Need advice on buying a new bike! - The Chainlink2024-03-29T07:43:03Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/need-advice-on-buying-a-new-bike?feed=yes&xn_auth=noAs for as tires go. I have be…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6478662013-02-18T21:41:01.731ZJoe Willishttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JoeWillis
<p>As for as tires go. I have been using 700x23 slicks year round for about 4 years and switched to 700x28 last year and it is a HUGE difference. The tread is a factor as well. 700x32 slicks are still slicks. Try to find something that resembles a car tire made for all weather and handels just about anything the city can throw at it. ALso as a new rider to the city make sure you check your tire pressure often. A weekly check has kept me flat free for going on 18 months on three different…</p>
<p>As for as tires go. I have been using 700x23 slicks year round for about 4 years and switched to 700x28 last year and it is a HUGE difference. The tread is a factor as well. 700x32 slicks are still slicks. Try to find something that resembles a car tire made for all weather and handels just about anything the city can throw at it. ALso as a new rider to the city make sure you check your tire pressure often. A weekly check has kept me flat free for going on 18 months on three different bikes.</p> If you're new to riding in a…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6479032013-02-18T20:24:14.412ZMelissahttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Melissa
<p class="p1">If you're new to riding in a city, start on a bike that gives you a more upright posture to help you get used to turning to look for traffic from all directions, starting and stopping quickly, and developing the other nuances of city riding. When you move to drops or a more streamlined position you'll be more comfortable and safe. I went from …</p>
<p class="p1">If you're new to riding in a city, start on a bike that gives you a more upright posture to help you get used to turning to look for traffic from all directions, starting and stopping quickly, and developing the other nuances of city riding. When you move to drops or a more streamlined position you'll be more comfortable and safe. I went from <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2002&Brand=Gary+Fisher&Model=Capitola&Type=bike" target="_blank">this</a></span> to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-submitted/liz-ws-1979-schwinn-le-tour-mixte/" target="_blank">this</a></span><a href="http://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-submitted/liz-ws-1979-schwinn-le-tour-mixte/" target="_blank"></a> to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bikereviews.com/road-bikes/jamis/2010-jamis/jamis-satellite-femme-womens-road-bike/" target="_blank">this</a></span>.</p>
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<p class="p1">Also, for every minute you spend thinking about your new bike, spend thirty seconds thinking about how and where you plan to lock it up! Day and at night. My sense is that a lot of people have their first bike stolen while they get used to keeping it around the city. </p>
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<p class="p1">For both reasons, you could scout Working Bikes, A Nearly New Shop, or the upcoming Swap for something low-committal but quality. Good luck! </p> Even a 28mm tire is a huge im…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6479792013-02-18T17:22:59.782ZFar'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63https://thechainlink.org/profile/JamesBlackHeron
<p>Even a 28mm tire is a huge improvement over a 25 and especially a 23. It's not just the width of the tire but the volume of air inside it that allows tire pressure to safely be much lower without so many issues. Let a 23mm tire get a little low and you are in the red zone pretty quick. </p>
<p>Even a 28mm tire is a huge improvement over a 25 and especially a 23. It's not just the width of the tire but the volume of air inside it that allows tire pressure to safely be much lower without so many issues. Let a 23mm tire get a little low and you are in the red zone pretty quick. </p> >>>What's the benefi…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6480772013-02-18T16:56:38.002ZSteve Courtrighthttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SteveCourtright
<p>>>>What's the benefit of the wider wheel? Most if the city bikes I looked at seemed to have similarly thin wheels.</p>
<p>As others have correctly said, for comfort mostly, and wider tires seem to have less flats. I ride a CX bicycle with 700X32 tires through Chicago to work, and in 2 years have never had a flat tire. You can also run bigger tires at lower pressures without fear of a pinch flat. Bigger tires may also be safer in the sense of easily running over bad pavement,…</p>
<p>>>>What's the benefit of the wider wheel? Most if the city bikes I looked at seemed to have similarly thin wheels.</p>
<p>As others have correctly said, for comfort mostly, and wider tires seem to have less flats. I ride a CX bicycle with 700X32 tires through Chicago to work, and in 2 years have never had a flat tire. You can also run bigger tires at lower pressures without fear of a pinch flat. Bigger tires may also be safer in the sense of easily running over bad pavement, steel bridge grids, and other obstacles.</p>
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<p>There is a very big difference between a 21mm wide tire and a 32 mm wide tire with respect to ride comfort and safety. </p>
<p> </p> Point to William loltag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6480732013-02-18T15:38:13.760ZAustin Fenwickhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AustinFenwick
<p>Point to William lol</p>
<p>Point to William lol</p> I would consider a cx or tour…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6478322013-02-18T14:42:14.581Zwilliamhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/spocknopants
<p>I would consider a cx or touring bike. Something rack and fender friendly. And dont be afraid of shifters and derailleurs; consider it an opportunity to learn a new skill. Shifting gears can be very helpful and adjustment rarely is more complicated than turning a barrel adjuster. </p>
<p>I would consider a cx or touring bike. Something rack and fender friendly. And dont be afraid of shifters and derailleurs; consider it an opportunity to learn a new skill. Shifting gears can be very helpful and adjustment rarely is more complicated than turning a barrel adjuster. </p> That's an often-repeated bike…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6477672013-02-18T14:37:07.803Zwilliamhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/spocknopants
