pixelharmony

Hello all!

I'm in the process of buying my first bike. The last time I rode was in grade school with my Huffy. I went to my LBS and tested out a few bikes and am cross shopping used bikes on Craigslist.

See you guys around!

Eugene

megarot

Hi Eugene and welcome

I'm a Chicago city rider (car-free). what type of bikes are you looking at?

pixelharmony

Specialized Sirrus Sport (or possibly Elite) or a Giant Seek 2. Nothing fancy being my first bike, it'll be for fitness / trail riding not daily commuting. I put a more detailed post in the hybrid bike section

I've always heard of the Lake Shore Drive night time rides, do you know when that goes down?

davidwhitt

Welcome
I am another Chicagoan (Rogers Park). Welcome! Bike the drive is May 29th. I've never done it. Maybe this year.
https://www.bikethedrive.org/eventinfo


Dave

pixelharmony

Thanks for the info Dave

DGozinya

The L.A.T.E. Ride is July 9/10.
https://www.lateride.org/

megarot

I have had a really really bad experience with the L.A.T.E. ride and I do not recommend it. I didn't do bike the drive and since it's during the day with more space and distance between drivers I wouldn't see a problem.

While I agree it's awesome to get everyone out and excited about bike riding (I'm a big advocate, always encouraging those around me and I live car free), many many many people on the LATE ride were either on bikes that were dangerous because of the lack of maintenance or people who barely knew how to ride. This is a huge mass of people and we were riding on the narrow trails and all over the place. I'm an experienced rider and I've rode several times with Critical Mass. Critical Mass gets a bad rap and I know some of it is justified but I felt much safer riding with Critical Mass then the LATE ride.

On the LATE ride another biker slammed into my friend, got up, looked at her on the ground as she was clearly in pain then grabbed his bike and fled. My friend chipped her elbow and injured her knee and we spent the rest of the evening and morning in the ER.

Sorry for the rant but when someone mentions the LATE ride I immediately cringe.

pixelharmony

I could see how the LATE ride could be troublesome if there's a mass exodus of bikers in a small area. Thanks for the warning!!

AquarianM

Eugene, hi. I'm out in Oak Brook and riding a semi-restored 1975 Schwinn Continental. Hope you've found a great bike! If not, you check out the Electras if you're looking for a brand-new bike. https://www.electrabike.com - their Cruiser series bikes are beautiful and they're made in California. They have tons of available accessories - including, get this, a surfboard rack. I kid you not. Bicycles, Etc. is a local dealer located in Lisle and Naperville.

Ride on,

Dan

pixelharmony

Thanks for the info Dan, they make some really nice vintage cruisers! I'm actually going to refer my sister in law to them since she's been looking for one to ride around the city. Any particular guy you work with at Bikes etc?

I actually just picked up a Specialized Sirrus today. I walked in wanting the Elite model but tried out the base Sirrus, honestly I couldn't really tell the difference so I saved $230 and figured I can spend that upgrading the pedals and eventually other components I discover what I need.

NCMTBIKER

Hello and welcome to Bike Forums!!

slow chevy

Welcome. If you're not too far from Mundelein may I suggest checking out the store I work at, M&M Cyclery at 734 Butterfield Road.. We have Trek, Cannondale primarily but can order anything you'd like and it's an awesome store.