Anyone know anything about bikes? [bicycles not motor]

[AkaruiRain]

Just looking for a hint in the right direction when I start my search for a decent mountain bike. I'm also looking to get solid rubber tires for said bike.. So they don't go flat out where I live. I plan on using it to ride the 2-miles from my house to my bus stop, and then back. From the highway, the road goes up a hill, then is flat for a stretch before a very sharp downhill. I plan on walking the bike down that steep part, but the rest I can ride reasonably, despite the rough fist-sized rocks, on the narrow parts where the car tires usually travel.

QUESTION:
​

• Any good sites that I can trust when it comes to what bikes are good and what bikes are crap?
• Or anyone you might be able to direct me to, where I can ask about bikes.

I've pretty much got that everything walmart is a no-go. But when I waltz into that bike shop, I'd love to know something a bit more, rather than possibly be conned into spending hundreds for a lousy bike.
​

Thanks for your time. :]

 

[Synthetix]

I more acquainted with BMX bikes but you can take a look at www.danscomp.com

Friends of mine prefer Kona and Cannonade for mountain biking.

 

[AkaruiRain]

I more acquainted with BMX bikes but you can take a look at www.danscomp.com

Friends of mine prefer Kona and Cannonade for mountain biking.

Hey, thanks for the link!
I'll be sure to check it out :3

 

[gruesomebrat]

If you're going into a decent bike shop, you shouldn't have too much trouble with being sold a lousy bike. In my experience with cycle shops, the staff is usually incredibly helpful and incredibly knowledgeable about their product. If the bike is selling for less than about $500, you'll want to ask why, same as if you were buying a car that seemed way too cheap... there are some good deals that you can get, but for the most part, the cheaper the bike, the lower the quality. Bikes are a purchase where you truly get what you pay for. Keep in mind when budgeting for this that while the purchase can get a little expensive, it's an investment that should last you about 15 years.

Unless you're going to be consistently riding over razor-sharp rocks, you shouldn't need solid rubbers. A good set of knobbys should suit you just fine. Although, with fist-sized rocks, investing in a full-suspension will almost certainly be a must. My best advice would be to go into your local bike shop, find a helpful staff there, and ask him if you could wrack his brain for a few minutes. Describe what your average ride is going to be like, let him know what area of town you're in, and ask his opinion of what the best bike in the shop is for you.

As a general rule, Kona, Giant, and Trek all make really good bikes for the lower price end of the higher quality scale. Kona really starts to get up there a bit (2-4 thousand), but the other two will be in the $500 to $2000 range for a decent ride.

Don't be afraid to ask to take the bike out for a test run in their parking lot; most shops will allow it, and it's really the only way to get a good feel for how the bike will ride under you. Ask, also, about warranties and guarantees. I've only come across a few shops that will not service a bike that was bought at their shop at a reduced rate, and most of them offer at least a year of free regular service (3 month intervals to check tires, lube, etc.).

If you can make it through this summer and fall on a sub-par bike, or if you don't need a bike until next summer, Oct.-Dec. is without doubt the best time to get good deals on your bike, although selection may suffer a bit, as they're trying to get rid of their old stock. If you're going out in the next couple weeks to buy, you will have fantastic selection, but very little in the way of sales.

One last quick question... why do you plan on walking down the steep hill??? That is the absolute best part of riding, and you want to deprive yourself of it?

 

[lucky12]

I've worked in a few bike shops.
Best website: www.pinkbike.com
Review site: www.mtbr.com

Kona's range from 500+ I think, I have one. A dirt jumper. 2 miles everyday might not be so desirable on a dirt jumper, the geometry isn't so comfortable for long range pedaling

If you're locking this bike up.. go used maybe. Pinkbike has a buy/sell section with reasonable prices. If you have problems you could always post a video for me to look at and I'll guide you.

