Which bike type is ideal for occasional riding within a hilly city like San Francisco
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Which bike type is ideal for occasional riding within a hilly city like San Francisco
I'm going to occasionally ride the bike on weekends within a 5 mile radius from my home. Or maybe cycle across the Golden Gate bridge once in 3 months.
I've never ridden a geared bicycle before (I last rode a bicycle when I was in high school 8 years ago). However, on moving to SF, I've realized that the terrain is hilly and a geared bicycle is a necessity. If so, what are the things to keep in mind while buying a geared bicycle ?
Moreover, I'm a bit confused by biking terminologies such as 'Mountain Bike' , 'Road Bike' , 'Hybrid' ,etc. Is a mountain bike easier to ride up an incline or is it just a bike type that's more rugged with wider tyres and better grip for offroad biking ? Which type of bike should I buy ?
Btw, I'm 5'10", ~160lbs
Moreover, since I'm not a serious biking enthusiast, I'm planning to keep costs low and am looking for something around 150$ (I'm a student). If I feel like I enjoy riding this bike, perhaps I'll move on to a better bike in a few months. Don't want to put in too much money into an activity I'm not sure about pursuing seriously.
Can anybody here give me pointers on how to go about this ? Or maybe even actual suggestions on the exact bike model to buy ?
I've never ridden a geared bicycle before (I last rode a bicycle when I was in high school 8 years ago). However, on moving to SF, I've realized that the terrain is hilly and a geared bicycle is a necessity. If so, what are the things to keep in mind while buying a geared bicycle ?
Moreover, I'm a bit confused by biking terminologies such as 'Mountain Bike' , 'Road Bike' , 'Hybrid' ,etc. Is a mountain bike easier to ride up an incline or is it just a bike type that's more rugged with wider tyres and better grip for offroad biking ? Which type of bike should I buy ?
Btw, I'm 5'10", ~160lbs
Moreover, since I'm not a serious biking enthusiast, I'm planning to keep costs low and am looking for something around 150$ (I'm a student). If I feel like I enjoy riding this bike, perhaps I'll move on to a better bike in a few months. Don't want to put in too much money into an activity I'm not sure about pursuing seriously.
Can anybody here give me pointers on how to go about this ? Or maybe even actual suggestions on the exact bike model to buy ?
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Well the "cool" thing in places like SF is the "fixie" or fixed-speed/single-speed bike. But cool is not always practical, so if you don't have a deep yearning to be "in", I think a hybrid or an unsuspended MTB will be your best bet. Both offer a wide range of gearing to get you up the steep hills and are more comfortable for the casual rider than a road bike with drop bars might be. But if you want the drop bar style of bike, today's crop of cyclocross or gravel bikes offer that plus a usually wider gear ratio that your typical road bike.
#3
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Consider a folding bike for multi-modal travel - you'll have relatively unrestricted access to the good public transportation network (like Muni trains and buses, rush hours on the BART, passenger only ferries, taxis/Uber, etc.), and the bike is easier to store/take inside (eg, rainy season/theft concerns). Make a cheap nylon cover for it, and turn a bike into 'luggage.' You could use Muni public transport for an uphill section and then ride a long gradual downhill; shoot out to different part of town to explore, or BART out to the burbs where I've seen very scenic MUPs. $150 is not a lot of money, but doable in the used market.
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At your height..you'll probably be in the 55-56cm frame in a road bike(with a triple crank or a two chainring crank with gearing for hills) or 18ish inch in a mountain bike.
Either would work. For a first bike that can go & do most anything..I'd look for a hardtail mountain bike with or without front suspension(with lockout). Lots of them around for low money and the gearing is right for SF. Put some street-ish tires on it and go..anywhere. If you want to carry stuff..it'll have brazeons for a rear rack.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...601649133.html
size??
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...604328958.html
size??
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...604294287.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...583153989.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...603321565.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...591932577.html
could be quite nice:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...581047878.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...601559045.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...600072865.html
This frame is too small for you, but there's a lot of Centurions around..very good road bike for small money
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...581037370.html
Either would work. For a first bike that can go & do most anything..I'd look for a hardtail mountain bike with or without front suspension(with lockout). Lots of them around for low money and the gearing is right for SF. Put some street-ish tires on it and go..anywhere. If you want to carry stuff..it'll have brazeons for a rear rack.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...601649133.html
size??
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...604328958.html
size??
