Help Selecting First Good Bike
08-12-13, 02:01 PM
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Help Selecting First Good Bike
So I've only ever had cheap bikes and my bike recently got stolen. So I figure this is the perfect opportunity to buy a good bike.
My price range is ~$900 but if it's really worth it could probably be talked into more.
Most of my biking will be around town for enjoyment, exercise, and getting around. I only live a few miles away from work so I'd also like to try biking to work once the weather isn't so hot.
I'm a 6'2" tall male weighing about 175 lbs.
I live in a small town that is kind of in the middle of no where so buying used would probably too much hassle since I don't have a good vehicle to transport a bike.
I went to the 2 bike shops in town and it looked like the only brands they had are Giant, Specialized, Trek, and KHS.
I road a Giant Rapid (not sure year/model) and a Trek 7.3. It's really hard for me to compare the 2 because I road one on really smooth pavement with no wind and the other on really really bad pavement with wind.
I wanted to do some research on my own but I didn't get very far before my eyes glazed over. So I could really use some help and need some suggestions. Thanks.
My price range is ~$900 but if it's really worth it could probably be talked into more.
Most of my biking will be around town for enjoyment, exercise, and getting around. I only live a few miles away from work so I'd also like to try biking to work once the weather isn't so hot.
I'm a 6'2" tall male weighing about 175 lbs.
I live in a small town that is kind of in the middle of no where so buying used would probably too much hassle since I don't have a good vehicle to transport a bike.
I went to the 2 bike shops in town and it looked like the only brands they had are Giant, Specialized, Trek, and KHS.
I road a Giant Rapid (not sure year/model) and a Trek 7.3. It's really hard for me to compare the 2 because I road one on really smooth pavement with no wind and the other on really really bad pavement with wind.
I wanted to do some research on my own but I didn't get very far before my eyes glazed over. So I could really use some help and need some suggestions. Thanks.
08-12-13, 03:19 PM
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You can't go wrong with any of the 4 brands you are looking at. I like the KHS Urban series, they are good values and steel frames which a lot of people like for commuting because they generally soak up road vibrations and bumps better (although arguments can be made for other materials)
https://khsbicycles.com/category/2013...-213/urban-13/
For the record , I own none of those bikes, I have a steel frame Surly Cross Check that I commute on
https://khsbicycles.com/category/2013...-213/urban-13/
For the record , I own none of those bikes, I have a steel frame Surly Cross Check that I commute on
08-12-13, 07:11 PM
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So what differences are there between a steel frame vs an aluminum frame?
08-12-13, 08:23 PM
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08-12-13, 08:50 PM
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Okay, so how would the steel frame of the KHS Urban series compare to the aluminum frame of say the Trek FX 7 (7.3/7.4) series?
What are some of the other major difference between the KHS Urban series and the Trek FX 7 series that I should look into?
What are some of the other major difference between the KHS Urban series and the Trek FX 7 series that I should look into?
08-13-13, 10:55 AM
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I'm going to go to the bike shop this afternoon and see if they have any road bikes with a steel frame to compare it to the aluminum frame of the FX 7.3. If I like the feel of that better I might go with one of the KHS Urban bikes.
08-13-13, 01:02 PM
#7
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It's what we Do at Bike Shops in Person.
KHS got a dealer there? , fine..
brand is largely a name in the paint . done in a big factory making multiple brands.
KHS got a dealer there? , fine..
brand is largely a name in the paint . done in a big factory making multiple brands.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-13-13 at 01:09 PM.
08-13-13, 01:25 PM
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08-13-13, 04:11 PM
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Yuroshock,let me introduce you to fietsbob. That's how he rolls,you'll get used to him. 
What he's trying to say is the best practice is to actually ride the bikes,not just look at the specs on a website. Steel vs aluminum is a hotly contested topic here on BF,but more than the frame's material determines how well it rides. The frame's design/fit,fork material/design,and tires all make a big difference. There's also the quality of the roads you ride on and your physical makeup. Here in DC the roads are crap and I have mild CT,so I don't ride bikes with alloy forks and skinny tires. But I do ride bikes with alloy frames because as long as it has a good fork and tires,it will ride just fine.
Test ride the bikes you're considering,and pick the one that fits/rides the best to you.
What he's trying to say is the best practice is to actually ride the bikes,not just look at the specs on a website. Steel vs aluminum is a hotly contested topic here on BF,but more than the frame's material determines how well it rides. The frame's design/fit,fork material/design,and tires all make a big difference. There's also the quality of the roads you ride on and your physical makeup. Here in DC the roads are crap and I have mild CT,so I don't ride bikes with alloy forks and skinny tires. But I do ride bikes with alloy frames because as long as it has a good fork and tires,it will ride just fine.
Test ride the bikes you're considering,and pick the one that fits/rides the best to you.
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C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
08-13-13, 04:39 PM
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08-13-13, 05:46 PM
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Well I'm back from the bike shop. They don't have any of the KHS Urbans and wont bring any in unless I'm buying it. They also didn't have any bikes with a steel frame and seemed pretty surprised I even asked about them. I was able to ask about the bar end shifters and I'm not super confident about them since I have to take my hand off the handlebar to shift.
08-14-13, 11:16 AM
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FWIW, I just bought my son a Giant Defy 5 for his birthday. It's a nice looking bike and it works. He likes it. Shifting is noisy but it works. We also have a few Specialized bikes in the family and a Specialized was my first "nice" bike.
In your price range any of the options you have listed should be a solid choice. If you expand to the $1200-1400 price range you will get much better components which may or may not matter to you at this time.
As others have said, ride any bike you can to get a feel for what works for you.
My personal advice will be to stick with the $700-900 price range for now. Most likely you will be searching for a new bike before too long and you will be more experienced and have a better idea of your likes and needs on the next purchase.
In your price range any of the options you have listed should be a solid choice. If you expand to the $1200-1400 price range you will get much better components which may or may not matter to you at this time.
As others have said, ride any bike you can to get a feel for what works for you.
My personal advice will be to stick with the $700-900 price range for now. Most likely you will be searching for a new bike before too long and you will be more experienced and have a better idea of your likes and needs on the next purchase.
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08-14-13, 12:28 PM
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The only bike in that list I'd buy is the Urban Extreme because it's steel. IMHO aluminum is fine for mountain bikes but not for road.
Ride them all buy the one you like and tell us all how great the bike is!
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