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Bicycle Guys! (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter goldenchild
- Start date
Tick
Footballguy
It helps, and I have my eye on a Park Tool PCS-10 mobile stand... but you can get by without one, and I have so far. Flip the bike over for some jobs, hang it from hooks for some others. It's not ideal, but you can do most things without having to buy a stand.
dgreen
Footballguy
Thanks, ninja. I checked another local shop yesterday. The first shop offers 1 year of free tune-ups. The second offers 2 years of tune-ups and half off labor for two years on anything outside of a tune-up. Seems like a no-brainer right now who to go with.
The first place mostly carries Trek and I tested an FX 7.2 (I think - it was $499). The second place mostly has Marin and I tested a Larkspur (also $499). They also had a Marin Fairfax for $569.
Can I expect any sales coming up soon, maybe Labor Day Weekend?
The first place mostly carries Trek and I tested an FX 7.2 (I think - it was $499). The second place mostly has Marin and I tested a Larkspur (also $499). They also had a Marin Fairfax for $569.
Can I expect any sales coming up soon, maybe Labor Day Weekend?
matttyl
Footballguy
Dgreen - Trek just had their expo for 2015 bikes. Most 2014s should go on sale fairly soon to clean out inventory. Out of curiosity, are you in the NoVA area? I know a few smaller local bike shops who can hook you up if you are.
dgreen
Footballguy
Yes, I'm in NoVa. I'm really close to The Bike Shop in Centreville and that's who has the Marins. I definitely like that they are less than a mile from me and offer the 2 years of tune ups if I buy from them. I think I liked the Trek more than the Marin, though. They did say I can buy something and have them assemble it ($70) and I'd get the same 2-year tune up deal from them, so that's an option.
But I'm always open to a hook up.
matttyl
Footballguy
I think anything I could hook you up with would be a little far for you and likely not worth it on a bike of that price point. I'm a Trek guy myself, having spent a few grand on their bikes this year alone. They make damn good stuff, and any bike shop can work on them.
As for tools that someone was asking about - I just recently purchased the Nashbar essential toolkit for half a Benjamin off Amazon. Between that and a decent stand you should be set for the vast majority of the things you'd need to do. Anything more serious, and just take it to a bike shop.
matttyl
Footballguy
Familiar enough to know where they are, but that's about it. Trek make great stuff, but I don't know much about their "town" bikes - I'm either a mountain bike guy or a road bike guy. If you go back and they have a Trek Stache (mountain bike), check that out - as that's what I'm riding now and I love it. My wife has one of their X-caliber models, and my sister has one of their Superfly models. If you ever get into that kinda biking, let me know, as Fairfax has one of the best mountain bike parks on the east coast (Fountainhead).
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Apple Jack
Footballguy
A lot of the trails around here are paved, but that doesn't mean you necessarily need a road bike. You can always get a mountain bike and get a second set of tires for paved trails/roads.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
matttyl
Footballguy
Don't get me wrong, Park tools are great, but they are 2-3x as expensive. I've got 5 bikes between the wife and myself, and this Nashbar kit has everything I need.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Going to get a mountain bike. How crucial is the rear suspension. I'll be doing intermediate trails and I'm slightly old. 
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Not crucial. I would say avoid rear suspension. Adds weight, cost and potential repairs with very little benefit for most recreational trail riding.Going to get a mountain bike. How crucial is the rear suspension. I'll be doing intermediate trails and I'm slightly old.
Eephus
Footballguy
I've been test riding a friend's old Trek 2100 with an eye toward a possible (cheap) buy. It's one of the first composite frames but it hasn't been ridden much and appears to be in very good shape. It's geared a bit high for SF hills but I figure a compact crankset would help with that.
Unfortunately, both of my weekend rides ended with rear wheel punctures. There were any visible marks on the tire and when I checked the tubes, both punctures were about 1/2" apart. I'm thinking these were pinch flats because they both happened within a mile of some really rough pavement near the zoo.
I ordered some new rim tape since I suspect the current tape is 20 years old. Is there anything else I should be looking at with the rim or spokes that could be causing the flats?
Unfortunately, both of my weekend rides ended with rear wheel punctures. There were any visible marks on the tire and when I checked the tubes, both punctures were about 1/2" apart. I'm thinking these were pinch flats because they both happened within a mile of some really rough pavement near the zoo.