Otherwise.. here, I have some low priced builds. Some with suspension forks, some with alloys. Some with big tires (most) and one skinnier tire set (first one).

http://www.konaworld.com/asphalt_commuter.cfm?content=dew_deluxe#1

Bad colour, I know. But pretty nice.

http://www.konaworld.com/mtb_trail_allmountain_hardtail.cfm?content=kahuna#2

Aggressive tires, maxxis is a my favorite tire brand. A little on the expensive side too, don't leave this hot cake laying around. I chose this one because it had a nicer component selection than it's lesser priced brother. You can always swap stuff out later, it's fairly simple. Patience + online reading + a few allen keys + a philips screw driver and yeehaw.

http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+FUSION.html?BIKE=1004&CATID=1&SCATID=2&Y=2012

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1058658/

A bike in your area for sale. I really like that one since you could knock that price down a bit too.

http://www.cannondale.com/can/2012/bikes/mountain/hardtail/trail-sl/2012-trail-sl-2-20662

Specialized makes some ok stuff too, I just don't like them. Personal preference.. entry level bikes are very similar if you didn't notice, so don't judge so much. Please let me know what you will be buying, I'd like to advise you.

 

[AkaruiRain]

If you're going into a decent bike shop, you shouldn't have too much trouble with being sold a lousy bike. In my experience with cycle shops, the staff is usually incredibly helpful and incredibly knowledgeable about their product. If the bike is selling for less than about $500, you'll want to ask why, same as if you were buying a car that seemed way too cheap... there are some good deals that you can get, but for the most part, the cheaper the bike, the lower the quality. Bikes are a purchase where you truly get what you pay for. Keep in mind when budgeting for this that while the purchase can get a little expensive, it's an investment that should last you about 15 years.

Unless you're going to be consistently riding over razor-sharp rocks, you shouldn't need solid rubbers. A good set of knobbys should suit you just fine. Although, with fist-sized rocks, investing in a full-suspension will almost certainly be a must. My best advice would be to go into your local bike shop, find a helpful staff there, and ask him if you could wrack his brain for a few minutes. Describe what your average ride is going to be like, let him know what area of town you're in, and ask his opinion of what the best bike in the shop is for you.

As a general rule, Kona, Giant, and Trek all make really good bikes for the lower price end of the higher quality scale. Kona really starts to get up there a bit (2-4 thousand), but the other two will be in the $500 to $2000 range for a decent ride.

Don't be afraid to ask to take the bike out for a test run in their parking lot; most shops will allow it, and it's really the only way to get a good feel for how the bike will ride under you. Ask, also, about warranties and guarantees. I've only come across a few shops that will not service a bike that was bought at their shop at a reduced rate, and most of them offer at least a year of free regular service (3 month intervals to check tires, lube, etc.).

If you can make it through this summer and fall on a sub-par bike, or if you don't need a bike until next summer, Oct.-Dec. is without doubt the best time to get good deals on your bike, although selection may suffer a bit, as they're trying to get rid of their old stock. If you're going out in the next couple weeks to buy, you will have fantastic selection, but very little in the way of sales.

One last quick question... why do you plan on walking down the steep hill??? That is the absolute best part of riding, and you want to deprive yourself of it?

I just figure I might tear a bike up out where we live, considering all of the money we put into fixing our trucks and such.. I just don't want to pay for a good bike to have it all messed up! Especially at that steep hill part. And the rocks there are like.. Head sized. I mean you have some dirt too.. Its not all rock. So perhaps I'll give it a try. :P

I really can't wait for a bike tbh. I'm at a push considering its snake season, and I can't be walking home as often as I am.. Folks are worried as well. But I can't get a ride home like I used to, since both parents started work. And me being a derp with no ID and no job myself, I have what little money hath been bestowed upon me my eighteenth. Thats it. :P So it's really this weekend that I need to know something about what I want.. And I don't suppose calling them would be more helpful since it seems I need to be physically there! Maybe just for like "Whats the price range on your mountain bikes" to narrow down stores.

"Full suspension." Please don't tell me that's an expensive investment. x.x
>looks it up

So thank you for the direction! Definitely cut down the scariness level of getting a bike from maybe 8 or 9 down to like 5 or 6.

 

[AkaruiRain]

Another question, though I'll look up answers as well;

Does it matter if I get a men's or women's bike?

 

[lucky12]

If your a girl you might appreciate the female geometry, and the seat. However it's personal preference, go try some out!

