Newbie needs help - Page 4 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

12-28-2004, 10:29 AM

foots <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Thanks everyone for the great advice. I have been looking at bikes on
>E-Bay, there is quite a selection out there. There are MSRP $850 -
>$1000 (new) going for $400, and also some MSRP $ $500 for $200 - $300.
>The drawback is I'd have to assemble myself or take to a shop and no
>follow up service / trade ins. I'm mechanically inclined, so assembly
>is no problem.

Some of those could be overstock or last years models. No big deal
but your LBS will have similar deals at certain times of the year
(spring, back to school, model yr change, Xmas and prolly year end
inventory reduction).

>I'm 60# overweight and 47 years young so the full suspension is
>attractive to me. I've lost 20#'s already by diet and riding my old
>Sears Kennsington 15 speed.

My comment on that was entirely annecdotal. I seemed to see "a lot"
of full suspension bikes among those least inclined to seriously rough
riding (like grandfathers riding with grandkids), so I asked. As an
alternative to full suspension, you could look at just adding a
suspension seat post /if/ you actually need it.

If your main intent is weight loss and excercise, forget the hybrid.
A mountain bike will burn more calories per mile (or hour) than either
a hybrid or a road bike.

>Motobecane, Micargi, Sick by Worcycle, Firmstrong, Tank, Giant...
>whew, so many choices.

Most of those arent exactly the first names that come to mind when one
ponders a quality, name brand affordable bicycle ('website coming
soon' and no dealer list is a clue). Check out
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for user ratings.

Look at Trek, Raleigh, Giant, Fuji and Trek as well.

>I am going to take the advice and go to a local shop before I buy
>anything.

They will likely let you ride them a bit too.

12-28-2004, 10:29 AM

foots <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Thanks everyone for the great advice. I have been looking at bikes on
>E-Bay, there is quite a selection out there. There are MSRP $850 -
>$1000 (new) going for $400, and also some MSRP $ $500 for $200 - $300.
>The drawback is I'd have to assemble myself or take to a shop and no
>follow up service / trade ins. I'm mechanically inclined, so assembly
>is no problem.

Some of those could be overstock or last years models. No big deal
but your LBS will have similar deals at certain times of the year
(spring, back to school, model yr change, Xmas and prolly year end
inventory reduction).

>I'm 60# overweight and 47 years young so the full suspension is
>attractive to me. I've lost 20#'s already by diet and riding my old
>Sears Kennsington 15 speed.

My comment on that was entirely annecdotal. I seemed to see "a lot"
of full suspension bikes among those least inclined to seriously rough
riding (like grandfathers riding with grandkids), so I asked. As an
alternative to full suspension, you could look at just adding a
suspension seat post /if/ you actually need it.

If your main intent is weight loss and excercise, forget the hybrid.
A mountain bike will burn more calories per mile (or hour) than either
a hybrid or a road bike.

>Motobecane, Micargi, Sick by Worcycle, Firmstrong, Tank, Giant...
>whew, so many choices.

Most of those arent exactly the first names that come to mind when one
ponders a quality, name brand affordable bicycle ('website coming
soon' and no dealer list is a clue). Check out
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for user ratings.

Look at Trek, Raleigh, Giant, Fuji and Trek as well.

>I am going to take the advice and go to a local shop before I buy
>anything.

They will likely let you ride them a bit too.

12-28-2004, 10:29 AM

foots <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Thanks everyone for the great advice. I have been looking at bikes on
>E-Bay, there is quite a selection out there. There are MSRP $850 -
>$1000 (new) going for $400, and also some MSRP $ $500 for $200 - $300.
>The drawback is I'd have to assemble myself or take to a shop and no
>follow up service / trade ins. I'm mechanically inclined, so assembly
>is no problem.

Some of those could be overstock or last years models. No big deal
but your LBS will have similar deals at certain times of the year
(spring, back to school, model yr change, Xmas and prolly year end
inventory reduction).

>I'm 60# overweight and 47 years young so the full suspension is
>attractive to me. I've lost 20#'s already by diet and riding my old
>Sears Kennsington 15 speed.

My comment on that was entirely annecdotal. I seemed to see "a lot"
of full suspension bikes among those least inclined to seriously rough
riding (like grandfathers riding with grandkids), so I asked. As an
alternative to full suspension, you could look at just adding a
suspension seat post /if/ you actually need it.

If your main intent is weight loss and excercise, forget the hybrid.
A mountain bike will burn more calories per mile (or hour) than either
a hybrid or a road bike.

>Motobecane, Micargi, Sick by Worcycle, Firmstrong, Tank, Giant...
>whew, so many choices.

Most of those arent exactly the first names that come to mind when one
ponders a quality, name brand affordable bicycle ('website coming
soon' and no dealer list is a clue). Check out
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for user ratings.

Look at Trek, Raleigh, Giant, Fuji and Trek as well.

>I am going to take the advice and go to a local shop before I buy
>anything.

They will likely let you ride them a bit too.

