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Need Bike selection advice

Old 03-21-08, 09:37 AM
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Need Bike selection advice

As part of my renewed fitness outlook on life and spending the last six months in the gym I am looking to take advantage of the old railways turned bike paths here in Northern Illinois. I am looking for a inexpensive bike that can handle that type of terrain. But I am looking to keep the bike around $200 and will only ride on weekends...maybe some weeknights depending on my schedule...

Looking for advice...I see some nice bikes at Wal-Mart, but maybe that won't be money well spent...

I will gladly listen to any advice, and store recommendations. I am a 6', 300lb guy (already lost 50) and want to continue my progress...

Thanks in advance...

Edward
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Old 03-21-08, 09:48 AM
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First piece of advice - don't buy the bike from anywhere that you checkout with a conveyor belt. They are typically made with the cheapest components available, and many times aren't repairable when something breaks. Not to mention they are put together by someone who was hired to stock shelves, and knows little about bike assembly and proper adjustments.

In your price range, you should probably be looking for a decent used bike. A local bike store might be the best place to visit, tell them what you're looking to do, and they'll show you good bikes for it. For a rails-to-trails bike, there are a few different types you can consider: hard-tail mountainbike, cyclocross bike, hybrid bike, even some commuter bikes will fit the bill.

After you see some bikes, keep an eye on craigslist for someone parting with something used. You can likely get something 1-3 years old at close-to 50% of the price you'd pay for new.
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Old 03-21-08, 11:18 AM
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Clydesdales& Athenas

Originally Posted by enash67
As part of my renewed fitness outlook on life and spending the last six months in the gym I am looking to take advantage of the old railways turned bike paths here in Northern Illinois. I am looking for a inexpensive bike that can handle that type of terrain. But I am looking to keep the bike around $200 and will only ride on weekends...maybe some weeknights depending on my schedule...

Looking for advice...I see some nice bikes at Wal-Mart, but maybe that won't be money well spent...

I will gladly listen to any advice, and store recommendations. I am a 6', 300lb guy (already lost 50) and want to continue my progress...

Thanks in advance...

Edward
Enash67 check with the people in the Clydesdales Athenas forum you definitely do not want a poorly made bike.They may have some really good recommendations. Also try looking in Garage sales/thrift shops for old Panasonic 10 speeds one may just what you need. Happy riding!

Last edited by James H Haury; 03-21-08 at 11:21 AM. Reason: spelling, caps. an addition and getting the name right.
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Old 03-21-08, 02:46 PM
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+1 - best bet is to look in garage sales and craigslist. Older road bikes will be light years better than anything you will ever buy at Walmart or Target. Nice solid well built bicycles of the 70's and 80's would fit the bill.
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Old 03-21-08, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by enash67
As part of my renewed fitness outlook on life and spending the last six months in the gym I am looking to take advantage of the old railways turned bike paths here in Northern Illinois. I am looking for a inexpensive bike that can handle that type of terrain. But I am looking to keep the bike around $200 and will only ride on weekends...maybe some weeknights depending on my schedule...

Looking for advice...I see some nice bikes at Wal-Mart, but maybe that won't be money well spent...

I will gladly listen to any advice, and store recommendations. I am a 6', 300lb guy (already lost 50) and want to continue my progress...

Thanks in advance...

Edward
Learn as much as you can and find someone who can help you and go to the Arlington Bike Swap on 4/26. - TF

https://www.cyclearlington.com/swap-08.htm
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Old 03-21-08, 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by James H Haury
... Also try looking in Garage sales/thrift shops ...
Agree.

- Spend $25.00 on a mtn-style bike which probably cost $150.00 new - it'll be heavy & likely ugly, but you wanted exercise, & don't want to look like you oughta be fast
- Spend another $25.00 getting it tuned at your LBS
- Next year give it to a college-kid neighbor for a campus bike when you upgrade if you're still into riding!

Congrats on your fitness progress thus far!
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Old 03-21-08, 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by enash67
I am looking to take advantage of the old railways turned bike paths here in Northern Illinois.
Ahh, yes. The Long Prairie Trail. One of my favorites.
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Old 03-21-08, 11:09 PM
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I also recommend a used bike. Now, I am partial to steel frames and for rail trails, I would use either a hybrid or an older steel mountain bike with slicks or something with little tread, made for road riding.

For a mountain bike, you really can't go wrong with the late 80s to 90s Treks. But again, I like steel and rigid frames. There is one on Craig's list in Rockford, a Trek 800 for $75.
https://rockford.craigslist.org/bik/611523060.html

The 800 is not the best, but it is a fine bike and should do you well on the trails. I should clarify, Trek 800s are fine bikes, I don't know anything about the one in the ad. Any of the Trek's 800 or 900 series should be fine. I also like the Specialized Hardrocks, Rockhoppers and Stumpjumpers. You can often find the 80s and 90s Treks and Specialized mountain bikes for $50-$150 range on Craig's list.
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Old 03-22-08, 05:31 PM
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Count this as another vote for going the "Used" route.
Just make sure it fits you, If it doesn't fit you will be less comfortable, and less likely to want to ride.
The Bike Swap linked above will give you a great opportunity to "Try On" a bunch of bikes and see what works for you.
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