 10:48 AM
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DANG! What i'm planning on doing is nothing like that! Well not that long to begin with. me and my buddy are planning on reaching 70 miles a day, but for now 20-25 is my goal. I've only been able to do 6 miles a day, but that was my first two days back into riding again. so hopefully i can get 10 or so in the next day or two.
07-10-13, 11:24 AM
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just work up to it, don't rush in yet. MTB riding on the dirt miles is equal to twice as many miles as a roadie. And given the terrain, 6 dirt miles can be tough when starting out.
Keep your chain well lubed, carry a spare tube and spare SRAM power link (chain link). Dial your air pressure to your weight and traction out there. If the back tire is spinning under you on a climb, take some air out. If the front tire is sliding /washing out on turns take some air out. When the front tire slide, you have two options in the split second. Let it slide and hope it catches or pull up on the handlebars to bring the weight back to center gravity.
Keep your chain well lubed, carry a spare tube and spare SRAM power link (chain link). Dial your air pressure to your weight and traction out there. If the back tire is spinning under you on a climb, take some air out. If the front tire is sliding /washing out on turns take some air out. When the front tire slide, you have two options in the split second. Let it slide and hope it catches or pull up on the handlebars to bring the weight back to center gravity.
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Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
07-10-13, 11:29 AM
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alright thanks for the advise. right now i'm on an old mtb, can't remember the name of it right now, but i just started my job at Arby's, and i'm just about to get my first check this friday. but i need to get a new tire for my truck, and then i can start saving for this new bike, and all this gear.
07-10-13, 12:01 PM
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alright thanks for the advise. right now i'm on an old mtb, can't remember the name of it right now, but i just started my job at Arby's, and i'm just about to get my first check this friday. but i need to get a new tire for my truck, and then i can start saving for this new bike, and all this gear.
07-16-13, 06:30 AM
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It was this comment that convinced me to go out and try these. I bought them yesterday, and trying them today.
07-16-13, 05:07 PM
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I say ride the bike you have now until it no longer is giving you what you need. By that time you will have your money saved. I have a $900 road bike and a $100 Magna MTB. In the 10 or so years I have had the Magna I have never broke anything and I just need to true the spokes again. It has a front suspension and hard tail rear. Works fine on trails, hard dirt, gravel roads. I added a gel seat pad which helped comfort and a rack for hauling crap. Then I got a used Specialized Hard Rock for my wife to ride and that has been a very good bike. Looked like someone bought it, maybe rode 50 miles with it and sold it. You might be able to find some nice barely used bikes out there for a fraction of their original price.
Good luck and the most important thing is to get out there and ride.
Good luck and the most important thing is to get out there and ride.
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