Author Topic: Should I get a second bike?  (Read 2782 times)

PoutineLover

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Should I get a second bike?
« on: August 24, 2017, 08:16:50 AM »
So my mom is getting rid of her road bike, and I was thinking I might like to have it. Currently I drive a 2001 Trek mountain bike that is pretty heavy and relatively slow. Once a week I have a 50km round trip and every day I ride at least 6km, usually more. It would be nice to have a lighter, faster bike. Usually in the winter I take public transit, but I was thinking I could outfit my mountain bike for winter riding, and use the road bike as my commuter bike in good weather. The bike is from the 80's I think, it's a Georgena Terry, but has always been stored indoors and I'm pretty sure it's still in great condition. The only cost would be to ship it (and I suppose the opportunity cost of the money my mom could make selling it). I have a smallish apartment, but I think I could fit it indoors.
Should I do it? Does my winter/summer bike idea make sense? Is there anything else I should consider here? Any downsides to having an older bike?

kendallf

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2017, 08:35:48 AM »
Is it sized appropriately for you?  Will you ride it regularly?  Can you maintain and store it?  If the answers to those questions are yes, I'd get it.  (Disclosure: I am of the N+1 bikes persuasion, where the number of bikes to have is N+1, N being your current number of bikes.)

Note that this was a woman's specific design, and has a 650c front wheel with a 700c rear wheel.  The 650c tires and rims are getting harder to find, but there are still parts out there.  If you commute on it regularly, you should carry a spare tube for both wheel sizes.  The road bike will certainly be a better choice for a 50km ride, and should speed you up considerably.

Here in FL I don't have the "winter bike" problem, but it makes sense to me.  Maybe put studded tires on it, or just keep the knobbies, depending on your road conditions and use.

PoutineLover

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2017, 08:41:54 AM »
Is it sized appropriately for you?  I think so, I'm 2 inches taller than her, but I have ridden this bike before and I remember it being comfortable.
Will you ride it regularly?  I'd probably use it for all my summer riding instead of the mountain bike
Can you maintain and store it?  I go to a bike co-op to work on mine, could bring this one there too, as long as I can get parts. Would probably install 2 hooks inside to store the bikes, there's a spot I think works.
If the answers to those questions are yes, I'd get it.  (Disclosure: I am of the N+1 bikes persuasion, where the number of bikes to have is N+1, N being your current number of bikes.)

Note that this was a woman's specific design, and has a 650c front wheel with a 700c rear wheel.  The 650c tires and rims are getting harder to find, but there are still parts out there.  If you commute on it regularly, you should carry a spare tube for both wheel sizes.  The road bike will certainly be a better choice for a 50km ride, and should speed you up considerably.

Here in FL I don't have the "winter bike" problem, but it makes sense to me.  Maybe put studded tires on it, or just keep the knobbies, depending on your road conditions and use.


Laserjet3051

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2017, 09:24:28 AM »
I bought my daughter a used steel framed Terry bike from the 1980s off Craigslist. It is a VERY good bike, solid all around. If cared for (or fixed up), it could be a very reliable commuter bike for you. Make sure the fit/geometry is correct for your physique.

frugaliknowit

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2017, 09:53:57 AM »
Having been a cyclist for many years and a hard core commuter cyclist for 2 years, my attitudes have changed as follows:

1.  I WILL NOT buy any bike I have not test ridden.  The wrong fit is just too costly, time consuming and painful.

2.  Whether it's free, $200, or $500 is much less important than whether it fits and performs well and doesn't need a bunch of expensive new parts and $60 per hour labor.

Have you ever ridden this bike before?  How much is shipping?  Personally, If I didn't have a bike room, I would not have multiple bikes.  Maybe you should sell your mountain bike and get a hybrid that you have test ridden?

GuitarStv

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2017, 09:56:49 AM »
I have a winter bike and a summer bike.  I wouldn't ride my summer bike in the winter due to the amount of damage it picks up from salt and slush on the roads.  As long as the bike fits you OK, I'd pick it up.  Worst case scenario you try it, decide you hate it, and then sell it locally.



