Okay, bike (cycle) enthusiasts!!

[CJizzles]

I've decided I am going to start riding a bike to work once the weather gets a tad warmer. It's only 5.8 miles both ways.

Any recommendations or brands to target, or stay away from?

I'm not looking to spend a lot of money -- and will probably wind up just buying something used.

I'll dish out a couple of extra dollars if I can get sweet, red/blue KU streamers and a sweet horn too. So, that won't be an issue.

Thanks!

[CJizzles]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I've also got a pos that I've been riding because it is old and has no suspension. When you get your bike, feel free to hit me up if you wanna go ride.

As long as you don't mind a big guy on a pink bike, with a rainbow on my ass cheeks you've got it.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I bought a pacific dual shock in 99.Thing is tough as a tank. But the dual shock really saps momentum. I just started getting back into riding late last summer. I realized that I really need to get a single. But I love having a mountain bike. Love having the option of being able to ride nature trails as well as streets /sidewalks.

That's what hybrids are for, I'll ride mine anywhere.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That's what hybrids are for, I'll ride mine anywhere.

I don't know anything about hybrids. They weren't around the last time I bought a new bike.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I don't know anything about hybrids. They weren't around the last time I bought a new bike.

Sure they were, they just weren't popular. Mountain bikes were all the rage in the 90s. Think mine is a 97 or 98 model, I don't really know for sure because I'm not the original owner.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

http://bikeshops.mtbr.com/cat/united...5_6250crx.aspx

Take a look at this used-bike shop in Lawrence. I believe they will buy their bikes back if you decide you need something else. The other place I've seen some decent used bike buys - pawn shops. I've bought a few nice old bikes off Craigslist, too.

Some stuff off my bike-links:

http://www.bikecommuters.com/
http://www.commutebybike.com/
http://amsterdamize.com/
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/search?q=bicycle
http://bicycletutor.com/
http://www.howtofixbikes.ca/

[Chest Rockwell]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Btw chest Rockwell, I was j/k about the homo. NTTAWWT

No worries man, I didn't think otherwise.

Besides, when you're a road biker you get used to being called a skinny, spandex-wearing, leg-shaving roadie f*ggot. And that's just by mountain bikers. Drivers aren't even THAT nice.

[Chest Rockwell]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Ah, gotcha. I don't do traffic at all. I stick to shared use trails which aren't designed with speed in mind but there are some occasional stretches where you can haul some ass. I hit the 29.8 on a descent on a recently paved "rail trail", so no sharp turns or potholes or other surprises to worry about. I usually average 15 mph or so on my hybrid, so again, I'm anxious to see how much I can improve that on the road bike.

I avoid traffic as much as I can these days, but being in DC I can't avoid it all together. And like I said, I'm not as much of a moron as I used to be. At some point I figured out 150 pounds of me on 15 of carbon fiber was not a good matchup vs cars.

That said I stay off multi-use trails and sidewalks as much as I can. I've had more accidents on those because of people who don't pay attention to their dogs or kids or are on the phone/listening to music than I ever have on the road (when I wreck on the road it's usually because I did something stupid). I always call in those situations but people are just oblivious.

[Dayze]

Dude I work with needed to lose some pounds per the doctor, so he went out a got a sweet bike. He said he lives about 12 miles from work. He's now at the point where he rides in basically anytime it's not raining. Dude has dropped some serious poundage fairly quickly.

I'm taking CP advice and getting fitted if/when I get a ride.

[Guru]

I used to ride a bike all the time then discovered jogging/running. Now it just collects dust unless the kids want to go for a ride.

Hell, at 5.8 miles you could build up the stamina to jog that in no time.

[CJizzles]

Originally Posted by Guru

I used to ride a bike all the time then discovered jogging/running. Now it just collects dust unless the kids want to go for a ride.

Hell, at 5.8 miles you could build up the stamina to jog that in no time.

I say **** THAT!

[Guru]

Originally Posted by CJizzles

I say **** THAT!

Oh come on, you can do it. You can even eat my dust.

[CJizzles]

Originally Posted by Guru

Oh come on, you can do it. You can even eat my dust.

Howie says NO DEAL!

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by CJizzles

Feel free to use this thread as a CP bicyclist haven.

I am sure once my bike is purchased I will post here frequently.

i just thought it would be great to ride to work to save some money on car maintenance and get fit.

Mrs. Plow has always kind of laughed it off when I said I want to ride a bike to work during the summer. I've been really thinking about doing it this year.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by rageeumr

Just throwing this out there, but typically a bike shop will throw in a fitting if you're buying a bike, but will charge otherwise. Of course every shop is different, but you probably don't want to spend as much on a fitting as you do on your bike.

I found this site to be decent in determining fit, at least as far as road bikes go.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO

It's not going to be as accurate as being professionally fitted, but the price is right.

We're not talking about having a bike fitting done. He simply needs to know if he'll need a 56cm frame etc. Any shop will help him with that while he's shopping.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

It's going to be tough to find something decent in that price range. If you get a crappy bike, you won't enjoy riding and it will end up collecting dust in your garage. I just dropped nearly $1000 on a new bike, and I had to settle for low-end components at that price. Plus I'll be in for another $300 in accessories by the time I'm done. It's not a cheap hobby but it can be a lot of fun. And in my case, it's stress relief. I love going out by myself on some of the rural trails and just getting away from it all for several hours. It's hard to put a price on that.

You love going out by yourself or you can't find anyone who is willing to ride with you?

Have you gotten the new bike out yet?