Anyone into bikes? And I mean bicycles

pimpsta · 06-02-2009, 04:50 PM

My commute to work is about 8 miles each way and wanted to see if biking is possible. A friend of mine offered his mountain bike (he got it at toys r us) to me and i gladly took it home. On the test drive, the bike needs some tuning so I rode to my nearest bike shop, which was about 3 miles away. The tuning fee is fairly cheap, about $50. But once I told him what my purpose was, he told me I will have a really difficult time riding that for 8 miles each way (and my ass was hurting from the cheap saddle at this point). Especially when I'm 6'1" and 200#. The bikes he showed me are about $500 (Trek, Specialized) and I am thinking if I should spend that much on a bike. Hey, i'm cheap.

From our conversation, it looks like a hybrid is the way to go instead of strickly road bikes or mountain bikes.

Just wanted to see what everyone thinks.

JZurita · 06-02-2009, 04:54 PM

A co-worker and I did this for a while and I bought a Diamond Back hybrid. Rode like a charm, while my co-worker would complain about his mountain bike kicking his ass every morning.

Jyoder7 · 06-02-2009, 07:39 PM

I just bought a cheap Huffy B One mountain bike at a garage sale. It's nothing special but it's a full suspension. The state park by my house has some sweet trails that i want to start hitting for exercise.

Dizolit · 06-05-2009, 02:11 AM

$500 is actually fairly cheap for a decent bicycle. Trek, Specialized, etc are all quality brands you can trust. An alternative is to get a bike from www.bikesdirect.com. They have the best bang for the buck components (front/rear deraileurs, shifters, etc) with reliable frames. If you buy from bikesdirect.com though, make sure you have the local bike shop tune it up so you don't end up adjusting something incorrectly and getting hurt. Since you'll be using it for commuting, a hybrid/comfort bike is definitely the best type of bike for you.

Road bikes are more for speed, and mountain bikes are heavy/slow. Oh and don't trust those cheap mountain bikes to go on anywhere other than the street unless you want to get injured.

With that said, I'd go with the $500 bikes you mentioned from a local bike shop. Often times they provide free tune ups afterwards and they can teach/tell you things about bike maintenance and other bike-related stuff.

JasonZ-YA · 06-05-2009, 06:32 AM

dude ya, for what your talking, get a hybrid.........

but really ask yourself if this biking to and from is what you will definately be doing, cause spending a few hundred and not sticking with it can make the entire effort not worth it.......

for what your considering, get a hybrid and enjoy it........if you find biking to be a fun activity you want to pursue further, then at that time, its best to purchase another bike, mountain or road, and go from there, but using a mtn or road for commuting to fit both purposes does suck...

-J

pimpsta · 06-05-2009, 08:28 AM

Thanks guys. I went to the shop again yesterday to check them out and have decided on Trek's FX 7.2. With tax and few accessories, I am looking at about $500 (the bike itself is going for mid $400). And Dizo is correct, the shop offers free adjusting for the first 90 days and free labor on all parts. They were very helpful in terms of explaining how each components can be costomized to fit my needs.

Due to the job I am applying for, I need to get in better shape, so yes, I will (have to) stick with this. More the reasons why I don't want to beat myself up with a Walmart bike.

JasonZ-YA · 06-05-2009, 09:04 AM

^ awesome...enjoy and stay safe..

Jyoder7 · 06-06-2009, 07:37 AM

I went and hit a 4-mile trail last night at the state park by my house. I had no idea it would be that difficult. I'm going to be so sore later today. I'm also going to invest in some padded biking shorts. It's a little sensitive down there today lol

Krank · 06-06-2009, 08:02 AM

I've really been wanting to get into road biking, but last time I went the local shop it was like $800 for a starter Specialized road bike. I dunno if i'll stick with it so I am kinda hesitant to pull the trigger

JasonZ-YA · 06-06-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krank

I've really been wanting to get into road biking, but last time I went the local shop it was like $800 for a starter Specialized road bike. I dunno if i'll stick with it so I am kinda hesitant to pull the trigger

oh man, your best bet is to see if you can find a buddy who has an extra bike and ride with him, or borrow a buds road bike and try it out.....

may even wanna consider maybe renting a bike? call a local bike shop and tell them your concern, they may have a local group ride and know some of the "regulars" that may be able to hook you up with a spare or a "wifes" bike, etc...

but i bet there are some nice country roads over in Norman.......ive been to OKC many times...