I missed the rocks part, watch out and wear a helmet. I'm also assuming snakes love a nice hot rock to sit on.

Even if you had a full suspension bike head sized rocks aren't going to be very easy to navigate unless there's a nice line to huck through.

 

[gruesomebrat]

Gotta agree with lucky on that one. Head-sized rocks are gonna be troublesome regardless of what you're riding.

As far as men's or women's, I've personally ridden both and don't see that there's much of a difference in the ride itself. Granted, I haven't done any serious riding on a womens bike, so I'm not the best qualified to say, but I think most decisions on bikes are going to come down to personal preference. Like lucky says, most entry-levels are similar, so it doesn't matter too much.

Really nice to see that there's a few people here who are into cycling. Must be the isolation of the sport, appeals to introverts...

 

[duke of new york]

GT bikes are awesome value. I got one for about $400 a few years ago, but without rear suspension. Upgrading to the next model up with full suspension would probably have been another $100-150. It was a really great bike, regardless. I punished that thing regularly for about three years, and when I passed it on last year, it was as solid as the day I bought it (thought quite a bit dirtier).

I would go into your local shop and tell them what you posted here, and that you want something with disc brakes and full suspension (anything with a full suspension system should have disc brakes; generally only really low-end mountain bikes have rim brakes). They will probably let you ride some of the bikes around outside, so take out a hardtail and a full-suspension bike, take them over some bumps and curbs and see if the suspension makes a big enough difference to you.

As for solid tires, I have no experience with them, but it seems like they would give a hell of a rough ride. Bike tires going flat isn't a big deal; just get yourself a good pump. If you really hate pumping up bike tires, get an electric air compressor. If you keep them properly inflated, you shouldn't need to worry about flats, especially just riding on the road. Don't worry about tearing up your bike; mountain bikes are made to be ridden off-road, through bumpy, rocky, and wet terrain. If you spend a few hundred dollars on a decent bike from a reputable dealer, it will be able to handle rough roads like you're talking about no problem. So, go ahead and ride down that hill. I don't see why going down a steep hill would damage a bike anyway...unless you crashed into something at the bottom.

 

[AkaruiRain]

If your a girl you might appreciate the female geometry, and the seat. However it's personal preference, go try some out!

I missed the rocks part, watch out and wear a helmet. I'm also assuming snakes love a nice hot rock to sit on.

Even if you had a full suspension bike head sized rocks aren't going to be very easy to navigate unless there's a nice line to huck through.

I might have been exaggerating bit. Thinking about it more, their more like children heads.. Forget it. :P

Yeah, seems like they make some bits shorter or taller or wider or more narrow depending on the sex. I'll try out both kinds. But definitely wouldn't pass up one that's pretty nifty if it's only the wrong sex. Thank you for the advice

And it's more I just shouldn't be walking on that road during snake season. Their more for the brush but every now and then you seethem. More of a precaution than anything else, concerning the snakes. But I really would like to just get home a different way than trudging on that road every single day for an hour. Plus I've missed biking! :/

 

[AkaruiRain]

Gotta agree with lucky on that one. Head-sized rocks are gonna be troublesome regardless of what you're riding.

As far as men's or women's, I've personally ridden both and don't see that there's much of a difference in the ride itself. Granted, I haven't done any serious riding on a womens bike, so I'm not the best qualified to say, but I think most decisions on bikes are going to come down to personal preference. Like lucky says, most entry-levels are similar, so it doesn't matter too much.

Really nice to see that there's a few people here who are into cycling. Must be the isolation of the sport, appeals to introverts...

I agree, didn't think many would even post in here. It's really nice. :3

 

[AkaruiRain]

GT bikes are awesome value. I got one for about $400 a few years ago, but without rear suspension. Upgrading to the next model up with full suspension would probably have been another $100-150. It was a really great bike, regardless. I punished that thing regularly for about three years, and when I passed it on last year, it was as solid as the day I bought it (thought quite a bit dirtier).

