Opinions on bicycles?

[sunseeker]

I vote for the Trek even though I own a Specialized....
Make sure you buy froma bike shop and not a wally world type of place. I love the personalized service of a home town bike shoo

Make sure you get some cycling shorts...it will make a world of difference in the feeling of your tushie after the ride...

[Hockey Mon]

Don't mind to hijack but I have question. I too am looking to buy a new road bike this year. Nothing special, something I could use a few times a month for maybe 20/30 mile rides. I don't need the top of the line bike, something low to mid-range would probably be just fine. Would it make any sense for me to look at Craigslist for a 2-3 year bike vs buying new from a store? Pros to buying new is you have a warrenty and likelyhood something will fail is lower vs buying used where it may be cheaper but the bike already has a few years on it and something may be more likely to break.
When I bought my mountain bike (a GT), I bought it new and man I love it. I just don't use it enough.

Curious to know what people think or have done.

[Bicycle Bill]

Don't mind to hijack but I have question. I too am looking to buy a new road bike this year. Nothing special, something I could use a few times a month for maybe 20/30 mile rides. I don't need the top of the line bike, something low to mid-range would probably be just fine. Would it make any sense for me to look at Craigslist for a 2-3 year bike vs buying new from a store? Pros to buying new is you have a warrenty and likelyhood something will fail is lower vs buying used where it may be cheaper but the bike already has a few years on it and something may be more likely to break.
When I bought my mountain bike (a GT), I bought it new and man I love it. I just don't use it enough.

Curious to know what people think or have done.

If you do your homework a Craigslist or eBay bike would be fine. Eyeball the frame carefully, though. Wheels can be trued or replaced, but if the frame is bent or sprung there's nothing you can do. Pass it up and go elsewhere. You might also check with your LBS and see what they might have in a 'last year's model' or a floor model, that you could get for less than full price. They also might know who is trying to sell an older bike, in decent condition, that would be suitable for you.

I'll re-echo the sentiment to avoid the Mall-wart bikes. You want something that was assembled by professionals and, if needed, will be serviced by professionals. It's true, bike shops are more than willing to work on a bike that wasn't bought there, but if you are their customer to begin with you may find that there are some 'privileges' and 'perks' you receive that others don't.

-"BB"-

[Staredge]

That's me....always late to the party. Thanks for the nod, Bill. I used to know something about them. I miss working in a shop.

Pretty much can't argue with anything being said. Glad to see you've avoided falling into the Box-mart trap. ALWAYS support your local shop. You've gotten good advice it seems. Both companies build good solid bikes. I lean toward Giant, but that's primarily because my shop was a Giant dealer. It comes down to which one you most envision sitting in the living room.

Living room, you say???


Yep. 'cause when you find the bike you love, you'll want to keep it nearby all the time. (I have pictures of mine on my phone and my computer)


See? Phone:


Computer:


Hockey Mon: Why not ride your mountain bike? go to a shop & ask for a set of semislick tires. They ride pretty good on the road, but still have knobs on the side for packed trails.

[nutmeg]

This is the bike I'm leaning toward getting. It is comfortable for me to sit on, ride and "feels right."



Of course mine will have fenders, a rack on back, a cool bell and a cool bag on the back...

[Staredge]

Shhhhh.....don't tell anyone, but blue bikes go faster

Getting a bike that feels right is key. You'll grow to love it. Ask your shop to show you basic maintenance skills: how to change a tire, lube a chain, adjust your brakes. Simple things that come in handy.

[Karacal]

This is the bike I'm leaning toward getting. It is comfortable for me to sit on, ride and "feels right."



Of course mine will have fenders, a rack on back, a cool bell and a cool bag on the back...

This is the same bike as mine...only I have it in green. Darn...I knew I should have bought the blue one!! (So I could go faster)

[chippewa]

Remember, once you decide on a bike, we're all here to help you decorate it.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53308

[nutmeg]

I'm beginning to find that bicycle bells could become an addicting type of "jewelry" for the bike.

In a quick search on e-bay I found bells decorated as beachballs, skull and crossbones, eight ball, flowers, turtles, frogs, ladybugs, ones with compasses, ones with lights....etc etc. etc.

[Hockey Mon]

That's me....always late to the party. Thanks for the nod, Bill. I used to know something about them. I miss working in a shop.

Pretty much can't argue with anything being said. Glad to see you've avoided falling into the Box-mart trap. ALWAYS support your local shop. You've gotten good advice it seems. Both companies build good solid bikes. I lean toward Giant, but that's primarily because my shop was a Giant dealer. It comes down to which one you most envision sitting in the living room.

Living room, you say???


Yep. 'cause when you find the bike you love, you'll want to keep it nearby all the time. (I have pictures of mine on my phone and my computer)


See? Phone:


Computer:


Hockey Mon: Why not ride your mountain bike? go to a shop & ask for a set of semislick tires. They ride pretty good on the road, but still have knobs on the side for packed trails.

Didn't really think about that. I'll have to go check that out. Thanks.

[docandjeanie]

Cool selection Nancy, Doc has a specialized too. I really like yours, hmmmm maybe get rid of my trek, lol