Buying first decent bike; want to make an informed decision. Help? - The Chainlink2024-03-28T23:11:56Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A615869&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAnother Univega? I'd love to…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-11-12:2211490:Comment:6158692012-11-12T15:37:38.551ZApie (11)https://thechainlink.org/profile/AndyPielet
<p>Another Univega? I'd love to ride one of those!!</p>
<p>Another Univega? I'd love to ride one of those!!</p> Thanks for this link. I test…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-11-12:2211490:Comment:6159882012-11-12T01:53:35.584ZDave Dhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/DaveD
<p>Thanks for this link. I test road a surly LHT today and liked it. I also test road my friends Raleigh Sojourn and liked it too. I was wondering if the ride on the trucker is different when loaded with weight vs unloaded?</p>
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<p>Dave</p>
<p>Thanks for this link. I test road a surly LHT today and liked it. I also test road my friends Raleigh Sojourn and liked it too. I was wondering if the ride on the trucker is different when loaded with weight vs unloaded?</p>
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<p>Dave</p> Hey Chi:
Curious does your s…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-11-12:2211490:Comment:6156422012-11-12T01:51:38.927ZDave Dhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/DaveD
<p>Hey Chi:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Curious does your surly ride different when loaded with touring weight vs unloaded? Also, are you running disc or regular breaks? </p>
<p>Dave<br></br> <br></br> <cite>john doe said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A597674&page=3#2211490Comment610481"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Well now that you have decided to bite the bullet </p>
<p>What…</p>
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<p>Hey Chi:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Curious does your surly ride different when loaded with touring weight vs unloaded? Also, are you running disc or regular breaks? </p>
<p>Dave<br/> <br/> <cite>john doe said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A597674&page=3#2211490Comment610481"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Well now that you have decided to bite the bullet </p>
<p>What is are your goals in riding</p>
<p>casual, centuries, week ends</p>
<p>this will better help in your buying decision & bicycle type </p>
<p>i have manny riding interest & over i wont say how many bikes </p>
<p>a touring bike is a great place to start designed for comfort </p>
<p>long & short distance. Great for running to the store or the library </p>
<p>even a week end in the county camping. I have built many custom bicycles over the last 40 years </p>
<p>& i always come back to a good touring bike for comfort & functionality.</p>
<p>you can run a wide semi aggressive tire in the winter months with fenders, a narrow hi psi in the autumn & summer months i will attempt to attach some photos of builds i have done </p>
<p>as for purchasing i recommend bikes direct.com a full line of bikes shipped free if your mechanical at all this will be a easy assembly or have it shipped to a local shop for assembly <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244627?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244627?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244709?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244709?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244721?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244721?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244689?profile=original" target="_self"><br/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244734?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244734?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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</blockquote> Well now that you have decide…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-10-26:2211490:Comment:6104812012-10-26T03:21:29.634ZDoctor Sprockethttps://thechainlink.org/profile/johndoe
<p>Well now that you have decided to bite the bullet </p>
<p>What is are your goals in riding</p>
<p>casual, centuries, week ends</p>
<p>this will better help in your buying decision & bicycle type </p>
<p>i have manny riding interest & over i wont say how many bikes </p>
<p>a touring bike is a great place to start designed for comfort </p>
<p>long & short distance. Great for running to the store or the library </p>
<p>even a week end in the county camping. I have built many custom…</p>
<p>Well now that you have decided to bite the bullet </p>
<p>What is are your goals in riding</p>
<p>casual, centuries, week ends</p>
<p>this will better help in your buying decision & bicycle type </p>
<p>i have manny riding interest & over i wont say how many bikes </p>
<p>a touring bike is a great place to start designed for comfort </p>
<p>long & short distance. Great for running to the store or the library </p>
<p>even a week end in the county camping. I have built many custom bicycles over the last 40 years </p>
<p>& i always come back to a good touring bike for comfort & functionality.</p>
<p>you can run a wide semi aggressive tire in the winter months with fenders, a narrow hi psi in the autumn & summer months i will attempt to attach some photos of builds i have done </p>
<p>as for purchasing i recommend bikes direct.com a full line of bikes shipped free if your mechanical at all this will be a easy assembly or have it shipped to a local shop for assembly <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244627?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244627?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244709?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244709?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244721?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244721?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244689?profile=original" target="_self"><br/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244734?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35244734?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a></p> I love my Lemond Poprad, aka…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-10-13:2211490:Comment:6059312012-10-13T04:21:15.909ZJessicahttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Jessica
