Help me help my husband buy a bicycle for his birthday
May 29, 2015 2:34 PM Subscribe
Actually, I know better than to try to buy a bicycle for him but I would like to do the research so that I can take him to a store on his birthday and say "You probably want Bike A or Bike B. Try them out and we'll get the one you like". The bicycle would be used primarily for him to bike about 5 miles work (asphalt, relatively flat with the occasional steep overpass). I am clueless - Help!
Possibly useful information: He is more interested in comfortable ride than speed or the workout. He can't shower at work so I am guessing lighter weight = less exertion = less sweat?? He is average sized (6'1" 190 lbs)
So, what type of bike does he probably want?
Within that type, what are best brands or models?
Are there particularly helpful reviews that I can use to explain why he is making a good decision?
Bonus questions: can you recommend a bike store in San Jose CA area?
Possibly useful information: He is more interested in comfortable ride than speed or the workout. He can't shower at work so I am guessing lighter weight = less exertion = less sweat?? He is average sized (6'1" 190 lbs)
So, what type of bike does he probably want?
Within that type, what are best brands or models?
Are there particularly helpful reviews that I can use to explain why he is making a good decision?
Bonus questions: can you recommend a bike store in San Jose CA area?
He's probably going to want a bike that encourages a fairly upright riding posture, i.e. straightish handlebars rather than the ram's horn-like drop bars used on racing bikes. The wheels should be fairly narrow and lightweight, but not pushing the envelope so much that they're fragile. If there are hills along the commute then he'll want some low gears to make them easier.
That's about all I can tell you. I used to know what I was talking about, but all of my information is at least 15 years out of date. My current bike is a really nice 1989 model.
posted by jon1270 at 3:02 PM on May 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's about all I can tell you. I used to know what I was talking about, but all of my information is at least 15 years out of date. My current bike is a really nice 1989 model.
posted by jon1270 at 3:02 PM on May 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Your budget is going to dictate much of the direction you can go with this. If you feel comfortable, I'd post your price range.
I'm about the same size as your husband, and that's my commute pretty much; same distance, mostly flat, but I have a +/- 150ft elevation change each way (going to work is much easier than coming home).
I ride a single-speed (not fixed, my knees are terrible) Surly Steamroller, and love it than just about any physical object I own. Its really fun to ride, simple to maintain, and it was pretty damn cheap compared to some of the crazier bikes out there. Its kind of the platonic bike in my opinion; two wheels, two brakes, pedals that go. I've had much more complex setups, but I'm glad I landed back on this machine…it really fun.
For a ride that short, I personally feel gears are overkill for a single rider; they end up weighing alot, and you have to haul them around. My bike is a steel alloy, and when I switched from a much more complex aluminum bike to it, it felt more sturdy, and actually lighter. I think the weight was actually close to the same, but the weight was held differently. The steamroller feels notably lighter, and I don't miss the multiple gears for a minute.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:15 PM on May 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm about the same size as your husband, and that's my commute pretty much; same distance, mostly flat, but I have a +/- 150ft elevation change each way (going to work is much easier than coming home).
I ride a single-speed (not fixed, my knees are terrible) Surly Steamroller, and love it than just about any physical object I own. Its really fun to ride, simple to maintain, and it was pretty damn cheap compared to some of the crazier bikes out there. Its kind of the platonic bike in my opinion; two wheels, two brakes, pedals that go. I've had much more complex setups, but I'm glad I landed back on this machine…it really fun.
For a ride that short, I personally feel gears are overkill for a single rider; they end up weighing alot, and you have to haul them around. My bike is a steel alloy, and when I switched from a much more complex aluminum bike to it, it felt more sturdy, and actually lighter. I think the weight was actually close to the same, but the weight was held differently. The steamroller feels notably lighter, and I don't miss the multiple gears for a minute.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:15 PM on May 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Someone at a bike shop should be able to help with this - I know someone who builds and repairs bikes at a bike shop if you feel up to driving over to Marin. MeMail me.
posted by jrobin276 at 3:53 PM on May 29, 2015
posted by jrobin276 at 3:53 PM on May 29, 2015
Response by poster: My budget is around $1000 or at least under $2000 although if hubby falls in love with something more expensive, he can totally talk me into it!
posted by metahawk at 3:54 PM on May 29, 2015
posted by metahawk at 3:54 PM on May 29, 2015
His commute is short, do you could meet that need with a ton of different things. Since he can't shower at work, I'd consider a bike where he could get a rack and a backpack pannier. I am way less sweaty if I'm not wearing a backpack or bag. I love the one Banjo Brothers makes.
