Author Topic: Yet Another Bike Question  (Read 6990 times)

freeedom

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Yet Another Bike Question
« on: November 19, 2013, 09:16:57 PM »
Hey All -

First post... I need a bike for roaming around town, and increasing my Mustachianism in general. I wont be using it to commute to work, since I live 22 miles away (2 work from home days per week). But I do want something to get around town on, buy groceries, etc.

What's your take on this bike? Is it too expensive?
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_564135_-1___202339#ReviewHeader

Russ

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2013, 09:27:21 PM »
It'll get you where you need to go, but you can get a *much* nicer bike for the same price or less by buying used on craigslist.

capital

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2013, 12:10:52 AM »
A skinny-tired road bike isn't optimal for getting around town or buying groceries-- it doesn't have rack mounts to carry a load, and the low handlebar position is awkward while carrying a load. The skinny tires mean making a big effort to dodge potholes, and the tight tire clearances preclude fenders, which make riding in rainy weather a lot more pleasant.

This bike is similarly priced and equipped, but has rack mounts, fatter tires, and room for fenders:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_cx.htm

gooki

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2013, 12:41:47 AM »
I'd look at something like this. If you are looking to buy new without spending a lot.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_536788_-1___202618
« Last Edit: November 20, 2013, 12:52:42 AM by gooki »

Left

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2013, 02:07:36 AM »
sorry to hijack thread, but what exactly are "skinny" tires? The bike I bought a two months ago (liking it so far) has 27" x 1 1/4" tires. I always thought those are skinny compared to my old mountain bike. I read online that the width of them are comparable to 700cc x 32 tires. Which means they aren't skinny?

But that said, if the 700 x 32 are comparable to my 27 inch tires, go for a bike with 700x32, they feel really nice :D or an older bike in good condition. I'm not entirely sure if you want to spend the money to upgrade/update the parts.

While frame technology has improved... I don't know how much difference it makes for a town bike. After loading up the rider + bags for purchases, the bike's weight is already more than the difference of the newer frame. And I don't know, I like having a steel frame bike, I feel like it'll reliably take a fall and keep rolling even if dented.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2013, 02:15:08 AM by eyem »

gooki

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2013, 03:45:10 AM »
I find 700 x 32 tyres great for commuting on. Thin enough that they're fast, fat enough that the soften the bumps.

700 x 23 is what I'd call skinny. Just makes for a stiff/bumpy ride.

GuitarStv

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2013, 07:25:08 AM »
I like 700x32 as well.  They seem like a pretty good balance of shock absorbing and light/fast.


To the OP, that bike should work fine for getting groceries and the like if you find a trailer to attach to it.  I prefer using panniers for running errands though because they snap on/off the racks in seconds and you can grab as many as you need for the task you're doing.  With a trailer it's all or nothing.

Using a backpack with drop handlebars also sucks btw . . . the whole weight of the backpack skooshes your hands/wrists as you're cycling.

I have one of these bikes from Nashbar:  http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_522412_-1___ and it has been pretty good.  Lots of points to attach a front/rear rack, study frame, slightly bigger (comfier) tires, etc.  They go on sale for cheap a couple times a year if you keep watching for them.


I second the idea of looking for a bike used if you can though.  It can be slower and more frustrating, but it'll be a lot cheaper in the end.

freeedom

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2013, 04:57:12 PM »
I like 700x32 as well.  They seem like a pretty good balance of shock absorbing and light/fast.


To the OP, that bike should work fine for getting groceries and the like if you find a trailer to attach to it.  I prefer using panniers for running errands though because they snap on/off the racks in seconds and you can grab as many as you need for the task you're doing.  With a trailer it's all or nothing.

Using a backpack with drop handlebars also sucks btw . . . the whole weight of the backpack skooshes your hands/wrists as you're cycling.

I have one of these bikes from Nashbar:  http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_522412_-1___ and it has been pretty good.  Lots of points to attach a front/rear rack, study frame, slightly bigger (comfier) tires, etc.  They go on sale for cheap a couple times a year if you keep watching for them.


I second the idea of looking for a bike used if you can though.  It can be slower and more frustrating, but it'll be a lot cheaper in the end.

I didn't consider that the drop handlebars would be a pain for carting stuff around town - good point. Thank you. I've tried watching craigslist but there's nothing good in my area (Southern New Jersey).

the fixer

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2013, 05:27:51 PM »
There are some in your area that look like good buys. I don't know your size so I just picked everything that stood out to me. If I lived where you are I'd be seriously tempted to buy some of these myself as project bikes.

These would take a bit of work but you'll learn a lot:
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4184843288.html
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4086310691.html

These are in good shape and would probably work with no modifications:
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4096520581.html (BIKE PORN!)
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4197325344.html
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4086691579.html

Russ

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2013, 06:12:55 PM »
I didn't consider that the drop handlebars would be a pain for carting stuff around town - good point. Thank you. I've tried watching craigslist but there's nothing good in my area (Southern New Jersey).

