Re: Just another new guy who needs an expert opinion....

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On 12 Apr 2004 20:52:47 -0700, sibrahim@earthlink.net (Samer Ibrahim)
may have said:

>How's it going...
>Basically I'm a newbie and I was looking into getting a bike. I
>thought this process would be far more straight forward than it
>actually is. Too many options and too few concrete opinions.
>
>Here's my useage: basically weekend warrior (and likely not to be all
>weekends), I live in the Northeast so not all year either, I'd like to
>do some city streets and parks as well as trails (but I'm not going to
>be jumping off cliffs with the bike or anything). I'm willing to
>spend a couple of hundred but not thousands. I think a cap would be
>$600 total.
>
[snip]
>Now I'm not sure if the hybrid thing is even a good idea or which make
>is better if any so can you please give me some advice...

I agree with much of the advice already posted, but I'll chime in with
these additional observations...

First, don't limit yourself to new bikes. There are some great deals
on used bikes, and for just light weekend usage to start with, it
might be better to get a second-hand unit to use in discovering what
your preferred style, equipment, and riding patterns are. Once you
really know from direct experience where and how you like to ride,
it's easier to zero in on the new bike that will really suit your
needs.

Second, if you're going to be doing a mix of street and off-road
riding, consider the concept of having one bike (on an mtb frame) but
two sets of wheels. An acquaintance nearby uses this tactic to good
advantage. For his daily paved-surface rides, he has a pair of
inexpensive wheels with slicks; for the weekend runs through the
woods, it takes him all of a couple of minutes to swap out to the
better set that has the fat knobbies.

Third, unless you really feel that you need the suspension for some
reason, I'd advise against spending a dime more for a new bike with a
front shock than you'd spend for one that has a solid fork but better
components in the drivetrain and shifters. Cheap suspension forks
neither provide much useful travel nor offer any real damping, and on
a bike that sells for under $500 new, a very cheap, very basic
non-adjustable unit is the only type of suspension fork that you're
likely to get. Good shifters and derailleurs, however, can make
riding a lot more fun.

Fourth, and here I'm at variance with some of the others, I'd say that
it's better to spend the money on the bike rather than the add-on
stuff. You don't *need* cycling shorts, a computer, fancy water
bottles, special shoes or the other trappings in order to get on the
bike and ride. Once again, after you've had a chance to get some
miles in, you'll begin to discover which, if any, of the accessories
really are needed by *you*. The possible sole exception to this is in
the area of lighting. If you're pretty sure that you will be riding
at night.then yes, buy the lighting with the bike.

That's just my opinion.

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Werehatrack wrote:

> You don't *need* cycling shorts, a computer, fancy water
> bottles, special shoes or the other trappings in order to get on the
> bike and ride. Once again, after you've had a chance to get some
> miles in, you'll begin to discover which, if any, of the accessories
> really are needed by *you*. The possible sole exception to this is in
> the area of lighting. If you're pretty sure that you will be riding
> at night.then yes, buy the lighting with the bike.

I'm with you with perhaps one modification. After the lights, the next
most important upgrade is pedals and shoes. I suggest a cheap pair of
clipless pedals and shoes (~$100 for the set) will be quite valuable to
the weekend warrior.

I ride with non-cycling clothing (shorts, tee-shirts, etc) regularly.
But the bike in my stable that has toe clips and "regular" pedals
doesn't get ridden very much.

--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu