recommendations for bike

bluezfolk said:

I know that there is no real single answer for this, but I'm gonna ask
anyway. I'm in the market for a new bike that will be used mostly for
street riding and a bit of moderate dirt riding (no jumps). I'm 6'
tall and weigh a little over 200, I suppose a hardtail mtn bike or
comfort bike would fit the bill. At a price of about $400 what are
some of the best buys?

Are you buying the bike to commute to work, for exercise, just for fun
and fresh air or are you looking to compete? Are you intending to ride
in normal clothes, basic shorts and trainers or cycling gear, 'cos
cycling shoes, gloves, shorts, etc will eat into that $400 budget. I
can't recommend a brand 'cos I don't know what your local bike shop
carries, which is where you should go look. At this time of year most
shops are pushing the 2008 models of bike so look out for deals on
2007 or even 2006 new bikes on sale. Deals can be found buying second
hand (craigslist, ebay), but you gotta know what you're looking for
and how to spot and fix problems. Really think about whether you need
suspension, 'cos at $400 they're not going to be great forks. Heck, if
you live somewhere flat you can even question whether you need gears.

Marz said:

bluezfolk said:

I know that there is no real single answer for this, but I'm gonna ask
anyway. I'm in the market for a new bike that will be used mostly for
street riding and a bit of moderate dirt riding (no jumps). I'm 6'
tall and weigh a little over 200, I suppose a hardtail mtn bike or
comfort bike would fit the bill. At a price of about $400 what are
some of the best buys?

Are you buying the bike to commute to work, for exercise, just for fun
and fresh air or are you looking to compete? Are you intending to ride
in normal clothes, basic shorts and trainers or cycling gear, 'cos
cycling shoes, gloves, shorts, etc will eat into that $400 budget. I
can't recommend a brand 'cos I don't know what your local bike shop
carries, which is where you should go look. At this time of year most
shops are pushing the 2008 models of bike so look out for deals on
2007 or even 2006 new bikes on sale. Deals can be found buying second
hand (craigslist, ebay), but you gotta know what you're looking for
and how to spot and fix problems. Really think about whether you need
suspension, 'cos at $400 they're not going to be great forks. Heck, if
you live somewhere flat you can even question whether you need gears.

Basically I'm a 57 y.o. long time (25 years) runner who is looking for
a less pounding workout, to augment (not replace) my current
exercise. I'm not going to compete, and will probably wear street
type clothes, Theres several local shops within my area so almost any
brand could be found locally. I've been riding on and off on my 1993
Diamondback Allure which is a hybrid, good on the roads but just
dosen't quite cut the trails in this area, mostly because we have very
sandy conditions and I just get stuck in the sand. After 14 years I
think it might be time for a new ride:-)

Eric

bluezfolk said:

I know that there is no real single answer for this, but I'm gonna ask
anyway. I'm in the market for a new bike that will be used mostly for
street riding and a bit of moderate dirt riding (no jumps). I'm 6'
tall and weigh a little over 200, I suppose a hardtail mtn bike or
comfort bike would fit the bill. At a price of about $400 what are
some of the best buys?

I'd get something like the Marin San Rafael
"http://www.rei.com/product/747549" and put on some different tires for
dirt riding.

I have several bikes in our family's fleet that are used in the way
you're planning to use them. I've gotten fast at swapping tires (keep
tubes in the other set of tires, rather than swapping tubes too). It's
less than a five minute job per bicycle, to swap the tires.

Quoted message said:

I'd get something like the Marin San Rafael
"http://www.rei.com/product/747549" and put on some different tires for
dirt riding.

There are quite a few options, but as another poster mentioned your
local bike shop is the best place to look. Utility aside, fit is the
most important factor. If you're not comfortable, you're not going to
ride much. Just about any modern cross-country hardtail can be used
for your purposes. For on-road and (light) off-road use, a set of
knobby tires with a (near) continuous strip of rubber down the middle
can serve nicely. This would give you some grip on the dirt and
reduce 'buzziness' when riding on the road.

Have you considered buying a used bicycle? $400 gets you twice as
much bike if it's a few years old...although you do need to know what
you're looking for (again, see LBS).

Quoted message said:

you're planning to use them. I've gotten fast at swapping tires (keep
tubes in the other set of tires, rather than swapping tubes too). It's
less than a five minute job per bicycle, to swap the tires.

Takes me longer to swap my tires...more like 10+ minutes (for whatever
reason, they're really tight when installing or removing them from the
rim). Another option is to swap wheels (this I can manage in 30
seconds). My first set of (used) extra wheels + cassette cost me
about $50...well worth the convenience.

I'd recommend a cyclocross bike as they are very versitile. They'd be
pretty efficient on pavement and still let you do a fair ammount of off
road. Pretty much every manufacturer has a cyclocross model Trek XO 1,
Jamis Nova, Spcialized Tricross, Ibex X-ray

On Aug 24, 4:53 pm, "Steven S" <loach_lover[remove spam

[email protected] said:

I'd recommend a cyclocross bike as they are very versitile. They'd be
pretty efficient on pavement and still let you do a fair ammount of off
road. Pretty much every manufacturer has a cyclocross model Trek XO 1,
Jamis Nova, Spcialized Tricross, Ibex X-ray

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Eric

Personally, a hybrid sounds like the way for you to go to me - but maybe
with a bit wider tire than your current hybrid. Last year I bought a
Specialized Crossroads Sport but don't recommend that - I wish I had bought
the corresponding Trek instead.

The saddle must have been designed by the Marquis de Sade, it was so
uncomfortable. It also squeaked like heck, until I lubed the heck out of it
(and then replaced it). One shouldn't have to lube the saddle - multiple
times at that.

The pedals broke in about a month and a half (no they weren't abused).

The original break pads wore out very quickly - way earlier than other bikes
I've had.

Now it is making some sort of ticking noise that I haven't located yet. - 3
or 4 quick ticks as the left pedal nears the apex of it's cycle.

I like the idea of the hybrid, but I think Specialized made too many
compromises, at least on this model. However, all these problems turned me
off to Specialized.

"bluezfolk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I know that there is no real single answer for this, but I'm gonna ask
anyway. I'm in the market for a new bike that will be used mostly for
street riding and a bit of moderate dirt riding (no jumps). I'm 6'
tall and weigh a little over 200, I suppose a hardtail mtn bike or
comfort bike would fit the bill. At a price of about $400 what are
some of the best buys?