Help fit me with a bike.
July 3, 2010 7:44 PM Subscribe
Help outfit me in a new bike. I am trying to decide between two bikes at my local bike store or a bike from bikesdirect.com.
I've started to bike pretty frequently as a way to get around Boston. Mostly 2-5 mile rides. My old, small mountain bike is starting to fristrate me so I want to get something new.
I think I'd prefer a road bike with dropped handle bars, but I am open to suggestions. I don't think I am ready to go to a single speed, since I enjoy my gears going up and down hills (though I feel like the 24 speeds on my mountain bike are way more than I need). I am 5'10''.
At my local bike store the cheapest road bike they have is a Specialized Triple Sectuer for $700
They also had a decent seeming hybrid bike for $350, that seemed to fit fine and be well made, but I wasn't as in love with.
I also have been looking at the bikes at bikesdirect.com, which seem like they might be a good deal.
This one caught my eye. It is $300 cheaper, has the extra set of brake levers on the top bar, and I prefer the look of it to the Specialized bike.
Can any one see major advantages to the local bike store road bike that justify the higher price (the assembly/tune ups are worth something to me, but not $300)? Does anyone have suggestions on other bikes that I should be looking at instead?
I'd like to spend up to about $700, but would prefer less. I would love suggestions of other bikes stores in Boston that might have a better selection, or other bikes that I could get in this price range online. I don't think I know quite enough to be able to pick out a good used bike, but am comfortable doing most basic bike repairs/part changes.
I've started to bike pretty frequently as a way to get around Boston. Mostly 2-5 mile rides. My old, small mountain bike is starting to fristrate me so I want to get something new.
I think I'd prefer a road bike with dropped handle bars, but I am open to suggestions. I don't think I am ready to go to a single speed, since I enjoy my gears going up and down hills (though I feel like the 24 speeds on my mountain bike are way more than I need). I am 5'10''.
At my local bike store the cheapest road bike they have is a Specialized Triple Sectuer for $700
They also had a decent seeming hybrid bike for $350, that seemed to fit fine and be well made, but I wasn't as in love with.
I also have been looking at the bikes at bikesdirect.com, which seem like they might be a good deal.
This one caught my eye. It is $300 cheaper, has the extra set of brake levers on the top bar, and I prefer the look of it to the Specialized bike.
Can any one see major advantages to the local bike store road bike that justify the higher price (the assembly/tune ups are worth something to me, but not $300)? Does anyone have suggestions on other bikes that I should be looking at instead?
I'd like to spend up to about $700, but would prefer less. I would love suggestions of other bikes stores in Boston that might have a better selection, or other bikes that I could get in this price range online. I don't think I know quite enough to be able to pick out a good used bike, but am comfortable doing most basic bike repairs/part changes.
Regarding bike shops in Boston/Cambridge that I like and have a good selections; my favorites are Ace Wheelworks (Porter), Landry's (Comm Ave) and Broadway Bicycle (Broadway) - helpful and nice staff who are knowledgeable. I don't like Cambridge Bicycle (Mass Ave.) at all, as the staff have been rude and incompetent. These recommendations are from personal experience and chatting to others on my cycling team over a few years.
I have found bike shops in general to be quite expensive here. Bicycles direct sell ok bikes but the components are not great. If you plan on riding your bike every day for a few years, you are probably better off going for the Specialized bike as I think the parts will last quite a bit longer. One alternative is Bikes Not Bombs in Jamaica Plain, but the second hand bikes there are fairly pricey (<>
As an aside, I think second-hand is the best value, but one needs to invest time in searching and I noticed you mention that you would prefer not to do this anyway. Good luck!
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 8:07 PM on July 3, 2010
I have found bike shops in general to be quite expensive here. Bicycles direct sell ok bikes but the components are not great. If you plan on riding your bike every day for a few years, you are probably better off going for the Specialized bike as I think the parts will last quite a bit longer. One alternative is Bikes Not Bombs in Jamaica Plain, but the second hand bikes there are fairly pricey (<>
As an aside, I think second-hand is the best value, but one needs to invest time in searching and I noticed you mention that you would prefer not to do this anyway. Good luck!
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 8:07 PM on July 3, 2010
oops, my 'less than' sign disappeared but I was writing that Bikes Not Bombs do have bikes for less than $700 but they will probably be more expensive than Bikes Direct. But it's a really cool bike-shop/training facility!
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 8:08 PM on July 3, 2010
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 8:08 PM on July 3, 2010
Advantages of going local: a bike you buy on the internet won't arrive fully assembled and will need adjustment. Maybe you can do it yourself? Also your local shop will fit you to the bike, which is really important.