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...604294287.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...583153989.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...603321565.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...591932577.html
could be quite nice:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...581047878.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...601559045.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...600072865.html
This frame is too small for you, but there's a lot of Centurions around..very good road bike for small money
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...581037370.html
Last edited by fishboat; 06-01-18 at 08:28 AM.
#5
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Mid Drive Electric..
in the 8os I barely lived in SFO, you must be pulling down big bucks, to survive there now .. write software code?
Worked in a bike shop .. Cal Trans ran a van & trailer for bike rider commuters in the east bay across the bridge..
get a Road bike a folding bike a hybrid, (fixie?) its up to you ..
you can go around the hills, and get across SF.
Of course after 100+ years, that is also the main traffic streets ..
BTW, Fisherman's Wharf Docked Ferry serves Vallejo, and just 12 miles north,
is the Napa County Wine Country.
..
in the 8os I barely lived in SFO, you must be pulling down big bucks, to survive there now .. write software code?
Worked in a bike shop .. Cal Trans ran a van & trailer for bike rider commuters in the east bay across the bridge..
get a Road bike a folding bike a hybrid, (fixie?) its up to you ..
you can go around the hills, and get across SF.
Of course after 100+ years, that is also the main traffic streets ..
BTW, Fisherman's Wharf Docked Ferry serves Vallejo, and just 12 miles north,
is the Napa County Wine Country.
..
#6
Senior Member
I'd look for a used hybrid/ fitness bike with a triple front chainring. I'd you don't ride hills frequently, the third chainring will be a blessing. I'd think you could find a decent used lower end trek fx for 150, or somewhat close to it.
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I'm going to occasionally ride the bike on weekends within a 5 mile radius from my home. Or maybe cycle across the Golden Gate bridge once in 3 months.
I've never ridden a geared bicycle before (I last rode a bicycle when I was in high school 8 years ago). However, on moving to SF, I've realized that the terrain is hilly and a geared bicycle is a necessity. If so, what are the things to keep in mind while buying a geared bicycle ?
Moreover, I'm a bit confused by biking terminologies such as 'Mountain Bike' , 'Road Bike' , 'Hybrid' ,etc. Is a mountain bike easier to ride up an incline or is it just a bike type that's more rugged with wider tyres and better grip for offroad biking ? Which type of bike should I buy ?
Btw, I'm 5'10", ~160lbs
Moreover, since I'm not a serious biking enthusiast, I'm planning to keep costs low and am looking for something around 150$ (I'm a student). If I feel like I enjoy riding this bike, perhaps I'll move on to a better bike in a few months. Don't want to put in too much money into an activity I'm not sure about pursuing seriously.
Can anybody here give me pointers on how to go about this ? Or maybe even actual suggestions on the exact bike model to buy ?
I've never ridden a geared bicycle before (I last rode a bicycle when I was in high school 8 years ago). However, on moving to SF, I've realized that the terrain is hilly and a geared bicycle is a necessity. If so, what are the things to keep in mind while buying a geared bicycle ?
Moreover, I'm a bit confused by biking terminologies such as 'Mountain Bike' , 'Road Bike' , 'Hybrid' ,etc. Is a mountain bike easier to ride up an incline or is it just a bike type that's more rugged with wider tyres and better grip for offroad biking ? Which type of bike should I buy ?
Btw, I'm 5'10", ~160lbs
Moreover, since I'm not a serious biking enthusiast, I'm planning to keep costs low and am looking for something around 150$ (I'm a student). If I feel like I enjoy riding this bike, perhaps I'll move on to a better bike in a few months. Don't want to put in too much money into an activity I'm not sure about pursuing seriously.
Can anybody here give me pointers on how to go about this ? Or maybe even actual suggestions on the exact bike model to buy ?
At 5'10", you should be fit a common size, maybe 19 to 20" mountain bike or hybrid, M/L to L, or 55 or 56 cm road bike. A lot depends on you proportions, like whether your height is in your legs or your torso, so make sure you test ride for fit.
If if I were looking for a used city bike, I would look for low gears, triple chainrings, 7 to 9 speed cassette. It should have braze onsto fit a rack, and clearance for fenders. Frame material could be cro moly steel or aluminum. I would suggest a used hybrid from the 90s to a current model. Brands to look for? Lots of choices. Trek, Bianchi, giant, Kona, Specialized, Marin, Raleigh, Jamis, Fuji, Surly are some can't miss choices. Other brands like Schwinn, Diamondback, and Mongoose were good brands, but some models are cheap, department store bikes to be avoided. But if you can tell the difference, worth getting these bikes. This is not an exhaustive list. There are other small brands well worth considering.
