Any bikers? (Jesda, get in hurrr)

[cellardoorv]

I went for my first bike ride since I was like... twelve. I went with a few friends, one is a beginner and one is an advanced rider, and went on about 9 miles of trails. It was a lot more vigorous than first anticipated, but I had a ton of fun. I never realized what kind of community there was for this sport. Different models, modification, accessories, a whole bunch of stuff. Phew!




Does anyone else on here ride? I know Jesda does.

Also, any suggestions for a decent used beginner mountain bike? I don't want anything TOO extravagant. Maybe a max of 500 bucks? They were spitting out names like Cannondale and Specialized. All I know is that they didn't suggest any Huffys =(

[Otto.]

I ride too. I own a Giant and don't have too much experience with other brands but know people who do.

Most higher end bike manufacturers make good stuff, so it's mostly a personal choice.

Here is the womens Revel from Giant: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... 514/44144/

...and a couple of choices from Specialized, Myka: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC ... e=Mountain

Myka Sport Disc, which has better suspension and brakes: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC ... e=Mountain

Don't buy from anywhere but a bike shop. If you get it shipped directly from the manufacturer, you will have to put it together yourself. Plus, most local shops are small and friendly.

Look only for bikes with disc brakes too. For the most part, rim brakes just don't offer the same performance.

You probably won't find anything that's suited for technical trails in your price range. That probably won't be too much of a problem yet though. If you can increase your price by about $100-200, you'll greatly widen your choices.

[Razi]

Bicycles are fun.

I don't know much about mountain bikes though. :\

[Amays U G37S]

All this talk about bikes and riding over the last year makes me want to ride some trails!

[cellardoorv]

So fun!

I found this: http://hartford.craigslist.org/bik/2238052225.html

Don't know what makes it a good (or bad) choice.

Edit:

http://www.consumersearch.com/mountain- ... rock-sport

Seems like what I'm looking for. Nothing too serious. Let's face it here, I'm not the most athletic. I'm not going to be climbing Everest with this thing.

[Jesda]

I agree on disc brakes. My rim brakes are a bit unnerving when I'm going 34 mph. They're probably even more important for mountain biking.

[Otto.]

So fun!

I found this: http://hartford.craigslist.org/bik/2238052225.html

Don't know what makes it a good (or bad) choice.

Edit:

http://www.consumersearch.com/mountain- ... rock-sport

Seems like what I'm looking for. Nothing too serious. Let's face it here, I'm not the most athletic. I'm not going to be climbing Everest with this thing.

From the frame shape, it looks more like what would be used for dirt jumping (probably not it's purpose though).

If you're interested enough, go check it out and see if it's the right size for you. the seat should be at around the height of the handlebars.

Even if you do buy used, you should look for something that will last you a while. As your skills get better, you'll be wanting a better bike. You should probably be looking at something a little more advanced. That one has rim brakes, which I would not recommend for trail riding. They're fine if all you're going to be doing is riding on roads, but for anything more than that, you would probably be better off with discs.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

From the frame shape, it looks more like what would be used for dirt jumping (probably not it's purpose though).

Its just a woman's frame... they have a sloped top tube because (and I'm not lying here) back in the day, when people rode bikes a lot more, women also wore dresses... sloped top tubes made it so they could ride without everyone seeing their cooch and/or getting the dress all messed up.

Most women opt for a men's frame after a certain point... if you don't plan on wearing any dresses while you ride, you can go ahead and get a men's frame now.

I also STRONGLY suggest you get the bike from a local bike shop, even if you buy used, they will make sure to fit you to the correct size bike, let you go on test rides, etc.

I've never had a problem with rim brakes myself, and actually preferred them over a lot of the disc brakes.
Trek currently offers a bike called the Skye that boasts a woman's specific design.
After working in the bike biz for as long as I did, I can honestly say I much prefer Trek to any other brand. GT used to be the s***, but they sort of sold out. Specialized is also very, very good. Canondale is expensive, but also good (some of their designs are funky as hell though).
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mo ... tail/#skye
The Trek 820 men's frame would also be a decent entry level bike for you. It can be had in the $350 range new... sometimes less.

