I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking at buying one of these -
as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for road trips?
Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? Do you change when peddling? How does it work?
I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking at buying one of these -
as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for road trips?
Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? Do you change when peddling? How does it work?
Advice appreciated!
I think that's an excellent entry level bike. You're better off getting a rigid fork at that price point than some cheap suspension fork with little or no damping. Especially if the bike is going to see mostly pavement. You can get "slick" tires for it to use for road trips.
Shifting should be easy to figure out. It looks like it has indexed shifting which means you move the lever to the next "click" and it positions the shifters for that gear. You have to be pedaling for the chain to move to the next gear. Don't shift while pedaling hard and there is a lot of tension on the chain, like climbing a hill, instead learn to preshift for the terrain. Just take it out on a flat area and practice shifting.
I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking at buying one of these -
as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for road trips?
Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? Do you change when peddling? How does it work?
Advice appreciated!
Is this available only online? Or do they have shops where you can get fitted and test ride. It's important. Otherwise, it looks like a pretty safe bet. But I'm a retro-sucker for econo bikes with rigid forks.
What dart said.. if its from LBS they might do a tyre swap for Slicks, pump em as hard as they want to go (psi rating on the side of the tyre) and u will find pavement/asphalt a breeze, for some semi off road stuff might look at a semi slick tire even. the bike looks pretty good cromo fork is good and all shinobi stuff, good to hear u getting into it. take it easy at the start, as too wear yourself out too much, it may disuade you from futher riding, it doesnt take long to build up. good luck.
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Quoted message said:
John L. said:
Hi guys
I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking at buying one of these -
as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for road trips?
Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? Do you change when peddling? How does it work?
Advice appreciated!
Is this available only online? Or do they have shops where you can get fitted and test ride. It's important. Otherwise, it looks like a pretty safe bet. But I'm a retro-sucker for econo bikes with rigid forks.
What dart said.. if its from LBS they might do a tyre swap for Slicks, pump em as hard as they want to go (psi rating on the side of the tyre) and u will find pavement/asphalt a breeze, for some semi off road stuff might look at a semi slick tire even. the bike looks pretty good cromo fork is good and all shinobi stuff, good to hear u getting into it. take it easy at the start, as too wear yourself out too much, it may disuade you from futher riding, it doesnt take long to build up. good luck.
Thanks for the responses guys.
Another stupid question perhaps: I'm just under 6ft without shoes and just over 6ft with shoes - looking at that sizing chart, should I go for a 19 or 21" frame? Is it better to go bigger or smaller or doesn't it matter that much?
What dart said.. if its from LBS they might do a tyre swap for Slicks, pump em as hard as they want to go (psi rating on the side of the tyre) and u will find pavement/asphalt a breeze, for some semi off road stuff might look at a semi slick tire even. the bike looks pretty good cromo fork is good and all shinobi stuff, good to hear u getting into it. take it easy at the start, as too wear yourself out too much, it may disuade you from futher riding, it doesnt take long to build up. good luck.
Thanks for the responses guys.
Another stupid question perhaps: I'm just under 6ft without shoes and just over 6ft with shoes - looking at that sizing chart, should I go for a 19 or 21" frame? Is it better to go bigger or smaller or doesn't it matter that much?
See, this is why it's important to ride the bike before you buy. There are a lot of variables it's hard to account for. Maybe your inseam is 25" or 38". Maybe you have a bad back. Maybe a lot of things. FWIW, if you're of 'average build', there is a certain amount of adjustment you can make once you have the bike, and the diff between 19 and 21 shouldn't be too dramatic, but think of it as a pair of shoes: to big or too small, even a little, is uncomfortable. If you need a shorter or longer stem, say, you may negate the value you gained buying online. Just things to consider.... /s
Another stupid question perhaps: I'm just under 6ft without shoes and just over 6ft with shoes - looking at that sizing chart, should I go for a 19 or 21" frame? Is it better to go bigger or smaller or doesn't it matter that much?
This is the exact reason why, ideally, you should buy from a real bike shop instead of on-line. They can check your fit and adjust or swap out stuff to make the bike comfortable and efficient for you. (They'll also tune up the bike after you ride it a while and things stretch or "bed in" a bit.)