I would go into your local shop and tell them what you posted here, and that you want something with disc brakes and full suspension (anything with a full suspension system should have disc brakes; generally only really low-end mountain bikes have rim brakes). They will probably let you ride some of the bikes around outside, so take out a hardtail and a full-suspension bike, take them over some bumps and curbs and see if the suspension makes a big enough difference to you.

As for solid tires, I have no experience with them, but it seems like they would give a hell of a rough ride. Bike tires going flat isn't a big deal; just get yourself a good pump. If you really hate pumping up bike tires, get an electric air compressor. If you keep them properly inflated, you shouldn't need to worry about flats, especially just riding on the road. Don't worry about tearing up your bike; mountain bikes are made to be ridden off-road, through bumpy, rocky, and wet terrain. If you spend a few hundred dollars on a decent bike from a reputable dealer, it will be able to handle rough roads like you're talking about no problem. So, go ahead and ride down that hill. I don't see why going down a steep hill would damage a bike anyway...unless you crashed into something at the bottom.

There are more than just one kind of brake? Hmm.. I'll look that up saw what full suspension and a hardtail was, hardtails are just front and a straight back I think.. Something abou weight and maneuverability. But yes! And I probably just had it in my head that this road was too much for a bike! But clearly mountain bikes were crafted just for that sort of thing.. I guess it was just better than having to worry about popping them. But yall are the experts! Better than over here at least. Thank ou for your response!

 

[lucky12]

Disc brakes will last forever as long as they aren't lower end. Try to look for brakes made by shimano, hayes, avid.

Other than those brands the quality is generally very poor. When they come brand new out of the box I usually have to straighten the brake rotors out, which is annoying.

There's more than two kinds of brakes too you can buy mechanically actuated (cable) and hydraulic actuated (dot3/4/5). You want to stick with mechanical, they're cheaper and plenty powerful.

 

[AkaruiRain]

I have it worked out to two bikes;

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/bik/2942883417.html
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/bik/2910736778.html

First one:
I believe it's a better brand, is has V-brakes, 250 though it might be a little tall for me. But I figure I can adjust the seat..

Second one:
Not sure about the brand, it has disc brakes [I don't know enough to tell what kind], the guy lives about 2 hours from me but he's willing to sell it for 250 if I can make half the trip there.


I've called both guys, emailed, they're both nice people, seems legit and all.. I'm wary about the driving one, but it has disc brakes .-. Should I see if he can gather what kind? Should I just be adamant about the one closer to me even if its not quite my size? I really do want that first one. The second guy is just really nice though. And he seems really eager to get rid of the bike for a good price.. I'm thinking I should just stick with the closer guy though.. I'm scared someone else will buy it first, though. Supposed to be meeting up with him tomorrow, and if its all fine and looks good I'd buy it on the spot right there.. But the other guy wants me to call him before I buy so we can work out a more comfortable deal like distance-wise..

What do? .-.Q

 

[lucky12]

Used bikes are everywhere, don't be so hasty. I can't see the first one because the ad had been taken down. Salesmen are always nice!

Second one is ok. A better brand name would get you a better deal. I would offer 200, 250 max. If they cry about how it was 700 tell them it's used and stare at them like this

Make sure everything works ok and looks clean.

Inspect the rims for warping (spin the wheel and watch for wobbling).

Check all cables (2 X brakes, 1 for rear derailleur, 1 for front derailleur) usually when they are all frayed the bike has had someone try to fiddle with stuff, or the cap end fell off.. Just make sure it shifts smoothly and brakes ok, then you know the cables are ok.

Turn the crank arms (where your pedals are attached) and listen for grinding, or look for wobbling. Worn square taper crank arms usually vibrate off while riding, cheap and easy to replace though.

Ensure the handlebars are straight. Place your feet around the front tire firmly to prevent it from moving and try to turn the handlebars, as if to unscrew the lid on a jar. Go clockwise and counter clockwise. The stem and handlebars should not move.

Inspect the tires for punctures, replacing a tube isn't a big deal.

Check to see if the rear derailleur looks bent, it happens quite frequently when people are careless and drop their bikes or whatever. You will notice strange shifting patterns if it is.

If your unsure of anything ask the seller. Even if they lie you may be able to pick up on the lie by how they react to your question.

Sorry for the late reply.