Also, pay attention to condition. A $250 used bike fully restored and ready to ride is a better value than a $150 bike in rough shape.
#8
Banned
$150? in SFO, you may be buying someone's stolen bike, at that price..
Everything is Very Expensive, there, Now.
Everything is Very Expensive, there, Now.
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There are several bike tour companies in San Francisco. They’ve outfitted a lot of people with bikes and have gotten lots of feedback on the results of their choices. They’ve also had to make decisions about what bikes to invest their money in.
It might be interesting to have a conversation with one or more of the tour companies. While you’re at it, you could rent a bike for an hour to see if you like it. Wheel Fun Rentals is one such company I used when I was in town. They had a range of different bikes available for rent. A similar conversation with a local bike shop that also rents bikes might be similarly productive. Who knows, but you might find that any of them sell off their rentals for a good price after a certain amount of use.
It might be interesting to have a conversation with one or more of the tour companies. While you’re at it, you could rent a bike for an hour to see if you like it. Wheel Fun Rentals is one such company I used when I was in town. They had a range of different bikes available for rent. A similar conversation with a local bike shop that also rents bikes might be similarly productive. Who knows, but you might find that any of them sell off their rentals for a good price after a certain amount of use.
#10
Senior Member
For occasional riding, I think you may have to go around hills or use an assist from a motor.
#11
Senior Member
-You'll want a triple chainring (3 front gears) to get low climbing gears
-Probably want a hybrid (a "normal" bike to non bike people)
-Lighter is better for climbing so I would seriously consider upping the budget to $400-$500 (why spend money twice to get something better later?) and get a proper bike shop bike which will be 20-25 lbs
A base specialized Sirrus or Trex FX would be a great choice.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/me...=239681-129091
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...colorCode=grey
-Probably want a hybrid (a "normal" bike to non bike people)
-Lighter is better for climbing so I would seriously consider upping the budget to $400-$500 (why spend money twice to get something better later?) and get a proper bike shop bike which will be 20-25 lbs
A base specialized Sirrus or Trex FX would be a great choice.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/me...=239681-129091
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...colorCode=grey
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Oh... asking a general "which is best" question here? You'll get a thousand opinions.
Many of the road bikes are much lighter than most MTBs, so a lot less bike to lug up the mountains. Of course, there are some really nice, really expensive MTBs that are lighter.
Of course, you get what you pay for. It is tough to find a quality road bike for < $150, unless you get really lucky (which happens with patience if you know what you're looking for and have some patience, and are quick to snap up the best deals, no posting on the internet for an opinion).
This Cannondale caught my eye. A few years old, and a little more expensive, but it would be a reasonably nice bike, assuming all the mixed parts work well together (shifts smoothly & etc).
CANNONDALE Road bike - $300 (haight ashbury
At 58cm, it will be slightly tall, but not too bad.
Many of the road bikes are much lighter than most MTBs, so a lot less bike to lug up the mountains. Of course, there are some really nice, really expensive MTBs that are lighter.
Of course, you get what you pay for. It is tough to find a quality road bike for < $150, unless you get really lucky (which happens with patience if you know what you're looking for and have some patience, and are quick to snap up the best deals, no posting on the internet for an opinion).
This Cannondale caught my eye. A few years old, and a little more expensive, but it would be a reasonably nice bike, assuming all the mixed parts work well together (shifts smoothly & etc).
CANNONDALE Road bike - $300 (haight ashbury
At 58cm, it will be slightly tall, but not too bad.
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-You'll want a triple chainring (3 front gears) to get low climbing gears
-Probably want a hybrid (a "normal" bike to non bike people)
-Lighter is better for climbing so I would seriously consider upping the budget to $400-$500 (why spend money twice to get something better later?) and get a proper bike shop bike which will be 20-25 lbs
A base specialized Sirrus or Trex FX would be a great choice.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/me...=239681-129091
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...colorCode=grey
-Probably want a hybrid (a "normal" bike to non bike people)
-Lighter is better for climbing so I would seriously consider upping the budget to $400-$500 (why spend money twice to get something better later?) and get a proper bike shop bike which will be 20-25 lbs
A base specialized Sirrus or Trex FX would be a great choice.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/me...=239681-129091
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...colorCode=grey
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Personally, I like the drop bars, but I grew up with them. There are quite a few flat bar fans out there.
I don't know how much difference weight makes. I ride bikes from about 17 pounds to 25 pounds... more or less. I enjoy them all, and can climb hills on any of them, but I tend to choose the lighter bike for the hillier days or longer rides... if possible.
