What bike do I buy? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-09-2004, 10:03 AM

Hi Folks,
I'm a casual/weekend biker and looking to buy a bike....will
appreciate any help.
I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
trails around Chicago - where I live. Its not hilly around here and I
do not intend to go on hills either. I ride my cousin's mountain bike,
would like to get one for myself now that I know I will continue doing
this.
Which bikes (brand etc) would you guys recommend? How much should I be
looking to spend?.

Might seem like a stupid question, or maybe I could try it myself,
Does anyone carry their bike inside the car?

Thanks in advance
Ace

06-09-2004, 10:20 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Hi Folks,
> I'm a casual/weekend biker and looking to buy a bike....will
> appreciate any help.
> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live. Its not hilly around here and I
> do not intend to go on hills either. I ride my cousin's mountain bike,
> would like to get one for myself now that I know I will continue doing
> this.

Welcome to the cycling world! Make yourself at home, and don't be
surprised if you start wanting to ride a lot more than you are right
now; it's a rather addictive passtime <grin>. If you find yourself
riding more on paved trails or roads, you might be looking for a
different style of bike, but you can worry about that when the time
comes.

> Which bikes (brand etc) would you guys recommend? How much should I be
> looking to spend?.

Most of the major manufacturers (Trek and Fuji to name two) have several
good entry-level mountain and hybrid (similar construction, but usually
lighter than a mountain bike, and with smooth tires for less rolling
resistance on paved surfaces) bike models for less than $300, and some
less than $250, which you should be able to find at your local bike
shop. You might even find them on closeout for around $200. Some
models to look at would be the Trek Navigator 820, or the Trek 3500 or
3700.

>
> Might seem like a stupid question, or maybe I could try it myself,
> Does anyone carry their bike inside the car?

Yes, lots.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-09-2004, 10:20 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Hi Folks,
> I'm a casual/weekend biker and looking to buy a bike....will
> appreciate any help.
> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live. Its not hilly around here and I
> do not intend to go on hills either. I ride my cousin's mountain bike,
> would like to get one for myself now that I know I will continue doing
> this.

Welcome to the cycling world! Make yourself at home, and don't be
surprised if you start wanting to ride a lot more than you are right
now; it's a rather addictive passtime <grin>. If you find yourself
riding more on paved trails or roads, you might be looking for a
different style of bike, but you can worry about that when the time
comes.

> Which bikes (brand etc) would you guys recommend? How much should I be
> looking to spend?.

Most of the major manufacturers (Trek and Fuji to name two) have several
good entry-level mountain and hybrid (similar construction, but usually
lighter than a mountain bike, and with smooth tires for less rolling
resistance on paved surfaces) bike models for less than $300, and some
less than $250, which you should be able to find at your local bike
shop. You might even find them on closeout for around $200. Some
models to look at would be the Trek Navigator 820, or the Trek 3500 or
3700.

>
> Might seem like a stupid question, or maybe I could try it myself,
> Does anyone carry their bike inside the car?

Yes, lots.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-09-2004, 10:20 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Hi Folks,
> I'm a casual/weekend biker and looking to buy a bike....will
> appreciate any help.
> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live. Its not hilly around here and I
> do not intend to go on hills either. I ride my cousin's mountain bike,
> would like to get one for myself now that I know I will continue doing
> this.

Welcome to the cycling world! Make yourself at home, and don't be
surprised if you start wanting to ride a lot more than you are right
now; it's a rather addictive passtime <grin>. If you find yourself
riding more on paved trails or roads, you might be looking for a
different style of bike, but you can worry about that when the time
comes.

> Which bikes (brand etc) would you guys recommend? How much should I be
> looking to spend?.

Most of the major manufacturers (Trek and Fuji to name two) have several
good entry-level mountain and hybrid (similar construction, but usually
lighter than a mountain bike, and with smooth tires for less rolling
resistance on paved surfaces) bike models for less than $300, and some
less than $250, which you should be able to find at your local bike
shop. You might even find them on closeout for around $200. Some
models to look at would be the Trek Navigator 820, or the Trek 3500 or
3700.

>
> Might seem like a stupid question, or maybe I could try it myself,
> Does anyone carry their bike inside the car?

Yes, lots.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-09-2004, 10:20 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Hi Folks,
> I'm a casual/weekend biker and looking to buy a bike....will
> appreciate any help.
> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live. Its not hilly around here and I
> do not intend to go on hills either. I ride my cousin's mountain bike,
> would like to get one for myself now that I know I will continue doing
> this.

Welcome to the cycling world! Make yourself at home, and don't be
surprised if you start wanting to ride a lot more than you are right
now; it's a rather addictive passtime <grin>. If you find yourself
riding more on paved trails or roads, you might be looking for a
different style of bike, but you can worry about that when the time
comes.