12-28-2004, 11:58 AM

maxo <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote:
> Certainly go full suspension if you're going off-road, but be aware that
> if you're mainly going to ride on smooth trails, roads, and bike paths, a
> full suspension is simply going to add complexity, cost, weight, and a
> chance of breakage where there was none before. On the road, slightly
> wider tire than a skinny tire racer will be all the suspension anybody
> needs.
>
>

>
> I'm thinking a $500USD hybrid with 700x37c tires, suspension fork & post,
> and fenders might be just your thing. A bike for all seasons.

IME, a suspension post is just "a chance of breakage where there was none
before", especially for a heavier rider (e.g., the OP, who wants to lose a
few dozen pounds). It didn't really improve my comfort (either before
breaking, or immediately after breaking).
--
Darin McGrew, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Web Design Group, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"I can take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

12-28-2004, 11:58 AM

maxo <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote:
> Certainly go full suspension if you're going off-road, but be aware that
> if you're mainly going to ride on smooth trails, roads, and bike paths, a
> full suspension is simply going to add complexity, cost, weight, and a
> chance of breakage where there was none before. On the road, slightly
> wider tire than a skinny tire racer will be all the suspension anybody
> needs.
>
>

>
> I'm thinking a $500USD hybrid with 700x37c tires, suspension fork & post,
> and fenders might be just your thing. A bike for all seasons.

IME, a suspension post is just "a chance of breakage where there was none
before", especially for a heavier rider (e.g., the OP, who wants to lose a
few dozen pounds). It didn't really improve my comfort (either before
breaking, or immediately after breaking).
--
Darin McGrew, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Web Design Group, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"I can take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

12-28-2004, 11:58 AM

maxo <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote:
> Certainly go full suspension if you're going off-road, but be aware that
> if you're mainly going to ride on smooth trails, roads, and bike paths, a
> full suspension is simply going to add complexity, cost, weight, and a
> chance of breakage where there was none before. On the road, slightly
> wider tire than a skinny tire racer will be all the suspension anybody
> needs.
>
>

>
> I'm thinking a $500USD hybrid with 700x37c tires, suspension fork & post,
> and fenders might be just your thing. A bike for all seasons.

IME, a suspension post is just "a chance of breakage where there was none
before", especially for a heavier rider (e.g., the OP, who wants to lose a
few dozen pounds). It didn't really improve my comfort (either before
breaking, or immediately after breaking).
--
Darin McGrew, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Web Design Group, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"I can take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

12-28-2004, 11:58 AM

maxo <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote:
> Certainly go full suspension if you're going off-road, but be aware that
> if you're mainly going to ride on smooth trails, roads, and bike paths, a
> full suspension is simply going to add complexity, cost, weight, and a
> chance of breakage where there was none before. On the road, slightly
> wider tire than a skinny tire racer will be all the suspension anybody
> needs.
>
>

>
> I'm thinking a $500USD hybrid with 700x37c tires, suspension fork & post,
> and fenders might be just your thing. A bike for all seasons.

IME, a suspension post is just "a chance of breakage where there was none
before", especially for a heavier rider (e.g., the OP, who wants to lose a
few dozen pounds). It didn't really improve my comfort (either before
breaking, or immediately after breaking).
--
Darin McGrew, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Web Design Group, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"I can take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

12-28-2004, 01:28 PM

On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:58:24 +0000, Darin McGrew wrote:

> IME, a suspension post is just "a chance of breakage where there was none
> before", especially for a heavier rider (e.g., the OP, who wants to lose a
> few dozen pounds). It didn't really improve my comfort (either before
> breaking, or immediately after breaking).
> --

To be honest, I've never used one, I use a sprung Brooks Flyer saddle
instead. I've heard rants and raves about them, including yours--I'd tend
to agree with you, but a quick look at the local LBS shows the majority
of "hybrids" coming with the offending posts. If they work they
work--since so many of today's frames are harsh and overbuilt, perhaps a
good thing. If they do break, then a rigid replacement post is quite
affordable.

12-28-2004, 01:28 PM

On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:58:24 +0000, Darin McGrew wrote:

> IME, a suspension post is just "a chance of breakage where there was none
> before", especially for a heavier rider (e.g., the OP, who wants to lose a
> few dozen pounds). It didn't really improve my comfort (either before
> breaking, or immediately after breaking).
> --

To be honest, I've never used one, I use a sprung Brooks Flyer saddle
instead. I've heard rants and raves about them, including yours--I'd tend
to agree with you, but a quick look at the local LBS shows the majority
of "hybrids" coming with the offending posts. If they work they
work--since so many of today's frames are harsh and overbuilt, perhaps a
good thing. If they do break, then a rigid replacement post is quite
affordable.

12-28-2004, 01:28 PM

On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:58:24 +0000, Darin McGrew wrote:

> IME, a suspension post is just "a chance of breakage where there was none
> before", especially for a heavier rider (e.g., the OP, who wants to lose a
> few dozen pounds). It didn't really improve my comfort (either before
> breaking, or immediately after breaking).
> --

To be honest, I've never used one, I use a sprung Brooks Flyer saddle
instead. I've heard rants and raves about them, including yours--I'd tend
to agree with you, but a quick look at the local LBS shows the majority
of "hybrids" coming with the offending posts. If they work they
work--since so many of today's frames are harsh and overbuilt, perhaps a
good thing. If they do break, then a rigid replacement post is quite
affordable.