In terms of hardware: are you sure you want a triple? Compact gives you nearly the same range of gears, will save some weight, and will shift a lot better. Unless you have some brutal climbs, the smallest ring is not going to get a lot of use.
posted by drmarcj at 8:15 PM on July 3, 2010
In terms of hardware: are you sure you want a triple? Compact gives you nearly the same range of gears, will save some weight, and will shift a lot better. Unless you have some brutal climbs, the smallest ring is not going to get a lot of use.
posted by drmarcj at 8:15 PM on July 3, 2010
It might be a haul for you, but check out Harris Cyclery, former home of Sheldon Brown, in Newton.
I can't help you with new bike specifics, but I can tell you that a pair of handlebar extensions will do wonders for comfort on a mountain bike. They are mounted perpendicular to the handlebars. I have mine about 45 degrees forward, so I can get a nice, comfortable lean going when I want to. The extensions cast me $10.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 8:17 PM on July 3, 2010
I can't help you with new bike specifics, but I can tell you that a pair of handlebar extensions will do wonders for comfort on a mountain bike. They are mounted perpendicular to the handlebars. I have mine about 45 degrees forward, so I can get a nice, comfortable lean going when I want to. The extensions cast me $10.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 8:17 PM on July 3, 2010
If you don't know how to work on bikes, don't buy from Bikesdirect. They require assembly.
I wouldn't ride an expensive bike around a big city like Boston unless it would never leave my sight for a second. Seriously. It is going to get stolen at some point if you lock it up outside.
I recommend Craigslist for used bikes. You can get good deals on older road bikes. Another $50 or so for a tuneup at a bike shop and you will be good to go.
As an alternative, you could put slick tires on your mountain bike and play around with handlebars and stems until you get the riding position the way you want it. That would be the cheapest way to go.
No matter what you do, make sure you have strong wheels. City riding is very hard on wheels. Don't get a road bike with wheels that have fewer than 32 spokes.
posted by twblalock at 8:26 PM on July 3, 2010
I wouldn't ride an expensive bike around a big city like Boston unless it would never leave my sight for a second. Seriously. It is going to get stolen at some point if you lock it up outside.
I recommend Craigslist for used bikes. You can get good deals on older road bikes. Another $50 or so for a tuneup at a bike shop and you will be good to go.
As an alternative, you could put slick tires on your mountain bike and play around with handlebars and stems until you get the riding position the way you want it. That would be the cheapest way to go.
No matter what you do, make sure you have strong wheels. City riding is very hard on wheels. Don't get a road bike with wheels that have fewer than 32 spokes.
posted by twblalock at 8:26 PM on July 3, 2010
Best answer: You want to get around in the city, without frustration, and don't want to win races. I think the rule of thumb that applies to your situation is this: Make sure that your lock costs more than your bike. I would set a budget of $100 for the bike and $101 for the lock, and stick to Craigslist, bike shops that sell used bikes, bulletin boards at community colleges, and so on.
Maybe there's a $700 bike in your future, but maybe not. The worst way to find out, when you admittedly don't really know what you're looking for, is to just blow the $700 to see whether that's satisfying or disappointing. Ride a cool used $100 bike around for a year and see what you think.
(Unless you stop riding and let your bike gather dust in the basement, both the $100 bike and the $700 bike are going to get stolen. That's just a given. But $700 buys seven $100 bikes, which means you can bike seven times longer and farther on $100 bikes before recapitalizing. I find riding a $700 bike much more frustrating than riding a $100 bike for exactly this reason.)
posted by gum at 10:18 PM on July 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
Maybe there's a $700 bike in your future, but maybe not. The worst way to find out, when you admittedly don't really know what you're looking for, is to just blow the $700 to see whether that's satisfying or disappointing. Ride a cool used $100 bike around for a year and see what you think.
(Unless you stop riding and let your bike gather dust in the basement, both the $100 bike and the $700 bike are going to get stolen. That's just a given. But $700 buys seven $100 bikes, which means you can bike seven times longer and farther on $100 bikes before recapitalizing. I find riding a $700 bike much more frustrating than riding a $100 bike for exactly this reason.)
posted by gum at 10:18 PM on July 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
In terms of justifying the price difference:
The components are slightly different, the Specialized has a carbon fork and Shimano crankset versus steel and no-name on the bikesdirect bike. Beyond the local bike store overhead, I am guessing the rest of the price difference can be found in a slightly higher quality frame and moderately lighter weight overall in the Specialized. Having never ridden (or really seen; I'm Canadian) a bikesdirect bike, I cannot comment on how significant or noticeable those differences might be.
