Tohtruck says:
You guys are awesome! Thanks again so much for holding my hand and offering sound advice throughout this process.
Thanks, TohTruck!
I barely know my sister's boyfriend. In all honesty, I know you guys more and I trust that you guys are giving very good advice. The mountain bike is an idea. But I just wanted to know if it's possible to get a good mountain bike at the $600 price range? I would imagine that they have to be more rugged and durable
which would factor into the cost.
At that pricepoint, your best bet would be Craigslist with the assistance of an experience MTN biker, for a used (hopefully chromoly framed) MTB, with a really good fork.
Chances are, I'm not even going to delve into that. I suppose, as i get more into cycling. If I feel the need to go mountain biking (which looks like a lot of fun) or off-road I will just opt to get another bike (N+1) dedicated for that.
Good call. If you're not that tight with your sister's boyfriend, then it's a wrap, already! 'Cause you're definitely going to need close guidance on that one. Besides, a MTB is high maintenance, especially the Full Suspension ones!
So yeah, I'll just focus on on urban bike for now.
Cool. We've come a long way!
I went back to REI today and yeah, I was a bit confused but the basic rundown is
that the cost of switching things will be free given that the replacement part is the same or lesser value than the stock part. The cost of labor is free (basically it is included as 30 minutes of free labor). I will call back again this week to speak to their master tech and find out the actual prices of the stock parts I will be replacing so I know what my options are (in terms of price) for the replacement parts.
Meanwhile, find or locate the exact type of handlebars you desire (like the ones at Phat Cycle). Get the specs on the handlebars you like and report it to REI. They'll then direct you accordingly.
They had flat mountain bike type handlebars
They should have a plethora of all kinds of handlebars. If they don't have it, they can get it!
One handlebar that they had was from a company called Easton. It is the EA30 Monkey low rise handlebar. Another handlebar option they had was the Titec Mountain handlebar.
They've got almost as many handlebars, as they have handlebar manufacturers...
I see, it's not that complicated but, how much do these parts matter? Is it more a matter of choose what looks good (from the flat mountain type handlebar)? Or should I look into the different materials and stuff that are used for the handlebars they have at REI?
Looks like you have a Kalloy aluminum stem for the Buzz One. That usually calls for an aluminum handlebar, as well. Unless, you're going to go carbon fiber.
Grips are very important! I once had a bike that didn't have any grips at all. My teeth rattled and the bike seemed like it was rolling along the San Andreas fault line. After I replaced the grips, the bike seemed to be fine. No more rattling of the teeth, that's for sure!
I think I also might replace the grips. I don't know exactly what type of material or texture the stock grips are called. They feel comfy but not that grippy. I'm thinking I should probably go with rubber grips. Is it just pick
what feels and looks nice?
I like a certain type of Bontrager grips. You could get those, along with a nice pair of gloves. You've got to get a nice pair of glove, TohTruck. There's just nothing like having a good set of grips and a nice pair of gloves in combo.
I was thinking about replacing the saddle. But it's very likely that I won't
find a saddle that costs equal or less than the value of the stock
saddle.
The saddle is usually the first thing to get upgraded, so no worries there! That's pretty common!
And yeah, they said that painting the bike does not void the satisfaction guaranteed policy. However, it does void the Novara product warranty.
So, what does that mean, exactly? Novara is REI, so what are they talking about?..Don't worry! They'll figure it out! They have to give you 100% satisfaction. That's all you should be concerned about! Besides, the manager stated specifically and repeatedly, that the warranty would still be honored, if you painted your bike.
Nevertheless, I think I might take it into a detailing shop and just get the frame professionally repainted black. Does that mean I have to take everything apart and just give the shop the bike frame to repaint?
Now this, baffles me! Do you have any idea what it's going to cost to "professionally" paint your bike? It will cost at the very least $200. When you add $200 to $500, that's equal to $700. Then just find a higher priced single-speed, that costs slightly less than $700. Even if it costs a little more, you'll be saving money in the long run!
So yeah, I guess I will take the Felt Brougham out (still considering it) and the Novara Buzz One becomes my top pick.
No. If you're going to paint the bike, now is the time to opt for the Brougham, or the Back Alley, or the Madison.
Whatever you do, don't spend the extra cash on a paint-job, spend it on a better bike!
Heck! With $700, now you could even begin to think about a MTB! You could also think about getting a really nice hybrid, too!
To make matters a bit more complicated,
Thus far, so good...
I stopped by EMS as well. They had a Jamis Coda that I will test ride this week (it was freezing cold and started snowing today, so I couldn't really test it out).The employee there was explaining to me, that it would be better to get a geared bike like the Jamis Coda.
This what we were all trying to explain to you at the outset.
They had a steel version ($550) and an aluminum version ($525). They are the
2011 models. No Coda Sports
There is no such thing, as an aluminum version of a Coda! If they have a 2011 Coda in your size, snatch it up right away!
They have the least desirable policy when it comes to tune-ups and adjustments. I get one free tune-up but brake and gear adjustments are not free. He said after the initial tune-up I shouldn't need any adjustments at least for a year. And after that, I will only need tune-ups and adjustments about once a year. Is that true for geared bikes? I thought it was important to get tune-ups and adjustments a couple times a year.
That's why it's important to join a bicycle co-op, so that you can become independent mechanically, and save hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars. Who cares what there maintenance policy is?
He did say that the 2012 Coda Sports should be coming in, in about 4-6 weeks.
They will be priced at about $560.
Well test-ride a Coda. If you like it, grab a 2011 and barter or bargain for it! If they don't have one available for you, in your size, just wait patiently for the 2012 models.
With that said, the current Codas are not expect to come down in price, even when the new Jamis Coda Bikes come in.
I'm just estatic to know that Jamis is still offering hybrids in steel! That Coda is just the best!
For the most part it seems like all the stores sell their bikes at MSRP (so it's
not very consumer friendly I guess).
You can still bargain with 2010 and 2011 models. It's their 2012 models they're not bargaining!
- Slim