GaryinLA

HI i am visiting relatives in monmouth cty nj for about 2 weeks starting 11/16 and may make trips to NYC and DC also.
Im wondering if its feasible to ship a bike out by fedex to a bike store or mechanic in central nj to put back together for me (I dont want to try to do it myself with a road bike) and then bike around central NJ during my stay. I am thinking if i do that to confine my riding to NJ and not try to bring the bike to/from NYC and DC because i will likely take public transport to/from those places, which would likely include some buses and amtrak trains and from what i read i would not be able to take an assembled bike with me on Amtrak, and as far as i know i couldnt take it with my on the front of a NJ transit bus into NYC either. If i make trips to/from NYC-DC on Amtrak i wouldnt want to have to deal with boxing up and unboxing the road bike.

So heres my questions:
1- anyone know a bike mechanic in monmouth cty nj who could reassemble a boxed road bike at a reasonable price (ie $50 not $120.) Id like to avoid large established stores because they seem to be in the $80-120 range.

2- anyone know if it will be too cold to comfortably ride in nJ in mid to late november? might there be snow? what will be the condition of bike paths, are they open year round or only in summer/spring months.

Thanks

geo8rge

Consider a folding bike.

These people might help with your plan, or sell you a decent used bike. DJs might rent. You could also bring your current saddle and maybe other parts if you want.

https://www.secondlifebikes.org/

https://www.djscyclesbelmar.com/

Jay H

You probably wont find snow in November but you will get cold nights and possible frost or frosty confitions...

I live in the Berkshires of Massachusetts but used to live in northern NJ and have relatives in Monmouth cty.

You might consider seeing if you can take your bike on the NYC ferry from Atlantic Highlands..it is a better option than the bus (Academy( ir the train which both have to go north towards Penn Station (newark) to get to NYC.

As far as a bike mechanic, I have no idea, there are various bike shops that I know of but you seem not to want to utilize them. It really isn't hard to put the bike back unless something gets messed up... Pedals, handlebar, wheels, seat are all generally not hard to put back if you ahve the time and tools.

Jay

GaryinLA

Thanks for the responses so far. I am considering a folding bike. i have tried out 2 at local stores in LA. One is a Dahon single speed that is about $330. The other is a Breezer that is a 6 speed with internal hub that seems to be made by Dahon too. Its about $700. The salesman told me these Breezers are very popular with bicoastal people. I test rode both of them and I like the Breezer because the handlebar height is adjustable, and it isnt adjustable on the other bike. Also the 6 speeds is nice. But I am used to riding full size road and hybrid bikes these last few months, including weekly group rides, so the folding bikes seem to be limited to me. They are usable on short trips or solo rides for exercise but I think id prefer riding a full size bike, so I am thinking alternatively about shipping one ahead or buying one used after I arrive. I have looked at craigslist ads in NJ but I dont want to tie up my time chasing after a used bike on my 2 week trip. I tried to arrange a purchase of a used bike with a seller on CL who seems to sell lots of bikes but he wouldnt work with me by telling me what bikes he has in my size and for what prices. He just said come check them out when you get here and bring cash, and i tried to explain to him i am trying to work this out up front. Since i have relatives on East coast that could either use a bike i leave with them, or garage it for me for future trips, shipping a full size bike makes some sense. I would just ship it 1 way. My relative in DC told me about the bikeshare program there but it's not suited for my needs, i would want to use a bike all day riding around the city and sightseeing and bikeshare pricing works out to over $40-50 a day if you keep it a few hours a day.
Theres a store i found in NYC that sells the folding bikes but they charge a premium for taking it out of the box and putting it together adjusting it-- they tack on about $40-50 over the typical discounted price i have found online from other stores. So i dont want to deal with that store. With a folding bike i think id either bring one with me as checked baggage, or ship it ahead, or buy it mail order to be there when i arrive. I know there are nicer folding bikes for more money- ie Bike Friday and Brompton but they are way out of my price range.