The biggest hills in Orlando are the bridges over the interstates.

Hmm. No meaningful cycling experience. Never commuted. Training for triathlons - except for no biking. Oh, and no swimming. But other than that...

A bike shop employee has talked you into a shiny new bike that you can't even afford.

And you want strangers to tell you how to convince others that this is "right"?

Honestly, you need to listen to your father. Which it sounds like you're looking for a reason not to, which has nothing to do with bicycles.

To me, it seems like you can't really afford a bike _or_ a car.

+1.

Only thing I can add is this:

An $800 car is an $800 car all day, every day. Your brother, being a mechanic, has zero idea why the car is being sold for $800. I've had $2500 cars that my mechanic told me were in great shape, only to have them blow, throw or fail within days of that "inspection" twice in my life.

On the other hand, my wife's parents forced me to buy her a new car, via a long - steady - attack of the brows, that proved the other side of the dime to me; a new car isn't going to fix all your problems either.

If you buy the $800 car are you prepared to do proper maintenance on the vehicle? Are the tires going to work in the weather conditions you've mentioned? Is the battery less than a year or so old? Heat for defrost work?

On a whim, I'd prepare to spend (at least) the following:
$800 - car
$120 - registration, tax, title, license, blah blah (assuming 10 percent) - this is an annual investment
$100 - insurance (recurring, monthly bill)
$100 - battery
$250 - new tires, balanced
$45 - oil change
$75 - tune up. plugs, air filters, fuel filter, wires. It could be less depending on the car. My Ford cost me close to this
-------------------------------

$1490, not including the first tank of gas.

So, if you're looking at buying a $800 vehicle, you've probably gotta have at least $1600-$2000 to get that vehicle on the road, safe, legal and that's the beginning.

I'd hate to be the gideon of reason (I wave my clenched fist at you bikeforum_craigslist mafia!) - but you need to consider public transportation or going and buying a used bike on craigslist.

Sorry, that's my opinion.

+1 if you are older than 18, your parents really have no say.

It sounds to me like your situation might be an opportunity for learning and growth, but that is outside of the context of this forum ;)

- Get the Sirrus
- get some decent quality rain gear
- Become familiar and comfortable on the bike again before launching into full-on commuting. Get your skills up to snuff
- Use maps.google.com to map your route, using the "by bicycle" option. You may find that you are not limited to dangerous roads.

Don't let your parents use guilt, shame, or narrow perspectives to influence your life.

Good luck!!!!!!

The traditional family thing made me think of this great book about a bike trip through Vietnam. If you haven't read this it might provide some inspiration:

Catfish and Mandela

In NY, a lot of people won't commute because the landlords in the buildings that they work in, don't want bikes inside. That means that you can leave your bike outside for 8 hours a day, which probably isn't very wise in Manhattan

Or you can get a folder. I'm in a 3rd floor walk up and the folder makes the climb easier and takes up less space in the apartment.

Folders are very slow. Not everyone has them, and there are a lot of people out there that don't even know about them

Not all folders are slow.

Slow?! I beg to differ. Tell that to the guys on the carbon fiber and titanium bikes I did laps with last Sunday in Central Park. This is a common misconception about folders and bikes with small wheels.

Barring things like sprained ankles I ride almost every day and only wish I had weather as nice as tsl gets... :)

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...ingheader.jpeg

Both of us are probably twice your age and at least as old as your father and would tell him that there is nothing better you can do for your health and mind than to get out and be active every day.

If anything, the riding will give you more energy and it is as cost efficient as it gets.

Point out the health benefits, i.e. weight lose, improved muscle tone, improved cardiovascular health, etc. As for your parents/family and friends "worrying" about you point out to them that more motorists die on the nations roads then do cyclists/pedestrians.

As for the weather there is lightweight rain gear that you can buy to stay dry. If you add a pannier rack and bags you can pack the rain gear in one bag and just leave it there for when you needed. As for your "state" when you get to work. Check and see if they don't have a locker room somewhere that you can use. If they don't see if there is a gym nearby that you can join so that you can freshen up before going to work.

For going to school again, see if there is a gym on campus that you can freshen up before going to class.

Don't forget about securing your bike. Look and see if there is a good (preferably non-wheel bender) bike rack near where you work. If there isn't see if you can bring your bike indoors with you. If there is a good bike rack at or close to where you work and on campus close to your classroom(s) I would suggest that in order to save a little weight that you get two good U-bolt locks and leave them locked to the racks. Then carry a good quality cable lock to use to also secure the bike while at work and class as well as for your "shorter" trips.

I use the Specialized Armadillo Elite Training/All Season tire in the 700x28c size. And haven't had a problem with traction, comfort or bumps.