I will echo the merits of a compact double crank over the triple crank found on both of these bikes. It's not the end of the world, but given the choice I'd take the double. That may not be an option at this price point since I think a lot of value-minded shoppers assume more 'speeds' = better.
posted by fearofcorners at 3:41 AM on July 4, 2010
The components are slightly different, the Specialized has a carbon fork and Shimano crankset versus steel and no-name on the bikesdirect bike. Beyond the local bike store overhead, I am guessing the rest of the price difference can be found in a slightly higher quality frame and moderately lighter weight overall in the Specialized. Having never ridden (or really seen; I'm Canadian) a bikesdirect bike, I cannot comment on how significant or noticeable those differences might be.
I will echo the merits of a compact double crank over the triple crank found on both of these bikes. It's not the end of the world, but given the choice I'd take the double. That may not be an option at this price point since I think a lot of value-minded shoppers assume more 'speeds' = better.
posted by fearofcorners at 3:41 AM on July 4, 2010
Best answer: I'm going to agree with gum and say that even though it's not what you've said you want, a $100 Craigslist bike has major advantages. When I was new at biking I bought a new bike, and that was a mistake and a waste of money. I will forever rue not buying a $40 yardsale bike instead. (And that's what I have now, heh). A $100 ten-speed can be sold for $100 or hell, more, in a year or two but I've never seen anyone get close to what they paid for a new bike-store bike if they don't want it in the future (and I've run into that effect firsthand).
I'd tell you to come to my house - my husband takes in old homeless (and yardsale) bikes and fixes them up. We, no lie, have TEN BIKES in our shed awaiting fixup - most great old English or French ten-speeds that are just so pretty and still so useful and the parts are still inexpensive and easily ordered. If any were ready to sell right now I'd link you, but they're all at least a few weeks away.
Oh, and your current bike, how small is it? Is it something where it can be adjusted for you, or is the frame and standover height just too small? And does it have knobby mountain bike tires? I ride a Nishiki Colorado mountain bike, but I have slick road tires on it and that's what's good for me since I'm a really infrequent, non-commuter rider.
Feel free to memail me if you have questions.
posted by kpht at 5:55 AM on July 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd tell you to come to my house - my husband takes in old homeless (and yardsale) bikes and fixes them up. We, no lie, have TEN BIKES in our shed awaiting fixup - most great old English or French ten-speeds that are just so pretty and still so useful and the parts are still inexpensive and easily ordered. If any were ready to sell right now I'd link you, but they're all at least a few weeks away.
Oh, and your current bike, how small is it? Is it something where it can be adjusted for you, or is the frame and standover height just too small? And does it have knobby mountain bike tires? I ride a Nishiki Colorado mountain bike, but I have slick road tires on it and that's what's good for me since I'm a really infrequent, non-commuter rider.
Feel free to memail me if you have questions.
posted by kpht at 5:55 AM on July 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Ok, you all have convinced me to hold off on buying an expensive bike and give a lot more thought to buying used or fixing up my current bike.
My current bike is a Chromium frame Diamondback bike purchased at a local bike store (10 years ago). It has a stand over height of 29'', a top bar length of 22'', and is 20'' from crankshaft to the top of the frame. I thought about replacing the knobby tires with slicks, but the bike would still have straight handlebars. The Local bike store people told me trying to put drop bars on a mountain/hybrid bike is not a good idea (different tube diameters, linear pull vs. traditional pull brakes, etc.). I am definitely up for getting down and dirty with replacing parts myself, but I am confused about all the different compatibility issues that exist.
I agree with the suggestion to look at double crank bikes, I just haven't found any new ones in my price range.
I am started to lean towards buying a nice used bike. I want to take a visit to Bikes Not Bombs, since it sounds like a pretty cool place, but I also am going to keep searching Craigslist. Do people have any tips on how to pick out a good bike from craigslist? I have seen the previous question that had tips on how to check that a bike is in working order, but I don't have a good sense of how to tell the difference between a 20 year old well-built bike, from a 20 year old POS low quality bike.
Could someone give me a sense of which parts on an old bike are not too much of a pain to replace. e.g. I know how to replace a handle bar, a wheel, or a set of brakes, but I've never done much work with a derailer/crank set.
Thanks for all your help!
posted by vegetableagony at 11:51 AM on July 4, 2010
My current bike is a Chromium frame Diamondback bike purchased at a local bike store (10 years ago). It has a stand over height of 29'', a top bar length of 22'', and is 20'' from crankshaft to the top of the frame. I thought about replacing the knobby tires with slicks, but the bike would still have straight handlebars. The Local bike store people told me trying to put drop bars on a mountain/hybrid bike is not a good idea (different tube diameters, linear pull vs. traditional pull brakes, etc.). I am definitely up for getting down and dirty with replacing parts myself, but I am confused about all the different compatibility issues that exist.
I agree with the suggestion to look at double crank bikes, I just haven't found any new ones in my price range.
