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07-23-2004, 12:09 PM

thanks helen. my only problem is that used bikes appear to have
disappeared. I checked the local papers and if there is one ad its a
lot.

wafflycathcs@aol.comcomcom (dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers) wrote in message news:<20040721070653.07314.00000216@mb-m15.aol.com>...
> Emailed & posted on NG
>
> The problem with buying a bike in a toy shop is that's what you'll get - a toy.
> Something that is likely to be so heavy it's *not* going to help you enjoy
> cycling and the components are likely to be made of cheese ;-) In the world of
> bikes cheap too often means cheap and not good value.
>
> Saying that, you don't have to spend a fortune to get somthing halfway decent.
> I suggest you buy cycling mags with lots of adverts in and is possible, bike
> tests. Read - often and in detail - inwardly digest. Visit *lots* of bike shops
> - specialist bike shops, not ones where there's a passing nod to cycling, or a
> toy shop. Try out various bikes. Do not buy the first one you try. Look at web
> sites of bike manufacturers and bike retailers - get the background knowledge
> to help you make the right choice.
>
> Here's my experience - Years ago I had a bike which was a *cheap* one. It was
> built in eastern europe from lead girders - well it weighed as if it was made
> of lead girders. It made cycling hell. The bike was little used. It was in the
> back of a garage for years. When I had my child, it had a child seat mounted
> behind the seat and it was my normal transport out of necessity at thet time.
> It was *not* enjoyable. Then I was bought a new bike - one of much better
> quality and lighter. Overnight my mileages doubled and I actually started to
> *enjoy* cycling for the first time in years. The difference between a cheap
> bike and a reasonable on *is* that noticeable. I've still got that bike. Then a
> couple of years ago, Santa was particularly generous to me and he delivered an
> even better bike (a Bianchi San Remo, second hand). Once again, my mileages and
> level of enjoyment increased.
>
> If you are going in at bottom level prices, do not buy a bike with suspension.
> Cheap suspension is rubbish. Consider buying a more expensive bike second hand,
> to get quality at a budget price. Look for last year's and the year before's
> models. The paint jobs will have changed but the components don't change that
> much, so you can save a lot of money on a decent bike that way.
>
> Think about the type of cycling you are going to be doing. Unless you are going
> to be doing serious off-roading, I'd argue you don't need suspension. Cycling
> on road, cycle paths, and light off-road doesn't require suspension. Indeed
> suspension on bikes when riding on tarmac is a waste of energy.
>
> Be prepared to make changes to any bike you buy - thinking particularly of the
> saddle. What constitutes a comfortable saddle is a very individual thing.
>
> Other things I'd recommend...
>
> Cycle shorts with padded bottoms! Honestly - I'm never on a bike without
> wearing a pair - I wear them underneath my trousers.
> Jeans are not a good thing to wear when cycling - the fabric and seams can be
> hard and cause *nasty* chafing of those delicate nether regions.
> You may wish to consider mudguards (fenders on the other side of the pond to
> me??) which are a godsend in wet weather, and front/rear lights.
> You are a big guy, but this doesn't mean you need a frame made of lead to carry
> you :-)
> Finally - if you haven't been on a bike before or for a long time and are
> generally unfit - take it slowly at first and do not think you are a wuss if
> you have to get off and walk. Little and often is the way to go. Don't try and
> over extend yourself. Little and often - *gradually* increasing distances and
> speed is key. Most of all - enjoy it.
>
> A couple of years ago when I first got back on the bike I couldn't cycle five
> miles without getting off to catch my breath several times... now I'm
> comfortable to 50+ miles and thoroughly enjoy my cycling. I may not be fast, I
> may not be slim, but I'm loads fitter than I used to be, which is borne out by
> the tests don at the docs.
>
> Hope this helps a bit.
>
> Cheers, helen s
>
>
>
>
> --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam--
> to get correct one remove fame & fortune
> h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om $
>
> --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off--