Is it sized appropriately for you?  Will you ride it regularly?  Can you maintain and store it?  If the answers to those questions are yes, I'd get it.  (Disclosure: I am of the N+1 bikes persuasion, where the number of bikes to have is N+1, N being your current number of bikes.)

Note that this was a woman's specific design, and has a 650c front wheel with a 700c rear wheel.  The 650c tires and rims are getting harder to find, but there are still parts out there.  If you commute on it regularly, you should carry a spare tube for both wheel sizes.  The road bike will certainly be a better choice for a 50km ride, and should speed you up considerably.

Here in FL I don't have the "winter bike" problem, but it makes sense to me.  Maybe put studded tires on it, or just keep the knobbies, depending on your road conditions and use.

Is there any real disadvantage to using a 700c tube in a 650B tire?  I've done that with no problems before.

PoutineLover

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2017, 10:01:03 AM »
Having been a cyclist for many years and a hard core commuter cyclist for 2 years, my attitudes have changed as follows:

1.  I WILL NOT buy any bike I have not test ridden.  The wrong fit is just too costly, time consuming and painful.
I have ridden it a couple times, I remember it being comfortable but it's been a while

2.  Whether it's free, $200, or $500 is much less important than whether it fits and performs well and doesn't need a bunch of expensive new parts and $60 per hour labor.
I don't think it needs any repairs to be rideable, and I do use a bike co-op to do my own repairs but I'm not sure whether replacement parts would be hard to get

Have you ever ridden this bike before?  How much is shipping?  I need to look into this
Personally, If I didn't have a bike room, I would not have multiple bikes.  I have an open closet space where I think I have room to hang 2 bikes, I'll measure first though
Maybe you should sell your mountain bike and get a hybrid that you have test ridden? I've also been considering this, but then this opportunity came up so I was thinking it might be a good option

PoutineLover

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2017, 10:03:31 AM »
I have a winter bike and a summer bike.  I wouldn't ride my summer bike in the winter due to the amount of damage it picks up from salt and slush on the roads.  Yeah, this is why I haven't ridden my current bike in winter yet, plus I think I'd want studded tires (Montreal winters are rough)
As long as the bike fits you OK, I'd pick it up.  Worst case scenario you try it, decide you hate it, and then sell it locally.
True, I might even find it easier to sell here since way more people bike than in my mom's city


Is it sized appropriately for you?  Will you ride it regularly?  Can you maintain and store it?  If the answers to those questions are yes, I'd get it.  (Disclosure: I am of the N+1 bikes persuasion, where the number of bikes to have is N+1, N being your current number of bikes.)

Note that this was a woman's specific design, and has a 650c front wheel with a 700c rear wheel.  The 650c tires and rims are getting harder to find, but there are still parts out there.  If you commute on it regularly, you should carry a spare tube for both wheel sizes.  The road bike will certainly be a better choice for a 50km ride, and should speed you up considerably.

Here in FL I don't have the "winter bike" problem, but it makes sense to me.  Maybe put studded tires on it, or just keep the knobbies, depending on your road conditions and use.

Is there any real disadvantage to using a 700c tube in a 650B tire?  I've done that with no problems before.

kendallf

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2017, 12:05:00 PM »
Is there any real disadvantage to using a 700c tube in a 650B tire?  I've done that with no problems before.

That Terry likely has a 650c front wheel, which differs from the now revived 650B.  The 650B has an ISO diameter of 584 and most 650B tires are relatively wide, so a 700c tube will scrunch up in there reasonably well.  The 650c wheel has an ISO diameter of 571, usually skinny tires (23 and 25 are common) and you'd have to literally fold a 700 tube to use it.  I have done that once to get home but it's not going to work well.



Frick42

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Re: Should I get a second bike?
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2017, 05:44:19 PM »
Yes. The answer to "should I buy another bike" is always yes.

 

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