Bicycle Experts Needed

Agree with you on the frame size being the most important factor, but there is a big difference between riding a 40 lb bike and a 25 lb bike!

If you go for a non-suspension (i.e. non-mountain) bike - go for a high quality steel frame or an aluminum frame with a carbon fork. Those will ride better over bumps. And, like I mentioned - the cyclocross bikes that can accommodate larger tires are good on rougher roads and some trails.

If a mountain bike don't go for a cheapo full suspension but get a good used aluminum hard-tail like a Gary Fisher, Trek, Canondale or any of the higher end custom brands. For instance I sold my GF Tassajara genisis geometry hard tail with upgraded brakes and other components in mint condition for $375 on Craig's list (I shelled out about $700 on it). An online place where you can get good bargains is Jenson bikes USA. However, using a mountain bike for anything oher than on real mountain biking trails doesn't make a lot of sense to me - on the road you expend energy pushing against the suspension and the softer tires provide much more friction and so your speed is limited. I sold mine because I just don't do any real mountain biking anymore.

If you have a Performance bike nearby, they carry some decent brands and you can try the fit. There are also online fit calculators (well at least for road bikes).

pparks1 said:

niemiro said:

Hello again!

All bikes are quite heavy, but I think that weight differences are exaggerated in people's minds. A cheap road bike is going to be made of metal, and not light weight carbon fibre or anything like that.

I ride a Gary Fisher mountain bike and it weights in about 27 pounds with my crankset, clipless pedals, under seat bag, etc. This thing has taken an absolute beating and keeps right on going.

My Cannondale road bike on the other hand weights about 18 pounds with my gear. It's noticeably lighter when you pick it up. Most people who aren't into bikes are astounded with how light it its...not like the old heavy frame 10 speeds of our childhood.

But I think your point is very valid for the very low end bikes...they will all be using steel frames and such and this will increase weight substantially. Both of my bikes were entry level models in each class, but my mnt bike was about $600 and my road bike was around $1,000.

But you can get light, high quality, steel bikes in the 20 lb range. The reason low end bikes are heavy is not that they use steel, but they use low quality steel and have to use thick walls for strength.

A good quality steel bike can give a nicer, less harsh ,ride than an aluminum one.

I agree with second hand for that sort of money; if it's been looked after then you will have a bargin. Not too sure what a hybrid is - in the UK I think the 3 standards are mountain, cross(light trail) or road (or them wierd little things that annoy my when left in my way on the train!). I have a Diamond Back mountain bike I bought new in about 1998 and it is still great today despite a lot of use (mainly on really rough roads).
I have tried the ones with suspension on the back and found that a lot of energy put into pushing the pedal down is lost as you just push the spring down. I have no suspension but my bike is about 2 inches longer in it's frame than any other bike I've put it next to and I am sure that it is this that helps soften the ride a bit when thinking of the lever/fulcrum theories:
0-^-0 0--^--0 = when going over lumps and bumps, the second ^ will move less than the first.
I haven't got disc brakes yet and I am extremely jealous of those that do, definately something I want for when I get the chance to hit 40mph again :)
Something I invested in a long time ago was a set of pedal/cycle shoe thingies, File:Shimano MT31 shoe with SH56 cleat-Profile.jpg - Wikimedia Commons these are great for energy as you can use some energy lifting the pedal on the up stroke so that steep hills are less of a strain on each leg.

profdlp said:

Well, it's just now getting warm enough to be outdoors, it finally stopped raining every stinkin' day, my final exams will be over next week, I got some extra money for my upcoming birthday, and I've finally made up my mind:

Nishiki Men's Tamarack Bicycle

Like most things, it was compromise between features, wants, needs, and money.

I really appreciate all of the great advice from all of you. It may not be the "perfect" bike, but it fits my needs and is a whole lot better than what I would have ended up with without your help.

Thank You!

It is a very good bike, especially for that price. Do you know that the frame size is correct? Nothing is worse than a bike of the wrong size.

However, other than that, it actually looks like a really good choice.

It has quite a large saddle. If you plan to go off the back of it, you might need to thin it down a little bit, but from what I can remember, you don't plan to go off the back of it! (You keep your feet digging into the pedals, pull back on the handlebars, and allow you behind to slip off the back of the seat and over the mudguard when going over large obstacles, and going down a really, really steep hill while properly mountain biking.

The brakes will also become slightly less effective when it really, really rains, but in all honesty, unless you are doing extreme mountain biking, standard rubber grip brakes will be absolutely fine for you.

An excellent choice, and a very good deal on it as well!

I am sure that you will love your new bike!

Richard

I'm a few pounds and a few inches more than you and do an hour+ 5 days a week, 80% off road.

Get an off roader and you'll burn some more calories in less minutes. If you get into it like I have and push yourself, and do more off road, you will be less likely to mangle wheels as I did at this point.

Personally I go for good condition used bikes, and particularly seek out any Police auctions (if you have available in USA) which sell stolen goods for which the owners cannot be identified. Without being mercenary, I picked up a mint Marin Bear Valley a few years ago for £50, and my brother a Mint Cannondale for £75.