> Which bikes (brand etc) would you guys recommend? How much should I be
> looking to spend?.

Most of the major manufacturers (Trek and Fuji to name two) have several
good entry-level mountain and hybrid (similar construction, but usually
lighter than a mountain bike, and with smooth tires for less rolling
resistance on paved surfaces) bike models for less than $300, and some
less than $250, which you should be able to find at your local bike
shop. You might even find them on closeout for around $200. Some
models to look at would be the Trek Navigator 820, or the Trek 3500 or
3700.

>
> Might seem like a stupid question, or maybe I could try it myself,
> Does anyone carry their bike inside the car?

Yes, lots.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-09-2004, 10:20 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Hi Folks,
> I'm a casual/weekend biker and looking to buy a bike....will
> appreciate any help.
> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live. Its not hilly around here and I
> do not intend to go on hills either. I ride my cousin's mountain bike,
> would like to get one for myself now that I know I will continue doing
> this.

Welcome to the cycling world! Make yourself at home, and don't be
surprised if you start wanting to ride a lot more than you are right
now; it's a rather addictive passtime <grin>. If you find yourself
riding more on paved trails or roads, you might be looking for a
different style of bike, but you can worry about that when the time
comes.

> Which bikes (brand etc) would you guys recommend? How much should I be
> looking to spend?.

Most of the major manufacturers (Trek and Fuji to name two) have several
good entry-level mountain and hybrid (similar construction, but usually
lighter than a mountain bike, and with smooth tires for less rolling
resistance on paved surfaces) bike models for less than $300, and some
less than $250, which you should be able to find at your local bike
shop. You might even find them on closeout for around $200. Some
models to look at would be the Trek Navigator 820, or the Trek 3500 or
3700.

>
> Might seem like a stupid question, or maybe I could try it myself,
> Does anyone carry their bike inside the car?

Yes, lots.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-09-2004, 10:42 AM

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 10:03:50 -0700, Ace wrote:

> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live.

Chicago is flat and that's not a whole lot of miles, I'd get something
used or inexpensive and upgrade if you get into it. $300 buys a good
citybike --I'd recommend a Shimano Nexus internal 7-speed for Chicago
since weight doesn't really matter so much because of the flatness--no/low
maintainance means more riding.

Where to buy?

Rapid Transit on North Avenue is highly recommended, I bought a Marin city
bike with a Nexus hub there a few years ago, it was stolen, and because of
their network, they found and returned it!!

Urban Bikes, if they're still open, on the northside can
build/sell/restore a nice sleazy urban assault vehicle for ya.

06-09-2004, 10:42 AM

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 10:03:50 -0700, Ace wrote:

> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live.

Chicago is flat and that's not a whole lot of miles, I'd get something
used or inexpensive and upgrade if you get into it. $300 buys a good
citybike --I'd recommend a Shimano Nexus internal 7-speed for Chicago
since weight doesn't really matter so much because of the flatness--no/low
maintainance means more riding.

Where to buy?

Rapid Transit on North Avenue is highly recommended, I bought a Marin city
bike with a Nexus hub there a few years ago, it was stolen, and because of
their network, they found and returned it!!

Urban Bikes, if they're still open, on the northside can
build/sell/restore a nice sleazy urban assault vehicle for ya.

06-09-2004, 10:42 AM

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 10:03:50 -0700, Ace wrote:

> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live.

Chicago is flat and that's not a whole lot of miles, I'd get something
used or inexpensive and upgrade if you get into it. $300 buys a good
citybike --I'd recommend a Shimano Nexus internal 7-speed for Chicago
since weight doesn't really matter so much because of the flatness--no/low
maintainance means more riding.

Where to buy?

Rapid Transit on North Avenue is highly recommended, I bought a Marin city
bike with a Nexus hub there a few years ago, it was stolen, and because of
their network, they found and returned it!!

Urban Bikes, if they're still open, on the northside can
build/sell/restore a nice sleazy urban assault vehicle for ya.

06-09-2004, 10:42 AM

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 10:03:50 -0700, Ace wrote:

> I bike about 15-18 mi, once/twice a week. Mostly on paved/unpaved
> trails around Chicago - where I live.

Chicago is flat and that's not a whole lot of miles, I'd get something
used or inexpensive and upgrade if you get into it. $300 buys a good
citybike --I'd recommend a Shimano Nexus internal 7-speed for Chicago
since weight doesn't really matter so much because of the flatness--no/low
maintainance means more riding.

Where to buy?

Rapid Transit on North Avenue is highly recommended, I bought a Marin city
bike with a Nexus hub there a few years ago, it was stolen, and because of
their network, they found and returned it!!

Urban Bikes, if they're still open, on the northside can
build/sell/restore a nice sleazy urban assault vehicle for ya.