linarette

Hey everyone,

completely clueless newbie here. I recently moved to Chicago, and I really like that the city is biker-friendly (at least what I've seen so far). The 18-mile lakefront trail literally starts/ends at my doorstep and I would like to get a bicycle for week-end/evening rides and maybe rides to school (U of C, 3 miles from my house).

Ok. here is the real problem, I am very motivated and enthusiastic, but I have never ridden a bike before So here are my questions:

- If I walk into a bike store, can they help me find something without ripping me off because of my ignorance? Are there any around the Chicago area that you would recommend?

- I am a student and have a budget of about $300 top for a bike. Is that realistic? I am looking for something that I could be riding on average 30-40 miles/week from may to late august, then more scarcely during the colder months. I am very athletic and I can pick up really fast, and I don't want to buy a piece of junk that won't last a few years, but at the same time, I don't want to be too bold as a beginner...Is that confusing enough ?

I have already picked out a name for the bike : Penelope... I just have to find it..

Please, suggestions ?

TIA

AndrewP

Ask on the commuter forum. $300 will get a decent bike for your purposes, but will be difficult if you are including accessories like pump, patch repair tools, luggage rack and helmet. Go to various bike shops and buy from the one that is the most helpful, there is little difference between brands in that price range. Also try Craigslist https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/1146343566.html https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/1146282083.html Good luck!

linarette

Thanks AndrewP!!!

lil brown bat

You might see if a friend has a bike you can borrow, and learn to ride one first, before you make any purchases.

CACycling

+1 on borrowing a bike and learning to ride first. It is really important to test ride a bike to see if it fits you well but it will be hard to test ride if you don't know how to ride. After learning to ride, find a shop that is willing to spend time helping you find the right bike (as opposed to trying to sell you a bike) and test ride several (even one or two more expensive bikes just to feel the differences a bit). Once you find a shop and bike you are comfortable with, get out and start riding.

no1mad 

Never rode a bike before? Don't know your Sora from Acera? It would be a waste of time checking out craigslist. Don't know where you are in relation to the bike co-op, but that should be your very first stop on your bicycle safari.

envane

If you don't knoa anyone in Chicago yet who could teach you to ride a bike then post on craigslist and I'm sure you'll find lots of guys who would be willing to teach you

But yeah, learn to ride before you buy, then buy a cheap used rigid MTB.

Randochap

Maybe try to pick up a used bike. Have a peek at my VeloWeb commuting section for ideas.

shubonker

Didn't you hear about the guy killing people off craigslist?

nickthaquick1

HE LIVES(LIVED) LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM MY DOORSTEP IN QUINCY! RIDE MY BIKE THRU HIS APARTMENT COMPLEX AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK!

envane

Didn't you hear about the guy who got hit by a car while riding his bike an died?

destikon

When you say you can't ride a bike do you really mean you can't even get on one and balance? Just wondering. I saw a show where this 15 boy couldn't ride a bike... literally couldn't balance or anything. It's hard to imagine. My dad took off my training wheels when I was 4 or 5.

jyossarian

Couple suggestions: 1) Ask for suggestions on the regional forums for trustworthy bike shops, or do a search, and 2) Include locks, lights and a helmet in your budget. Bike co-ops are great places to get inside info on where to get all of the above free or used (and cheap!). Plus they can help you build a bike which has the added benefit of teaching you all about your bike and how to repair it.

SDRider

Thanks for reminding me that I need to buy my son a bike and teach him how to ride it.

ibcrewin

Here's my .02 cents. Look up some beater bikes off craigslist/ebay. Go to the LBS and ask them which one looks like the best deal and if they will give it a once over when you recieve it. This is not penelope just yet.

Go to a parking lot, take the pedals off and scoot around on the bike until you can glide without having to step down. Once you have the balance thing down you should have no problem adding the pedals and pedalling.

Ride around for a few weeks and get to know your beater. Meanwhile do some research on bike styles, culture, construction, gearing etc. I imagine at this point you will know what you want in Penelope. Find that bike, unload the beater, and buy the new one.

Good luck!

rumrunn6

Rent first - try a few types out before you buy - build your practical knowledge base - refine your usage requirements - interview several bike shops during non-peak hours.

ian123

lol yeah i agree hard to imagine i would love to see what it feels like to learn to ride again.. i got the wrench and took off my own training wheels when i was 4.. my mom was so mad, but they never went back on

linarette

Thanks so much for your suggestions...I really appreciate the advice.
I have new friends, but you don't start begging for stuff like that from someone you've known for less than a month ( I feel uncomfortable doing that). I will go for the rental...I looked up the rates online, $35 per day from Bike Chicago. I guess it's not too bad...
Gosh, you've all made me so self-conscious now, I wonder whether I would be able to find a place desert enough for my,hum, "training" sessions ...I know I had a bicycle till I was about 4 yrs old, but I don't remember how to ride one, and no it won't just come back once I sit on the saddle...I have tried


What do you guys think about Forge bikes? someone suggested that it could be an option if I can find a place to assemble it for me.

Thanks

rugerben

There's a guy who goes by 'uke' on here who likes his Forge.

Personally, i have no personal experience with them, but think that based on their specs, you can do better by buying a good quality used bike at the same price as the new Forge.

There are a bunch of guys on here from Chicago. It'd probably be easier to ask them to teach you than to ask friends.

ian123

At 35 dollars a day you will be over the price of a craigslist bike in two dayss....

MadCapsule

Here is a good place to start for Chicago bike shops. But I agree with others in that you should pick up a beater to learn on and help you decide what you do and don't like in a bike. Hell, I've got a Schwinn from Target that you can have for free if you promise to pay it forward when you a new bike.

jyossarian

Or just buy a bike, take the pedals off and push yourself along w/ your feet until you figure out the balance part. It's like riding a push scooter balance-wise. Then put the pedals back on, push off, start pedaling and congratulations, you're riding a bike.

destikon

Hey I didn't mean to make you feel bad. Get on that saddle and go go go!!!

nvr

The lakefront is a great place to ride. I know you'll really enjoy having it right at your doorstep, and I consider it lucky that you're more on the south end of the path because it's usually less crowded. Makes riding nicer when you're not dodging rollerbladers, and yelling "on your left" all the time. I've bought my last two bikes from Kozy's. The closest one to you would be on Des Plaines just north of Roosevelt. I find them helpful and friendly enough. They'll ask how you ride, where you'll be using it, size you up, etc. Bought my kid's Giant Boulder there a few years ago for just over $200, and it served her well until the knucklehead didn't lock it and it got stolen.

I'd take MadCapsule's offer, and jyossarian's advice for learning how to ride. When you're ready there's this... https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/1135633970.html (shamelss plug)

Come check out the BFNIC https://www.bikeforums.net/great-lakes/

and welcome to Chicago!

Jonahhobbes

If you are having trouble with balancing then you are going to need help from another adult to hold you around the waist or hold the seat to stop you tipping over. Once you feel a little safer then a friend can grasp the handle bars. I would suggest looking into finding a bike instructor to give you training.