Bicycling?

[catwoman]

Am interested in taking up bicycling. I considered getting a bicycle last summer, but put it off.
At this point, I think I'd like to look at a comfort bike, rather than one for off-road or competitive use.

Any suggestions? Brands, add'l equipment, etc.?

 

[BillCobit]

Ooooooh, bike shopping!

Ooooooh, bike shopping!

Ooooooh, bike shopping! Love it! Can't justify adding to the three I've already got, but still leer at the merchandise every time I pass a bike shop.

There are some sites that provide buying info, such as:

http://www.bikesrnottoys.com/

Selecting a bike is based personal preference, but my guess is you're most likely to be interested in a hybrid.

Be sure to get one that fits. Dept. store models may not fit you properly... result can be sore back, sore knees and other bits, and then you won't want to ride. Also, cheaper components that tend to be on these models don't work very well; you can spend as much time adjusting and repairing brakes and shifting as you do riding. Spend a few extra bucks to get a bike that fits and has reliable gears - look for brand names of Shimano or Sram on the shifters and derailleurs. I would say that reliable hybrids start at about $250 if you shop around. $300 - $400 buys a pretty nice bike. Fall is the end of the model year. As with cars, if you buy toward end of the model year, you can find better deals. Selection is limited, however.

IMO, Trek often provides the best value for the $. Two of my bikes are Treks and I'm happy with both of them. I'd consider a bike w/ an adjustable handlebar stem. Sometimes you need to re-position the bars a little bit to dial in optimum comfort. A bike shop can help you with fit and with model selection.

Oh, and wear a helmet. Accidents happen. Last summer a woman ran into me on her bike - we both went down on the pavement. She split her helmet from the front to the crown, and split her forehead wide open. For a while she was face down unconcho gushing blood and having a seizure. She came to before the ambulance arrived, and I expect she was ultimately OK. But I have no doubt that if the helmet had not absorbed so much impact, she would have died.

 

[Rush20]

Hi Marsha. Great idea. I've been lurking for too long on this board and I'm glad to jump back in and discussion one of my life's passion. I always want to be one of the first to welcome new members into the "Bike For Life" club....

Anyway, I mirror much of what Bill already pointed out. Do yourself one big favor...purchase your bike from a qualified bike shop vs. a department store. You will receive (a) expert assistance in choosing the right bike and correct fit(b) good follow-up care usually a free tune-up in six months, etc. and (c) a fair price. Sure, you could probably save 10% by purchasing from Wal-Mart, however the expertise and help comes with a price.

After that enjoy! If you have some extra $$$, purchase a nice bike computer and you can log your miles, minutes and speed. See you on the bike trails!!!

 

[BillCobit]

Marsha -

Shimano pretty much owns the whole market for quality bike components. THey've got different product lines for brake and drivetrain components. From low-end to high end, the product line names are:

Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace for road bike components

Altus, Alivio, Deore, LX, XT, XTR for mountain bike components

Depending on if a particular hybrid bike more closely resembles a mountain bike or a road bike, component groups will be used accordingly.

If you're looking at two bikes in a similar price range, you can generally determine which is the better value by looking at the component group names, which can be found prominently on the parts:

If there is no product name whatsoever, or if it doesn't say Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo, I'd consider it an inferior bike not worth purchasing. Also, be aware that replacing Campy parts is costly, SRAM may be harder to find. My recommendation is to stick w/ Shimno parts.

Let us know what you finally decide on!

 

[catwoman]

Bill & Allen:

Thanks for your input.

Found an article in the July 2004 Consumers Report about bicycles that's pretty good and showed it to a friend who is in the Fort Worth Bicycle Club. She suggests either a hybrid or comfort bike.
I don't want to do 40-mile rides like she & her husband do -- don't have the time. I'm into pedigreed cats, breeding, showing and, finally, judging them, so that's how my weekends are spent.
Debra has advised I get a helmet, particularly since I'm on Coumadin. My home is in a semi-rural area and our subdivision has no sidewalks. What with the loose gravel, it'd be really easy to take a nasty fall.
I think Debra's going to take me to the bicycle shop she deals with in Fort Worth. I also want to check out any in Dallas.
Will keep you posted on my shopping progress!

 

[Sir Reel]

Without really knowing you, I think you will want a hybrid, although a comfort bike probably will do. The comfort bike is likely to be somewhat heavier. Buy from a good bike store, where you will pay more than if you buy from a non-bike store but you will get a better bike (paying more, of course), advice on fitting (the most critical part of purchasing a bike!!!), and a bike put together by someone who know what they are doing. Plus, most shops throw in free adjustments to the cables and gear changers (called deraileurs), wheels, chain, etc.

I recommend that you check out Bicycles Inc. in Keller. I bought my current bike from Rick, the store manager. (I used to live in Southlake.)

Most of the bikes you see at decent bike stores are good bikes, and each manufacturer adds features to distinguish its products. Trek and Specialized are nice and give you excellent value for your money. Cannondale is known for its frames and you can get a headshock to soak up bumps, but you tend either to pay more or to get a bit lesser components. Other good bikes are Fuji, Lemond, and Bianchi.

For what you are looking at, the make of the bike is not that important - they all are pretty good. Just look for a good bike store and find a bike that you like.

I also recommend that you try out a road bike. If all of your riding will be on the road, the road bike will be much better once you get used to the position (there is a reason they all are so similar). If you will do mostly road with some unpaved roads or modest dirt trails, a cyclocross bike would be a good choice as it gives you the road bike position with strong enough components for modest off-roading.

If interested, you could check out www.bikeforums.net and www.cyclingforums.com.

Biking is a great lifetime sport, excellent cardio, so enjoy it.