<p>I love my Lemond Poprad, aka Big Poppy. I don't think there is a single stock component on it though, so take that with a grain of salt. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The bike has gone mountain biking (got suckered into that mess... the bike survived and so did I!) and has done multiple centuries without a glitch. </p>
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<p>Let me say it again... I love my bike. =)</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>prof.gfr said:…</cite></p>
<p>I love my Lemond Poprad, aka Big Poppy. I don't think there is a single stock component on it though, so take that with a grain of salt. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The bike has gone mountain biking (got suckered into that mess... the bike survived and so did I!) and has done multiple centuries without a glitch. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Let me say it again... I love my bike. =)</p>
<p><br/> <cite>prof.gfr said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A597674&page=2#2211490Comment599659"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">When I first made a similar leap from MTB to something zippier I too went with a cross for all the reasons listed above. I went w a steel LeMond Poprad bc the steel absorbs road shick better thab aluminum cross bikes. But since then I've switched to a touring bike (vintage steel frame Miyata 615) and I like it infinitely better. I think the LeMond is a bit too small at 54cm ctc whereas the Miyata is 57 or 58 ctc (can't reall exactly) and has a longer wheelbase (5 cm, I think, but it makes a big difference in absorbing road shocks). I'm now a touring bike convert as well as a fan of Grant Peterson's fit style (its complicated, amd worth googling, but in a nutshell = slightly taller bikes w only a handful or less of visible seat post). Fit is so important - it is worth researching and talking to people at reputable shops like Rapid Transit or Cycle Smithy. But you can get a lot more for your $ if you can discover your fit and buy a vintage steel frame on the used market. Depending on ITA vintage and showiness, it's also potentially less of a theft hazard, although any bike should be locked w two u-locks or a u-lock and cable in the city. At least that's been my experience.</div>
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</blockquote> Awesome! Wnere did you end up…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-10-13:2211490:Comment:6059232012-10-13T02:27:18.217ZJulie Aberman (Hochstadter)https://thechainlink.org/profile/JulieHochstadter
Awesome! Wnere did you end up buying it? And post pics!!!<br></br>
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<cite>Chi Lowe said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?page=3&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A605869&x=1#2211490Comment605869"><div><p>All - this was a REALLY great set of inputs! Coupled with (way too much) internet research, I have finally come to a decision to purchase a Surly Long Haul Trucker, which I should be picking up…</p>
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Awesome! Wnere did you end up buying it? And post pics!!!<br/>
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<cite>Chi Lowe said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?page=3&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A605869&x=1#2211490Comment605869"><div><p>All - this was a REALLY great set of inputs! Coupled with (way too much) internet research, I have finally come to a decision to purchase a Surly Long Haul Trucker, which I should be picking up on Monday.</p>
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<p>Looking forward to some late fall and winter riding. Thanks again for all your feedback!</p>
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</blockquote> I ride a late 80s Bianchi Vol…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-10-03:2211490:Comment:6015172012-10-03T03:23:55.512Zspencewinehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/spencewine
<p>I ride a late 80s Bianchi Volpe which is a cross bike (and a CL find), but it is an awesome all-around city bike as well. It's my daily commuter, but I wouldn't hesitate to do some racing on it or some serious touring. The problem is that I also have a Trek 520 (also a CL find), which tends to get used for longer rides (in order justify keeping it). If you pay attention to CL, their are gems that come up from time-to-time. If you're going to buy new and you don't need the gearing (which you…</p>
<p>I ride a late 80s Bianchi Volpe which is a cross bike (and a CL find), but it is an awesome all-around city bike as well. It's my daily commuter, but I wouldn't hesitate to do some racing on it or some serious touring. The problem is that I also have a Trek 520 (also a CL find), which tends to get used for longer rides (in order justify keeping it). If you pay attention to CL, their are gems that come up from time-to-time. If you're going to buy new and you don't need the gearing (which you really don't if you're only using it for commuting around Chicago), those built-up legacy frames look pretty awesome (and they're hand-built in Chicago!)</p> It's a bit more complicated.…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-10-03:2211490:Comment:6016162012-10-03T03:11:10.981ZShttps://thechainlink.org/profile/s2485df
<p>It's a bit more complicated. But essentially, your braking is entirely depend on your brakes/brake pad/rims/rotors until your tire starts skidding. At which point, you've just gone past the max braking force you can achieve. Most brakes will let you hit this, however depending on the brakes being able to reliably hit this in different conditions may not be possible. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The type of tire and it's size will affect the maximum braking force you can get but below the max, it's…</p>
<p>It's a bit more complicated. But essentially, your braking is entirely depend on your brakes/brake pad/rims/rotors until your tire starts skidding. At which point, you've just gone past the max braking force you can achieve. Most brakes will let you hit this, however depending on the brakes being able to reliably hit this in different conditions may not be possible. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The type of tire and it's size will affect the maximum braking force you can get but below the max, it's all dependent on braking system. Most people don't usually brake hard enough to cause one or both wheels to skid so the brake feel is probably more important. E.g. having brakes that let you reliably and easily scrub off a little speed or brake until you're almost skidding or anything in between. </p>
