Buying my first "real" bike. Need help making final decision! - The Chainlink2024-03-28T12:19:47Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-my-first-real-bike-need-help-making-final-decision?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A886055&feed=yes&xn_auth=noCongratulations Jeremy! Yay n…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-10:2211490:Comment:8878662015-02-10T20:18:02.342ZYasmeenhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/YasmeenSchuller
<p>Congratulations Jeremy! Yay new bike day!</p>
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<p>Please post a pic of your new bike when you get a chance. And take please pics of the fun places you go. </p>
<p>Congratulations Jeremy! Yay new bike day!</p>
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<p>Please post a pic of your new bike when you get a chance. And take please pics of the fun places you go. </p> Final: Choice ? = Cannondale…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-10:2211490:Comment:8878642015-02-10T19:55:28.047ZTom A.K.https://thechainlink.org/profile/TomKrystyn
Final: Choice ? = Cannondale Bad Boy 9<br />
Available - in Stock - Closeout - Kozy's<br />
SIZE = SMALL (only?)<br />
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Is this the right fit ?<br />
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Shopping elsewhere ?
Final: Choice ? = Cannondale Bad Boy 9<br />
Available - in Stock - Closeout - Kozy's<br />
SIZE = SMALL (only?)<br />
<br />
Is this the right fit ?<br />
<br />
Shopping elsewhere ? WOW! An ovation! Thank you,…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-09:2211490:Comment:8876452015-02-09T20:39:40.838ZFrank Brichettohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/FrankBrichetto
<p>WOW! An ovation! Thank you, Jeremy. And yes, let's all go RIDE. Great having you on the forums. See you soon on the road.</p>
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<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>WOW! An ovation! Thank you, Jeremy. And yes, let's all go RIDE. Great having you on the forums. See you soon on the road.</p>
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<p>Thanks again!</p> + 1 Jeremy(Rudy). It's great…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-09:2211490:Comment:8874422015-02-09T16:03:37.861ZTom A.K.https://thechainlink.org/profile/TomKrystyn
+ 1 Jeremy(Rudy). It's great to hear from a happy new Chainlinker ! Ride on !<br></br>
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<cite>Jeremy said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-my-first-real-bike-need-help-making-final-decision?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A887328&x=1#2211490Comment887328"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>*SLOW CLAP*…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif"></img></a></p>
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+ 1 Jeremy(Rudy). It's great to hear from a happy new Chainlinker ! Ride on !<br/>
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<cite>Jeremy said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-my-first-real-bike-need-help-making-final-decision?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A887328&x=1#2211490Comment887328"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>*SLOW CLAP*</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>This has been a great resource for me and I am excited to be a member of these forums. Now let's all mount up with Frank's inspiring words echoing in our ears and ride, RIDE because we are free, RIDE because it is our right, RIDE because the roads and trails call us. Do not ride gently into that good night my friends!</p>
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</blockquote> @Frank
*SLOW CLAP*
I felt…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-09:2211490:Comment:8873282015-02-09T15:21:14.877ZJeremyhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Jeremy140
<p>@Frank</p>
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<p>*SLOW CLAP*</p>
<p><a href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif"></img></a></p>
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<p>I felt like fireworks should have let off after I got done reading your last post. The Bad Boy did indeed call me by name. Thanks for the feedback. This has been a great resource for me and I am excited to be a member of these forums. Now let's all mount up with Frank's inspiring words echoing in our ears and ride, RIDE…</p>
<p>@Frank</p>
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<p>*SLOW CLAP*</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2012/01/yes-rudy1.gif" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>I felt like fireworks should have let off after I got done reading your last post. The Bad Boy did indeed call me by name. Thanks for the feedback. This has been a great resource for me and I am excited to be a member of these forums. Now let's all mount up with Frank's inspiring words echoing in our ears and ride, RIDE because we are free, RIDE because it is our right, RIDE because the roads and trails call us. Do not ride gently into that good night my friends!</p> I can't disagree with anythin…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-09:2211490:Comment:8875062015-02-09T04:48:50.585Zmark stetsonhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/markstetson
<p>I can't disagree with anything Frank said above, even the part about new vs. used regrets. That said, I think that if you shop carefully, you can find a comparable bike used and save money.</p>
<p>Since it's been mentioned already, I'll add that I don't find flat bars very comfortable for rides of any distance - they make my wrists hurt. I'm old, you probably are not - but that's the sort of thing you won't figure out until you have some miles on whatever you purchase. </p>
<p>I can't disagree with anything Frank said above, even the part about new vs. used regrets. That said, I think that if you shop carefully, you can find a comparable bike used and save money.</p>
<p>Since it's been mentioned already, I'll add that I don't find flat bars very comfortable for rides of any distance - they make my wrists hurt. I'm old, you probably are not - but that's the sort of thing you won't figure out until you have some miles on whatever you purchase. </p> Hey, Jeremy,
You're getting a…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-08:2211490:Comment:8872962015-02-08T06:07:04.120ZFrank Brichettohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/FrankBrichetto
<p>Hey, Jeremy,</p>
<p>You're getting a lot of different comments from different folks, and face it, us bike rider types come in all kinds of flavors.</p>
<p>So here's my take on what's coming your way -</p>
<p>1- road vs hybrid vs fix gear - There is a place for every kind of bike - you're looking at hybrid types and that's a great type of bike. I've seen many, many happy riders complete rides up to a century on them. The heads up position is way better in commuting, IMHO, it's easier to see…</p>
<p>Hey, Jeremy,</p>
<p>You're getting a lot of different comments from different folks, and face it, us bike rider types come in all kinds of flavors.</p>
