I own one of those folding bicycles that you can fold, put in your pocket, and take with you. Not so comfortable when you ride it though.
Getting a bike at a good bike shop is a great first step. Part of the slightly higher price is returned back to you better service pre- and post sale. Proper fit is way more important than components, frame weight, etc. Questions to ask? Best question... how does the bike look under me? The shop guys should have seen enough correct bike fits to help you get the correct size and geometry for you. So for more people getting a few inches of standover distance between mountain bike top tube and your jewels is important... first time you have to dismount on a rocky trail you will appreciate saving your sack. If you don't ride on trails, or ride a road bike, then standover distance can and will be much less (and less important). Second... proper reach to the handle bar (more important than standover for a road bike). The person at the bike shop will look at that, but comfort will also help you know what fits better. Too short and you feel bunched up and lose power. Too long and your lose control, and your place too much weight on arms. Your knee should be aligned above your pedal in the forward position. With pedal at 12/6 O'clock, your knee should be almost straight (the slightest of bends). Too straight and you will rock, too flexed and you will lose power and screw up your knees. The shop should do a correct fit with you, and at least one free tuneup post sale. Many shops will offer free tuneups for an extended period (eg a year) and some may even offer free tuneups. While eventually you can and should do these yourself, watching them do tuneups (adjusting cables, derailleurs, brakes, lubing) is important and some "fixes" (eg truing wheels) will probably be beyond most bike owners. So building a good relationship with your shop and repair guys is really worth. Plus you usually can get discounts on aftermarket parts, learn about organized rides, best places to ride, etc. Plus, if and when you decide to purchase a "better" bike, they will usually help you sell the old one. Aftermarket parts can and should be a future consideration. But there are two that you should immediately consider. A good aftermarket seat can be a lifesaver. Many inexpensive bikes have saddles that are too large and too padded. Sounds counter intuitive, but overly/poorly padded can feel comfortable trying out the bike in the shop, but after an hour riding creates pain (hotspots) that will make your curse the bike and hang it up for good. Not suggesting a hard leather or carbon racing saddle, but getting a better saddle like a Terry or other good saddle will help you ride longer and farther. The other immediate consideration is clip style pedals and shoes. Once you learn the simple way to clip in and out... you will find the power, control and even comfort you get from a good set of pedal/shoes will really add to your enjoyment. Way better than straps, even PowerStrap setups. You should get a good discount for any aftermarket parts you get at the time or after purchase. Down the road you can look at cheaper mail order parts places for some purchases, but always better to buy from your shop. Probably went way longer than needed, but hope the above helps.
I've got 2 bicycles - to restore, not to ride... A 1987 Schwinn Predator Free Form EX A 1990 GT Aggressor
In my country everybody owns a bike. It is funny to see people from other countries come here and try to ride a bike.
My Dad sold my SuperGoose BMX bicycle a long time ago for peanuts. I've had a Cannondale Mountain BIKE since college. It's collecting dust hanging in the garage; it's outdated compared to today's bikes. If I ever get back into riding, a new bike it is. "Bicycle...bicycle...I want to ride a...bicycle."
Like this one on ebay? Frame and Fork w/ neck and bars for $400. In good condition, those things are worth a lot of peanuts these days. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Mongoo...452366645?pt=US_Cranksets&hash=item25974f9b35
all good stuff. guess the real obvious question is though, what should i be looking at in terms of the actual bike. meaning, should i go in there and just say hey i'm looking for a bike to ride paths/sidewalks/streets with, no trails...and something within this budget...and they should have an idea? or even go in there and say...i've done some minimal research, i'm a complete newbie...but this bike has gotten decent reviews for a budget bike, and they'll go from there? or...maybe i'm just over thinking it..IDK
I love biking in the Low Countries. However, most of Croatia and Majorca (Spain) have become recently my favorite biking spots in Europe.
Yup, you are overthinking it... but going in and telling the guy at the store your budget and where you plan to ride would be the right steps. And if you can... go to a few shops. And also let him know you would be willing to consider a used bike, if they have (or know of) a good one.
about 4 summers ago, got it on craigslist for about $300, already built by the seller. since then, have invested that much in it alone on new steel wheels, tires, new front springer forks, new front disc brake, new exhaust, new gas tank, and some custom welding for more support. the original frame and the engine have stood up nicely. it was just a Micargi beach cruiser with a 50cc chinese motor random- Jake Busey builds and fixes these things, he comes from a motorcycle enthusiast family. I ended up at his shop after looking on the Internet for someone to fine tune my bike for performance. he ships them complete as well as separately if you want to try and build it yourself. www.thejakebike.com
Are these considered motorbikes? Like can you use this at a park or on a sidewalk or only on main street?
How many of yall remember the Ho Chi Minh trail in Houston? That was good funs. Government Canyon outside of San Antone is awesome, but I'm just too old for that ****.
"Bicycle?" No I don't own a motorcycle? is that why you didn't say "Bike" in the title? sorry, I can't respond to a thread with such an OP, unless this is about Queen <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ncQsBzI-JHc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I used to ride Ho Chi Minh, Laos, and Cambodia regularly in the early/mid 90's. That place is one of my favorite spots in Houston. I haven't lived in Houston in almost 20 years. Do people still mountain bike in Memorial Park?