I think he means the backpack sucks, not the handlebars

freeedom

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2013, 08:47:08 PM »
There are some in your area that look like good buys. I don't know your size so I just picked everything that stood out to me. If I lived where you are I'd be seriously tempted to buy some of these myself as project bikes.

These would take a bit of work but you'll learn a lot:
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4184843288.html
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4086310691.html

These are in good shape and would probably work with no modifications:
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4096520581.html (BIKE PORN!)
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4197325344.html
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4086691579.html

Well the project bikes look like too big of a project, and the only bike there I think would be okay is $300... At that price why not just spend the extra hundred and get something brand new?

Like this one that was recommended earlier:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_cx.htm

Thank you for taking to the time to look those up tho. Appreciate it.

the fixer

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2013, 09:07:04 PM »
The Sora component line from Shimano is garbage, I wouldn't recommend that bike. In a nutshell, the Shimano lines for road are: Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace. Tiagra is the lowest a regular rider should go. There are different brands for their mountain and hybrid components, BTW, the ones to avoid there are Tourney and Altus.

The Trek 7300 FX is a MUCH better bike, I'm quite familiar with them. The seller is definitely inexperienced at selling bikes based on the photo angles he chose, so it's very likely this is underpriced. From what I can tell from the photos it's in great shape, all components look extremely clean and in good condition (from what little I can tell with the crappy angles).

I don't know much about the Specialized but it's probably decent.

The first listing is total bike porn: that's the bike equivalent of a 1960s Mustang. Lugged frame is classic, they don't make 'em like that anymore, and it looks like it's in excellent condition. If you were trying to commute 10 miles I wouldn't recommend it because the components are dated, but it could be upgraded with newer style components and it would be one sweet bike worth $500-600. If you took that bike into a shop the mechanics would be drooling.

The only possible downside to the Motobecane is that it uses caliper brakes, which may not be compatible with fatter tires. The way you tell is by actually opening up the brakes and noticing how far apart they separate. If they don't open enough, you wouldn't be able to stick a wheel through them if the tire were too fat. But I don't think this should stop you from at least looking at the bike. The seller looks like he's pretty experienced at selling, judging from the photos and description, so he/she should be able to tell you (it's even possible to demonstrate if it will work if the seller has a x32 or x35 tire lying around).

capital

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2013, 11:16:56 PM »
The Sora component line from Shimano is garbage, I wouldn't recommend that bike. In a nutshell, the Shimano lines for road are: Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace. Tiagra is the lowest a regular rider should go. There are different brands for their mountain and hybrid components, BTW, the ones to avoid there are Tourney and Altus.
What's wrong with Sora? I think the FD on the bike I rode across the country on is Sora, and that's still going strong.

gooki

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2013, 12:35:36 AM »
That trek looks nice.

Left

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2013, 05:05:21 AM »
What's wrong with Sora? I think the FD on the bike I rode across the country on is Sora, and that's still going strong.
I also wanted to know, and found this on another site.

Quote
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t/29264/seeking-shimano-hierarchy-list
For ROAD

Shimano
Sora entry-level; double or triple w/8 cogs some steel; shifts and brakes great
Tiagra enthusiast-level; double or triple w/9 cogs less steel; more interchangeability
105 serious-level; double or triple w/9 cogs great price; hollow crankarms
Ultegra 600 race-level; double or triple w/9 cogs almost D-A quality; hollow arms
Dura-Ace pro-level; double or triple w/9 cogs Lance's group; superlight
To me it seems like they are ranking them sololy on the basis for being best for speed... less steel = less weight, more cogs = better gear ratio...

Nothing in the description makes me think the "low" end parts don't last, I mean steel lasts a long long time. Do I care about gaining speed? Not really, I'm not a bicycle racer... Would it help me get there a bit faster? Sure, but getting in shape would help me even more...
« Last Edit: November 22, 2013, 05:33:42 AM by eyem »

Bbqmustache

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #15 on: November 22, 2013, 06:01:44 AM »
Is this one a good one, and priced correctly for the beginning of my mustache story?

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/4179160934.html

GuitarStv

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Re: Yet Another Bike Question
« Reply #16 on: November 22, 2013, 07:06:52 AM »
I didn't consider that the drop handlebars would be a pain for carting stuff around town - good point. Thank you. I've tried watching craigslist but there's nothing good in my area (Southern New Jersey).

I think he means the backpack sucks, not the handlebars

YES!  I mean that the backpack puts weight on your wrists . . . drop handlebars rock.  I find them much more comfortable than flat bars, and you're more aerodynamic when there's strong wind which makes a big difference.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!