<p>So here's my take on what's coming your way -</p>
<p>1- road vs hybrid vs fix gear - There is a place for every kind of bike - you're looking at hybrid types and that's a great type of bike. I've seen many, many happy riders complete rides up to a century on them. The heads up position is way better in commuting, IMHO, it's easier to see and be seen in traffic. The 700 x 28mm tires are generally tough, flat resistant, and offer better traction in bad conditions than narrower tires. They also roll easier and are measurably lighter than 26" knobbies.</p>
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<p>new vs used - I have never regretted buying a new bike. EVER. I have regretted a few (OK, two) used bikes over the years, and ended up dumping them at a loss. </p>
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<p>fixie vs gears - go gears. period. Kudos to Irvin for pointing this out. If you decide you want to master fix gear riding at some point, you'll want a totally different bike, wheels, set up, etc. and then go do that. </p>
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<p>When you want to go to a drop bar road bike, get one. There is nothing wrong and everything right with having multiple bikes at your fingertips. </p>
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<p>road - recreational - commuting riding styles - The great advice, attributed variously to Merckx, Coppi, Anquetil, and others holds true - "Ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike." So - get that Bad Boy, you know it's already calling you by name. Ride it, enjoy every mile, and have fun. </p>
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<p></p> I love gears and use the heck…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-07:2211490:Comment:8874742015-02-07T23:17:09.504ZIrvin Steinerthttps://thechainlink.org/profile/IrvinSteinert
<p>I love gears and use the heck out of all of them even on relatively flat ground. Gear haters are just "cork sniffers" more concerned with esthetics than performance. Will you NEVER engage a hill? Only ride one medium speed?</p>
<p>Personally I started out with a flat bar bike and quickly wanted (and moved to) a drop bar bike. For me, if I'm on the bike more than five minutes, I want to switch hand positions. You can always ride on the tops flat bar style but have so many other options. If…</p>
<p>I love gears and use the heck out of all of them even on relatively flat ground. Gear haters are just "cork sniffers" more concerned with esthetics than performance. Will you NEVER engage a hill? Only ride one medium speed?</p>
<p>Personally I started out with a flat bar bike and quickly wanted (and moved to) a drop bar bike. For me, if I'm on the bike more than five minutes, I want to switch hand positions. You can always ride on the tops flat bar style but have so many other options. If you go with the flat bar you can add a set of nice grips to add another hand position I recommend <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/gp4" target="_blank">these</a>.</p>
<p>Fixed gears are only good for TRACK RACING and are not "good" for any thing but being "cool" when used in the city. One of the first technologies added to bicycles was the ability to coast. Do you see any one walking around in animal skins and claiming it's better than modern clothing? <br/> <br/> <cite>Jeremy said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/buying-my-first-real-bike-need-help-making-final-decision#2211490Comment886412"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>@Mark @Frank Thanks for the feedback. Hugely helpful! Sounds like the Bad Boy is the way to go. With all of the talk about gearing. Other than fixed gear bikes, what is most appropriate for city biking. I won't be riding up and down the great mountain ranges of Illinois with this thing. </p>
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</blockquote> Why buy new?
You're not commu…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-06:2211490:Comment:8867862015-02-06T21:39:07.694ZTominatorhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Tominator
<p>Why buy new?</p>
<p>You're not commuting? What are you doing with the bike? Why a hybrid?</p>
<p>What I see happening a lot with newbs is they buy a new mountain or hybrid and really get into riding but then realize they want a road bike so they can do group rides and keep up.</p>
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<p>You'd be better off buying an inexpensive used road or hybrid bike and getting into cycling and then figure out what you want.</p>
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<p>Also, winter is a great time to buy used or new. I have two…</p>
<p>Why buy new?</p>
<p>You're not commuting? What are you doing with the bike? Why a hybrid?</p>
<p>What I see happening a lot with newbs is they buy a new mountain or hybrid and really get into riding but then realize they want a road bike so they can do group rides and keep up.</p>
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<p>You'd be better off buying an inexpensive used road or hybrid bike and getting into cycling and then figure out what you want.</p>
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<p>Also, winter is a great time to buy used or new. I have two friends who scored $2k bikes new used for $500 and $800. These are Dura Ace/Ultegra bikes. Great deals. Be patient grasshopper.</p>
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<p>Do you have a knowledgeable friend who can help you shop used?</p>
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<p></p> What's appropriate for you w…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-02-06:2211490:Comment:8863062015-02-06T00:20:40.260ZFrank Brichettohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/FrankBrichetto
<p> What's appropriate for you will be different than for me, I'd guess. My bikes are all over the place, anywhere from 1 to 20. Commuting I usually ride my Gitane with flip flop one-speed / fixie rear wheel, but mostly because it's simple and has lights and fenders. When it gets really windy, you'll appreciate the wide range - not that you'll use all the in betweens - but the lower and higher gears are better than on any internal hub. And when the weather is really nice, I ride a regular…</p>
<p> What's appropriate for you will be different than for me, I'd guess. My bikes are all over the place, anywhere from 1 to 20. Commuting I usually ride my Gitane with flip flop one-speed / fixie rear wheel, but mostly because it's simple and has lights and fenders. When it gets really windy, you'll appreciate the wide range - not that you'll use all the in betweens - but the lower and higher gears are better than on any internal hub. And when the weather is really nice, I ride a regular road bike, take the long way home, actively try to catch a hill or two, and enjoy running through every gear at least once.</p>
<p>In short, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Experiment and find what works best for you, then continue to play around when things are more casual.</p>