HillRiderEast

I am trying to help someone get back on his feet. he has found a job - 5 miles each way from his vet shelter housing. Would this work? he is 5'9 and about 165 lbs. Beyond the tune up would he need new tires for the street or would these work? The ad says about 10 years old. Should I replace tires too keep what it has until problems come up? The area is very hilly. Would the gearing work for that? He is in pretty good physical shape. Would the pedals need to be changed for hilly climbs? Any advice offered will be appreciated.

Trek 3500 for sale

acidfast7

If you want a functional method of transport that will last. I would:

1. buy a U-lock so that the vet can lock it up. (maybe some cheap lights/helmet based on budget).
2. change the tires for smooth rolling tires to reduce problems.
3. change the tubes out to reduce problems.
4. apply some lubricants (chain / seatpost / quick release on wheels / on the shifters).
5. just run it through it's paces to determine that it shifts.

should be good to go.

these tires are inexpensive (30USD/set), will make a huge difference and have great reviews.

Amazon.com : Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle Tire, Blackwall, 26-Inch x 1.95-Inch : Bike Tires : Sports & Outdoors

if you're changing the tires out, change the tubes (less than 10 USD).

for a lock, this a reasonable inexpensive lock that should be good for life:

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kry...nite+bike+lock

good luck

HillRiderEast

great tire and other suggestions - he has some disorganized thinking and maybe a combination lock may be best (I think he may misplace keys) Any suggestions for a good combination lock? lights and helmet on my list too

acidfast7

I would take a quick look through here and see what fits your criteria:

https://www.kryptonitelock.com/Pages...=By%20Category

good job getting someone on a bike!

gregjones

I am 5'7" and am riding a 17" MTB, someone two inches taller could fit with ease. I've got a lot of seatpost inside the frame and only a 90mm stem. The bike could "grow" a bit with no problems. (Disclaimer for Forum use: I realize that it may not be a perfect fit for a century ride or climbing in the Alps and won't be spot on exact. Hell, the crankarms are probably 2.5mm short anyway. It will get a vet five miles to work. No NASA spec'd bike science needed here.)

The MTB triple will be ample for the hills. The tires are the weak spot, he will need smooth "road" tires in MTB size. I have these Panaracers on Cheryls bike. She got sick before putting any miles on them, but the tire is also sold under different brands and have had favorable reviews from forum members.

Nashbar is having a "free ship over $49" promotion going on for today. That might help add another necessity mentioned by other posters.

acidfast7

Wow, those show up as £7 tires for me.

Less than 2 pints, is that right?

fietsbob

How about Housing Him/Them ? Indoors , winter heat and etc,


alway money to send them and fund the wars , throw them in the bin when they are used up.

acidfast7

i'm not sure that this is the place for logical and rational discussion.

oops.

maybe we should just keep it to superficial bicycle discussions OK?

HillRiderEast

just helped find housing for him and he has found a job to start soon so needs mode of transportation. thanks for all the suggestions on how to ready the bike. I wanted to make sure it was one that was worthwhile to put more money into it.

dicktill

Thank you for helping this guy!!!!!

Are you a vet too? (If so, thanks for your service.)

gregjones

$10.99 US!!!

Cheryl didn't put many miles on her's before she couldn't ride anymore----I personally don't have anything other than price recommendations. There's 50+ reviews that average 4.5 stars....they must work for a lot of folks. They are heavy. I did have to use Cheryl's front wheel for a day or so, her MTB rim with these tires were quite heavy. When I swapped back to my Vuelta/Nashbar Slick front wheel it was three pounds less!!

megalowmatt

Yeah good job for helping this guy. I think that's a good bike and right size, although if it were me I'd probably want a longer and less upright stem.

....and, you know, level the saddle and rack...

TransitBiker

17 inch might be too small...?

- Andy

acidfast7

Sigh ... sometimes I forget how cheap stuff is in the US. I thought Copenhagen/Stockholm were expensive.

Currently, I'm looking at a flat/house in north London and the prices seem mind-boggling ... looks like I need roughly £350k ($600k) to get into a flat/small house (40-60m2) in an appreciating neighbourhood. However, it also seems that prices have gone up 20% in the last 2 years ... so I don't want to be left out in the cold.

good graphic: https://www.theguardian.com/money/ng-...ces-have-risen

sonatageek

Looks like a good bike for your purpose. I would consider adding fenders, since it is going to be used for transportation and keeping dry and clean on the way to work is always a good thing.

vmotorman

At this low point in this soldier's life, everything positive is a step in the right direction! Thanks for helping a vet!

HillRiderEast

good idea about the fenders. I am going to a LBS later this week with the bike to get the tune up and see if they have any equipment they can discount for me.