[Michael]

I'm in the market for a bicycle and will probably pick one up later today. Just curious which one you like best.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030...04&model=10618

It looks like this second link will shows a girls model (no, that's not the one I want). Go down to where it says "colors" and click the "titanite black" link. It should show the mens model.

http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/citybike/7100.jsp#

 

[Skylark]

Hey, get one of those if you want, but I recommend this: http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/...Bike=984253188

Don't get freaked out by the price of that particular one-- you can get used ones for much less, and there are plenty of other models and makes of recumbents that run much less. A Rans Rocket is just what I have.

Are you tired of sore butts, hands, wrists, shoulders, backs, necks, and everything else? Consider recumbents. A Rans Rocket took me from Ohio to Boston, and if at all possible, it'll take me coast-to-coast in a couple of years.

 

[Joe]

For what it is worth, I bought a Trek bike a couple years ago. I need to use it more. The main problems for me are: I can't ride in my neighborhood, but have to take the bike to a local park. It fits into my vehicle only with great difficulty. I probably should have bought a "folding" bike to begin with. Second, Tennessee is very hilly, so it is hard to build up your strength, because you are either on a flat, getting very little exercise, or climbing a hill, which is killer on your legs, or going down a hill. So it is hard to find the right gradation to challenge your level of fitness without overwhelming it. And lastly, I guess I am just lazy.

Oh, and I got a hybrid. I don't really plan to ride offroad. But the road bikes with the bent over posture are just not for me at all.

 

[Michael]

Yeah, these are both hybrids. I'm reading about the Giant on a biking forum now and everyone seems to like it. I've been wanting to get more excercise and it's ideal for me. I live 2-3 miles from work (not sure if I'd ride it to work though) and about 4-5 miles from downtown and where I'll be going to school next spring. There are hills between here and there but nothing major. We also have a paved trail that runs through town, that's about 2-3 miles from me.

I was considering joining a gym but I'd really just use the stationary bike and treadmill. So rather than get roped into a yearly contract I figured I'd just spend the money on a bike. In another month or so it'll start to warm up and then I'll wish I had a bike and not a gym membership.

 

[Robert]

ooh, I thought you meant motorcycle.... you meant a bike bike. No idea on a pedal bike bud.

 

[Michael]

I would kill myself on a motorcycle.

I'm taking my chances as it is.

I just posted on a cycling board so I'll see what they have to say.

 

[VeggieMonster]

I have a Trek 1000 alpha series Alluminum road bike, and it is so much fun to use... I would go with the second link.. Having a light bike means really quick acceleration, especially good if you ever intend to use it on the streets with traffic. Titanic Black looks nice too.. good choice

 

[VeggieMonster]

oh yea, not sure what bike forum you've been using, but www.bikeforums.net is pretty good... i'm a lurker there... hehe

 

[Michael]

That would be the one.

Sounds like both of these are comparable. I guess it'll come down to which is more comfortable. They did give me some good advice like trying to get the shop to throw in a couple of tune-ups.

 

[LadyFaile]

i think the guys here would agree that Giant is the way to go. i haven't heard much about Trek, which means not a lot of people they ride with use them. they all use Giant or KHS mostly, they're all i ever hear about. over and over and over

is this for leisure, excercise, or transportation? let the dealer know what you plan to use it for and they'll help you decide which is best for you.

as far as the shopping goes, anytime they suggest an accessory you think you'd like, act really impressed with it, ooh and ahh etc, and then look at the price and put your sad pouty face on, say stuff like 'ohh i'd buy it if it didn't cost so much, i bet i can find it cheaper at that other place'

they'll probably knock off a few bucks

 

[luckiecharms]

I liked the first one but the second link wouldnt work for me.

 

[Max Power]

Michael - I have the Trek 6700 and love it. I have been a fan of Trek bikes for a long time, so I'd recommend Trek over Giant, although I used to ride Giant and liked them, too. With these two specific models, I'd go with the Giant because it looks like the components are a little higher-grade. If you're going very recreational, like you're not even trying to hit a speed bump, go with the Trek for comfort.

 

[Skylark]

Does NOBODY else here ride a recumbent? Figures. I wonder if there are any stats on the veg*n faction of the Human Powered Vehicle Association.

 

[Max Power]

I'm into trail and off-road riding, sky, so the recumbant isn't exactly up my alley ya know?

 

[Skylark]

Yeah, I see, Max. I suppose VB isn't big enough yet to make it probable to find more recumbent riders among our ranks. I just know I could never go back to riding a permanent-wedgie bike. I wonder if there's research on the potential harmful effects to certain organs because of those kinds of seats.

 

[BigWaxJesus]

Quote:

Originally posted by skylark

Does NOBODY else here ride a recumbent? Figures. I wonder if there are any stats on the veg*n faction of the Human Powered Vehicle Association.

Those are the bikes you sit back in, right? I've only seen one of those around here. Those would be good for long-distance trips.

 

[Joe]

It's my impression that recumbents are much more expensive than "regular" bicycles, like maybe 3 to 5 times as expensive. That may be one reason that so few people ride them.

 

[Michael]

The shop that sells the Giant and Trek bikes was closed today so I went and rode a Specialized Expedition at another shop...

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...omfort&my=2003

Wow! I can't imagine liking the others any more than this but I held off and I'm going to ride them tomorrow. From everything I've read so far and heard from others the components are going to be comparable and I should base my choice on what's most comfortable and the shop. It's been a long time since I've ridden and these are way better than anything I've ever had. This bike was extremely light and I love the grip shift. I've never seen such a thing!

 

[VeggieMonster]

I wouldnt mind having a recumbent just for casual use, we have a lake nearby and that would be perfect for it. I do a lot of biking on the roads though, and I think keeping high speeds (20-25+ mph) on one of those things might be difficult (cant say for sure cuz i've never riden one). I also have a huge craving for some trail ridings, so my next bike will probably be a mountain bike. If in the future I have some extra $$ and space to keep it, I'll consider getting one, they do look fun

 

[Skylark]

BWJ,

Yes, see the link I posted above. A characteristic feature of recumbent bicycles is the full back. Some are foam seats, while others are like what the Rocket in the picture has.

Joe,

That all depends on the quality of bike. Sure, any bike shop could sell you a cheap bike for less than the average 'bent. When I was 11 I bought a road bike off of a friend for $75, and that thing didn't last very long. Some people consider it worth it to ride a 'bent, and there are several highly active ebay-like bent-and-other-HPVs marketplaces online. Sometimes a seller just wants to get ride of a bike and will give you a really good deal on it. I know people who have sold in their cars and now get around exclusively on recumbents or public transit. From that standpoint, owning a bent is very economical because you're not spending money on an automobile.

On the other hand, I know people who are thoroughly obsessed with their road bikes, even to the point of buying a large van just so they can easily transport their bike(s) to organized bike club rides.

Another factor to consider is this: my dad rode regular road bikes to work/school for decades, and he switched to recumbents after lots of research because after all that time of riding road bikes, the nerve endings in his hands were completely knumb and sometimes unexplainably painful. The problem seems to have repaired itself, and he didn't have to invest in costly medical treatments. Plus, no more padded bike gloves.