bicycle helmets rei image
mackknchee
I want to buy a bicycle primarily to get me from A to B. The distance I would use to travel with it is at most 3 miles, more or less. I don't need something extravagant, like I said I simply want it to get me from A to B. However, I do want it to be reliable AND as inexpensive as possible (I don't want to spend more than $150 on it, give or take $20 bucks).
There are a few hills I would have to ride up to but other than that, my trips are generally straightforward. What kind of bike should I look for? Please indicate brands, style, etc. Thank you!
Answer
ok, here goes. first off ignore that talk that you should buy a mountain bike, honestly it's more bike that you're going to need. most bike companies have whole lines meant for general use and commuting. first thing you really need to know is: stay away from the big box stores, walmart, k-mart, sams club, cosco etc. the bikes they have may look nice but they have sub par components that aren't reliable and can break easily, and if they do break they may not be replaceable. so with that said the best place to go would be a dedicated bike store however some sporting goods stores such as REI and dicks sell decent bikes. with your budget of $150-$170 you'd be hard pressed to find a new good quality bike however I've bought multiple bikes off of craigslist that have been great. a few thing to keep in mind.
1. flashy doesn equal a good bike
2. disk brakes aren't neccesarily better than caliper brakes, in fact a good set of caliper brakes beats cheap no name brand disk brakes any day.
2. if you're not riding on dirt then you don't need big knobby tires, they'll just slow you down on pavement.
3. regardless of what bike you buy also invest in a decent lock system and learn how to lock you bike up properly, otherwise you won't have a bike for long.
4. again regardless of what kind of bike you buy get a red blinker light for it, you should be riding on roads no sidewalks.
5. always, always, always wear a helmet, they're a lot cheaper than brain surgery or life support.
should you decide to spend more and buy a new bike below are some links to some excelent commuter and general use type bikes. remember with bikes the adage "you get what you pay for" holds true.
specialized sirrus
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=10Sirrus&eid=4356&menuItemId=9260
trek bikes, both the soho and valencia are excelent.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/#
giant CRX
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/model/crx.city/5292/39051/
all of the kona asphalt line bikes also are great, I have a kona super dew myself for urban riding and commuting.
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=smoke
hope this helped. remember to wear a helmet.
ok, here goes. first off ignore that talk that you should buy a mountain bike, honestly it's more bike that you're going to need. most bike companies have whole lines meant for general use and commuting. first thing you really need to know is: stay away from the big box stores, walmart, k-mart, sams club, cosco etc. the bikes they have may look nice but they have sub par components that aren't reliable and can break easily, and if they do break they may not be replaceable. so with that said the best place to go would be a dedicated bike store however some sporting goods stores such as REI and dicks sell decent bikes. with your budget of $150-$170 you'd be hard pressed to find a new good quality bike however I've bought multiple bikes off of craigslist that have been great. a few thing to keep in mind.
1. flashy doesn equal a good bike
2. disk brakes aren't neccesarily better than caliper brakes, in fact a good set of caliper brakes beats cheap no name brand disk brakes any day.
2. if you're not riding on dirt then you don't need big knobby tires, they'll just slow you down on pavement.
3. regardless of what bike you buy also invest in a decent lock system and learn how to lock you bike up properly, otherwise you won't have a bike for long.
4. again regardless of what kind of bike you buy get a red blinker light for it, you should be riding on roads no sidewalks.
5. always, always, always wear a helmet, they're a lot cheaper than brain surgery or life support.
should you decide to spend more and buy a new bike below are some links to some excelent commuter and general use type bikes. remember with bikes the adage "you get what you pay for" holds true.
specialized sirrus
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=10Sirrus&eid=4356&menuItemId=9260
trek bikes, both the soho and valencia are excelent.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/#
giant CRX
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/model/crx.city/5292/39051/
all of the kona asphalt line bikes also are great, I have a kona super dew myself for urban riding and commuting.
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=smoke
hope this helped. remember to wear a helmet.