-J

KShep · 06-11-2009, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpsta

Thanks guys. I went to the shop again yesterday to check them out and have decided on Trek's FX 7.2. With tax and few accessories, I am looking at about $500 (the bike itself is going for mid $400). And Dizo is correct, the shop offers free adjusting for the first 90 days and free labor on all parts. They were very helpful in terms of explaining how each components can be costomized to fit my needs.

Due to the job I am applying for, I need to get in better shape, so yes, I will (have to) stick with this. More the reasons why I don't want to beat myself up with a Walmart bike.

Nice choice. Your local shop is usually the best source for component upgrades and should offer useful advice.

I have been riding a Trek 970 hardtail for ~20 years. Last week I tried out a Trek FX 7.7 and decided it was time for a change. The bike is due to arrive today and will get a Shimano XT brake upgrade from stock as well as wider 700-32 tires...looking at Shimano 540 series clipless pedals.

Good luck with your new bike....cycling shorts will help on those longish commutes and a 'thudbuster' seatpost can smooth out the ride with minimal added weight.
From looking at the pic of the FX 7.2. I would suggest adding clipless pedals which are much more efficient and maybe a pair of bar ends....another location on the bars to place your hands.

pimpsta · 06-11-2009, 09:09 AM

Yea, I got the bike yesterday and did my first "tour" this morning (I got the matte Gold instead of blue). It wasn't as bad as I thought, took me about 45 mins for 8.5 miles. It includes couple steep-ish hills and tons of traffic lights. Will certainly look into bar ends, but I find myself shifting so much that I think they will come in handy about 50% of the time. My ass is kinda sore though. From the guy @ the bike shop, it takes about 2-3 weeks for my ass and the saddle to come to peace with each other. Is that true?

Also looking to buy a computer-thingy for speed and distance.

2005daytonaZ · 06-11-2009, 09:19 AM

I've been thinking about getting in to biking but more off road stuff...A friend of mine goes pretty hard core with his wearing pads and chest protectors. Came back one time and had a bunch of broken spokes and stuff to fix...seemed pretty gnarly.

KShep · 06-11-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpsta

Yea, I got the bike yesterday and did my first "tour" this morning (I got the matte Gold instead of blue). It wasn't as bad as I thought, took me about 45 mins for 8.5 miles. It includes couple steep-ish hills and tons of traffic lights. Will certainly look into bar ends, but I find myself shifting so much that I think they will come in handy about 50% of the time. My ass is kinda sore though. From the guy @ the bike shop, it takes about 2-3 weeks for my ass and the saddle to come to peace with each other. Is that true?

Also looking to buy a computer-thingy for speed and distance.

Congratulations on your first ride!!

Buy a good pair of bike shorts. They have extra padding built in that will save your azz. You can wear them underneath your work clothes or pack your work attiire on the bike....assuming you have a place to change clothes. The 'thudbuster' seat post will also help or maybe check out a different saddle.

The speed/distance computer is a good idea too

pimpsta · 06-11-2009, 04:54 PM

Any recommendations on shorts? Want the baggy ones w/ pads.

KShep · 06-12-2009, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpsta

Any recommendations on shorts? Want the baggy ones w/ pads.

It's been a while since I have bought new cycling shorts.

I have some mountain bike shorts look like normal short pants...much more so than most road bike shorts.

If your shop does not carry cycling apparel just browse the Internet...usually the more 'panels' the better they will fit.

hth