If you are thinking of doing a triathlon at some point, you can probably find a triathlon club, and in that club you can probably get a line on a quality used bike. Many just to have the latest, newest, lightest, and will sell a bike that's more than two years old to make room for it.

If you haven't seen it already, this article is worth a read if you're going to be commuting by bike, although if you've been cycling since the accident, you may already have found some of it out.

As for convincing your family, most of the arguments they're coming up with are understandable, as they're not commuters themselves. However, I have to commute in the worst weather England can throw at me, as I don't have a car, and I'm never too tired to work after my commute, so as someone who's actually tried it, I can refute both those points and say that it's perfectly possible to ride to work when it's raining at 45 degrees to the ground and then do a day's work afterwards without being too tired.

After reading the OP, personally I'd get the car for starters, get a inexpensive good used bike or fix up the one you have,(if you still have it) and learn how to do basic bicycle maintenance.

Since the car is not cosmetically in good shape, throw a bike rack on it, find a secure big box store parking area half way from home and work (or closer to work) and slowly work out the quirks of commuting, as well as the bike's, and see if commuting by bike is what you're willing to do.


Added: To the OP, to go from 0 experience to a 20/25 mile r/t commute on a daily work basis, in a single bound, is a considerable undertaking and requires a major change in life style. If the car/bike option is not financially doable, look into your local mass transit schedules, and see if they will fit your work schedule, and also allow bicycles to be transported, go multimodal until you are sure that you are sure that you can go the full commute. Give yourself a second option in transportation should the bike or you are not able to complete the commute.

If your work is close to school, you can probably clean up at your campus rec center after the long commute and then ride a short distance to work without getting too sweaty. Just an idea.

I would make commuting your primary purpose in making a case to your family. I agree that you should go a model down for two reasons. First, you save money, and will have more available for lights, hi-vis clothes, and fenders. Second, your bike will be less of a target for thieves, which hunt every campus for easy pickens. A higher end bike will be a target for component theft also.

I know people who have tried triathalons on touring bikes, mountain bikes, and cross bikes. If you decide that triathalons are the thing for you, you can take a few seasons to save up and decide what is right for you. I guarantee that whatever bike you get now, you will have different needs and wants after only a few races. Get something that is primarily a commuter, and secondarily a Tri bike.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I really do appreciate it you guys helping me feel more comfortable in taking the plunge!

With all due respect LarryMelman, your input seems to come off as very negative. I'm not sure if it's just how I'm reading it, or maybe you're having a bad day. But I get the feeling that you're trying to put me down and are trying to talk me out of my goals. I believe I mentioned that I was no athlete. So wouldn't I eventually have to start at the beginning? The way I see it, if I don't start now I won't be able to take full advantage of my youth.

I also wouldn't say I couldn't afford the bike. I actually have the money, but with the holidays coming up $1,500 or so to drop without further research would be irresponsible in my opinion. The financing would have just spread out the payment and made everything easier on me. Also, it would build my little to no credit history...

I don't see the problem with talking to strangers about a situation they could relate to? Would you rather I talk to my friends and family that are against me commuting? I don't really understand what the problem is here.

Also, your last comment is just inappropriate and insulting, if I may say so. I'm not sure why you're being so negative towards myself and my situation as a hopeful commuter, but all I can really say is... Not cool.

But other than that, I do appreciate you taking the time in reading my lengthy situation and leaving an input. Whether it was intended to be positive or negative.

I was a teen in the Tampa Bay area and did all my commuting to school by bicycle. With fenders and a raincoat you should stay generally dry. You don't say how long your commute is, which is a major consideration. Orlando is generally pretty flat so you don't need major bicycling firepower. Three speeds are all you need really. And unless you have extreme distances, a used bike properly chosen, will deliver what you need for far less than $800.00. My current ride is a mountain bike streetified with slick tires, fenders, lights, a rack and it ran me about $100.00 total when I first got it and accessorized it. (Yeah the bike was a FREEBIE!) Admittedly, after 5 years of hard service I did put it in for an overhaul and spent 300 on that. LOL.

Basically you are washable. Unlike the Wicked Witch of the West, you won't melt. If you just put dry clothes in a sealed plastic bag and get wet, you'll still get where you are going. The rain in Florida tends to be warmer, so choosing to just get wet is a doable option. And I noticed that when I lived there, it may rain frequently, but it doesn't rain all day. I used to time my recreational rides in summer. Ride west in the morning, turn back east when I saw clouds and arrive home just before the rain. You will often be able to time your ride to avoid the rain. Modern weather services such as weather.gov make doing this much easier.