07-23-2004, 12:09 PM	#48 (permalink)
humblejohn Guest Posts: n/a	Re: what kind of bike at $300 price? thanks helen. my only problem is that used bikes appear to have disappeared. I checked the local papers and if there is one ad its a lot. wafflycathcs@aol.comcomcom (dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers) wrote in message news:<20040721070653.07314.00000216@mb-m15.aol.com>... > Emailed & posted on NG > > The problem with buying a bike in a toy shop is that's what you'll get - a toy. > Something that is likely to be so heavy it's not going to help you enjoy > cycling and the components are likely to be made of cheese ;-) In the world of > bikes cheap too often means cheap and not good value. > > Saying that, you don't have to spend a fortune to get somthing halfway decent. > I suggest you buy cycling mags with lots of adverts in and is possible, bike > tests. Read - often and in detail - inwardly digest. Visit lots of bike shops > - specialist bike shops, not ones where there's a passing nod to cycling, or a > toy shop. Try out various bikes. Do not buy the first one you try. Look at web > sites of bike manufacturers and bike retailers - get the background knowledge > to help you make the right choice. > > Here's my experience - Years ago I had a bike which was a cheap one. It was > built in eastern europe from lead girders - well it weighed as if it was made > of lead girders. It made cycling hell. The bike was little used. It was in the > back of a garage for years. When I had my child, it had a child seat mounted > behind the seat and it was my normal transport out of necessity at thet time. > It was not enjoyable. Then I was bought a new bike - one of much better > quality and lighter. Overnight my mileages doubled and I actually started to > enjoy cycling for the first time in years. The difference between a cheap > bike and a reasonable on is that noticeable. I've still got that bike. Then a > couple of years ago, Santa was particularly generous to me and he delivered an > even better bike (a Bianchi San Remo, second hand). Once again, my mileages and > level of enjoyment increased. > > If you are going in at bottom level prices, do not buy a bike with suspension. > Cheap suspension is rubbish. Consider buying a more expensive bike second hand, > to get quality at a budget price. Look for last year's and the year before's > models. The paint jobs will have changed but the components don't change that > much, so you can save a lot of money on a decent bike that way. > > Think about the type of cycling you are going to be doing. Unless you are going > to be doing serious off-roading, I'd argue you don't need suspension. Cycling > on road, cycle paths, and light off-road doesn't require suspension. Indeed > suspension on bikes when riding on tarmac is a waste of energy. > > Be prepared to make changes to any bike you buy - thinking particularly of the > saddle. What constitutes a comfortable saddle is a very individual thing. > > Other things I'd recommend... > > Cycle shorts with padded bottoms! Honestly - I'm never on a bike without > wearing a pair - I wear them underneath my trousers. > Jeans are not a good thing to wear when cycling - the fabric and seams can be > hard and cause nasty chafing of those delicate nether regions. > You may wish to consider mudguards (fenders on the other side of the pond to > me??) which are a godsend in wet weather, and front/rear lights. > You are a big guy, but this doesn't mean you need a frame made of lead to carry > you :-) > Finally - if you haven't been on a bike before or for a long time and are > generally unfit - take it slowly at first and do not think you are a wuss if > you have to get off and walk. Little and often is the way to go. Don't try and > over extend yourself. Little and often - gradually increasing distances and > speed is key. Most of all - enjoy it. > > A couple of years ago when I first got back on the bike I couldn't cycle five > miles without getting off to catch my breath several times... now I'm > comfortable to 50+ miles and thoroughly enjoy my cycling. I may not be fast, I > may not be slim, but I'm loads fitter than I used to be, which is borne out by > the tests don at the docs. > > Hope this helps a bit. > > Cheers, helen s > > > > > --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- > to get correct one remove fame & fortune > h$el$$end$o$tsi$$mm$ons@$a$ol.c**$om $ > > --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off--