I am started to lean towards buying a nice used bike. I want to take a visit to Bikes Not Bombs, since it sounds like a pretty cool place, but I also am going to keep searching Craigslist. Do people have any tips on how to pick out a good bike from craigslist? I have seen the previous question that had tips on how to check that a bike is in working order, but I don't have a good sense of how to tell the difference between a 20 year old well-built bike, from a 20 year old POS low quality bike.
Could someone give me a sense of which parts on an old bike are not too much of a pain to replace. e.g. I know how to replace a handle bar, a wheel, or a set of brakes, but I've never done much work with a derailer/crank set.
Thanks for all your help!
posted by vegetableagony at 11:51 AM on July 4, 2010
Best answer: If you want to stick with your current bike a little longer (and it seems like the frame is the right size for you), here's a few things you can do for the handlebars:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_501641_-1_10000__200388
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175533_-1_201521_10000_200388 (this is one my husband currently uses on one of his mountain bikes and lurves it)
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_202495_-1_201511_10000_200388
They are all meant for mountain bikes, therefore there won't be interchangeability issues - you will have no tube diameter issues or brake issues. He changed his out himself without too much issue.
posted by kpht at 4:09 PM on July 4, 2010
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_501641_-1_10000__200388
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175533_-1_201521_10000_200388 (this is one my husband currently uses on one of his mountain bikes and lurves it)
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_202495_-1_201511_10000_200388
They are all meant for mountain bikes, therefore there won't be interchangeability issues - you will have no tube diameter issues or brake issues. He changed his out himself without too much issue.
posted by kpht at 4:09 PM on July 4, 2010
Best answer: I was really happy with Bikes not Bombs. Basically you look through the current stock of used bikes for a frame and they fully recondition it, replacing any questionable parts and tuning it the way you want. So there were shifters at the end of the handlebar that I liked so those stayed on. I wanted a wide range of gears so new hubs and dérailleur. It's still scratched up but not bad and that's not something I care about anyway.
posted by sammyo at 4:27 PM on July 4, 2010
posted by sammyo at 4:27 PM on July 4, 2010
Unless you know how to build and repair your own bike, always support your LBS (local bike store). Years of advice, tune-ups, recommendations, etc. is worth far more than the $100 you might save by ordering online.
posted by Señor Pantalones at 10:52 AM on July 5, 2010
posted by Señor Pantalones at 10:52 AM on July 5, 2010
I should add that I am extremely pleased with my Soma Sparrow handlebars, and they accept mountain-bike components. I have the wider version, which is still quite narrow.
http://somafab.com/barsparrow.html
posted by twblalock at 10:54 PM on July 6, 2010
http://somafab.com/barsparrow.html
posted by twblalock at 10:54 PM on July 6, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks so much for your help everyone.
I am excited about the idea of getting in a bit of do-it-yourself work, so the first thing I am going to do is replace the knobby tires and handlebars on my existing bike.
I am also going to start looking at used 10 speed bikes on craigslist and from bikesnotbombs, since I have a friend I want to give my current bike to, once I have a suitable replacement.
I understand the importance of supporting local bike shops, but I don't want to buy and overpriced bike, which doesn't really suit my needs. I am more than willing though to pay my LBS for tune ups and repairs whenever I need them. (I tend to think the value of LBS for advice and tuneups has decreased since the internet has made so much more information and reviews easily accessible).
posted by vegetableagony at 6:58 AM on July 7, 2010
I am excited about the idea of getting in a bit of do-it-yourself work, so the first thing I am going to do is replace the knobby tires and handlebars on my existing bike.
I am also going to start looking at used 10 speed bikes on craigslist and from bikesnotbombs, since I have a friend I want to give my current bike to, once I have a suitable replacement.
I understand the importance of supporting local bike shops, but I don't want to buy and overpriced bike, which doesn't really suit my needs. I am more than willing though to pay my LBS for tune ups and repairs whenever I need them. (I tend to think the value of LBS for advice and tuneups has decreased since the internet has made so much more information and reviews easily accessible).
posted by vegetableagony at 6:58 AM on July 7, 2010
Response by poster: I ended up buying a used 10 year old road bike (Bianchi Campione) that I absolutely love.
It took a lot of craigslist and local ebay searching to find, but I finally found a bike that seemed like just what I wanted rather than settling for the only LBS road bike in my price range (still much more expensive than the used bike I got).
Thanks for all the help.
posted by vegetableagony at 12:28 PM on August 3, 2010
It took a lot of craigslist and local ebay searching to find, but I finally found a bike that seemed like just what I wanted rather than settling for the only LBS road bike in my price range (still much more expensive than the used bike I got).
Thanks for all the help.
posted by vegetableagony at 12:28 PM on August 3, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I am also open to bullhorn handlebars; I just want more than the one grip position my straight bar currently offers.
posted by vegetableagony at 7:51 PM on July 3, 2010