Zora N.
I have been asking tonnes and tonnes of questions here about potential bikes to buy; it seems that any bike that I like (or is within my price range, for that matter) is complete and utter crap (nicely said by one of the users here). I really didn't want to spend more than $275. But I have picked up a few tips from what I've learned here. All in all, it **seems** to me that the best bike I can afford is at least $500.
If you're wondering my purpose, I need it to bike to school and work (basically use it 1-2x EVERY day). I would use it on pavement road... and would probably end up riding an average of 2 miles per day. I'm also female (as you may have already guessed) and 160cm.
I realise very much that I am ignorant on these things, so I do request that you have a tiny smidge of mercy on me and not be mean :P
Thank you so so much!
@intrepidfae - Oooh in all my rush to buy a new bike, I didn't even consider used bikes from Craigslist. Good option, thanks :D
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IF this rant is too long, here is the summary:
I want a good bike to use everyday. Only have $275. Should I wait?
Answer
OMG Zora, You have indeed learned something. Congratulations. I am not kidding and don't take it as condescending or patronizing. It is just such a rare happening around here. Most of the time, people tend to do exactly the opposite of what they are advised and then wonder why things don't work.
Knowing the purpose of the bike helps a lot. Now I understand that you need a reliable, dependable bike for commuting but only for 2 miles a day average. That opens some doors or at least softens the demands on the bike a bit. For a 2 mile commute "almost" anything will do but not just any piece of junk. You still want it not to break constantly on the way to work and I don't think that you are interested on getting the tools out a lot. For me, getting grease under my nails is ok, I do that for fun... when I am not at Y!A.
Back to your question. I still think you need to buy from a real bike shop. You will need the warranty, the after sale adjustments and the free tune ups. As well as help with flats and other issues that happens a lot. You see, there a few well known, first tier brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized and a few more that make great bikes but even the basic models will be a bit over what you want to pay. Then there are the second tier that are just almost as good but don't have the name recognition even if some have been around for ages. Kona, Motobecane, Raleigh, Fuji, Diamondback, and many more. You find those in the Local Bike Shop, LBS, for a fairly good price although some are only available on line which is not a good option for you at the time.
And then is the used bike option. Out of the 20 or so bikes I ever owned, only 4 were new. If you go used, get a used bike from the LBS. Clist is not for you. You wouldn't know what to look for, what kind of components. How much wear and tear is there. Most Clist bikes are asking 3x what they are worth and you will have to spend some money in repairs in the first month, maybe even several hundreds. some people find real treasures in Clist, but those people know what to look for and may take months. If you buy from a bike shop, you can trade up later, especially if they know the bike condition.
Hey, I can rant too. Feel free to ask.
The first link show my wife's new bike, 7.6 intended for longer rides and 200 mile tours. Even the 7.1 in that FX series will be a nice bike.
The second link is to an online store. Do not buy from there as you will need to do some assembly, use it for reference. You want a hybrid bike (not step through) with 700 tires, double wall aluminum rims. Make sure it has a cassette and freehub and not the old technology freewheel which is weaker. That should be enough to get you going. I sincerely think that you will out grow that bike and maybe will need a road bike later on.
Even a Diamondback wouldn't be a bad choice. I have one since 1989 with over 10k miles.
OMG Zora, You have indeed learned something. Congratulations. I am not kidding and don't take it as condescending or patronizing. It is just such a rare happening around here. Most of the time, people tend to do exactly the opposite of what they are advised and then wonder why things don't work.
Knowing the purpose of the bike helps a lot. Now I understand that you need a reliable, dependable bike for commuting but only for 2 miles a day average. That opens some doors or at least softens the demands on the bike a bit. For a 2 mile commute "almost" anything will do but not just any piece of junk. You still want it not to break constantly on the way to work and I don't think that you are interested on getting the tools out a lot. For me, getting grease under my nails is ok, I do that for fun... when I am not at Y!A.
