What kind of bike?
10-20-19, 01:28 AM
#1
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What kind of bike?
I'm thinking to buy a bike . Ride in town and sometimes roadtrips for a few miles. Roads are with concrete here. Bumpy roads.
What kind of bike should I go for?
Full-suspension? Road bike? Mountain bike? 700cc?
What kind of bike should I go for?
Full-suspension? Road bike? Mountain bike? 700cc?
10-20-19, 08:36 AM
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Hi. I guess, I could be the first to try to help.
So, there aren't also any dirt/rocky roads in your area that you plan on travelling on, for road trips, correct?
What do you mean by "bumpy" roads: roads with potholes and deep cracks, or just an older road that is paved, but isn't smooth tarmac, and is a little bumpy?
How fast you would like to go (e.g. 3 speed, 21 speed) and if you're able to, unless your area is crowded with traffic) and your available budget might also be something for you to think about, too.
If it helps, I grew up using a mountain bike (without suspension) on the paved roads in my neighborhood; to and from school; and occasionally, on park trails, and didn't have any flats.
Now, I use a hybrid that has partial suspension, in rural areas and in the suburbs (on old roads with potholes and cracks, and a few dirt/rocky roads).
For the most part, I guess the suspension works and my ride, mostly, feels smooth, but there are still times that I notice my ride is a little bumpier from the old, paved roads (and, of course, the dirt roads with rocks are a lot bumpier for me, than on the road).
So, there aren't also any dirt/rocky roads in your area that you plan on travelling on, for road trips, correct?
What do you mean by "bumpy" roads: roads with potholes and deep cracks, or just an older road that is paved, but isn't smooth tarmac, and is a little bumpy?
How fast you would like to go (e.g. 3 speed, 21 speed) and if you're able to, unless your area is crowded with traffic) and your available budget might also be something for you to think about, too.
If it helps, I grew up using a mountain bike (without suspension) on the paved roads in my neighborhood; to and from school; and occasionally, on park trails, and didn't have any flats.
Now, I use a hybrid that has partial suspension, in rural areas and in the suburbs (on old roads with potholes and cracks, and a few dirt/rocky roads).
For the most part, I guess the suspension works and my ride, mostly, feels smooth, but there are still times that I notice my ride is a little bumpier from the old, paved roads (and, of course, the dirt roads with rocks are a lot bumpier for me, than on the road).
Last edited by anon06; 10-20-19 at 09:13 AM.
10-20-19, 09:37 AM
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1st step- aay if you want flat bars or drop bars. Different riding fit/feel/setup and it's pointless for others to suggest bikes that you dont even want.
Next, list a budget. Again, it's pointless for people to suggest bikes you cant afford or bikes that are too cheap.
I'll go out on a limb and guess in general you will want a flat bar hybrid.
Next, list a budget. Again, it's pointless for people to suggest bikes you cant afford or bikes that are too cheap.
I'll go out on a limb and guess in general you will want a flat bar hybrid.
10-21-19, 04:27 AM
#4
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First question is your budget. If you are under $500 (and looking at new bikes), I'd say look at and ride a few flat bar hybrid bikes, probably what you meant by 700cc bikes. If you end up riding a lot and want to go faster, or you try a few off road trails and really like them, then you can always move up to something more specific and expensive.
Another budget issue: try out some bikes from a decent local bike shop and buy from a local bike shop. There are usually good sales after Christmas or even before Christmas. There are cheaper bikes available from big box stores and often some decent ones - but there are many that are poorly assembled, you can't test ride them and when they get out of whack quickly they aren't going to help you out.
I think you are in Minnesota - your area has a useful site Havefunbiking.com - you can find local biking clubs and bike shops. If there is a club near you, ask some of the members where a good local bike shop is - best starting point.
Another budget issue: try out some bikes from a decent local bike shop and buy from a local bike shop. There are usually good sales after Christmas or even before Christmas. There are cheaper bikes available from big box stores and often some decent ones - but there are many that are poorly assembled, you can't test ride them and when they get out of whack quickly they aren't going to help you out.
I think you are in Minnesota - your area has a useful site Havefunbiking.com - you can find local biking clubs and bike shops. If there is a club near you, ask some of the members where a good local bike shop is - best starting point.
10-21-19, 04:38 AM
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Thank you all. That's very helpful to me. I'll try to contact with local groups . My budget is quite low up to $200. Seems I might need to go for the used bike. From reading all of your suggestion, I think I probably should start with a flat bke or a mountain bike with little suspension. As I'm a beginner, I will start with that and once I get used to that I'll consider other options. I'm only thinking to ride bike for ridding in town at the moment.
10-21-19, 05:36 AM
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A used bike will give you a lot more value. Honestly for $200 not even use you can buy a new "toy store" bike.
Forget anything with a suspension, first off int hat price range they will be garbage. Secondly for road riding they waste more energy going up/down and not forward.
Forget anything with a suspension, first off int hat price range they will be garbage. Secondly for road riding they waste more energy going up/down and not forward.
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10-21-19, 08:35 AM
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Yeah, avoid suspension. It will be of limited usefulness on roads, and will be a possible point of failure or malfunction and/or will require more maintenance, add weight, make the bike more attractive to thieves, etc. etc. etc.
If the roads are bumpy get fatter tires and lower the pressure in them a bit. A non-suspension bike with wide soft tires will be more beneficial than a cheap suspension system.
If the roads are bumpy get fatter tires and lower the pressure in them a bit. A non-suspension bike with wide soft tires will be more beneficial than a cheap suspension system.
10-21-19, 08:45 AM
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Next questions--what do you mean by a "few miles" and are there significant hills where you ride?
If you're talking fairly level riding for, say, 15 miles or less, you might have some fun with a cruiser with big smooth tires. Having ridden one of those around New Orleans for a few months, I can tell you that it's great for non-hilly but bumpy roads. And if you're going to ride it in the winter, just put tires with good treads on and you're good to go.
If you're talking fairly level riding for, say, 15 miles or less, you might have some fun with a cruiser with big smooth tires. Having ridden one of those around New Orleans for a few months, I can tell you that it's great for non-hilly but bumpy roads. And if you're going to ride it in the winter, just put tires with good treads on and you're good to go.