<p>Another consideration in some situations, is how well your brakes manage heat. It's not really an issue in Chicago, but if you're on a loaded touring bike or tandem in hilly terrain or on a long descent, your brakes can heat your rim to the point that your tube pops or the tire blows off the rim (or if you have disc brakes, your hydraulic fluid can start boiling at which point you've lost all braking).</p>
<p><br/> <cite>ilter said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A601323&x=1#2211490Comment601323"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>As a side note, braking does not only depend on the type of brakes, rims, etc. but also on the thread, size of contact patch, and make up of a tire. As far as I can recall from my physics classes, technically it is the friction between tire and road surface that decelerates the bike, and that friction is highest just before the tire starts skidding. Once skidding, friction drops a bit. Interesting stuff!</p>
<p><br/> <cite>S said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A601320#2211490Comment598544"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>That's not entirely true. Cross bikes with linear pull brakes have just as much or more stopping power as road bikes. Cross bikes that are outfitted with disc brakes have ridiculously more stopping more than road bikes and the braking is much better when the weather gets nasty with rain or snow or freezing temps or a combination of these.</p>
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<p><br/> <cite>Daniel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A598654&x=1#2211490Comment598529"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Cross vs Road</p>
<p>Knobby tires aren't meant for roads, so they're louder, slower, and have less traction than slick tires. Also, as TehDoak mentioned, they can't break nearly as well as a road bike (and on the bike path you will find yourself needing to break fast when someone does something stupid in front of you). I would get a cross bike if you're planning on riding it in snow/mud/dirt as well as road, but if it's just for pavement, I would definitely get a road bike. Plus you will still have your MTB</p>
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</blockquote> As a side note, braking does…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-10-03:2211490:Comment:6013232012-10-03T02:04:12.053Zilterhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/ilter
<p>As a side note, braking does not only depend on the type of brakes, rims, etc. but also on the thread, size of contact patch, and make up of a tire. As far as I can recall from my physics classes, technically it is the friction between tire and road surface that decelerates the bike, and that friction is highest just before the tire starts skidding. Once skidding, friction drops a bit. Interesting stuff!</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>S said:…</cite></p>
<p>As a side note, braking does not only depend on the type of brakes, rims, etc. but also on the thread, size of contact patch, and make up of a tire. As far as I can recall from my physics classes, technically it is the friction between tire and road surface that decelerates the bike, and that friction is highest just before the tire starts skidding. Once skidding, friction drops a bit. Interesting stuff!</p>
<p><br/> <cite>S said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A601320#2211490Comment598544"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>That's not entirely true. Cross bikes with linear pull brakes have just as much or more stopping power as road bikes. Cross bikes that are outfitted with disc brakes have ridiculously more stopping more than road bikes and the braking is much better when the weather gets nasty with rain or snow or freezing temps or a combination of these.</p>
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<p><br/> <cite>Daniel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A598654&x=1#2211490Comment598529"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Cross vs Road</p>
<p>Knobby tires aren't meant for roads, so they're louder, slower, and have less traction than slick tires. Also, as TehDoak mentioned, they can't break nearly as well as a road bike (and on the bike path you will find yourself needing to break fast when someone does something stupid in front of you). I would get a cross bike if you're planning on riding it in snow/mud/dirt as well as road, but if it's just for pavement, I would definitely get a road bike. Plus you will still have your MTB</p>
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</blockquote> As most road bikes sold these…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-10-03:2211490:Comment:6013202012-10-03T01:55:05.949Zilterhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/ilter
<p>As most road bikes sold these days take no wider than 700x25 tires w/ fenders, a road bike is not necessarily a good option for commuting or around town riding. There is a wide range of tires between knobbies and 700x23,25 and cross bikes are a good option as they accommodate wider tires as well, even if one will never ride or race in dirt.</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Daniel said:…</cite></p>
<p>As most road bikes sold these days take no wider than 700x25 tires w/ fenders, a road bike is not necessarily a good option for commuting or around town riding. There is a wide range of tires between knobbies and 700x23,25 and cross bikes are a good option as they accommodate wider tires as well, even if one will never ride or race in dirt.</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Daniel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-first-decent-bike-want-to-make-an-informed-decision-help?xg_source=activity&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A597674&page=1#2211490Comment598529"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>[snip]</p>
<p>Cross vs Road</p>
<p>Knobby tires aren't meant for roads, so they're louder, slower, and have less traction than slick tires. Also, as TehDoak mentioned, they can't break nearly as well as a road bike (and on the bike path you will find yourself needing to break fast when someone does something stupid in front of you). I would get a cross bike if you're planning on riding it in snow/mud/dirt as well as road, but if it's just for pavement, I would definitely get a road bike. Plus you will still have your MTB</p>
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