Bike - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jason762 · 09-21-2006, 10:04 PM

Hello.

My bike got stolen recently and riding the bus has started to suck really bad (costs $ 1.75 and takes an hour to go 5 miles).

I went to the bike shop to get some ideas but the salesman seemed intent on selling me a mountain bike when I wanted a road bike.

He did manage to tell me that I need a 19.5" frame ('m 6' 2" but have a 30" inseam).

Now I have no idea what to look for. I just want a road bike to take me to work.

Budget would be $ 350 ($ 500 if it's REALLY worth it) and used is just fine.

Thanks!

jorgelito · 09-21-2006, 10:08 PM

Hmmm...have you considered trying craigslist? After determining your needs of course.

Jason762 · 09-21-2006, 10:11 PM

Yup. I was just browsing there.

Lot of bikes, but NO idea which ones are good.

cj2112 · 09-22-2006, 04:33 AM

go to a different bike shop. The bike shop you went to, is obviously not the bike shop that's gonna look out for your needs.

snowy · 09-22-2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj2112

go to a different bike shop. The bike shop you went to, is obviously not the bike shop that's gonna look out for your needs.

Yep. You want a bike shop that is there to help you, not sell you. A good bike shop realizes by helping you to get the bike you need and want, they have gotten a loyal customer--one who will bring their bike back to them for repairs and one who will come back when they need accessories, advice, or even another bike.

With your budget, you probably want to be looking for a hybrid bike. Trek makes some really nice ones that are definitely within your price range: http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/City...7000/index.php A hybrid bike is obviously designed so you can do a lot of different things with it, so that's a nifty thing about them. However, I would recommend getting a very good locking system along with your new bike.

Jason762 · 09-22-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesnowyowl

However, I would recommend getting a very good locking system along with your new bike.

Yeah for sure. This time I'll get a Krypotinte (sp?) lock AND a cable. Guy at the bike shop said you use the kryptonite to secure it and a cable to make sure the tires aren't stolen.

Ha ha that bike you linked me to is exacty what he tried to sell me. But I was hoping for more of a road bike. But thanks!

I'll look for another shop. The one I went to has a variety of bikes, and the other one that I know of only has high tech mountain bikes.

fresnelly · 09-22-2006, 08:49 AM

Have you considered a folding bike? There are some pretty modern and sophisticated models out there these days. As a bonus, you could fold it up and carry it into work and home with you.

I've been coveting them lately.

basmoq · 09-22-2006, 09:39 AM

well, speaking as a professional bike technician, I'd suggest something better than the kryptonite locks... depending on which one you get (I only recommend the Faggetaboutit). New York lock is a better option, but you have to wear it over your shoulder due to it's weight. Bulldog also makes a line of locks equal to the high end kryptonite locks, but cheeper. Any shop you go to should be willing to order you a specific lock out of their catologs, and they can get you anything if you push them to. I really recommend asking to see their catolog yourself, you can find something to meet your needs exactly rather than what they suggest.

As for a bike, on the low end, Schwinn (Pacific) still makes some affordable $350 and up road bikes. other than that, I can't recommend anything because it depends on what your shop carries. You can get them to order any bike you want, but you'll get a better price if you shop around for sales on 06 models because most of the shops are currently starting to get in 07 models (at least my shop is).

As for features to look for, a good bike will come with brake levers that also function for shifting (downtube shifters are a pain and fell out of favor several years ago). Carbon fiber parts are great for weight savings, but for something you are going to ride to work, I don't recommend anything but the fork, because it increases the chances of your bike being stolen exponentially. Make sure you do your homework on the components before you take any bike home, the shifters, derailleurs, casette and bottom bracket make or break a bike in terms of durability and ease of use.

Good luck and let us know how the search goes.

Jason762 · 09-22-2006, 10:07 AM

Who here is in MN? Would you be willing to ship me a bike?

http://penncycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=8760

For some very odd reason the mfg won't let them ship it anywhere!

basmoq · 09-26-2006, 09:55 AM

Check with your local Giant dealer shop, they should be able to order it.

Gatorade Frost · 09-26-2006, 11:04 AM

Just watch out not to buy anything you can't afford to lose. My sister dropped 350 dollars or so on a bike and it was stolen within 4 months. She'd locked it up and everything, some one just walked off with it.

kurty[B] · 09-26-2006, 12:42 PM

I'm a Cannondale fan for road bikes (I still have not warmed up to their mountain bikes). I had a T800 take me 400 miles with no problems, and use it all the time, and it continues to treat me well. The main thing I would look for though is to walk into a shop, say "I need a bike to take me from point A to point B, and I'll be on the road all the time, and here is my price". At which point I would hope to see a stiff framed bike, simple, durable, and comfortable. The other thing a good bike shop should do for you, is let you take it 'out back' or in the parking lot, and watch you pedal. At which point they will help adjust the seats, and handlebars to make sure you are comfortable and what not.

