What to look for as a newbie
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
What to look for as a newbie
Hey good people, I watch videos and scour the internet all day pretty much but I'm still having a little trouble learning in this new hobby. Can someone please explain bike brands as football teams lol. I feel like I learn best by being able to compare things and usually I have a good friend that's already in the hobby when I start a new one but unfortunately don't know anyone into cycling at the moment.
#2
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 15,094
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6255 Post(s)
Liked 4,857 Times
in
3,347 Posts
Most any brand you find in a local bike shop will be a good brand. Trek, Specialized and Cannondale are popular in my area, but there are quite a few others that might be popular for your area. Scott is what I'd consider my dream bike. But I've never had or ridden a Scott bicycle.
You really need to just decide on what type of riding you wish to do the most of. Buy a bike for that use. Don't buy for the things you might do once or twice a blue moon. If you don't have to have the most expensive bike, then you can own more than one type of bike for different riding styles.
You really need to just decide on what type of riding you wish to do the most of. Buy a bike for that use. Don't buy for the things you might do once or twice a blue moon. If you don't have to have the most expensive bike, then you can own more than one type of bike for different riding styles.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Awesome feedback! I picked up a trek dual sport 1 off marketplace, I think its the model before the most latest one that is coming out. I've mainly just been riding the light trails around my apartment here in ATX. Still too nervous to ride on roads. 100% agree on not getting the most expensive bike in order to get other bikes for different things.
Also learning you can make any entry level bike look nice by upgrading parts. Any advice on where to start?
Also learning you can make any entry level bike look nice by upgrading parts. Any advice on where to start?
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: GMT-5
Posts: 964
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 563 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
278 Posts
Would you like me to copy and paste that information here if you are not able to search?
Do let me know if you need help searching google.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,928
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3281 Post(s)
Liked 2,119 Times
in
1,195 Posts
Tell your credit card company to max out your account limit !. Just kidding, but there are thousands of bikes out there of many types, mountain bikes, mountain downhill bikes, hybrids, gravel bikes, carbon road racing type bikes, touring bikes, bikepacking bikes. From dozens of manufacturers. Some are the biggies like Specialized, Trek and Cannondale, then many, many others too numerous to name. Lots of good stuff out there, some of it is very expensive.
#8
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 15,094
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6255 Post(s)
Liked 4,857 Times
in
3,347 Posts
If everyone read and searched for the answers, there'd be no reason for BF to exist. This is a social site for people interested in cycling to engage in conversation. Shouldn't matter if the answer can be found elsewhere by other methods or even if it's already been covered by conversations on BF.
Likes For Iride01:
Likes For LarrySellerz:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,009
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2730 Post(s)
Liked 488 Times
in
353 Posts
OP I think all the bike brands are essentially the same nowadays. The bikes are mostly made in Taiwan in the same factories. Back in the day when they were handmade the brand probably mattered more. Trek, specialized, giant, etc it’s all the same stuff
Likes For RH Clark:
#12
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 434
Bikes: Trek FX 7.3, Specialized Roubaix, Orbea Terra, Aostimotor S17 ebike, Huffy RedRock (first bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 208 Post(s)
Liked 303 Times
in
141 Posts
It's cheaper to buy a used good quality bike than buy a entry level and load up parts cannon. I guess you'll learn to wrench while upgrading, but I'd rather learn servicing my already "upgraded" bike. Chances are you won't tell the difference anyway being a novice.
Likes For XxHaimBondxX:
#13
Senior Member
All good comments, what ever bike you choose will educate you as to what bike you want, that bike, in turn will make you want something else. But don't worry, bikes are very accepting or their riders infidelity.
As to your requested analogy, Giants are better than The Giants, these days.
As to your requested analogy, Giants are better than The Giants, these days.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,380
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1134 Post(s)
Liked 3,878 Times
in
1,899 Posts
Awesome feedback! I picked up a trek dual sport 1 off marketplace, I think its the model before the most latest one that is coming out. I've mainly just been riding the light trails around my apartment here in ATX. Still too nervous to ride on roads. 100% agree on not getting the most expensive bike in order to get other bikes for different things.
Also learning you can make any entry level bike look nice by upgrading parts. Any advice on where to start?
Also learning you can make any entry level bike look nice by upgrading parts. Any advice on where to start?
Try google searching "Trek dual sport bikeforums.net" or pick a part you want to replace "what is your favorite Saddle? bikeforums.net" this will bring you to lots of threads with great info. Another great place to start is threads like "Show us your vintage mountain bikes" which has hundreds of pages of bikes people are showing off, many of which have been upgraded or customized. Take some time and explore. Welcome to the forum
Likes For SoCaled:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,380
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1134 Post(s)
Liked 3,878 Times
in
1,899 Posts
All good comments, what ever bike you choose will educate you as to what bike you want, that bike, in turn will make you want something else. But don't worry, bikes are very accepting or their riders infidelity.
As to your requested analogy, Giants are better than The Giants, these days.
As to your requested analogy, Giants are better than The Giants, these days.