[Jesda]

I wear dresses on a men's frame without any issues.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4kiXh8YOzk[/youtube]

My first time riding in 2007 after a seven year hiatus, I thought my heart was going to explode.

[IanS]

I was very into mountain biking when I was younger. I still ride occasionally, but not as often as I should.

Currently I ride a custom built Specialized Hard Rock. I built the bike over a winter a few years ago starting with a competition model 23" frame. Its huge for most people, but fits my lanky chassis well. I run a Rock Shox front fork, raised Kalloy bars, Shimano brakes, controls and switchgear.

The one thing many people notice when they ride my bike, is my oddball choice in gearing. On the wheel I run a very low cog set typical of a mountain bike, but on the crank I made a hybrid cog set using an ultra low Mt low, and then 2 road bike cogs of a much higher ratio. I have long legs, and tons of pushing power. The higher gearing keeps me from flailing when trying to ride fast on the street.

I havnt ridden in a while, last time I was out, I snapped my chain and haven't taken the time to replace it as of yet. With spring here, the motorized versions of bicycles are much more appealing to me.

Biking is a fantastic workout, and I really should do it more, I dont have nearly the cardio stamina that I wish I did.

Here is a picture of my bike. Compared to the silver HardRock that Michelle posted, the frame looks absolutely huge.

[Otto.]

From the frame shape, it looks more like what would be used for dirt jumping (probably not it's purpose though).

Its just a woman's frame... they have a sloped top tube because (and I'm not lying here) back in the day, when people rode bikes a lot more, women also wore dresses... sloped top tubes made it so they could ride without everyone seeing their cooch and/or getting the dress all messed up.

I know. I was just comparing it to a modern DJ bike, like how the top tube and seat stays are in line:

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Gotcha. Those bikes always fascinated me. Front suspension... typically no front brakes, weird frame, and an absolutely tiny crank.

[IanS]

Gotcha. Those bikes always fascinated me. Front suspension... typically no front brakes, weird frame, and an absolutely tiny crank.

Its like a trials bike, but without a brake, and with a seat. Uncomfortable to ride for long distances I bet.

[Jesda]

You could always grow a mustache and get a fixie.



Look at that ironic pile of gay.

[IanS]

You could always grow a mustache and get a fixie.

Look at that ironic pile of gay.

Fixed gears are great for winter riding, as they grant greater control. Other then that though, ghey.

[nissangirl74]

<---- doesn't know how to ride a bike

[Bmore-coupe]

<---- doesn't know how to ride a bike

But, you know more about cars than a lot of men (including myself) on here....So you get a pass.

[Ace2cool]

<---- doesn't know how to ride a bike

Can't skip rocks, can't ride a bike?!? At least you can drive standard. That's all that really matters.

[Jesda]

<---- doesn't know how to ride a bike

You can kiss your chances of becoming a paperboy goodbye.

[snwbrdr435]

Pretty much everything that has been said in here has been spot on. I have a whole bunch of friends who race and for the price of some of their bikes you could buy two somewhat nice 240s. My mountain bike is a cheap ( cheaper then my friends bikes) gary fisher gets the job done.

[BusyBadger]

Also, any suggestions for a decent used beginner mountain bike? I don't want anything TOO extravagant. Maybe a max of 500 bucks? They were spitting out names like Cannondale and Specialized.

You can get a Diamondback Overdrive from REI for $200 off right now. It is a 29'er, so you have to decide if you're willing to go that route, maybe stop by a local bike store and check the fit on a 29'er there. If REI sells out you can also pick one up at Nashbar. Nashbar is a good place to pick up other gear for cheap too: computers, clothes, gloves, water bottles.

Any bike you pick up in the $500 range will be a little heavy (especially a 29'er with the larger wheels), but if biking is something you end up liking you'll be a beast if you get bike-fit on a heavy bike and then drop the cash on a lighter model later on down the road (trail?).

Get clipless pedals and shoes! And DO NOT compromise on the quality.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Get clipless pedals and shoes! And DO NOT compromise on the quality.

I definitely would not recommend that for a beginning rider.