Commuting by bicycle in the cold rain?
jellymouse
My first attempt must not have been specific enough, so I'm re-asking with a few more prompts. Specific garments and brand names are helpful whenever possible. Please try to answer all questions if you can.
1. How do I keep my head warm and dry while still wearing a helmet? Is it unsafe to put something on underneath my helmet? If so, can I put something on over it? My helmet is vented and has a visor.
2. Please suggest a waterproof garment for keeping my face and neck dry-ish and warm.
3. Is there such a thing as waterproof shoes? If so, list brands if possible. If not, suggest how I may keep my feet dry and warm. Brands are helpful.
4. I am assuming I will also wear a waterproof jacket, waterproof pants (perhaps Gortex, but can you suggest a cheaper-but-still-reliable brand?), and gloves. Specific brand suggestions are helpful.
5. Suggestions on where I can buy these things for cheaper (I already know I can look on E-bay).
Thanks in advance, and again, specific brands and garment items are very helpful!
Answer
Steven gave a nice answer, too bad it is for motorcycling.
I moved from the Southwest back to the Pacific Northwest a few years ago so here is what if have found in my efforts to become waterproof:
1. How do I keep my head warm and dry while still wearing a helmet? Is it unsafe to put something on underneath my helmet? If so, can I put something on over it? My helmet is vented and has a visor.
You can get a synthetic or wool biking cap for under the helmet, which will get damp but still keep you warm. The other option that I have not tried but see often is a helmet cover, which will keep your head dryer.
2. Please suggest a waterproof garment for keeping my face and neck dry-ish and warm.
Dry is probably not a complete option here. I have found if you use a helmet with a visor that helps a bit. A synthetic/wool baklava or neck gator, will keep you warm if not completely dry. I use the same one I got for snow skiing.
3. Is there such a thing as waterproof shoes? If so, list brands if possible. If not, suggest how I may keep my feet dry and warm. Brands are helpful.
I have heard positive things about Lake Winter Boots. http://commutebybike.com/2008/09/28/lake-winter-boots
They are not cheap. None of the rain proof shoes are.
I use my regular biking shoes with shoe covers. Which you can get for $30-50. I have Sugoi (Link Below) Keeping your feet dry is a challenge. The hardest part is keeping water from wicking its way down your socks from the top of the boot. The best defense is too accept, especially on a long rainy ride, that they will probably get damp. Wear a good pair of wool socks as they will stay warm when wet.
4. I am assuming I will also wear a waterproof jacket, waterproof pants (perhaps Gortex, but can you suggest a cheaper-but-still-reliable brand?), and gloves. Specific brand suggestions are helpful.
Pants first. Riders go two routes. First, you can wear heavier lyrca. This acts like a wetsuit on a diver. You may feel a bit damp. I usually don't notice it. But you will stay warm. The main drawback I find with lyrca pants is that it is more difficult to keep my feet dry as the water is more likely to seep/wick into the top of my boot cover. Second get waterproof pants. I have a cheap pair from REI and they have been durable and effective for a few years now. They shed water well and when I place them over my shoe covers my feet stay dry for a very long time. The drawback is they have little or no ventilation so they can get hot and sticky. If you don't get overly warm when riding then these are the driest option.
Jacket: I have a Showers Pass Double Century Jacket and I love it. The best thing about it as a jacket is you can adjust the ventilation with armpit zippers and cuff straps. If you are looking for something cheaper, I think you can get a Novarro rain jacket from REI for less. If you are looking to save some $$, Don't go for Gucci breathing materials. Go for good venting options on the jacket. Good venting makes a much more significant difference than breathing material. Especially when it is raining.
5. Suggestions on where I can buy these things for cheaper (I already know I can look on E-bay).
If you are into bike commuting for the long haul buy your clothing out of season. I jet my jackets/winter gear during spring clearance and right now/last fall I'm watching for any summer riding gear that is being dumped.
BikeNashbar and Performance bikes can often yield a good deals.
I also save my searches on ebay and just be patient.
