Need help choosing a new bike!
 

So I have only owned department store "mountain bikes", and they are cheap and heavy. I am looking to buy a new bike from a bike store.

Some things:
- I live in a condo. I have a not-easily-accessible locker I can store my bike in, but definitely not an everyday thing.
- We have outdoor bike racks but I don't really want to keep it there every day overnight
- I will probably keep it on my balcony...

- I will use it for both commuting to work (short distance) and biking along trails
- I have an Accord Sedan and would like to be able to move it in my car... (i think any frame will fit in with the wheels removed? not sure...)

I was originally looking at the Kona Dew but have seemed to move on to the KHS Urban Xpress and KHS Urban X. The Xpress was $100 more.. I know it has double walled rims and I like the gearshifting better... the Urban X comes w/ fenders and rack already on though...

I have also loosely considered the Dahon Jack. It's nice that it folds in half because it certainly makes it more easy to store/transport but I didn't really like the ride as much. It seems to force you to lean forward more...

I'm really quite new to all of this. Could any of you provide some insight/suggestions/etc. to help me decide?

Thanks!!!

1. I'm not a fan of storing bikes outdoors. You might consider storing your new bike in your bath tub. Keeps it out of the weather with minimum disruption of your lifestyle.

2. If you fold down your back seat your bike will easily fit once the front wheel is removed. Painter's drop cloths are inexpensive and will save your car interior from grease stains.

3. A year from now you won't be able to remember how you spent the $100 that you saved but you'll still have a bike with shifting that you don't like.

4. If you're buying a bike so that you'll have something to move and store the Dahon sounds like a good bet. If you're buying a bike to ride, I'd get one that you'll enjoy riding.

I like your very blunt statements... makes choosing obvious :p

I am thinking I would store it on my balcony though, and perhaps just get a simple tarp I could cover it with. During the winter I probably won't be riding it much if at all, so it would stay indoors in my locker in the basement.

Can you/anyone actually comment on the KHS Urban Xpress? I haven't ever heard of KHS before, and not finding too much info about it online...

Can't comment on the model but KHS do make some fine bikes. Only way to find out what bike is for you is to get to a shop and test ride the ones you are interested in. And can assure you that retro has it right on outdoor storage. You may have a "Rustfree" frame but anything steel- like brake springs- cables and nuts and bolt will detiorate very quickly. Rusted gear cables do not shift cleanly.

stepfam - I'd be find covering it in a tarp though, right? I mean we have some temperature swings and cold nights, but it would be protected from rain...

Doesn't help as much as you'd think. The tarp traps condensed moisture created by temperature swings and doesn't allow your bike to dry out.

As stated, you would be better off buying a carpet runner and storing the bike inside in the corner. It is the moisture that will hurt you.

KHS has been around for YEARS! I can't comment on the new(er) stuff, though the bikes seem to be pretty good from online reading, but I have a '82 KHS Turbo (road bike) that still is "Kicking".

Chris

check the rules/regs of your condo association, some of them prohibit storing bikes on the balconies.

Be careful because some basements are very damp.

Take a SERIOUS look at folding bikes, 20" or 16". A lot of peopel use one as theyr only bike. Easy to store innsde your flat and also in the car or on te bus. Visit the folding bike forum http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=221

One of the bikes you mentioned has a rack and mudguards already fitted, which is great - but it will make it much more difficult to get it in the car. Bikes are big awkward things - if I didn't have a garage I'd probably just have a folder. My Brompton is the only one allowed in the house!

If the Dahon Jack you tried made you feel like you were leaning forward, then the chances are it's the wrong size. The riding position is adjustable - the shop should be able to help you with it. The pictures I've seen online show riser bars and a stack of washers under the stem, so plenty of scope for adjustment.

The folder idea, is good. You check out the Kona Smoke? One of the LBS around me has them for US$350.