I wanna buy a bike
Posted by Cheezees on Aug 22, 2007 · Member since Jul 2007 · 322 posts
Any suggestions?
Make, model, prices?
I have no idea what to look for. I just want own to do some casual riding on. What about helmets, seats, locks etc? I live in NYC but there are some parks and non-busy residential areas near me that I'd like to explore.
Thanks! :)
Thanks Tofuttibreak!
I offer no real advice but just wanted to comment on some of those extreme cyclists who work their crazy traffic dodging maneuvers in NYC. Watching them scares the hell out of me, I'd never feel that confident riding those streets! I hope you are able to find a bike, Cheezees.. I'm sure the rides in the calmer areas will actually be enjoyable.
i agree w/ tofuttibreak about getting a USED bike and a U lock. also, if you need to tote stuff around and you don't like backpacks definitely get a basket or base for a crate. i am not sure what the law is in new york but in CA we don't need to wear helmets after age 18... and i don't. i probably should but i hate them.
i purchased my current bike at the swap meet(flea market, whatever you want to call it) for $20. really, if you aren't going to do anything hardcore just get something you are comfortable on :)
Thanks guys. I'm seriously considering a used bike now. Good choice since I'm broke too. And I don't mind back packs. The basket is a little to girly :D and cumbersome for me. It's off to craigslist I go.
i agree w/ tofuttibreak about getting a USED bike and a U lock. also, if you need to tote stuff around and you don't like backpacks definitely get a basket or base for a crate. i am not sure what the law is in new york but in CA we don't need to wear helmets after age 18... and i don't. i probably should but i hate them.
i purchased my current bike at the swap meet(flea market, whatever you want to call it) for $20. really, if you aren't going to do anything hardcore just get something you are comfortable on :)
I love my bike basket! It's just a wire basket that hangs from the handle bars. It's very convenient, especially in summer when a backpack can make you even sweatier than you already are.
i agree w/ tofuttibreak about getting a USED bike and a U lock. also, if you need to tote stuff around and you don't like backpacks definitely get a basket or base for a crate. i am not sure what the law is in new york but in CA we don't need to wear helmets after age 18... and i don't. i probably should but i hate them.
i purchased my current bike at the swap meet(flea market, whatever you want to call it) for $20. really, if you aren't going to do anything hardcore just get something you are comfortable on :)
I love my bike basket! It's just a wire basket that hangs from the handle bars. It's very convenient, especially in summer when a backpack can make you even sweatier than you already are.
yes... the sweat... ew. i had a basket on my old bike but it got stolen so now i always use a huge tote that i can put over both shoulders kinda like a backpack (i haven't wanted to shell out $15 for a new thing to put a crate on).
and i forgot to mention, cheezees, if you are going to be riding at night a light would be a good idea, and maybe the law?
Ok, ok, maybe a basket isn't all that bad. :D
I just bought my first adult bike a few days ago. I had been searching around my town for awhile & couldn't find a used bike (what I originally wanted) to save my life! I ended up going to target & bought a 7 speed Schwinn Cruiser for $99. My goal was to save$$$ on buying one, but I figured if I was lucky enough to even find a used one around here I would end up paying at least $90 getting it "fixed up" (tires, seat,bell, etc..). I LOVE the bike but I feel really bad now for buying it B/c it came with a leather bike seat :'( I never would have thought they still make leather seats, I always thought they were made with vinyl these days....despite this, It was one of the best investments I've made this year! Now I can bike to classes & get exercise at the same time! I live in a rural area with lots of wooded curvy roads & it's SO much fun to pedal off down a slow road & feel the breeze all around 8)
Cheezes,
I love my bike(s). I married a bike nut and he always makes sure we are sufficiently stocked in the bicycle department. I'm actually a bit embarrassed because I have far more than my "fair share" of bicycles. My current fave is my fixed gear. Tough, rewarding ride in these mountains.
Some very important things:
1) Go make friends at a bike shop. If they are schmucks to you because you ask questions and are a beginner, it's the wrong bike shop. Bicyclists (and road cyclists) are a cliquish group, in general. But there are good supportive bike shops out there who want everyone on a bike. Don't buy your bike here (but do check their for sale board), just make some contacts and let them fit you for your correct size. I can't emphasize this enough. You'll hate riding if it doesn't fit (think: you'd never wear the wrong size shoes for a jog, right?). You'll also need these guys for tune-ups and maintenance. See if they have a beginners basic repair and maintenance class. It will be worth every penny and second invested.
- check out nycbikes.com, they are in Brooklyn; my husband has had good luck with them (from an internet biz perspective). They seem like good folks, but he can be one of those cliquish-types.
2) I agree with everyone else, buy it used. Get your correct size. Ask questions about it like you'd do for a car (Did you do your own maintenance? Has it been modified from the original form? Anything weird about it? Does it skip gears? How old are the brake cables? you get the idea). You can get a good used bike for the same price you can buy a new crappy one.
3) Don't worry about brands; unless you are racing or are on it 10 hours a day, there's not a great big difference between a $200 (new) bike and a $600 one. It's the components that change as you go up the line and you can always replace/add on as needed to achieve what ever it is that you need. The bike world changes at the $800 & up level, but I don't see you having a need for that.
4) You probably only want a three-speed for tooling around town.
Good luck! I like my bike...I like my bike...I like my bike... :)