My Bike Sucks....

I'm sorry for all the posts I didn't know it was doing that.

Since you evidently want to bicycle more, my suggestion is to spend the money to get a bicycle that you will really enjoy. Find a real bicycle shop. Have them fit you for a bicycle and buy one of the quality brands. There are entry level bikes from the big manufacturers that will be an investment, but which will still be pretty reasonably priced compared to top-of-the-line models. A local bike shop can and will guide you in the best choices for you.

Bicycling has always required an investment. You do want to ride and do so with enjoyment. Welcome to a very engaging and rewarding sport. Make the investment in a better built bike and then go ride.

Thanks a ton

Bob

BobCochran said:

Since you evidently want to bicycle more, my suggestion is to spend the money to get a bicycle that you will really enjoy. Find a real bicycle shop. Have them fit you for a bicycle and buy one of the quality brands. There are entry level bikes from the big manufacturers that will be an investment, but which will still be pretty reasonably priced compared to top-of-the-line models. A local bike shop can and will guide you in the best choices for you.

Bicycling has always required an investment. You do want to ride and do so with enjoyment. Welcome to a very engaging and rewarding sport. Make the investment in a better built bike and then go ride.

Thanks a ton

Bob

Thanks for the response and you're right, I should spend more but I'd rather not spend much since I don't know what I want yet...

This is the bike my buddy's recommending for me. giant-bicycles.com84074Open ↗

Is it good value or what?

AndersonG17 said:

This is the bike my buddy's recommending for me. giant-bicycles.com84074Open ↗

Is it good value or what?

If your a beginner then maybe go for a simple road bike, there's many out there, what's your budget? 🙂

I remember an older cousin from the province who stayed with us for a vacation. She bought a bike in the nearby bicycle store. When I borrowed it, the handlebars were not steady and I almost crashed. On my next try, it was the same so I asked my cousin what's wrong - was it me or the bike? And she said she's experiencing the same although she's bigger than me that's why the shaking was not very evident. My father had to accompany her to the bike store to have it changed. The replacement was much better.

Cyclocross, aluminium is cheaper then chromoly.

Go to a bike shop and request an estimation for your likes. Browse around online and check what you want. Make goals and pair them up to the informatives.

Lizel said:

If your a beginner then maybe go for a simple road bike, there's many out there, what's your budget? 🙂

I'd like to stay under $500... any more and I'd be tempted to buy a new glock instead. lol

MNyte said:

Go to a bike shop and request an estimation for your likes. Browse around online and check what you want. Make goals and pair them up to the informatives.

My bike shops don't have good inventory now cause they're transitioning to 2016 bikes.

Lizel said:

If your a beginner then maybe go for a simple road bike, there's many out there, what's your budget? 🙂

Also about 30% of my riding is on dirt roads/paths and some trails.

AndersonG17 said:

The seat is uncomfortable, the shifters are the roll/wheel type and I hate them. Its literally $100 bike I bought to see if Id stick with biking and I am, I enjoy it but those 2 things about my bike suck.

70% of my riding is on paved roads with at least 30% on dirt roads and I'd rather not spend $400+ so what would you guys recommend? I was looking at a diamondback edgewood and insight 1 but they both had [censored] I didn't like. The edgewood had slick pedals and the insight didn't have an adjustable stem. Plus I didn't want to buy from [censored] cause buying hollow point ammo from them is a joke so I don't want to give them any of my money.

Should I look for a hybrid, road bike? I'm a complete noob when it comes to this, my farthest ride was 21 miles then I was beat. And I ride at 10-11 mph...

FWIW. I think that a key decision which YOU need to decide on is whether or not you are "okay" with FLAT handlebars OR if you want a bike with DROP handlebars ...

A rider will typically be able to ride faster and/or further on a similarly equipped bike if it has Drop handlebars rather than Flat handlebars due to the aerodynamic advantage + some physiological efficiencies ...

MANY people never acclimate to Drop handlebars ...

If you are only modestly handy, then you can modify almost ANY bike to accept Drop handlebars & their respective shifters for much less than the cost of a new bike ...

Otherwise, IMO, the GIANT ATX 27.5 2 which your buddy recommended is probably a good starting point as long as your realize that you will always be at some disadvantage when riding on pavement as long as the bike has Flat handlebars.

alfeng said:

FWIW. I think that a key decision which YOU need to decide on is whether or not you are "okay" with FLAT handlebars OR if you want a bike with DROP handlebars ...

A rider will typically be able to ride faster and/or further on a similarly equipped bike if it has Drop handlebars rather than Flat handlebars due to the aerodynamic advantage + some physiological efficiencies ...

MANY people never acclimate to Drop handlebars ...

If you are only modestly handy, then you can modify almost ANY bike to accept Drop handlebars & their respective shifters for much less than the cost of a new bike ...

Otherwise, IMO, the GIANT ATX 27.5 2 which your buddy recommended is probably a good starting point as long as your realize that you will always be at some disadvantage when riding on pavement as long as the bike has Flat handlebars.

I'm glad you agree cause I just bought one today although the shop needs to order it and I wont have it until Wednesday at the earliest. And that sucks cause I work thursday through sunday 12pm to 12am. lol

I understand that the bike I bought was a compromise, now I just need to figure out how to properly maintain it. Any tips on keeping the cassette's clean and rust free?

I would definitely try to sell your current bike and get a new one. What's the point of cycling if you're not enjoying it? I would just try to break even or a get a decent price since you're not enjoying it. That way you at least have a start to buy your new one. Also, check to see if the store you buy it from lets you try the bikes in store or if they have a return policy, that would help you choose a new bike without sticking with it if you don't like it.

AndersonG17 said:

This is the bike my buddy's recommending for me. giant-bicycles.com84074Open ↗

Is it good value or what?

Yes, it's a good value, but if you're 70% of your riding is on the road, why are you looking at trail bike?

oldbobcat said:

Yes, it's a good value, but if you're 70% of your riding is on the road, why are you looking at trail bike?

So I have the option.

Hybrids are cheaper, road bikes are better.
Depends on how much money you have to blow.

This sounds weird to me. Do you buy a used pair of jeans that doesn't fit you and is ripping at the seems. Even though you don't like it, you buy it anyways, in hopes you might like it eventually. Probably not right? I question the thread. But if it is legit, time to go test out a bike first and see if it is right for you, and then consider purchasing it. Don't go buying a pair of shoes 2 sizes too small then go home and complain that it is uncomfortable to walk in.

joshposh said:

This sounds weird to me. Do you buy a used pair of jeans that doesn't fit you and is ripping at the seems. Even though you don't like it, you buy it anyways, in hopes you might like it eventually. Probably not right? I question the thread. But if it is legit, time to go test out a bike first and see if it is right for you, and then consider purchasing it. Don't go buying a pair of shoes 2 sizes too small then go home and complain that it is uncomfortable to walk in.

I already gave the LBS money for the bike, but they just have my money and I didn't buy it yet.

I've been consistently second guessing this decision and wondering if I should get a road bike or hybrid and not get mountain bike. I've come to the conclusion that for the places I ride that a road bike would be inadequate, a hybrid would work but then I'd be stuck with a jack of all trades master of none and I don't want that. The mountain bike would work for now and I'll just get a road bike next month or later on. Then I'll have the correct bike for where ever I decide to ride and won't be sacrificing with a hybrid.