Aloha from a newbie in Hawaii
 

Aloha folks,

I've just recently moved from central Oahu to Honolulu and am now pretty close (2 miles) to my work. I plan on buying a bike in the next couple weeks to commute back and forth. With the morning traffic as bad as it is I think a bike will get me to work in a similar amount of time as driving.

I haven't ridden bikes much at all in the last 20 years and way back then it was a Walmart MTN bike so I don't really know much about modern bikes. I am of the personality type that researches the heck out of expensive things before I buy them though and that research has led me to this forum. This forum led me to the sheldon brown website where I learned more than I knew there was to know about bikes (I still don't claim to have any real knowledge).

So far all my reading has led me to believe I want a hybrid bike since I'll be on sidewalk/road 90% of the time. The road (Kapiolani for the locals) isn't in very nice shape to have a pure road bike. I do suspect I may start doing longer rides in the future for fun/fitness.

Anyway, I just wanted to make a first post to say hello and now I'm going to dive back into reading/learning. My monthly paid parking at work ends in about two weeks so I need to make a decision on a bike by then.

Welcome! I'd get educated at a local bike shop for size and features, then hit craigslist for a gently used, nearly new bike. That'll save you $$ for helmet, clothing, lights, shoes maybe, pump, etc. The costs for a first bike add up quick.

hello and welome

I was watching craigslist for awhile ubt decided to go new.

This thread is the one chronicling my bike search adventures at the moment: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...nt-Escape-City

Welcome. If you wanted a road bike but the roads are a mess, you could also consider a cyclocross bike.

I've heard what when you ride bikes it is not a matter of if you ever have a crash but when you'll have it. I don't own a bike yet and I've gotten my crash done.

I learned a lesson about road bike tires today. The bikes I rode in the distant past were all MTN style bikes with fat knobby tires. I was test riding a Specialized Sirrus Elite in a residential neighborhood. I was on the road and wanted to get on the sidewalk so I went to use one of the handy driveway ramps. Unfortunately, the end of the driveway ramp was almost an inch higher than the road itself. The old MTN style bikes I road would have easily gone over this. The 700x28 tires on the bike I was riding? Not so much... instead of riding up onto the lip the front tire decides to slide down the side of the lip along the edge of the road - while the rest of the bike - and myself - continue towards the sidewalk.

Luckily the $850 bike sustained only a minor scraping to the seat and handle grip. My arm and elbow however didn't fair quite as well (along with my shin and right hip).

Most of the rash is superficial but the quarter size part at my elbow seems to be almost through the skin.


http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5995/rasho.jpg

Aloha Robbie,
I live in Hawaii Kai. Sorry about your accident, it looks painful. Did you have to buy the bike because it got scratched up? What bike shop did you go to? Anyway, welcome to the site and have fun.
P.S. I bought my bike at McCulley bike shop, I got a Giant Sedona ST and I love it. $301.00 out the door brand new. I put slicks on it and it’s fast.

i live in town... i have a giant sedona too. i bought mine at McCully bike... was out the door for about 310.00. its a good bike comfortable. i have ridden it down kapiolani plenty of times no problem. i also put slicks on mine. shwalbe big apple.depending on where you live and where you work kapiolani is gonna be a pretty hairy ride during peak hours and alot of people on sidewalks near ala moana.i would buy a helmet and lights too if i were you and make sure you buy the best lock you can get

I've spent most of my time test riding at McCully bikes. The specialized that got dumped was from the Bike Shop on King near Alamoana.

For the bike only the seat got scratched up - i was lucky in that regard. The guy at the shop said i didn't need to buy a new seat. Maybe he felt sorry for me with all the rash i had just gotten.

My commute will be from near corner of university and kapiolani to ward ave.

wow that will be a crazy route in the morning... its a straight shot but they have the cones up for contra flow . you ever rode on the path by the ala wai? do you know where the canoe house is?i think if you follow university across kapiolani it will go right to the boat house.you can ride that path all the way up to mccully and kapiolani.cross the street and catch the brick path behind old hard rock. that will take you to right across street from convention center. can catch the brick path on other side and ride it all the way down to atkinson by ala moana.can ride up ala moana or thru ala moana center, then up 2 blocks to ward. but it all depends what time you leave in morning. i would just do anything to stay off of kapiolani in the morning traffic

Thanks for the route advice. I've already decided to try to stay away from Kapiolani itself since it's a madhouse even if it is the straight line between my house and work. I would not be looking forward to trying to deal with that traffic. It's bad enough in a car. What I haven't figured out is which would be the best route to take.

I am new to this area so I don't know the whole route you just described. I do know the bike path along ala wai to mcully though - I found it while walking my dog.. I'll have to look for the brick path behind where hard rock used to be. Once you cross Mccully is the brick path actually the sidewalk running alongside Kapiolani? Is there a way to post a map of the route you describe?

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

Also, I thought I had posted it in this thread earlier today but guess I didn't...

Test rode a Trek 7.2 FX today. Wanted to try a 7.4 but they didn't have any in stock. The 7.2 felt basically the same as the sirrus elite but with x35 tires and non carbon forks.

The LBS (Bike Factory on AlaMoana and Cooke) offered me 15% off a 7.4FX and any accessories I wanted so I went for it and put in an order. They said it should arrive in about 2 weeks (downside to living in Hawaii). The 7.4 has carbon forks, better derailleurs, and is about $60 less expensive than the Sirrus Elite.. Tires on it are x32.

i now deal with bike factory only.. i like the bike factory in waipio. bigger store not so crowded good guys up there.i ride at 3:00 am so i can ride anywhere and not really worry about cars. when im out its cops, cabs, buses , delivery trucks on the road.im sure your laying out some good money for your new bike make sure you get good locks.Duane at bike factory in waipio is building my touring bike.

They still let you test ride? :)

j/k. Sorry to hear about your crash, road rash is painful. And glad to hear the new rig is on its way. That's a long two weeks ahead for you!

--J

this link may work http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/copy/155121081/

That worked great! Thanks!

lol - I tried to reply to you pm but without it gave me an error saying i had to have 50 posts to send a pm. I understand that to keep spammers out but I was trying to reply lol.

did that map work for you?

I ride my road bike exclusively around Hawaii. I've hit some wicked potholes, but I've never crashed because of them. As always, just keep your arms flexed and your eyes sharp--and don't be afraid to take up a lane. With the state of Hawaii's roads, you're going to need that room to maneuver.

I found this part slightly amusing. :p Where else are you going to bike to?



(yes, i understand some major bike folks may take bike vacations)

My new bike finally came in! That was a long 18 day wait. Here she is! Trek 7.4fx

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/645/biketrek74fx.jpg

I'll go back on Monday for a proper fitting.

Nice choice

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/645/biketrek74fx.jpg

Hi robble, welcome to Bike Forums. Can you help this kid out? Amazingly it appears just tonight he is getting started here on BF, and he has a couple Oahu questions.

I gave him the two best local resources I know if. Hopefully they are of use.


p.s. I rode my bike home tonight. I arrived alive! Since I didn't have my lights/helmet with me I did ride all the way on sidewalks and I can really see where riding on the road would be better.

sweet looking ride