[naladude911]

I used to do a lot more mountain biking when I was in British Columbia but I still go for a ride now and again.
This is the bike I have. I love my Trek. Its light weight and handles well.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mo ... ries/6000/


Just some crazy mountain biking my cousins used to do in Vancouver
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEnr43T50hI[/youtube]

[BusyBadger]

Get clipless pedals and shoes! And DO NOT compromise on the quality.

I definitely would not recommend that for a beginning rider.

Right on, much better to have a shoe slip off a pedal under load and come crashing down on the top tube or cartwheel into other sorts of badness. Like this poor, unfortunate soul.

I'm not advocating just throwing them on and tearing up some single-track, there's a learning period there. If anyone thinks they can just throw 'em on and go, they're as deluded as the "clipless aren't safe" crowd. I've seen far more mishaps in real life with someone using regular platform pedals than I ever have from someone using clipless - including new/first time users.

In 30 years I've never met a single serious cyclist that didn't wish they had started using clipless earlier than they did. A cyclist can produce power with both legs on both the up and down stroke and if it's a beginning cyclist they start early on developing good biomechanics initially instead of remembering how to pedal, then switching over and having to relearn the pedal stroke.

[Mitchum]

if your just casually riding i don't think discs will be a big deal, also clip pedals shouldn't even be in the equation at $500. I never rode alot of XC, but I did race BMX for awhile and hated clip in pedals. Neither of my bikes now have clip ins and thats how i prefer, deffinatley try being clipped in first before you buy if you want them.

suspension might not even be needed if your just commuting...if you plan on hitting trails now and then go for it, front atleast but for $500 your not going to find much of a dual set up.

my commuter more or less no front suspension, just for show with how stiff it is.



my big boy bike


how we roll in the praries on flat land haha

[PapaSmurf2k3]

agree to disagree then. It all comes down to personal preference. I've sold clipless pedals to people that absolutely love them straight out of the box (rare), people that take a LONG time to get used to it (most common), and people that bring them back and have us switch their pedals back over (not as common). We've also had people straight up crash in our parkinglot with them.

[Mitchum]

very true, just at the price point clips don't seem needed. However you may fall in love, but you might not, just go to the local bike shop and try em, if the shop is anything like my local bike shop they'll set you free down the block for an hour or so on the bike to see how it feels.

If there's one thing Ive learned from both local bike shops, its that they will bend over backwards to make you happy and sell you a bike you love. hopefully that's the case in your area, but bike shops usually seem to be pretty close knit easy going operations that love to make new riders happy, its like the perfect car dealership lol.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

but bike shops usually seem to be pretty close knit easy going operations that love to make new riders happy, its like the perfect car dealership lol.

They really don't try and steal customers from each other either. If you are looking for a bike that the shop doesn't have in stock, they'll put you on something similar for a test ride. If you decide to pull the trigger on the purchase, the closest shop will send your shop the bike they have just to keep the customers happy.
On occasion, there will be a shop that hardly ever stocks anything, so the surrounding shops that DO carry inventory end up getting pissed with them... but usually they don't stick around very long anyway.

Pretty much all the bicycle mom and pop organizations have banded together and agreed to take the fight to the big depot stores (like wal mart), to offer the customer something that the large places can't. They pull it off quite nicely too I might add.
Its crazy too, for all the personalized help they give you, they pretty much NEVER get tipped. The pay rate isn't very high either... but people will tip the local coffee person up to the nearest dollar on a daily basis.

Also for anyone out there looking to purchase a new bike... please don't try and haggle the shop down. It isn't like a car dealership in that respect. You have to REALLY buy in bulk (like if you're a police department or something) in order to swing a deal like that.

[nissangirl74]

<---- doesn't know how to ride a bike

You can kiss your chances of becoming a paperboy goodbye.

Not true. My parents and I used to have five routes. We walked it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

My decade-old KHS FXT Sport:

Yes, I know the tires are backward. It was an experiment. A failed experiment. Steering is sloppy as hell.

It was pretty fancy in its day. But it's pretty heavy and the rear suspension setup forces you to use a crazy seatpost (though the one in the shot is taller than stock).

I'd like to get something lighter, with no rear suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, with modern shiftgear. But all of that takes money.