posted by advicepig at 5:05 PM on May 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by advicepig at 5:05 PM on May 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
At that range I would totally get a Spot. A dealer might be able to get it lower than MSRP or throw in fenders or rack. (The 2014 models might be on clearance too.) Belt drive and disc brakes mean an all-weather, low-maintenance trucker.
posted by supercres at 5:20 PM on May 29, 2015
posted by supercres at 5:20 PM on May 29, 2015
My partner and I both bought our bikes last year from Bike Connection in Palo Alto. They price-matched a different local store on my bike (an entry-level women's hybrid) and allowed my mother to pay for the bike as a gift with her credit card over the phone. I also brought it in recently to get the derailleur fixed after the gears started grinding and attempts to self-adjust (with help from a bike-savvy person) resulted in the chain falling off. So thumbs-up on their customer service.
It sounds like he won't really want or need a road bike, which your budget would easily accommodate. You can get a really nice hybrid with accessories for under $1k. For a similar commute, I liked straight handlebars much better than the drop-bar racing position of a road bike. I also tried a "comfort" type bike with a totally upright position and handlebars that curve inwards on both sides, but it felt more tiring to go fast and not as ergonomic on my wrists.
posted by serelliya at 8:34 PM on May 29, 2015
It sounds like he won't really want or need a road bike, which your budget would easily accommodate. You can get a really nice hybrid with accessories for under $1k. For a similar commute, I liked straight handlebars much better than the drop-bar racing position of a road bike. I also tried a "comfort" type bike with a totally upright position and handlebars that curve inwards on both sides, but it felt more tiring to go fast and not as ergonomic on my wrists.
posted by serelliya at 8:34 PM on May 29, 2015
Best answer: The best (that is, lightest, most efficient, most durable) hybrid you can afford is probably what you want. One from one of the big American brands (Trek, Specialized, etc.) or similar would be fine. Get a rack and one or two panniers and lights and you're set.
You say he's not interested in speed, but everyone is interested in efficiency. If he wants to go slow let that be his choice, not the bike's.
Keep in mind as you search the web that the MSRP is often a lot higher than the dealer price. Your price range is good. You can get a pretty nice hybrid for that price.
Pay close attention to the component selection. Most bikes come with driveline components and brakes from either Shimano or SRAM. They both produce a range of quality from Swiss-watch to utter shit. Bike companies mix and match. For example, they'll put on a high-end rear derailleur because the logo is easily visible and lower-end brakes and front derailleur. Here's Shimano's component line-up for this year. A hybrid might have components from any of those categories. In the road category, Dura-Ace is what they use in the Tour de France. Tiagara is OK, but I personally wouldn't go lower. The higher you go, the lighter, stronger and more precise the components are. You might not know from experience exactly what any of this implies, but at least you can compare the level.
The absolute most important thing to make sure of when you buy a bike is that it fits. A bike that fits is beautiful. One that doesn't is a torture instrument.
Do not get a bike with a shock on the front. Trust me.
posted by klanawa at 10:45 PM on May 29, 2015
You say he's not interested in speed, but everyone is interested in efficiency. If he wants to go slow let that be his choice, not the bike's.
Keep in mind as you search the web that the MSRP is often a lot higher than the dealer price. Your price range is good. You can get a pretty nice hybrid for that price.
Pay close attention to the component selection. Most bikes come with driveline components and brakes from either Shimano or SRAM. They both produce a range of quality from Swiss-watch to utter shit. Bike companies mix and match. For example, they'll put on a high-end rear derailleur because the logo is easily visible and lower-end brakes and front derailleur. Here's Shimano's component line-up for this year. A hybrid might have components from any of those categories. In the road category, Dura-Ace is what they use in the Tour de France. Tiagara is OK, but I personally wouldn't go lower. The higher you go, the lighter, stronger and more precise the components are. You might not know from experience exactly what any of this implies, but at least you can compare the level.
The absolute most important thing to make sure of when you buy a bike is that it fits. A bike that fits is beautiful. One that doesn't is a torture instrument.
Do not get a bike with a shock on the front. Trust me.
posted by klanawa at 10:45 PM on May 29, 2015
>Do not get a bike with a shock on the front. Trust me.
Please explain.
posted by yclipse at 4:45 AM on May 30, 2015
Please explain.
posted by yclipse at 4:45 AM on May 30, 2015
The reason not to get a shock is that it adds weight and complexity to a bike that is not necessary. Save the shock for gnarly downhills on sketchy fire roads and use the money saved on a good u-lock, lights, fenders and tool kit.
A good bike is a transportation system with your body as the engine. Racks and bags for carrying your stuff, lights fore and aft for safety, a good u-lock, and a tool kit are essentials. You (or your husband) will just have to get them later, do it up front.
