How shall I know you, new bike?
November 25, 2011 10:26 PM
Beloved bicycle stolen. Suggestions for a 5'6" 145 lbs female, who rides about twenty miles a day through suburbia in north central Florida with a budget of under $400 and a limited knowledge of bike parts and specifics?
I've spent a lot of time imagining how I would run down my bike thief terminator style, but I guess I should start thinking about getting a new bike. There are a lot of bicycle questions on the green, but the staggering array of choices is a bit overwhelming. Used this time of year in my college town (Gainesville, if it makes a difference) isn't great pickings, and I am more than a little intimidated by my local bike shops, staffed by tattooed bike geeks who sling bike lingo around and talk smack about their less knowledgeable customers.
Grousing about some bike shops aside, I loved my old bike which was a mixte frame (Bauhaus, but not the weird geometric frame that shows up when I image search it) with shifters on the lower bar rather than the handlebars, about 52 cm, and super light. I know how to change a tire, lube a chain, and poke at mechanical things, but besides curiosity I don't have much idea how to describe a bike unless I'm looking at a diagram. So, can y'all help me out with some suggestions? Is BikesDirect the way to go? I've ridden a commuter bike before, but I didn't like how heavy it was or its insistence on a perfectly prim upright position, and I feel like i should be looking at hybrids or road bikes since I get a lot of use out of my bike. I made my ten mile commute in about forty miles, a pretty comfortable speed with frequent stops for traffic and whatnot, but it'd be nice to get a little bit of an upgrade.
Thanks for your help.
I've spent a lot of time imagining how I would run down my bike thief terminator style, but I guess I should start thinking about getting a new bike. There are a lot of bicycle questions on the green, but the staggering array of choices is a bit overwhelming. Used this time of year in my college town (Gainesville, if it makes a difference) isn't great pickings, and I am more than a little intimidated by my local bike shops, staffed by tattooed bike geeks who sling bike lingo around and talk smack about their less knowledgeable customers.
Grousing about some bike shops aside, I loved my old bike which was a mixte frame (Bauhaus, but not the weird geometric frame that shows up when I image search it) with shifters on the lower bar rather than the handlebars, about 52 cm, and super light. I know how to change a tire, lube a chain, and poke at mechanical things, but besides curiosity I don't have much idea how to describe a bike unless I'm looking at a diagram. So, can y'all help me out with some suggestions? Is BikesDirect the way to go? I've ridden a commuter bike before, but I didn't like how heavy it was or its insistence on a perfectly prim upright position, and I feel like i should be looking at hybrids or road bikes since I get a lot of use out of my bike. I made my ten mile commute in about forty miles, a pretty comfortable speed with frequent stops for traffic and whatnot, but it'd be nice to get a little bit of an upgrade.
Thanks for your help.
I am a devoted mixte rider. Reading the way you described your bike and preferred body position, mixtes may simply suit you. To me, many of the 1970's French mixtes have super comfy geometry. They are "plush" riding bikes and are just plain comfortable for long distance. A good fit and a suitable geometry are the recipe for a happy rider.
Are you sure about the name Bauhaus? Might it have been a Batavus? They did some lovely bikes. I did a search for Bauhaus bikes and couldn't find anything. Here's a photo of a Batavus mixte so you can see the stickers and downtube shifters.
If you want to stay lightweight you're probably looking for a near-racing level bike which are challenging to find in the mixte frame. You're looking for Reynolds 531 steel if you can find it, but it's not a requirement. A 531 frame should be noticeably lighter than other frames. It's important to know that the components are where you really weight down a bike - and lighten your wallet. (I'd trade off a lightweight frame for lighter wheels.)
I have an absolutely awesome vintage mixte that I adore. (I've done an Iron distance triathlon on that bike.) Frame was less than $200 bucks, but it is tricked out on some beautiful components. That may not be a great idea if you need to park your bike in a high theft area and then go to class.
Don't worry about asking bike shops for help. Even bike snobs love a cool mixte and you may find more help than your expect. When my bike goes to the shop every bike mechanic there wants to "test" ride it because it's so damn fun to ride.
posted by 26.2 at 12:31 AM on November 26, 2011
Are you sure about the name Bauhaus? Might it have been a Batavus? They did some lovely bikes. I did a search for Bauhaus bikes and couldn't find anything. Here's a photo of a Batavus mixte so you can see the stickers and downtube shifters.
If you want to stay lightweight you're probably looking for a near-racing level bike which are challenging to find in the mixte frame. You're looking for Reynolds 531 steel if you can find it, but it's not a requirement. A 531 frame should be noticeably lighter than other frames. It's important to know that the components are where you really weight down a bike - and lighten your wallet. (I'd trade off a lightweight frame for lighter wheels.)
I have an absolutely awesome vintage mixte that I adore. (I've done an Iron distance triathlon on that bike.) Frame was less than $200 bucks, but it is tricked out on some beautiful components. That may not be a great idea if you need to park your bike in a high theft area and then go to class.
Don't worry about asking bike shops for help. Even bike snobs love a cool mixte and you may find more help than your expect. When my bike goes to the shop every bike mechanic there wants to "test" ride it because it's so damn fun to ride.
posted by 26.2 at 12:31 AM on November 26, 2011
It's true, everyone loves a mixte!
The only way I can see you getting another mixte for under 400 is by buying used.
Along with the suggestions above, 80's Japanese (Fuji, Miyata) are great bikes. I have a gorgeous minty '86 Miyata mixte I snagged for 275 (and tricked out, but the bike was excellent as-is).
Ask at bike shops, check Craigslist if you have one. And if you were using a cable lock before, switch to a U lock.
posted by Windigo at 5:45 AM on November 26, 2011
The only way I can see you getting another mixte for under 400 is by buying used.
Along with the suggestions above, 80's Japanese (Fuji, Miyata) are great bikes. I have a gorgeous minty '86 Miyata mixte I snagged for 275 (and tricked out, but the bike was excellent as-is).
Ask at bike shops, check Craigslist if you have one. And if you were using a cable lock before, switch to a U lock.
posted by Windigo at 5:45 AM on November 26, 2011
I have the 3 speed mixte from bikesdirect that I use for shorter distances. And a road bike for longer stuff.
Do you have an bike co-ops near you? They generally have cheap bikes and will show you how to fix them up.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:35 AM on November 26, 2011
Do you have an bike co-ops near you? They generally have cheap bikes and will show you how to fix them up.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:35 AM on November 26, 2011
Just a suggestion, but I heard on the radio the other day alot of people would spot their stolen article on Craig's List. One person actually called and met the person when she recognized her bike, she rode it around the corner where police were waiting so they could arrest the thief.
posted by sandyp at 2:51 PM on November 26, 2011
posted by sandyp at 2:51 PM on November 26, 2011
Windigo, you're right, it's a Batavus. Blushing ensues. I love the feel of the retro light frame bike, but riding around a few other bikes I realize that my components weren't the smoothest. If I were to buy from Bikesdirect, what would y'all recommend? Or is better to wait for something cheaper on Craigslist?
posted by ajarbaday at 8:15 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by ajarbaday at 8:15 PM on November 27, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by naturalog at 12:23 AM on November 26, 2011