pascucci

I am a beginner cyclist ..only riding 14-18 miles per day I currently use a Pacific SE 2000R bike how does this compare to Trek and Canondale since Pacific has recently purchased Canondale ?

vespoli

What is your budget? What type of riding do you do (pavement, gravel paths, etc.)?

Hunt-man

it is really about the engine driving the bike. What you have from a quick search looks like a junky mountain bike. Fine to train on. Great to bike on if it fits you good.

If you want to spend money go to some local bike shops and start looking. They will help you with size fit and options, better than we can.

10 Wheels

You appear to have low end mountain bike.

This one is for sale for $25.00

https://www.us1radio.com/images/bizbaz/100_3125.JPG

Did you want a road bike? You posted in the road bike forum.

jrobe

I would buy the brand that the best LBS sells. You would gain more from some expert local advice (especially with bike fitting) than you would gain from any particular brand.

kevrider

^^^this. figure out which shop you like the best and when you're ready to upgrade, give them your biz. you have to spend a LOT of money before you find big differences between brands.

tommashe

i am also a total newbie to riding i have been running for 5 years and have recently suffered from planters faciitis and decided to try biking and give my arch a break. I have found that i really like it. I am currently riding a schwin from dicks. its a hybrid with 700 cc tires. i have been looking to upgrade to a better bike and was thinking of the trek lexa s i am 5'1" and weigh about 140. i ride on country roads with lots of hills always on blacktop. i currently ride just 12 to 15 miles at a time. do you think this would b a good bike for me. Thanks

John_V 

Unless you are in a small town that has no or one to two bike shops in it, take some time, hit the shops and try the bikes that have a WOW factor for you. Unless you are set on a specific frame material, get the one that fits you the best whether it be a CF or AL bike. A great looking bike, regardless of who makes it, is useless if you are in pain after each ride. And on the flip side, a well fitting bike probably won't get much riding time if it really doesn't appeal to you.

EDDIE1963

Trek Lexa is a nice Women bike. I have a friend that group ride with me and she flys on here Lexa. I have plantar facitis and my Doctor had custom insoles made from me and they help. I am running without pain.

ILUVUK

You need a Kuota or a Wilier...or maybe a BH or a Lapierre.

ArchEtech

This ^^^ I test rode a few bikes. Some differences between them but it mostly came down to a shop and culture that I liked. This one shop was more helpful and less pushy by far so I stuck with the brand they sold. I also really liked what they sold, but it was the service at the shop that made me buy there. The have given me pro fit help, changed stems, put in cleat shims little by little to dial in fit.

tommashe

I do live in a small
Town but can get to a couple of bike shops if I drive about 45 miles. Thanks for all the advice. I am gonna o this weekend and check them out

hhnngg1

The brand is irrelevant.

More important for you is to decide whether you want to
- Road race, or go fast (road bike with U-shaped drop bars)
- Just use it for solo training and errands (hybrid or commuter or road bike with flat bars)
- Mountain bike or off road (mtn bike)

And fit is king. Do NOT settle on a bike that 'almost fits.' That'll kill whatever quality you spend on the bike, but most salespeople will push you into buying an 'almost fitting' bike.

In bikes of a similar class (road vs road or mtn vs mtn), it's 99% rider ability, for real. Pros routinely switch bikes in and out, even in the middle o f a ride, with no problems.

HokuLoa

The one that fits you and your riding goals.... If it doesn't fit, then the "brand" is irrelevant.

UberGeek

What are you trying to do? Mountain biking? Around-the-town puttering? Commuting? Touring?

What are your goals? The goal will set what you need to look at.

Vicelord

For a beginner, I'd recommend a tricycle. This Schwinn is pretty nice.

tommashe

Ok rode 17 miles last nite. Still havent got a new bike yet but did get a cadence sensor to go with my garmin. I tried to keep my cadence between 85 and 95. As for what I want from a bike. I want to b able to shift between the gears easily. I dont see myself racing yet but want tone able to go distance if I want to. And also a fellow biker calls to go for a ride. I want to have a bike that
Is capable of keeping up. Blacktop riding is all I do and have major hills around me. I did go to the bike shops and just look around this weekend. The customer service at the one store was so much better than the other
So I will probably go there to buy. Hope to have enough money saved up in 2 weeks. I'm
Excited

matroskin

Finger strength is very important for shifting easily. Ask your local gym for advice.

Vicelord

A lady friend might be good at assesing strength as well.

triggerracing

Vicelord, does that Schwinn come in pink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!