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| *Vultures Knob>>>Street Bike |
What kind of bike should I buy? |
I'm in the marker for a bike but I don't know where to begin. I want something I can use on the street, because I wanna bike to work. But I'd also like something that can handle slighly tougher terrain, in case I decide to take my bike someplace for a weekend ride, etc. Can anyone out there give me any suggestions on brands, prices, that sort of stuff? I really have no idea where to begin. Many thanks... A hybrid or a mountain bike. Choose a hybrid if you want comfort and efficiency first, and the toughness and durability to manage tracks second. The hybrid will not be able to go everywhere that a mountain bike does. Choose a mountain bike if you're willing to trade on road efficiency for the ability to go anywhere. A mountain bike is not so good for commuting and city-based recreational riding (that said, modern MTBs can be pretty good all rounders and you can always buy a second set of wheels - one lot with city tyres and a set of knobblies for the weekend). Hybrids are sometimes merely mountain bikes with slimmer, tyres. Avoid these, because the frame geometry is wrong for street use. Go to a good dealer and try out genuine hybrids from manufacturers like Cannondale, Specialised and Trek. Whether you go for a hybrid or an MTB, buy the best you can afford from a well known bikemaker and a good, high end shop. Go for the best componentry you can afford (gears and brakes) because cheap components go wrong or work badly and this will put you off cycling. I recommend you go for good front suspension, but avoid rear suspension - for your requirement it is pointless, adds weight, goes wrong, reduces ride quality and adds price. Cycling is great sport, great recreation and great transport. Enjoy it! Schwin Bikes are good or get the ones that BMXers use in the X games Hybrid good. A good hybrid is a road bike first of all but has gearing and strength for off road. Get a sealed unit bottom bracket - that is fundamental, cos anything else will die. If you can afford to get hand-built wheels, it can be a good idea, especially if your work trips involve carting stuff back and forward. Don't go for knobbly tyres - you would be amazed at how much extra energy you waste going to work with them, and you don't really need them on ordinary trails. But dead smooth tyres are also not so great - get something midway. Get a rack on the back and panniers - don't skimp on those. Vee brakes are fine, you don't need the hub brakes. Personally I think suspension forks are a bit overrated - but then I've got cheap ones, and maybe the bike notices the benefit more than I do. I like Sachs chain and shifters, but the ubiquitous Shimano is fine if you don't go entry level. Have fun... You should get a lightweight mountain bike, preferably with front shocks. Put slick tires on it, and when you want to go off-road for the weekend, switch tires. With practice, it should take less then ten minutes for the switch. A cross country trailbike will be your best bet. Though your tires don't have to be for rough terrain---there are great tires for your rugged rides ( Michelin, Tioga and Continental are swell.). Choose 'hardtails' w/ a good front suspension ( brands like Manitou Black, Rock Shox Psylo, etc. are alright )---with the appropriate size, drivetrain and protection ( a helmet like Bell, Giro, etc.) and some tips from Mountain Bike Action magazine ( www.mbaaction.com) will get you off the ground! Get a cyclocross bike. The most diverse machine between road and offroad. Is very heavy duty, light for the amount of abuse it takes and darn right fun to take where most road bikes can't go. You'll likely have the fastest bike on any given trail. Change the knobby tires to regular smooth road tires for road club rides. I've raced over cobblestones and it holds up very well to stress. Under $1000. http://www.maruichi.org/user/9-dscf0015.... |
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