Wanting to buy a bike...HELP!!!

[Lovey]

Okay, so I really want to buy a bike, but I know almost nothing of them. I'm looking to spend somewhere around $1,000. I've been looking at some mountain bikes by Cannondale which look really nice, but I'm somewhat ignorant when it comes to bikes. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should buy? and also things I should look out for when buying a bike? For example the tires... I just want to buy a good bike, but I also don't want to get ripped off.

[Mr. Sun]

The main thing is that you feel good on the bike. Unless you have some really specific purpose for it. Mountain bikes are way more comfortable than road bikes even when on the road but road bikes are much faster.

Talk to the bike shop guys/gals and see what they have to say -- go to a few different bike shops though.

For the tires: it depends on whether you are doing trail riding or road riding. Some tires are better for rain, too, so it depends where you live.

[Lovey]

Well I plan to go on trails quite often, but I would also need to use it on the road to ride over to the trails...so I was thinking a mountain bike would be the best, yet I really just don't know. Many neighborhoods that I would be riding it on are also dirt roads...

[bigdufstuff]

First decide what type of riding you want to do, there is a chance you don't know this yet. Different styles include road bikes, cyclocross bikes, touring bikes, flat bar road bikes, hybrid bikes, hard tail mountain bikes, full suspension mountain bikes, and more.

When looking for a bike, fit and feel is the most important feature. If you aren't comfortable you won't want to ride. If it doesn't fit right, you risk injury. These two things are more important than any feature of the bike.

After that I would test ride AS MANY bikes in your price range, size, riding style that you can. Don't commit to any of them. Try to get a good idea of the fit and feel of each bike. Take them for long test rides.

Then go home without buying anything and read reviews online of all the bikes you've looked at to get a good idea about how they handle over time and what others have thought. This is really good if you don't know what to look for in a test ride.

Then narrow it down to ~2 bikes and test ride them a second time until you've decided what one you want and then buy it. Whatever you do do not feel pressured by the bike shop and don't feel like test riding is committing yourself to a purchase, take your time and do it right. :)

$1000 should get you nice bike.

[hollywoodveg]

If you aren't sure what you want exactly I wouldn't spend a grand right away because it might not be what you want in the long run, you can get a lot of nice used bikes at places like craigslist, the recycler etc. You could buy a used mountain bike and give it a whirl to see if you're sure you want one, you could always resell it. My friend got a nice used cannondale for around 200 bucks last month. Also it really depends on how much street riding or trail/mountain riding your going to do, some people love their mountain bikes, but people who use them for a lot of street riding don't. Also if you want a mountain bike for mountain riding and city riding I highly suggest investing in a pair of slicks you can swap with the nubbies if you aren't on the trails or in the mountains, slicks make street riding far easier.

[Lovey]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I live in Prescott, Arizona and we only have one decent bike shop around here. Although I will be going to phoenix next weekend so if I have some time I may look at what they have there. I'm really excited! Once I get a bike I will be able to ride it to work every day, and there's an awesome trail right around where I work as well. :)

[bigdufstuff]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I live in Prescott, Arizona and we only have one decent bike shop around here. Although I will be going to phoenix next weekend so if I have some time I may look at what they have there. I'm really excited! Once I get a bike I will be able to ride it to work every day, and there's an awesome trail right around where I work as well. :)

How many miles is your commute? Hilly or flat? On road or on trail?

[Lovey]

I live a little less than 4 miles away from my work. It is somewhat hilly for the first mile or so and then mostly flat the rest of the way. None of the roads here are really what you would call "smooth". Although they are paved roads.


How many miles is your commute? Hilly or flat? On road or on trail?

[Earthly Delight]

I tend to ride within the city, but also go on the trails a bit. I bought a hybrid--a mountain bike is way to inefficient in the city to be worth it. My ex boyfriend is extremely into biking and he actually has a city bike and a mountain bike, but thats very expensive and takes true dedication, and since you're getting one bike and you're not sure what to look for--I assume you're more like me.

You want a bike that has a decent amount of shock absorbtion--stand on the bike and jump up and down a few times and see that the shocks do properly respond.. you also want a bike that can change gears smoothly, try that well, and one that you're comfortable riding. You don't want to be sitting up straight when you ride a bike--thats grammastyle riding... You don't want a bike that has shocks that melt like butter when you jump on it--you're not downhilling. Make sure when you pedal you get an acceptable amount of movement out of your effort or else getting to work/school/your friends house could take you a lot longer than you'd like.

I bought my hybrid almost exactly a year ago when my bike before that was stolen. My bike is my love and joy--we've been through a lot. (Even hit by a car on the highway.. =/ She wasn't impressed...) Frame shape is important, but I can't explain exactly what you want in that--maybe do some research?

Toronto is a tad hilly and VERY bad road conditions, so having a hybrid was actually useful within the city--I pass city bikes all the time if I'm on main roads because of all the potholes etc that they need to be more careful with. When we're on better cared of roads of course I always wish I had a clipless road bike...


edit: 4 miles? Do you ever plan on riding more than that? If its only 4 and you'd rarely do more than that on roads, but will go off roads, then maybe you were right about getting a mountain bike. I don't really know what to look for in those I'm afraid!

edit 2: I spent 500ish on my bike. <3 Even then I'm soo nervous locking her up outside--does your owrk have a very safe place for your bike? Having a 1k bike stolen would be devestating..

[bigdufstuff]

edit 2: I spent 500ish on my bike. <3 Even then I'm soo nervous locking her up outside--does your owrk have a very safe place for your bike? Having a 1k bike stolen would be devestating..

Unfortunately this fear never goes away. The bike in my avatar I bought for $200 used, and I love it! But even at that little amount of money I am always concerned about it getting stolen, even when there is no reason to worry.

If your work lets you bring your bike inside that is the best thing to do. If you live in an area with a lot of bike theft consider a beater.