Hoping to get my college freshman son into biking
08-03-17, 05:16 PM
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Hoping to get my college freshman son into biking
Selecting a bike for my son to take to college led me here. What a great resource!. So he outgrew his old Gary Fisher mtb and needed a way to get around campus and the city or New Orleans. Nothing too nice to attract thieves. Nothing too nice to leave out in the rain. And of course nothing to make him look like a dork. Found some good ideas here. Also hoping he learns how fun and rewarding it can be to work on, maintain and build out a unique bike. Here we go. I'll be looking for more ideas on how to upgrade components, where to get inexpensive add-ons and upgrades. And ultimately, I think I am the one who will get the bike fever. Good to be here. Thanks for the forum!
08-03-17, 05:22 PM
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Welcome to the forum. Hopefully your son will get good use out of his bike, and incorporate it into his college life, and maybe stay with it after.
But be advised that not everyone takes to bicycling, and those who do each do it in their own way, as transportation, recreation, exercise, sport or competition. So all you can do is create the opportunity, but your son will do what he does and you need to be ready to accept that.
Worst case scenario, you end up with a decent, hardly used bike in a few years.
But be advised that not everyone takes to bicycling, and those who do each do it in their own way, as transportation, recreation, exercise, sport or competition. So all you can do is create the opportunity, but your son will do what he does and you need to be ready to accept that.
Worst case scenario, you end up with a decent, hardly used bike in a few years.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
08-03-17, 05:39 PM
#3
Yo
A hybrid I think would be right up your alley. Anything can be stolen, so I wouldn't let that possibility sway my choice. Does he live on campus? Living in a college town is one of the few places that a person can be honestly car free.
08-04-17, 09:16 AM
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Thanks for your insights, FBinNY. I'll be sure to keep my expectation in check.
He will be living in residence hall first 2 years with no room for his bike indoors. We've heard there is no need for a car on campus. New Orleans is flat and has decent weather during the year.
I'm not sure this is the best route, but we researched road, hybrid and mtn bikes. Then found a post in bikeforums showing a converted mtb into a commuter. My son seemed to like the idea. It would have been easiest to buy a new bike and have shop add accessories, but we opted to get a used bike and make the upgrades. We found used TREK non-sup mtn bike that spent the past 8 years just hanging in a garage. Planning to order full fenders, road tires, spare tubes, tools and rack later today. The project should give us some quality time together and introduce my son to bike maintenance. This forum along with youtube will help guide our project.
As you suggest, where he goes from there is up to him.
Any thoughts on best online suppliers? We're not looking for highest performance, but reliable gear at a good price.
He will be living in residence hall first 2 years with no room for his bike indoors. We've heard there is no need for a car on campus. New Orleans is flat and has decent weather during the year.
I'm not sure this is the best route, but we researched road, hybrid and mtn bikes. Then found a post in bikeforums showing a converted mtb into a commuter. My son seemed to like the idea. It would have been easiest to buy a new bike and have shop add accessories, but we opted to get a used bike and make the upgrades. We found used TREK non-sup mtn bike that spent the past 8 years just hanging in a garage. Planning to order full fenders, road tires, spare tubes, tools and rack later today. The project should give us some quality time together and introduce my son to bike maintenance. This forum along with youtube will help guide our project.
As you suggest, where he goes from there is up to him.
Any thoughts on best online suppliers? We're not looking for highest performance, but reliable gear at a good price.
08-04-17, 09:28 AM
#5
Yo