<p>That's an often-repeated bikeforums-level oversimplification, right there. <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Austin Fenwick said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/need-advice-on-buying-a-new-bike?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A647151&page=2#2211490Comment647540"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Frame material. Steel will flex more, be a more comfortable ride, but less of your pedal power reaches the ground because the frame flex will absorb it a bit. Aluminum is stiffer, and…</p>
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<p>That's an often-repeated bikeforums-level oversimplification, right there. <br/> <br/> <cite>Austin Fenwick said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/need-advice-on-buying-a-new-bike?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A647151&page=2#2211490Comment647540"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Frame material. Steel will flex more, be a more comfortable ride, but less of your pedal power reaches the ground because the frame flex will absorb it a bit. Aluminum is stiffer, and tends to be a little less forgiving. But that means it tends to get more power to the ground. Again it depends on you and what you like. I suggest test riding bikes made of both materials. </p>
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</blockquote> This takes a fender, but not…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-18:2211490:Comment:6476592013-02-18T04:24:15.193ZGerry Ghttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SteelDriver
<p>This takes a fender, but not enough wheels. <strong>: (</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/3624935152.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/3624935152.html</a></p>
<p><img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3Ga3Mf3Jc5L15Fa5H8d2hc499f4e9aa8b1c0c.jpg"></img></p>
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<p>Fenders in place, to many seats. <strong>: (…</strong></p>
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<p>This takes a fender, but not enough wheels. <strong>: (</strong></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/3624935152.html" target="_blank">http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/3624935152.html</a></p>
<p><img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3Ga3Mf3Jc5L15Fa5H8d2hc499f4e9aa8b1c0c.jpg"/></p>
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<p>Fenders in place, to many seats. <strong>: (</strong></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/3624921169.html" target="_blank">http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/3624921169.html</a></p>
<p><img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3I23Je3Hd5Nc5H65J9d2h8badd03f78011779.jpg"/></p>
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<p>Lots of wheels along with lots of fenders. <strong>: (</strong></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3602434368.html" target="_blank">http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3602434368.html</a></p>
<p><img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3G93M43N15Le5F75M1d2839546f06616e123b.jpg"/></p>
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<p>Hey two wheels, one seat, two fenders, yeah! <strong>: )</strong></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/3571773608.html" target="_blank">http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/3571773608.html</a></p>
<p><img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3Kb3J33Nb5H45J85Mcd1p8664e9c34532178d.jpg"/></p>
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<p>Sarah, keep us informed of your choice. <strong>; )</strong> and have fun. </p> Sarah, as a guy who works at…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-17:2211490:Comment:6475402013-02-17T14:59:39.123ZAustin Fenwickhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AustinFenwick
<p>Sarah, as a guy who works at a shop several things have been said that make sense. </p>
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<p>First, always test ride. A test ride helps you figure out if you like how the bike has you sitting, how it rides and feels etc. </p>
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<p>2nd, having something that accepts wider tires is def a good thing. More cushy and stable, but having a mountain bike would be to much. Something like the cross check (I actually ride one) is a good base for alot of stuff and can go fast, attach racks,…</p>
<p>Sarah, as a guy who works at a shop several things have been said that make sense. </p>
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<p>First, always test ride. A test ride helps you figure out if you like how the bike has you sitting, how it rides and feels etc. </p>
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<p>2nd, having something that accepts wider tires is def a good thing. More cushy and stable, but having a mountain bike would be to much. Something like the cross check (I actually ride one) is a good base for alot of stuff and can go fast, attach racks, ride in dirt/mud. A little of everything. </p>
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<p>One thing I will mention is in the end it all depends on the type of riding you will do. If you see yourself doing longerish rides (ie longer than 10 miles) regularly, get something closer to a road bike in my opinion. But if you don't see your recreational rides going longer than 10 miles ever, a flat bar commuter bike might be the way to go. </p>
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<p>Oh and one other thing. Frame material. Steel will flex more, be a more comfortable ride, but less of your pedal power reaches the ground because the frame flex will absorb it a bit. Aluminum is stiffer, and tends to be a little less forgiving. But that means it tends to get more power to the ground. Again it depends on you and what you like. I suggest test riding bikes made of both materials. </p>
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<p>Have fun :)</p> Sarah, as much as I believe i…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-17:2211490:Comment:6477232013-02-17T06:44:23.921Zmilkbarhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/milkbar
Sarah, as much as I believe in my own little brand's bikes, I will say that they are very much designed for folks with extremely specific ideas about what their needs are, and maybe at this point not ideal for your search.
Sarah, as much as I believe in my own little brand's bikes, I will say that they are very much designed for folks with extremely specific ideas about what their needs are, and maybe at this point not ideal for your search.