Back to your question. I still think you need to buy from a real bike shop. You will need the warranty, the after sale adjustments and the free tune ups. As well as help with flats and other issues that happens a lot. You see, there a few well known, first tier brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized and a few more that make great bikes but even the basic models will be a bit over what you want to pay. Then there are the second tier that are just almost as good but don't have the name recognition even if some have been around for ages. Kona, Motobecane, Raleigh, Fuji, Diamondback, and many more. You find those in the Local Bike Shop, LBS, for a fairly good price although some are only available on line which is not a good option for you at the time.
And then is the used bike option. Out of the 20 or so bikes I ever owned, only 4 were new. If you go used, get a used bike from the LBS. Clist is not for you. You wouldn't know what to look for, what kind of components. How much wear and tear is there. Most Clist bikes are asking 3x what they are worth and you will have to spend some money in repairs in the first month, maybe even several hundreds. some people find real treasures in Clist, but those people know what to look for and may take months. If you buy from a bike shop, you can trade up later, especially if they know the bike condition.
Hey, I can rant too. Feel free to ask.
The first link show my wife's new bike, 7.6 intended for longer rides and 200 mile tours. Even the 7.1 in that FX series will be a nice bike.
The second link is to an online store. Do not buy from there as you will need to do some assembly, use it for reference. You want a hybrid bike (not step through) with 700 tires, double wall aluminum rims. Make sure it has a cassette and freehub and not the old technology freewheel which is weaker. That should be enough to get you going. I sincerely think that you will out grow that bike and maybe will need a road bike later on.
Even a Diamondback wouldn't be a bad choice. I have one since 1989 with over 10k miles.
Which is safer for a little kid to learn on: Dirt bike or ATV?
Lil Jordan
My son is 2 and and am getting him into motocross. The dirtbike I have in mind is the pw50: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/40/home.aspx and I haven't decided on the quad yet. I just want to know which one is better and safer for him to learn on?
For anyone who will bash me and not answer the question, don't waste your time. For those who think these vehicles are dangerous, you are misinformed. They are safe when used properly and when the children are closely supervised and wearing the proper safety equip. For almost every story of serious injury/death, I can easily point out what was done wrong. For those who say they go 70 mph, no. Who in their right mind would produce a vehicle for kids that goes that fast? These dirt bikes/quads go up to 35 and the speed can be limited down to 5, plus they have a kill switch to shut off the engine if they get to far or are doing something they are not supposed to do. They also have a wrist strap to shut of the engine if they fall off for some reason. For those who say he is too young to operate a vehicle like this, then check these out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-7Z3_WTIF0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cmDMPUyaus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx0xbV_ixEk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COjlC8TQxmc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmmSBwohW9M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9QF6M3Xq2M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4P47cO3s14
Yeah, small children can't possibly operate a quad/dirtbike... And there's PLENTY more where that came from! Just do a simple search on youtube.
I plan to teach him everything there is about riding and he can ride along with me. He won't be in any races until a few years from now. If you don't have an answer to the above question, then go away. Thanks in advance my peoples.
Answer
If your son flips the 4 wheeler over he has a better chance of getting seriously hurt. If he flips a dirtbike over chances are he will just get a little bump and get right back on the bike. Wrecks are less common on 4 wheelers but when they do happen it usually ends in the child getting hurt instead of a little scrape.
Go for the dirtbike. My husband got my son a JR 50 for his 2nd birthday. He is 6 years old now and hasn't been hurt yet.
If your son flips the 4 wheeler over he has a better chance of getting seriously hurt. If he flips a dirtbike over chances are he will just get a little bump and get right back on the bike. Wrecks are less common on 4 wheelers but when they do happen it usually ends in the child getting hurt instead of a little scrape.
Go for the dirtbike. My husband got my son a JR 50 for his 2nd birthday. He is 6 years old now and hasn't been hurt yet.
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