Chosing a Commuter Bike
07-04-08 | 04:09 AM
#26
Thunder Whisperer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
So I visited 3 bike shops yesteday and looked at the kona smoke (18 in) The seat was simply too low and the bike was way too small for me I have a hard time believing it's actually an 18 in bike.
The shops i visited stocked Raleigh, Giant and Scott bikes. The cheapest bike of All the shops was the Raleigh Sport. The first shop was pretty good but had a terrible selection (only like 5 bike lines total, and 4 used mtb's).
The first shop had the Raleigh Sport at $520 the second shop showed me a fairly nice Giant bike for $950 as their "entry level" bike, and the cheapest bike in the shop was on sale for $650 the salesman there was more pushy than helpful though. The third shop was the most dangerous, as I really really fell in love with the scott bikes. Particularly the Scott SUB 10. Unfortunately, it is double my budget. I test rode a Sportster P4 (that the salesman did a fantastic job of setting up for me) but unfortunately that was also out of my budget by at least $200.
What I felt like was that none of the bike shops really had any bikes IN my price range and I guess that's obvious if my price range is $300-400.
One thing I'm interested in looking at or getting is a Scott SUB 30. On their website they list it at $579 and most of the bikes in store (and at REI.com) were selling for around $100 less than retail. Unfortunately, REI doesn't seem to carry the SUB 30 and I didn't see any at the bike shop that carried it. Is it common practice for shops to order bikes? If I could get the SUB 30 for $470 I'd be sold. But I foresee that maybe being impossible.
The shops i visited stocked Raleigh, Giant and Scott bikes. The cheapest bike of All the shops was the Raleigh Sport. The first shop was pretty good but had a terrible selection (only like 5 bike lines total, and 4 used mtb's).
The first shop had the Raleigh Sport at $520 the second shop showed me a fairly nice Giant bike for $950 as their "entry level" bike, and the cheapest bike in the shop was on sale for $650 the salesman there was more pushy than helpful though. The third shop was the most dangerous, as I really really fell in love with the scott bikes. Particularly the Scott SUB 10. Unfortunately, it is double my budget. I test rode a Sportster P4 (that the salesman did a fantastic job of setting up for me) but unfortunately that was also out of my budget by at least $200.
What I felt like was that none of the bike shops really had any bikes IN my price range and I guess that's obvious if my price range is $300-400.
One thing I'm interested in looking at or getting is a Scott SUB 30. On their website they list it at $579 and most of the bikes in store (and at REI.com) were selling for around $100 less than retail. Unfortunately, REI doesn't seem to carry the SUB 30 and I didn't see any at the bike shop that carried it. Is it common practice for shops to order bikes? If I could get the SUB 30 for $470 I'd be sold. But I foresee that maybe being impossible.
1. Giant makes some pretty value oriented bikes. What was that $950 'entry le vel' bike, anyway? I mean, the OCR3, which is the entry level road bike can be had for $650 around here. Sounds to me like that the shop was trying to sell you what they had, and not neccessarily selling you what you wanted/needed.
2. Bike shops can/do order bikes all of the time. Ask the Scott shop if they can order you a SUB 30, and how much it would cost.
07-04-08 | 01:58 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
A couple of things:
1. Giant makes some pretty value oriented bikes. What was that $950 'entry le vel' bike, anyway? I mean, the OCR3, which is the entry level road bike can be had for $650 around here. Sounds to me like that the shop was trying to sell you what they had, and not neccessarily selling you what you wanted/needed.
2. Bike shops can/do order bikes all of the time. Ask the Scott shop if they can order you a SUB 30, and how much it would cost.
1. Giant makes some pretty value oriented bikes. What was that $950 'entry le vel' bike, anyway? I mean, the OCR3, which is the entry level road bike can be had for $650 around here. Sounds to me like that the shop was trying to sell you what they had, and not neccessarily selling you what you wanted/needed.
2. Bike shops can/do order bikes all of the time. Ask the Scott shop if they can order you a SUB 30, and how much it would cost.
Thanks for the advice on the sub 30... I hope it's a good bike and I wont be shooting myself in the foot for purchasing it.
07-04-08 | 08:58 PM
#29
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Is there any real problem with riding on 26 in tires?
07-04-08 | 09:45 PM
#30
Thunder Whisperer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
I think they come standard with 26in but the stock tires on the SUB 10 were fairly narrow slicks. The 30 lists Maxxis Colombiere tires 26x1.3 tires, but I cant seem to find any existence of those anywhere other than on the SUB 30.
Is there any real problem with riding on 26 in tires?
Is there any real problem with riding on 26 in tires?
07-28-10 | 02:17 PM
#32
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
HELLO
there are "SCOTT SPORTSTER P4" in the shop with 28 inch rims but i cannot find frame size on bike.can you help me where can i find size writing on the frame?and i am 115kg 2m03cm tall man and are that rims stronger enough for me?
please help ok
thanks
there are "SCOTT SPORTSTER P4" in the shop with 28 inch rims but i cannot find frame size on bike.can you help me where can i find size writing on the frame?and i am 115kg 2m03cm tall man and are that rims stronger enough for me?
please help ok
thanks
07-28-10 | 02:25 PM
#33
Single-serving poster
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,098
Likes: 3
From: Toronto, Canada
Don't over-think it, all these options may seem important, but since this is just a bicycle to start out with and you have no opinions you can get whatever.
My advice, buy used.. $500 range, something with flat bar, upright seating, eyelets for racks and fenders. Save the cash for other stuff you'll need, spare parts, panniers or a different saddle. Then go buy a nice lock, the crappier your bicycle and the better the lock the longer you can let it stay parked in one spot while you do your stuff.
My advice, buy used.. $500 range, something with flat bar, upright seating, eyelets for racks and fenders. Save the cash for other stuff you'll need, spare parts, panniers or a different saddle. Then go buy a nice lock, the crappier your bicycle and the better the lock the longer you can let it stay parked in one spot while you do your stuff.
07-29-10 | 06:20 AM
#35
Born Again Pagan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 2
From: Southwestern Ontario
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
To the OP; one suggestion is to save your money until you can afford the bike you really want, like the Sub 10. In the meantime, used rigid (no suspension) MTB's make great commuters with the addition of fenders, lights, slicks, and a rack. By doing this you could likely get started for less than $200, and then next year buy your dream bike. That would also give you an extra year of research and test rides. BTW this is pretty much what I did and now I do have my dream bike.
You could start with something like this: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1869223385.html
Of course that's just a suggestion; the Sub 30 is a nice bike if you can find a way to swing the finances. Just remember to budget at least $100 for accessories!
To COGGIOLA: The frame size is usually written on the seat tube (the part of the frame in which the seat is placed). Look down near the bottom bracket (where the pedals are). Failing that, just ask a salesperson at the LBS. The P4 looks to me like it would be able to handle a person your size without a problem.
You could start with something like this: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1869223385.html
Of course that's just a suggestion; the Sub 30 is a nice bike if you can find a way to swing the finances. Just remember to budget at least $100 for accessories!
To COGGIOLA: The frame size is usually written on the seat tube (the part of the frame in which the seat is placed). Look down near the bottom bracket (where the pedals are). Failing that, just ask a salesperson at the LBS. The P4 looks to me like it would be able to handle a person your size without a problem.
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