I ride every day in street clothes and I have specialized outerwear for inclement weather.
If you have a commuter oriented bike shop in your town, look for that. They often will be carrying cargo bikes, lots of panniers and other essentials, plus a good range of road worthy machines. Watch out for the shop catering to the high end recreational market, they won't be tuned in to your needs as much.
If you have a friend who's a bike-centric person, use them as a wingman to get some outside input and assistance. Sadly, there's a fair amount of eye-candy junk bikes sold that are heavy and are not good commuters. You want to watch out for aesthetics that add nothing to getting down the road efficiently.
There are great values in the used market. I've bought bikes that can be tuned up and turned into decent, ride worthy machines and commuters for $20. The main point there is that a bike is not an automobile, the mechanics involved are within the ability of almost everyone to learn and do themselves. So, just be open to checking out a range of bikes. There's definitely the perfect ride out there.
posted by diode at 12:04 PM on May 30, 2015
A good bike is a transportation system with your body as the engine. Racks and bags for carrying your stuff, lights fore and aft for safety, a good u-lock, and a tool kit are essentials. You (or your husband) will just have to get them later, do it up front.
I ride every day in street clothes and I have specialized outerwear for inclement weather.
If you have a commuter oriented bike shop in your town, look for that. They often will be carrying cargo bikes, lots of panniers and other essentials, plus a good range of road worthy machines. Watch out for the shop catering to the high end recreational market, they won't be tuned in to your needs as much.
If you have a friend who's a bike-centric person, use them as a wingman to get some outside input and assistance. Sadly, there's a fair amount of eye-candy junk bikes sold that are heavy and are not good commuters. You want to watch out for aesthetics that add nothing to getting down the road efficiently.
There are great values in the used market. I've bought bikes that can be tuned up and turned into decent, ride worthy machines and commuters for $20. The main point there is that a bike is not an automobile, the mechanics involved are within the ability of almost everyone to learn and do themselves. So, just be open to checking out a range of bikes. There's definitely the perfect ride out there.
posted by diode at 12:04 PM on May 30, 2015
If you're looking for a comfortable ride to work rather than something for sport, I would recommend a Dutch-style bike with an upright position, step-over frame, internal gearing, and generally useful things like racks and a dynamo for lights. As mentioned above, the biggest thing for not being sweaty is to be able to put your bag / backpack on the bike itself. Bikes like this are relatively heavy, but they're not slow.
Gazelle and WorkCycles are higher-end brands along those lines, but Linus and Public bikes have some of those features and are more widely available.
posted by parudox at 10:50 PM on May 30, 2015
Gazelle and WorkCycles are higher-end brands along those lines, but Linus and Public bikes have some of those features and are more widely available.
posted by parudox at 10:50 PM on May 30, 2015
I recently helped my friend pick out a Breezer similar to the Uptown 8; it's nice in that it comes with a rack with integrated lights and a dynamo hub to power them. The bike looked like reasonable quality and would fit your budget.
Get fenders if he'll ride in the rain. They make a huge difference.
posted by kdar at 4:21 PM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Get fenders if he'll ride in the rain. They make a huge difference.
posted by kdar at 4:21 PM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards a higher quality hybrid with racks and panniers etc although I will ask if he would rather an electric bike. (Thanks bear wife - I hadn't considered that until you suggested it)
If anyone is reading this thread, the best resource on electric bikes that I found was at electricbikereviews.com
posted by metahawk at 9:10 AM on June 6, 2015
If anyone is reading this thread, the best resource on electric bikes that I found was at electricbikereviews.com
posted by metahawk at 9:10 AM on June 6, 2015
>Do not get a bike with a shock on the front. Trust me.
Please explain.
Sorry, this is a very old question, but shocks, especially the low-end ones that come on hybrids, are a maintenance hassle and provide very little benefit relative to the weight and effort they require, when used on the street. I have high-end road and mountain bikes that I lovingly maintain that work like finely-tuned instruments. Then I have my commuting bike, which I beat on every day. I just need it to last without a lot of intervention. On a commuting bike, suspension is a waste of time and money. My opinion, naturally.
posted by klanawa at 8:48 PM on February 12, 2016
Please explain.
Sorry, this is a very old question, but shocks, especially the low-end ones that come on hybrids, are a maintenance hassle and provide very little benefit relative to the weight and effort they require, when used on the street. I have high-end road and mountain bikes that I lovingly maintain that work like finely-tuned instruments. Then I have my commuting bike, which I beat on every day. I just need it to last without a lot of intervention. On a commuting bike, suspension is a waste of time and money. My opinion, naturally.
posted by klanawa at 8:48 PM on February 12, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bearwife at 2:52 PM on May 29, 2015