That first shop saying you needed a 19.5inch frame, that's obviously for a mountain bike. You will want a taller frame on a road bike, but I would go to a shop and find out which frame feels right, and then go to craigslist and look at road-bikes there (craigslist is a great resource for used bikes).

09-21-2006, 10:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jason762 Insane Location: Bay Area, California	Bike Hello. My bike got stolen recently and riding the bus has started to suck really bad (costs $ 1.75 and takes an hour to go 5 miles). I went to the bike shop to get some ideas but the salesman seemed intent on selling me a mountain bike when I wanted a road bike. He did manage to tell me that I need a 19.5" frame ('m 6' 2" but have a 30" inseam). Now I have no idea what to look for. I just want a road bike to take me to work. Budget would be $ 350 ($ 500 if it's REALLY worth it) and used is just fine. Thanks!

09-22-2006, 08:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	Have you considered a folding bike? There are some pretty modern and sophisticated models out there these days. As a bonus, you could fold it up and carry it into work and home with you. I've been coveting them lately. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

09-22-2006, 09:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
basmoq It's a girly girl! Location: OH, USA	well, speaking as a professional bike technician, I'd suggest something better than the kryptonite locks... depending on which one you get (I only recommend the Faggetaboutit). New York lock is a better option, but you have to wear it over your shoulder due to it's weight. Bulldog also makes a line of locks equal to the high end kryptonite locks, but cheeper. Any shop you go to should be willing to order you a specific lock out of their catologs, and they can get you anything if you push them to. I really recommend asking to see their catolog yourself, you can find something to meet your needs exactly rather than what they suggest. As for a bike, on the low end, Schwinn (Pacific) still makes some affordable $350 and up road bikes. other than that, I can't recommend anything because it depends on what your shop carries. You can get them to order any bike you want, but you'll get a better price if you shop around for sales on 06 models because most of the shops are currently starting to get in 07 models (at least my shop is). As for features to look for, a good bike will come with brake levers that also function for shifting (downtube shifters are a pain and fell out of favor several years ago). Carbon fiber parts are great for weight savings, but for something you are going to ride to work, I don't recommend anything but the fork, because it increases the chances of your bike being stolen exponentially. Make sure you do your homework on the components before you take any bike home, the shifters, derailleurs, casette and bottom bracket make or break a bike in terms of durability and ease of use. Good luck and let us know how the search goes. __________________ "There's someone out there for everyone - even if you need a pickaxe, a compass, and night goggles to find them."

09-22-2006, 10:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jason762 Insane Location: Bay Area, California	Who here is in MN? Would you be willing to ship me a bike? http://penncycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=8760 For some very odd reason the mfg won't let them ship it anywhere! Last edited by Jason762; 09-22-2006 at 11:23 PM..

09-26-2006, 09:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
basmoq It's a girly girl! Location: OH, USA	Check with your local Giant dealer shop, they should be able to order it. __________________ "There's someone out there for everyone - even if you need a pickaxe, a compass, and night goggles to find them."

09-21-2006, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Hmmm...have you considered trying craigslist? After determining your needs of course.

09-21-2006, 10:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jason762 Insane Location: Bay Area, California	Yup. I was just browsing there. Lot of bikes, but NO idea which ones are good.

09-22-2006, 04:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	go to a different bike shop. The bike shop you went to, is obviously not the bike shop that's gonna look out for your needs.

09-26-2006, 11:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
Gatorade Frost Rookie	Just watch out not to buy anything you can't afford to lose. My sister dropped 350 dollars or so on a bike and it was stolen within 4 months. She'd locked it up and everything, some one just walked off with it. __________________ I got in a fight one time with a really big guy, and he said, "I'm going to mop the floor with your face." I said, "You'll be sorry." He said, "Oh, yeah? Why?" I said, "Well, you won't be able to get into the corners very well." Emo Philips

09-26-2006, 12:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
kurty[B] Sauce Puppet	I'm a Cannondale fan for road bikes (I still have not warmed up to their mountain bikes). I had a T800 take me 400 miles with no problems, and use it all the time, and it continues to treat me well. The main thing I would look for though is to walk into a shop, say "I need a bike to take me from point A to point B, and I'll be on the road all the time, and here is my price". At which point I would hope to see a stiff framed bike, simple, durable, and comfortable. The other thing a good bike shop should do for you, is let you take it 'out back' or in the parking lot, and watch you pedal. At which point they will help adjust the seats, and handlebars to make sure you are comfortable and what not. That first shop saying you needed a 19.5inch frame, that's obviously for a mountain bike. You will want a taller frame on a road bike, but I would go to a shop and find out which frame feels right, and then go to craigslist and look at road-bikes there (craigslist is a great resource for used bikes).