And yes, your father is trying to do what is best for you... as he sees it. At times, my father opposed my bicycle commuting which I didn't understand since he had bicycle commuted himself. Turned out that stopped when he got hit by a car pulling out of a driveway. He even urged me to ride a motorcycle instead. Though that sentiment disappeared when my step-brother got left-hooked by a schoolbus on his motorcycle.

So yes, the streets out there are tough. I attribute my current fearlessness in traffic to my days in Sarasota, St. Pete and Tampa. Take care to learn the ways of traffic. The League of American Bicyclists offer courses in Traffic Skills 101, Traffic Skills 201, and Commuting. Taking classes like these may go a long way towards convincing your parents that you will be safe and that you are committed to doing it right.

Good luck.

Yeah, yeah. You only want to hear that you're right, so of course I must be "negative" or "insulting." No, no. That won't fly.

You are making grand uninformed plans when there is absolutely no need to. This is what your father is trying to tell you. Maybe you should listen.

You said you'd never commuted by bike and have very limited biking experience. Does it really make sense to commit most of your earthly funds to biking, then? Absolutely not! You could borrow a bike for a while. Rent one if you can. Buy a used bike if you must. You might find that after one commute, that you totally hate it and will never do it again. Or you might find, like most of us, that bike commuting can be an occasional replacement for a car... but that you really do need both.

Pull your head out of the clouds and stop worrying about "taking full advantage of my youth". Whatever that even means. Use some common sense. Your father would like that.

Thanks for the links, Artkansas! I'll definitely take the time to look into them and consider taking a few classes if I can't find the information through research! :)

I don't know what your deal is, LarryMelman. Or why it is you've chosen to bash my aspirations. But, yes. I would like to hear that commuting would be the way to go, rather than purchasing a car, along with all of the future maintenance and fuel that I would need in as well.

You're correct about me having never "commuted" with a bike and have had very limited biking experience. But what it seems that you can't understand is everyone has to start somewhere... I would actually say I have the same amount of biking experience as any Average Joe. Biking around the city as a kid, and my occasional rental of road bikes at a few trails. And whether you read it or not, I did mention that I rode 40 or so miles before, and I enjoyed every minute of it. (except for when everyone wanted to take a break...)

But if I did not mention before, I'm seeing commuting as more than just commuting, but a sort of gateway for me to gain experience with a bicycle and the "bicycle world". Helping me prepare myself in taking on triathlons. What other way would I have time to do so? I wake up, run, go to school, go to work, come home, and pretty much repeat the process the next day. So there's very little time for me to spend taking the time to make myself comfortable with bicycles...

I agree with you that I do need a car, and that the bike could be a replacement. But at the moment, with my schedule the car seems unnecessary. And it could be that I'm just so biased with the thought of commuting that the option of a car seems obsolete. But from what I can see, there are quite a few people here who commute everyday, and enjoy it. And I'd like to see if I would enjoy it, too. (Also, regardless whether or not I like commuting, I plan to purchase a bike to train with anyways.)

Lastly, I honestly like where my head is at. I'm enlisting in the Navy after I get my degree, which is in two years. And I would like to be able to finish a Half Ironman by then. You may say that's "taking full advantage of my youth". I'm not going to have all the time in the world to dedicate myself to triathlons. So I feel I better start now. I hope that clears up your negative ideas of myself, and that you could possibly stop with the meaningless insults. I wouldn't want my early comings of this forum to be demeaned by arguing with someone who is consistent on talking down to me.

And, again. You had a few good points, but they're nothing more than false assumptions that sort of leaves me scratching me head. I'm sure you're a respectable member, and I hope you too enjoy your future commutes, as will I! :D

VictorMikeLima, a good way to get started into commuting where you live is to get a bicycle that you think would be comfortable and reliable print out a lynx bus system map do some bus route runs if you get tired or ache ride the bus back home.
http://www.golynx.com/

Your parents sound typical. In the USA it is socially acceptable to ride a bike for recreation but not for transportation. I started riding for exercise while in college and using the bike for transportation was the only way I had time to ride. You'll find your own way ti deal with weather, clothes and hygiene we all do, there are lots of options. I recently put a calculator to it and found that I had saved over $140,000 since I was in college and that says nothing about the obvious health benefits. Start riding, people just get used to it.

Marc

When I started college at UGA in Athens, Ga., I was 18. I quickly realized that the best, fastest and cheapest way to get around town was by bike. So I bought an inexpensive 10-speed with my money saved up from summer jobs and rode that bike all through college. It was a crappy bike but probably the best money I spent on anything at that time. I ended up selling my motorcycle to pay for college expenses, but I kept that bicycle and rode it year-round to classes, jobs, etc. I didn't know anything about cycling and wore regular clothes, carried my books in a backpack, and used a cheapo light in the dark.