I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking at buying one of these -
as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for road trips?
Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? Do you change when peddling? How does it work?
Advice appreciated!
I think this is the first newbie post I've ever seen where they come into this with a reasonable bike in mind. Wow!
But like everyone else said, you should test ride before you buy if at all possible. If you don't you might be fine or very, very sorry.
I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking at buying one of these -
as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for road trips?
Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? Do you change when peddling? How does it work?
Advice appreciated!
I think this is the first newbie post I've ever seen where they come into this with a reasonable bike in mind. Wow!
But like everyone else said, you should test ride before you buy if at all possible. If you don't you might be fine or very, very sorry.
Matt
I know what you mean about the reasonable bike. Suspension FREE? I'm getting misty.... /s
I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking at buying one of these -
as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for road trips?
Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? Do you change when peddling? How does it work?
Advice appreciated!
I think this is the first newbie post I've ever seen where they come into this with a reasonable bike in mind. Wow!
But like everyone else said, you should test ride before you buy if at all possible. If you don't you might be fine or very, very sorry.
Matt
I know what you mean about the reasonable bike. Suspension FREE? I'm getting misty.... /s
But I only chose it because it looks good... :-)
Why do you guys like the "rigid fork" attribute so much?
> Hi guys > > I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain > bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking > but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking > at buying one of these - > > http://www.dalescycles.com/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=13331 > > as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so > nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what > I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers > and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get > fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for > road > trips? > > Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? > Do you change when peddling? How does it work? > > Advice appreciated!
I think this is the first newbie post I've ever seen where they come into this with a reasonable bike in mind. Wow!
But like everyone else said, you should test ride before you buy if at all possible. If you don't you might be fine or very, very sorry.
Matt
I know what you mean about the reasonable bike. Suspension FREE? I'm getting misty.... /s
But I only chose it because it looks good... :-)
Why do you guys like the "rigid fork" attribute so much?
Cheap suspension and disc brakes are usually so bad that they do more harm than good. At this pricepoint, rim brakes and no suspension will be much better, and there will be fewer compromises elsewhere on the bike to hit that low price. Many new riders see all the disc brakes and suspension on more expensive bikes and want them as well, but on a cheap bike. Then they regret it sooner or later when it all fails (although not many will admit it after arguing with us about it and calling us snobs).
> John L. wrote: > >> Hi guys >> >> I haven't ridden a bike in about 13 years. I've never ridden a mountain >> bike, or even a bike with gears. I'd love to get into mountain biking >> but I don't know anyone who can help me get started. I've been looking >> at buying one of these - >> >> http://www.dalescycles.com/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=13331 >> >> as an entry-level bike but, well, is it any good? Not sure why I'm so >> nervous about doing this...maybe because it's totally different to what >> I usually do. I'm a lazy git who spends most of the time on computers >> and drives everywhere. However, I've quit smoking and now I want to get >> fit and I want to stop polluting as well - will this bike be OK for >> road >> trips? >> >> Also - you'll probably laugh at this - but how do you gears on a bike? >> Do you change when peddling? How does it work? >> >> Advice appreciated! > > > I think this is the first newbie post I've ever seen where they come > into this with a reasonable bike in mind. Wow! > > But like everyone else said, you should test ride before you buy if at > all possible. If you don't you might be fine or very, very sorry. > > Matt
I know what you mean about the reasonable bike. Suspension FREE? I'm getting misty.... /s
But I only chose it because it looks good... :-)
Why do you guys like the "rigid fork" attribute so much?
Cheap suspension and disc brakes are usually so bad that they do more harm than good. At this pricepoint, rim brakes and no suspension will be much better, and there will be fewer compromises elsewhere on the bike to hit that low price. Many new riders see all the disc brakes and suspension on more expensive bikes and want them as well, but on a cheap bike. Then they regret it sooner or later when it all fails (although not many will admit it after arguing with us about it and calling us snobs).
Matt
AAAAA-MEN, brother, Amen! Most newbies get hooked by the chrome-plated boat anchor with springs, wheels, and bars strip-bolted to it backwards. For young, squirrel-minded kids it's excuseable, but for grown men.... Seriously. God bless you. You may have saved this newsgroup. /s
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