I suppose there might be arguments about not going overboard with the bike purchase.
At the same time, riding will be less enjoyable if one is riding a beastly heavy bike poorly suited for the road. And thus it could taint one's view.
Again, I see hundreds of different bike styles around town, and many different riders.
BikeShare bikes are even an option for occasional riding around downtown, or on the bike paths.
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SF is the perfect place for SS/fixed, and that's what I rode when I lived in the Bay Area and took Bart into the City. Most of the City is flat (or flat enough), and the "real people" don't go to the really hilly areas that often. And when you do need to go to the Mark Hopkins for your black tie event, you can simply use their very adequate public transportation system (something like 80% of all SF addresses are within 2 blocks of public transportation).
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You should build your own bike. I built mine for 900 and it weighs 13.5lbs... I built my sisters for $400 and it weighs 19lbs both are carbon fiber
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People that don’t plan on seriously pursuing something usually don’t take the the time to register and post on a specific forum.
Not a criticism. Just a heads up that maybe you are a tad bit more serious than you believe which means that you may want to spend more than the cost of a concert ticket or snifter of Louis XIII on a bicycle.
Not a criticism. Just a heads up that maybe you are a tad bit more serious than you believe which means that you may want to spend more than the cost of a concert ticket or snifter of Louis XIII on a bicycle.
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SF has a big fixed gear scene. A geared bike is by no means a necessity unless you you live in the steepest areas of the sunset, for example. I did, and some spots are steep enough you have to walk even with gears. In fact, fixed or ss is an advantage in some spots as you don’t have to worry about chain slip on a climb, but that’s just imo. I’m not advocating for riding fixed, merely suggesting that it is quite common.
Ultimately, the best choice will come down to where you live, how you will ride, budget and theft tolerance. Get there, find a place and then check out CL, or any other very many bike shops. There’s no need to buy something in advance. The market is so active that you will have no issue buying a decent bike the same day you start to look.
Ultimately, the best choice will come down to where you live, how you will ride, budget and theft tolerance. Get there, find a place and then check out CL, or any other very many bike shops. There’s no need to buy something in advance. The market is so active that you will have no issue buying a decent bike the same day you start to look.
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I've never lived in SF, but have read on other forums that you should find out how hilly your area actually is. Someone wrote that the most hilly areas are the ones where nobody goes. As for single speed, if you're just using it to go a few miles, and there's enough traffic that you can't really stretch out anyway, then a single speed with a relatively low gear ratio might fit the bill.
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Oh... asking a general "which is best" question here? You'll get a thousand opinions.
Many of the road bikes are much lighter than most MTBs, so a lot less bike to lug up the mountains. Of course, there are some really nice, really expensive MTBs that are lighter.
Of course, you get what you pay for. It is tough to find a quality road bike for < $150, unless you get really lucky (which happens with patience if you know what you're looking for and have some patience, and are quick to snap up the best deals, no posting on the internet for an opinion).
This Cannondale caught my eye. A few years old, and a little more expensive, but it would be a reasonably nice bike, assuming all the mixed parts work well together (shifts smoothly & etc).
CANNONDALE Road bike - $300 (haight ashbury
At 58cm, it will be slightly tall, but not too bad.
Many of the road bikes are much lighter than most MTBs, so a lot less bike to lug up the mountains. Of course, there are some really nice, really expensive MTBs that are lighter.
Of course, you get what you pay for. It is tough to find a quality road bike for < $150, unless you get really lucky (which happens with patience if you know what you're looking for and have some patience, and are quick to snap up the best deals, no posting on the internet for an opinion).
This Cannondale caught my eye. A few years old, and a little more expensive, but it would be a reasonably nice bike, assuming all the mixed parts work well together (shifts smoothly & etc).
CANNONDALE Road bike - $300 (haight ashbury
At 58cm, it will be slightly tall, but not too bad.
Note: There's no such thing as "a little too tall but ok". Don't buy a bike you can't stand over, though.
#21
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Anyway, no reason not to try it (or a similar bike) as built, then make the upgrades when it is time for the next chain and cassette (assuming they aren't all worn out now).
#22
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Suppose you could be right...I just weighed my Sirrus Elite (~$800) and bone stock with the nicer E5 aluminum frame and 30mm tires it weighs 22.7 lbs naked. Note my frame size is also S. So probably pretty reasonable to expect 26ish lbs on the base models, especially if in a larger size.