Likes For SoCaled:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,367
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8326 Post(s)
Liked 9,141 Times
in
4,515 Posts
Awesome feedback! I picked up a trek dual sport 1 off marketplace, I think its the model before the most latest one that is coming out. I've mainly just been riding the light trails around my apartment here in ATX. Still too nervous to ride on roads. 100% agree on not getting the most expensive bike in order to get other bikes for different things.
Also learning you can make any entry level bike look nice by upgrading parts. Any advice on where to start?
Also learning you can make any entry level bike look nice by upgrading parts. Any advice on where to start?
For now you could just ride it and have fun while learning and building a base. If you stick with it you might decide you want a road bike or gravel bike or mtb.
Likes For big john:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 519
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 259 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 379 Times
in
198 Posts
You have a bike (good for you!), so ride that. After a few months, or a year or so, you'll have a better idea of what you really would like to ride. When I started riding six years ago, I bought something that looked good at a LBS, and it was a good bike, but over time I realized I wanted something different. I now have a couple of bikes that I really like, but my "starter bike" was a good investment in that it enabled me to understand more what I want in a bike. So enjoy your Trek and don't be surprised if you want something different after riding for a while.
Likes For Random11:
#18
Newbie
Thread Starter
Likes For 956user:
#19
Newbie
Thread Starter
If everyone read and searched for the answers, there'd be no reason for BF to exist. This is a social site for people interested in cycling to engage in conversation. Shouldn't matter if the answer can be found elsewhere by other methods or even if it's already been covered by conversations on BF.
#20
The Huffmeister
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,773
Bikes: '79 Trek 938, '86 Jim Merz Allez SE, '90 Miyata 1000, '68 PX-10, '80 PXN-10, '73 Super Course, '87 Guerciotti, '83 Trek 600, '80 Huffy Le Grande
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1247 Post(s)
Liked 3,603 Times
in
1,433 Posts
I see see what you did there and sadly it is true, I would call the Giants a Huffy, but I wouldn't want to offend @AdventureManCO maybe they are a Huffente, since they do have some good parts
OUCH. Just kidding
I don't know what being offended means. Which is why I can start Huffy threads. It's like a super power!
956user welcome! Have lots of fun w/ your new bike and ride it every chance you get!
__________________
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
Likes For AdventureManCO:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Great White North
Posts: 926
Bikes: I have a few
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 340 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
104 Posts
I don't think this analogy would be helpful as teams get better or worse depending on the time of day LOL. Most brands (excluding box store bikes) will have a low end through high end versions of their bicycles with minor differences between them. The Dual Sport you mentioned will give you lots of enjoyable riding and years of service as long as maintenance is kept up and the bike is not abused. I would suggest learning to do repairs and such yourself and investing in some tools to do so. Also, be prepared for the grumps on this site which like to police posts. I am opinionated as the next guy when it comes to some of my classic bikes and their parts but I also remember what it was like learning BEFORE the internet. Ask questions, it will save expensive mistakes.
Likes For daviddavieboy:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: GMT-5
Posts: 964
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 563 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
278 Posts
D2C manufacturers really should just talk about their bikes in 30 seconds on tiktok and let people swipe.
Because doing actual legwork with google and bf and having to actually read, is just way too exhausting.
Because doing actual legwork with google and bf and having to actually read, is just way too exhausting.
#23
Newbie
Thread Starter
I don't think this analogy would be helpful as teams get better or worse depending on the time of day LOL. Most brands (excluding box store bikes) will have a low end through high end versions of their bicycles with minor differences between them. The Dual Sport you mentioned will give you lots of enjoyable riding and years of service as long as maintenance is kept up and the bike is not abused. I would suggest learning to do repairs and such yourself and investing in some tools to do so. Also, be prepared for the grumps on this site which like to police posts. I am opinionated as the next guy when it comes to some of my classic bikes and their parts but I also remember what it was like learning BEFORE the internet. Ask questions, it will save expensive mistakes.
#24
Newbie
Thread Starter
You have a bike (good for you!), so ride that. After a few months, or a year or so, you'll have a better idea of what you really would like to ride. When I started riding six years ago, I bought something that looked good at a LBS, and it was a good bike, but over time I realized I wanted something different. I now have a couple of bikes that I really like, but my "starter bike" was a good investment in that it enabled me to understand more what I want in a bike. So enjoy your Trek and don't be surprised if you want something different after riding for a while.
#25
Newbie
Thread Starter
As others have said above this site is a great place for info. One pro tip is to use google for your searches but include bikeforums.net.
Try google searching "Trek dual sport bikeforums.net" or pick a part you want to replace "what is your favorite Saddle? bikeforums.net" this will bring you to lots of threads with great info. Another great place to start is threads like "Show us your vintage mountain bikes" which has hundreds of pages of bikes people are showing off, many of which have been upgraded or customized. Take some time and explore. Welcome to the forum
Try google searching "Trek dual sport bikeforums.net" or pick a part you want to replace "what is your favorite Saddle? bikeforums.net" this will bring you to lots of threads with great info. Another great place to start is threads like "Show us your vintage mountain bikes" which has hundreds of pages of bikes people are showing off, many of which have been upgraded or customized. Take some time and explore. Welcome to the forum