Getting back into biking, should I buy a new bike?
08-04-09, 05:22 AM
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Getting back into biking, should I buy a new bike?
Hey there,
I've been biking a lot more this summer ever since I got my old hybrid out of mothballs. It's a Univega 21 speed hybrid that's about 20 years old. It's in good shape and rides well. As I'm starting to cover longer distances, however, I'm starting to wonder if this type of bike has improved significantly over the last two decades. I would probably stay with a hybrid over a pure road bike as I sometimes will go off road (though not seriously enough to merit a full on mountain bike.)
If I'm planning to do rides of up to 40 - 50 miles (sometimes on hilly roads), should I look into what's out there? I'm a cheapskate, so my inclination is to stay with what I have but I also don't want to miss out on something that is going to make the experience better.
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks,
Bill from Mahwah, NJ
I've been biking a lot more this summer ever since I got my old hybrid out of mothballs. It's a Univega 21 speed hybrid that's about 20 years old. It's in good shape and rides well. As I'm starting to cover longer distances, however, I'm starting to wonder if this type of bike has improved significantly over the last two decades. I would probably stay with a hybrid over a pure road bike as I sometimes will go off road (though not seriously enough to merit a full on mountain bike.)
If I'm planning to do rides of up to 40 - 50 miles (sometimes on hilly roads), should I look into what's out there? I'm a cheapskate, so my inclination is to stay with what I have but I also don't want to miss out on something that is going to make the experience better.
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks,
Bill from Mahwah, NJ
08-04-09, 06:04 AM
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For some of us, the answer to "should I buy a new bike?" is always "yes". 
If you're happy w/the way the bike rides, then there's probably no reason not to just keep on riding it. OTOH, it couldn't hurt to visit a few bike shops and test ride a few newer models.
If you're happy w/the way the bike rides, then there's probably no reason not to just keep on riding it. OTOH, it couldn't hurt to visit a few bike shops and test ride a few newer models.
08-04-09, 07:58 AM
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40-50 miles and sometimes off-road, look at cyclocross bikes. I started biking last year with one and have used it for pavement, gravel MUPs, and some light singletrack with no issues.
Last edited by black_box; 08-04-09 at 08:02 AM.
08-04-09, 08:38 AM
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Put slick tires and Trekking bar on the Univega and enjoy. Otherwise, yes, new bike is always welcome in my book. 
Buy new bike on close out sales ("last year's model sales") later this year, for a better deal.
Buy new bike on close out sales ("last year's model sales") later this year, for a better deal.
08-04-09, 08:52 AM
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Why not hold out the new bike as an incentive?
Set yourself a goal (completing a 50 mile ride or riding 100 miles in a week or whatever), then treat yourself to the new bike after you complete it. I think you may have less trouble rewarding yourself after you feel you have earned it.
Set yourself a goal (completing a 50 mile ride or riding 100 miles in a week or whatever), then treat yourself to the new bike after you complete it. I think you may have less trouble rewarding yourself after you feel you have earned it.
08-04-09, 09:37 AM
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Hey there,
I've been biking a lot more this summer ever since I got my old hybrid out of mothballs. It's a Univega 21 speed hybrid that's about 20 years old. It's in good shape and rides well. As I'm starting to cover longer distances, however, I'm starting to wonder if this type of bike has improved significantly over the last two decades. I would probably stay with a hybrid over a pure road bike as I sometimes will go off road (though not seriously enough to merit a full on mountain bike.)
If I'm planning to do rides of up to 40 - 50 miles (sometimes on hilly roads), should I look into what's out there? I'm a cheapskate, so my inclination is to stay with what I have but I also don't want to miss out on something that is going to make the experience better.
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks,
Bill from Mahwah, NJ
I've been biking a lot more this summer ever since I got my old hybrid out of mothballs. It's a Univega 21 speed hybrid that's about 20 years old. It's in good shape and rides well. As I'm starting to cover longer distances, however, I'm starting to wonder if this type of bike has improved significantly over the last two decades. I would probably stay with a hybrid over a pure road bike as I sometimes will go off road (though not seriously enough to merit a full on mountain bike.)
If I'm planning to do rides of up to 40 - 50 miles (sometimes on hilly roads), should I look into what's out there? I'm a cheapskate, so my inclination is to stay with what I have but I also don't want to miss out on something that is going to make the experience better.
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks,
Bill from Mahwah, NJ
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/473408-riding-20-yr-old-clunker-work.html
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
