PNWgarageDad

I'm glad to be here and over the next few weeks, I'll digest as much knowledge as I can from this forum. I'm hoping to buy a new bike in the next few weeks.

M Rose

Welcome from another Pacific Northwestern.

Wildwood 

What kinda bike are you looking for?

PNWgarageDad

Thanks for asking! I'm looking at gravel bikes (Trek, Giant, Speaicalized, and Cannondale, thus far) . After all the research, It's just so overwhelming. I have an old Speaicalized Hardrock that I ride 5 days a week on a route that's on pavement & Trails.
When I'm comparing bikes should I focus on components? My budget will only allow an aluminum frame at this time. I already have a garage full of tools and I'm fine buying any tools specific needed to maintain my bike.

Wildwood 

Ask in one of the Forums, of course.
My 2 cents.

The aluminum frame is all you need on a bike with bigger tires. Tires change the feel of the ride the most.

If you are in a flat area or lightly hilly area and almost never ride in rain or wet or mud, your bike needs may differ from someone who often rides tough stuff in multiple environments (such as year round). The amount of miles and how hard you push your bike influence choices.

So - as always - the answer to the question, Which bike is best? = It Depends!

Totally agree that the choices are withering and decisions seem to mandate concessions for the budget minded. Having cycled for 35 years continuously as an adult from a converted 'jogger'. -- I know nothing much about thru axles, clutched derailleurs, disc brake standards, trending BB technologies, 1X system gearing (that $500 rear cassette has How many Teeth?) or which electronic shifting system works best in the rain. Heck, everybody is confused about tire size names.

Proceed with common sense. Proprietary systems = something I avoid. [ This feature is really differentiating.... and only _______ (Trek or Spesh, or Cannon) can offer you this feature!!! = No, thank you.]

edit : i refuse to believe in suspension headsets or stems.

Nubie

Welcome neighbor! I live in Kirkland, just south of you.

ganthercage

welcome welcome

RedConveyor

My son's in Bothell, and I'm near there.

Wildwood makes a lot of good points. I'm mostly a road rider, with some light trails, and I ride year-round. Comfort is important (bad joints) but I don't like the weight or maintenance of suspensions. So tire size is a big deal for me - larger tires have more cushion, and in my experience they get a LOT fewer flats as well. And (depending on tread) they can do a lot better in the rain. But of course they also weigh more, and when inflated less for comfort, aren't as efficient. Trade-offs...

PNWgarageDad

Thanks ! Nubie ganthercage Wildwood

RedConveyor , I'm so new to all of this it's sometimes hard to follow, heck, I'm lost on all the acronyms they use in here. I do know this one LBS and planning on purchasing my bike from one.

I feel like I just will have to pick a bike. Even if I tested a few bikes, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know the difference. I think back 20 yrs ago when I got my first ski boat and starting wakeboarding, the shop let me demo 3 boards. I was doing good just to keep the boards above the water.

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm hoping I can get a bike that I love and not just settle for one.

nimoWS

Welcome, from one PNW resident to another!