I ordered some new rim tape since I suspect the current tape is 20 years old. Is there anything else I should be looking at with the rim or spokes that could be causing the flats?
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Were there two holes in the tube that look like a snakebite? If so that's a pinch flat. If not, then there's some wrong with either the tire itself or the rim tape. When you are replacing the flat, run your a piece of papertowel (you can use your finger if you go slow or are daring) through the underside of the tire. If it catches anywhere, that's your cause.
Unless there are punctures in the rim tape or its really rough, it shouldn't be that (and if it is replace the tape...strips are $5 and easy to install). If they are pinch flats check what the psi listing is on the tire and pump them up to that (105-120 psi's).
BTW those tune-up deals aren't really worth much. For these types of bikes (really any bike), if you are taking it in for a tune-up, something is wrong and your going to pay to get it fixed.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Good quality rim tape will most likely fix the problem. Run your finger along the rim to see if you feel any sharp spots, protruding spokes or anything out of the ordinary. Also check the inside of the tires carefully. Sometimes tires just get old and become susceptible to pinch flats and the like, even with no obvious weak spots, and need to be replaced.
NutterButter
Footballguy
2nd that. No rear suspension needed.Not crucial. I would say avoid rear suspension. Adds weight, cost and potential repairs with very little benefit for most recreational trail riding.Going to get a mountain bike. How crucial is the rear suspension. I'll be doing intermediate trails and I'm slightly old.
Eephus
Footballguy
Thanks Sammy & Cletis for the replies. The old rim tape had some folds in it near the punctures but it covered the spoke holes entirely. Rim tape is cheaper than a tube and a whole lot cheaper than a rim so I'll try that first.
It was a joy to be riding a proper road bike rather than my regular commuter or old steel framed tenspeed.
It was a joy to be riding a proper road bike rather than my regular commuter or old steel framed tenspeed.
Tick
Footballguy
Go with a hardtail IMO. I have only ever been on one set of trails that made me wish I had rear suspension (Copper Harbor, a silver-level ride center), but I still loved them with my hardtail. My buddy with rear suspension locks it out all the time on our local trails. Expensive, more to break, almost never useful.Going to get a mountain bike. How crucial is the rear suspension. I'll be doing intermediate trails and I'm slightly old.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Thx all. You just saved me around $1000
Thought on the trek cal 8 ? For around $800
Thought on the trek cal 8 ? For around $800
Sand
Footballguy
grateful zed
Footballguy
Tick
Footballguy
From what I've seen, there are three paths to buying a mountain bike:DA RAIDERS said:
-Local bike shops for major brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized (http://www.thetoptens.com/best-brands-mountain-bikes/ looks like conventional wisdom)
-Bikesdirect online for a no-name brand
-Craigslist for a deal from a guy who bought one and never rode it or has to get the new model every year
For Craigslist, you obviously need to know what you're doing... I wouldn't recommend it for your first bike because even if you get good advice on which brands and models are good, you might not notice a subtle flaw in the one you're looking at.
Bikesdirect is the best deal, but you can't test out the geometry before buying, so you might not be getting the best shape for yourself. Also, they skimp on some less important components. I did this and am very happy with the results, but I feel lucky, not smart.
If you're buying from a local bike shop, the major brands are all very good... there's no real point in comparing them on a message board or even looking at other people's opinions - they're all high quality, and you don't need to worry about the 1% difference in quality between the major brands. However, you're buying from a local bike shop, so take advantage of it! Try every bike at every size, try every shop in town, ask for real test rides - not just the parking lot, don't accept either the 17" or 21" if they don't have a 19" in stock, take one shop's price to another and ask them if they'll match it and throw in eggbeater pedals and shoes... basically, be sure you find the perfect bike for your body at the lowest possible price as long as it's one of those top brands.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Great post tick. Thx
Sand
Footballguy
Not quite the same situation but in our town on Saturday we had 2 bikers get hit by a texting woman. Both in ICU with brain bleeds. Not good - I ride on that road a decent bit. Guys did everything right - they were on the edge of a lightly traveled four lane road at 6:30AM and still got hit.
So when you guys ##### about cyclists remember that almost every time when a cyclist screws up he gets hurt. When a car screws up the cyclist gets hurt. Drivers get hurt just about never.
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matttyl
Footballguy
Great bike, but also see how much the 9 is. I got an X cal 9 for my wife and she loves it. Same frame, but the 9 comes with a ten gear cassette, and all shimano components, and upgraded brakes. If it's only another $100 or so, I'd say do it.
