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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: osmviv on January 07, 2014, 12:47:46 PM

Title: Bike Recommendation
Post by: osmviv on January 07, 2014, 12:47:46 PM
HI, all bike experts!

I am the proud owner of a coupon for a new bike, from the "Clear the Air" program in Canada because I scrapped my 1998 Honda Civic through that program.  I only have until February to use the coupon so I'm asking for some advice about the kind of bike to buy.  I already have a Specialized hybrid bike that has served me well for about 12 years now.  I would like to get a bike that would be sturdy and ridable through snow and ice and wouldn't cost me a fortune. The coupon is worth 350-450$ depending on the price of the bike. I can top that up a bit but not too much, preferably.  Any ideas?
Title: Re: Bike Recommendation
Post by: Spudd on January 07, 2014, 01:04:21 PM
Can the coupon be spent on tires? If so, you could get snow tires for your existing bike. They run about $100 per tire.

If not, I guess I'd go for a mountain bike - something like this:
http://www.sportchek.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=17415596&cp=3733354.3767828.3767829.3758104
Title: Re: Bike Recommendation
Post by: osmviv on January 07, 2014, 07:07:06 PM
Thank you!  The tires are a good idea.  I will ask at the store when I go.  I will also see if they have something like that bike.  Not too expensive. 
Title: Re: Bike Recommendation
Post by: capital on January 07, 2014, 08:29:08 PM
Where can you use the coupon?

A hybrid is often the basis pretty sturdy and reliable commuter. If you don't already have fenders, good lights, a rack, and a decent pannier or basket (grocery panniers are often a good option), those are essential purchases for all-weather utility riding. If you plan on regularly riding through snow and ice, studded tires can be worthwhile. Note that fenders can pack up with snow and slush if there's a lot of snow on the road, so if you have a ton of snow for a lot of the year where you live, it could be worth buying a cheap old mountain bike as a snow bike, and putting MTB fenders on it:
(http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6646/img2175small.jpg)
Versus traditional full fenders for rainy season:
(http://www.bz2-img.com/images_customers/00/18/23513093_169143_full.jpg)
Title: Re: Bike Recommendation
Post by: GuitarStv on January 08, 2014, 05:47:28 AM
I really prefer using my hybrid in the winter over a mountain bike, but that's because the roads are typically cleared pretty quickly in Toronto (this winter from hell notwithstanding).  Mountain bikes often come with front suspensions (completely useless for commuting and just add extra weight) and big knobby tires (take 10x the amount of effort to get where you're going compared to normal bike tires).  Disk brakes are really nice to have in the winter though, as rim brakes just don't work that well in ice, snow, and slush.  Make sure the bike you end up with has mounting points for a rack!
Title: Re: Bike Recommendation
Post by: YK-Phil on January 10, 2014, 10:44:08 AM
I could write a long post about bikes in general and winter cycling in particular, as I've been biking all winter in Yellowknife....but...seriously, you scrapped an almost new Honda Civic?
Title: Re: Bike Recommendation
Post by: This_Is_My_Username on January 10, 2014, 05:05:13 PM
but the honda civic was 15 years old?