Last year I picked up a couple of Nike and Canari marino wool long sleeve jerseys on ebay. They are awesome for winter riding. I wash them maybe twice a season as they never smell like synthetics and are really warm when its wet.
Finally, if you hang around or work on a computer, try a site called Chainlove.com They sell one item at a time, usually at a very steep discount. You can have them e-mail or alert you when a new item comes up for sale. Often I see women's jackets and clothing listed. If you are an impulse buyer, maybe not a good thing but I have managed to control myself and have picked up things I really need with very good savings.
Steven gave a nice answer, too bad it is for motorcycling.
I moved from the Southwest back to the Pacific Northwest a few years ago so here is what if have found in my efforts to become waterproof:
1. How do I keep my head warm and dry while still wearing a helmet? Is it unsafe to put something on underneath my helmet? If so, can I put something on over it? My helmet is vented and has a visor.
You can get a synthetic or wool biking cap for under the helmet, which will get damp but still keep you warm. The other option that I have not tried but see often is a helmet cover, which will keep your head dryer.
2. Please suggest a waterproof garment for keeping my face and neck dry-ish and warm.
Dry is probably not a complete option here. I have found if you use a helmet with a visor that helps a bit. A synthetic/wool baklava or neck gator, will keep you warm if not completely dry. I use the same one I got for snow skiing.
3. Is there such a thing as waterproof shoes? If so, list brands if possible. If not, suggest how I may keep my feet dry and warm. Brands are helpful.
I have heard positive things about Lake Winter Boots. http://commutebybike.com/2008/09/28/lake-winter-boots
They are not cheap. None of the rain proof shoes are.
I use my regular biking shoes with shoe covers. Which you can get for $30-50. I have Sugoi (Link Below) Keeping your feet dry is a challenge. The hardest part is keeping water from wicking its way down your socks from the top of the boot. The best defense is too accept, especially on a long rainy ride, that they will probably get damp. Wear a good pair of wool socks as they will stay warm when wet.
4. I am assuming I will also wear a waterproof jacket, waterproof pants (perhaps Gortex, but can you suggest a cheaper-but-still-reliable brand?), and gloves. Specific brand suggestions are helpful.
Pants first. Riders go two routes. First, you can wear heavier lyrca. This acts like a wetsuit on a diver. You may feel a bit damp. I usually don't notice it. But you will stay warm. The main drawback I find with lyrca pants is that it is more difficult to keep my feet dry as the water is more likely to seep/wick into the top of my boot cover. Second get waterproof pants. I have a cheap pair from REI and they have been durable and effective for a few years now. They shed water well and when I place them over my shoe covers my feet stay dry for a very long time. The drawback is they have little or no ventilation so they can get hot and sticky. If you don't get overly warm when riding then these are the driest option.
Jacket: I have a Showers Pass Double Century Jacket and I love it. The best thing about it as a jacket is you can adjust the ventilation with armpit zippers and cuff straps. If you are looking for something cheaper, I think you can get a Novarro rain jacket from REI for less. If you are looking to save some $$, Don't go for Gucci breathing materials. Go for good venting options on the jacket. Good venting makes a much more significant difference than breathing material. Especially when it is raining.
5. Suggestions on where I can buy these things for cheaper (I already know I can look on E-bay).
If you are into bike commuting for the long haul buy your clothing out of season. I jet my jackets/winter gear during spring clearance and right now/last fall I'm watching for any summer riding gear that is being dumped.
BikeNashbar and Performance bikes can often yield a good deals.
I also save my searches on ebay and just be patient.
Last year I picked up a couple of Nike and Canari marino wool long sleeve jerseys on ebay. They are awesome for winter riding. I wash them maybe twice a season as they never smell like synthetics and are really warm when its wet.
Finally, if you hang around or work on a computer, try a site called Chainlove.com They sell one item at a time, usually at a very steep discount. You can have them e-mail or alert you when a new item comes up for sale. Often I see women's jackets and clothing listed. If you are an impulse buyer, maybe not a good thing but I have managed to control myself and have picked up things I really need with very good savings.
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Title Post: What kind of bicycle should I buy?
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Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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