That said, if you can get the 8 for "around 800", that's not bad.
I'd also check out the stache series. I have the 6 personally and I really, really like it. The geometry is a bit different (a bit more aggressive), and it's more of a "Swiss army knife" of a bike.
Best piece of advice I can give you when buying a new mountain bike - pick a wheel size (26, 27.5, or 29), then be a #### about it.
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AAABatteries
Footballguy
Looking for an indoor trainer/exercise bike and looking for a recommendation. Found this one from Nordic Track - look ok and is pretty much what I'm looking for. Anybody have a recommend or know if Nordic Track or this specific bike are any good?
http://www.nordictrack.com/fitness/en/NordicTrack/ExerciseBikes/gx-30-sport-cycle?utm_source=PLA&utm_medium=cpc&zmam=93752973&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=NTEX03013
http://www.nordictrack.com/fitness/en/NordicTrack/ExerciseBikes/gx-30-sport-cycle?utm_source=PLA&utm_medium=cpc&zmam=93752973&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=NTEX03013
Apple Jack
Footballguy
Cheap cold-weather riding pants anybody?
grateful zed
Footballguy
dress in layers. long johns, fleece pant, wind/rain shell.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Apple Jack
Footballguy
20-30 mile rides. Just need something I don't have to worry about getting caught in the chain. Lycra is not a dealbreaker, as I don't ride far enough for that to be an issue.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Got bless you riding that long without lycra. I'd have a serious case of monkey butt. You didn't mention a price but this is what I wear in cold cycling conditions.
ETA: If this is just for commuting, you can pretty much wear anything that keeps you warm and they make these velcro straps to wrap up you pants by your ankle to keep the pants out of the chain. Something like this.
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Apple Jack
Footballguy
I'm not sure what you mean by monkey butt, but i've never experienced any kind of discomfort with my skin when riding. Everybody talks about chaffing, but it doesn't happen to me. I just wear regular boxers and adidas or nike shorts. Never been an issue.
ETA: Something like those, although I was thinking cheaper than $100.
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I don't have a bike, and haven't ridden one in years. I don't have any bike-specific tools and don't know how to put a bike together.
I'm looking for a hybrid that I'll be able to ride for both commuting/errands and frolicking/exercise purposes. (If I end up getting really into biking, I'll get a road bike in the future; but for now, I'll want a cheaper bike to do double duty.)
I don't mind learning how to build and maintain a bike by watching YouTube videos, so I'm thinking of something like this from bikesdirect.
I'd be happy to buy a used bike, but I don't think I'm a sufficiently knowledgeable shopper to distinguish between good deals and bad deals on Craigslist.
I may also go the local bike shop route. My understanding is that perfectly precise fitting isn't as important on a hybrid as it would be on a road bike, however, and since I'd like to be able to build and maintain a bike on my own anyway, I'm not sure whether the higher price for an assembled bike would be a worthwhile trade-off.
Would I be crazy to assemble my own bike without any real experience?
I'm looking for a hybrid that I'll be able to ride for both commuting/errands and frolicking/exercise purposes. (If I end up getting really into biking, I'll get a road bike in the future; but for now, I'll want a cheaper bike to do double duty.)
I don't mind learning how to build and maintain a bike by watching YouTube videos, so I'm thinking of something like this from bikesdirect.
I'd be happy to buy a used bike, but I don't think I'm a sufficiently knowledgeable shopper to distinguish between good deals and bad deals on Craigslist.
I may also go the local bike shop route. My understanding is that perfectly precise fitting isn't as important on a hybrid as it would be on a road bike, however, and since I'd like to be able to build and maintain a bike on my own anyway, I'm not sure whether the higher price for an assembled bike would be a worthwhile trade-off.
Would I be crazy to assemble my own bike without any real experience?
Eephus
Footballguy
Most drop shipped bikes are partially assembled. The final assembly is pretty straightforward and doesn't require a lot of tools. There are YouTube videos that can walk you through the steps.
I have no familiarity with internal gear hubs like on the bike you're considering. It seems like they'd have fewer adjustments required than a typical derailleur set but I really don't know.
Another option would be to call around local bike shops to see if they handle final assembly of Internet bikes. You'll need a local bike shop for something at some point so you might as well research which ones are helpful and which ones give you attitude. It's probably a good time of the year because bike shops need the business during the winter months.
