cnnx

So I've been here for about a week and a halfl I think and wanted some opinions on my 4-5 year old bike that I'm getting ready for the spring/summer season, I havent used it in a long time since I Had an electric bike but I sold the electric bike so I can exercise more.
Tell me what you think please, I know its not a specialized brand bike, its a Louis Garneau that I bought from a local bike shop here in Canada.

cb400bill

Thread moved from Introductions forum to General Cycling Discussion forum.

Moe Zhoost

Your bike has everything it needs to propel you into the world outside. You just need to go through that door.

Stormsedge

Yup, looks like you are ready to go. Two things to consider, however, on hotter days I go through more than one water bottle in ~20 miles -and- the photo perspective suggests to me that your seat may be a little low (BUT I have no idea how tall you are ...so, an unsubstantiated opinion).

Paul Barnard

Why do you want opinions on your bike? Our opinions on your bike make no difference whatsoever.

cnnx

I lowered it because I thought it was maybe too high? I'm 6'1 tall

Mosyosalyangoz

cables look very complicated. overall great

Retro Grouch 

It's all about the fun factor.
There was a time in my life when my fun factor kicked in at around $100.00. Today it takes a lot more than that for me to have the same amount of fun. Your mileage may vary.

Oldsledz

The seat dose look too low for someone 6 1 but hard to tell without seeing you on it. If your rides are all short it don't matter so much, but makes a lot of difference on long ride or if you want top speed. Do some reading in the fitting your bike part of this site.

02Giant 

There is the potential of it being too "low" for your height and causing health issues which then, can turn to you not riding. Get a side pic or two of you on the bike and post them here for opinions of your fit.

freeranger

Opinions are like, well, you know. If you like it, it fits your riding style, gets you from point A to B, you enjoy riding it, and doesn't break down, it's a winner.

hillyman

Needs an overly expensive part you can brag on. I suggest a Spurcycle bell.

Wileyrat

It looks likes a bike, ride it and be happy.

Fwiw, whichever bike I take out to ride is awesome, whether other people think so or not.

cnnx

I dont know how to change a flat tire on the spot, what happens if I get a flat tire? should I pay for that CAA (canadian automobile insruance) ? they have a bike pickup service in a radius depending on your membership level to take you and your bike back home

VegasTriker

It looks like the Canada based Louis Garneau company is more into clothing and gear than bikes. Only kids bikes seem to show up when I looked up current men's mountain bikes at their site but no bikes shown have that wide saddle you are using. It might be counter-intuitive but wide saddles are NOT more comfortable for longer rides because they tend to chafe your thighs.

There are many YouTube videos on how to change a flat tire so you can learn. It will not do much good though unless you carry some sort of pump and spare tube or patch kit. You can get a mini-pump for under US$10 that will work just fine and a spare tube for a couple of dollars. It might save a walk home pushing the bike.

cnnx

do you suggest I sell it and buy something else? if yes what brand? model?

VegasTriker

If the bike is in good shape and does not weigh a metric ton, stick with it until you find it does not work for you for the rides you are capable of doing.

cnnx

its made of aluminium so its not that heavy

alcjphil

Garneau offers a full line of all sorts of bikes, including high quality road bikes. They have sponsored race teams
​​​​​​https://garneau.com/ca_en/bikes/road/performance
They don't offer much in the way of mountain bikes, but they have many hybrid models
I imagine that the saddle wasn't original equipment

cnnx

I'm thinking of attempting a 18KM ride from my apartment to my parents house today, its sunny and -8C, do you think I can do this?

alcjphil

Learning to repair a flat tire on the road is a confidence builder. I taught a friend of mine in about 15 minutes. A couple of days later she was out on a ride with some female friends and she was the only one in the group who knew how to fix a flat. She felt like a rock star that day

cnnx

I called and asked my father if it was too cold to go and he said he could come pick me up with his truck for today cause I start my 1 week vacation i didnt wanna be alone

cnnx

whats a tubeless bike? no air? you cant get a flat?

FBOATSB

My favorite bike weighs upwards of 18 kilograms & I can ride it for hours on end. The key is comfort. How long do you expect your average bike ride to be?

Maelochs

You should go to YouTube, watch a couple videos, buy the tools, a mini-pump, a patch kit, and a couple tubes (max $50 and less if you look hard) and practice at home.

Tying shoelaces is a lot more complicated, and I am not joking there. If you can ride a bike, you can change a tube (and be sure to check the tire for whatever punctured the tube to begin with.) The last thing you need to do (IMO) is pay a lot of money to stand on the side of the road waiting for someone to pick you up and take you home, .... and then you still have to take the bike to the shop to get the tube changed.

Changing a tube takes five-ten minutes without hurrying .... depending on the roadside terrain, and front or rear wheel. That is Totally not hurrying at all. And once you finish, you are back on the road with a big smile on your face.

When you get home, you can patch the tube and use it over and over. I have plenty of tubes with six or eight patches that have been in service for several years ....I carry two with me all the time.

Life is too short and money to dear to spend it on not having fun.