I have no familiarity with internal gear hubs like on the bike you're considering. It seems like they'd have fewer adjustments required than a typical derailleur set but I really don't know.
Another option would be to call around local bike shops to see if they handle final assembly of Internet bikes. You'll need a local bike shop for something at some point so you might as well research which ones are helpful and which ones give you attitude. It's probably a good time of the year because bike shops need the business during the winter months.
Apple Jack
Footballguy
For what you're talking about, I would stick with craigslist. I'd just figure out how much you want to spend and search in that range for hybrids. Whatever turns up just google and read a few reviews and there is also a bike blue book out there. I forget what it's called, but it helped me get a bike that was listed on cl for $350 down to $150. It's much less labor-intensive and you will most likely end up with more bike for much cheaper.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I bought a bike on Bikes Direct many years ago and agree with Eephus that assembly is not too difficult. It may take a half-day if you are a complete novice using Youtube. However, I think there is something to be said for going to a local shop and actually sitting on the bike and riding it a bit before you buy. To buy online, you need to be very comfortable with the dimensions and style you are buying. This is much more than just the base size/height of the bike. You need to be comfortable on the bike or you won't ride it as much. Even with a great deal of experience riding and buying bikes, I was somewhat disappointed with a few aspects of the bike I bought and ended up replacing several components over the first year or so until it was right. There were a few things I would have noticed if looking at it in a store and I likely would not have bought this particular bike or negotiated some changes. For a complete novice, I would recommend paying a bit more to buy at a local shop.
matttyl
Footballguy
Honestly, yes. Most small local shops will build your bike for $100-150. Money very well spent, and likely cheaper than an ER visit when you realize your brakes don't work.
Eephus
Footballguy
I bought my road bike off Craigslist. It was well maintained but it still required some work beyond what you'd need to do for final assembly of a new Internet bike. Some bikes I looked at on CL were in better shape but most weren't. I think I'd still recommend a new bike for somebody who didn't have some wrenching experience and wasn't on a really tight budget.
sbonomo
Footballguy
Interesting choice of adjective......I am picturing you bike nerds in full on tour gear frolicking
.....I used to ride alot so i guess i am no better.
Thanks for the feedback. It helped convince me that I should buy from a local bike shop, so that's where I'll go.
On another note ... I spent a good portion of my teenage years on various types of bikes, mostly dirt bikes riding in the nearby canyon, jumping over tree stumps and stuff. I never wore a helmet.
These days, everyone seems to wear a helmet all the time on any kind of bike no matter how tame the ride. Seems like a hassle. Is it really necessary when I'm riding 2.5 miles each way between home and work, or 2 miles each way to get lunch? Yes, if I get hit by a car, I'll wish I had a helmet on -- but that's just as true when I'm walking or jogging as when I'm cycling, right?
On another note ... I spent a good portion of my teenage years on various types of bikes, mostly dirt bikes riding in the nearby canyon, jumping over tree stumps and stuff. I never wore a helmet.
These days, everyone seems to wear a helmet all the time on any kind of bike no matter how tame the ride. Seems like a hassle. Is it really necessary when I'm riding 2.5 miles each way between home and work, or 2 miles each way to get lunch? Yes, if I get hit by a car, I'll wish I had a helmet on -- but that's just as true when I'm walking or jogging as when I'm cycling, right?
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Apple Jack
Footballguy
I do almost all of my riding on a paved trail and never wear a helmet. If I rode on roads, I'd definitely wear one. Too many idiot drivers and too easy to justify not.
Sand
Footballguy
The prevalence of cycling head injuries is really pretty low. If you're putting around I wouldn't really freak out about it. If you're logging 2,500 miles a year and hitting significant speeds you'd be foolish not to.
Tick
Footballguy
There was an article on Vox about a year ago positing that bike helmets are doing more harm than good. I believe the argument was based on Australia, where helmet laws decreased the number of riders, which made the bicyclists fall below some critical mass that kept drivers aware of them.
I always wear a helmet when mountain biking. I've had a few crashes where I was really glad to have one. Sideways falls seem the worst, as your head can hit the ground.
I always wear a helmet when mountain biking. I've had a few crashes where I was really glad to have one. Sideways falls seem the worst, as your head can hit the ground.
FUBAR
Footballguy
Depends. If you're riding a mountain bike with a bigger seat, padding isn't always necessary.
