Help me choose a bike.
May 27, 2011 3:23 PM Subscribe
I'm looking to buy a bike, but I find myself paralyzed by the large number of choices available. I'd like to get a Hybrid bike to do some recreational riding around my neighborhood, in the park, and on local trails and bike paths. I want a bike that feels good to ride, is sturdy and reliable, and allows for customization if I want to swap out some component in the future.
Here are the bikes that I'm considering:
Would you recommend any of these bikes? Is there anything else I should be thinking about?
Here are the bikes that I'm considering:
Would you recommend any of these bikes? Is there anything else I should be thinking about?
I'm not really a "bike guy" (in that I don't know a lot about them) but I recently bought a Trek KaiTai form my local bike store. I absofrickin love it. Fast, sturdy, clean and awesome! I did 40 miles on the Venice bike path last weekend, it was a beautiful ride. Also loosened up the forks and hit a Topanga trail; amazing. I actually wanted the Mamba, but they didn't have it in my size so I "settled" for the KaiTai. Best of luck.
posted by rocco at 3:49 PM on May 27, 2011
posted by rocco at 3:49 PM on May 27, 2011
Personal experience: I don't know much about bikes. However, I have had a Kona Dew Deluxe for a year and I love it! I use it for commuting to work, riding around town, and enjoying longer rides on paved trails.
posted by esoterrica at 3:51 PM on May 27, 2011
posted by esoterrica at 3:51 PM on May 27, 2011
I went with this Specialized hybrid for similar purposes. Unless your intended routes are pretty flat (no hills), you might want to lean more toward that commuter style of hybrid (with features mentioned by Stagger Lee) since they'd be more efficient (though less comfortable in a way) than the comfort-style hybrids you've listed. That is, the latter might be more comfy on your posterior, but your legs will get more of a workout with them (for better or worse) due to the differences in posture.
Just make sure to give both styles a test-ride.
posted by matlock expressway at 3:55 PM on May 27, 2011
Just make sure to give both styles a test-ride.
posted by matlock expressway at 3:55 PM on May 27, 2011
My first hybrid had "shocks" on it and they were just heavy and bouncy, I found a fatter tire and a rigid fork to more comfortable for riding around town. It wasn't bad compared to a mountain bike but I've since upgrade to a sportier specialized sirrus that is basically a road bike with flat bars. It's a very capable bike, I rode it for a 100km rail-trail ride a few weeks ago it was great.
posted by glip at 3:59 PM on May 27, 2011
posted by glip at 3:59 PM on May 27, 2011
Best thing you can do when deciding:
1. Ride it and see if you like it. You never know when the shifter's just a little funny for your hand or the
Second-best thing:
2. Pick it up and make sure it won't crush you every time you have to carry it up stairs.
Warning signs:
3. Look at the brakes. If they look like this, they may be perfectly decent, but they're more likely than other types to be complete pain in the ass pieces of junk.
4. Anything that goes out of its way to advertise 5 million gears. This is usually a sign that the bike is crappy and they crammed on more gears as a selling point.
5. Shock absorbers. You know, in case you hit a deer or something? They rob you of power and just make you work harder.
posted by Dr.Enormous at 4:04 PM on May 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
1. Ride it and see if you like it. You never know when the shifter's just a little funny for your hand or the
Second-best thing:
2. Pick it up and make sure it won't crush you every time you have to carry it up stairs.
Warning signs:
3. Look at the brakes. If they look like this, they may be perfectly decent, but they're more likely than other types to be complete pain in the ass pieces of junk.
4. Anything that goes out of its way to advertise 5 million gears. This is usually a sign that the bike is crappy and they crammed on more gears as a selling point.
5. Shock absorbers. You know, in case you hit a deer or something? They rob you of power and just make you work harder.
posted by Dr.Enormous at 4:04 PM on May 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Check out the Giant Seek, too. I bought the 2011 model last August and it's been an awesome ride. It's my second hybrid bike. I liked it compared to the competition because it looks really sporty but in an understated way.
I mostly ride around my small town, 5-10 mile trips 4-5 times a week. My last bike (not the old hybrid, but a mountain bike) had me dreading longer rides, but this one seems to get better the longer I ride it!
Of course, I rode it at the dealer beforehand along with some other choices, and found that it really spoke to me. I recommend that you do the same as much as possible...bike shops aren't known for their generous return policies. I rode enough bikes that I knew I wouldn't regret the purchase.
Good luck!
posted by circular at 4:11 PM on May 27, 2011
I mostly ride around my small town, 5-10 mile trips 4-5 times a week. My last bike (not the old hybrid, but a mountain bike) had me dreading longer rides, but this one seems to get better the longer I ride it!
Of course, I rode it at the dealer beforehand along with some other choices, and found that it really spoke to me. I recommend that you do the same as much as possible...bike shops aren't known for their generous return policies. I rode enough bikes that I knew I wouldn't regret the purchase.
Good luck!
posted by circular at 4:11 PM on May 27, 2011
I can't comment on your bikes, but I can tell you that when I bought a new bike last fall, the staff at REI spent literally hours working with me to figure out and customize the perfect bike. And when the first highly customized bike didn't work, they cheerfully built me a new one. I'm sure many small bike shops would also be great.
posted by instamatic at 4:31 PM on May 27, 2011
posted by instamatic at 4:31 PM on May 27, 2011
Just chiming in to protest: Dr.Enormous, what's wrong with V-Brakes? I have a set on my bike and quite like them: good stopping power, and easy to disengage if I need to take the wheel off to change a tire or whatnot.
posted by andrewpendleton at 4:44 PM on May 27, 2011
posted by andrewpendleton at 4:44 PM on May 27, 2011
I have a set on my bike and quite like them: good stopping power, and easy to disengage if I need to take the wheel off to change a tire or whatnot.
Yes, I tend to think it's riskier to buy disc brakes these days, if you're at the low end of the price range.
posted by circular at 4:49 PM on May 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, I tend to think it's riskier to buy disc brakes these days, if you're at the low end of the price range.
posted by circular at 4:49 PM on May 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'll address your last point, about component upgrades.
Hybrids are great starter bikes. (Though the Kona and Specialized models others have linked to look better than the ones you found.) That said, when you get to the point where you think you want new component upgrades, one of three things is actually the case:
1) You need a tune-up. (Cheap components need them more often.)
2) You need different tires for what you're doing-- either slicker tires if you're doing a lot of paved riding, or knobbier ones for gravel paths, etc.
3) You need a new bike, like a starter road bike or trail bike (again, depending on what kind of riding you're gravitating towards).
In short: while you certainly can change components on any of the bikes mentioned here, it's rarely worth it.
Side note: if you want really reliable gear changes with fewer things to go out of alignment, consider an internally-geared rear hub. The price premium is really coming down. Same for belt drives if you never want to worry about lubing a chain. This guy has both. It's probably much more expensive that what you were thinking, but it's the all-around bike I would buy.
posted by supercres at 4:58 PM on May 27, 2011
Hybrids are great starter bikes. (Though the Kona and Specialized models others have linked to look better than the ones you found.) That said, when you get to the point where you think you want new component upgrades, one of three things is actually the case:
1) You need a tune-up. (Cheap components need them more often.)
2) You need different tires for what you're doing-- either slicker tires if you're doing a lot of paved riding, or knobbier ones for gravel paths, etc.
3) You need a new bike, like a starter road bike or trail bike (again, depending on what kind of riding you're gravitating towards).
In short: while you certainly can change components on any of the bikes mentioned here, it's rarely worth it.
Side note: if you want really reliable gear changes with fewer things to go out of alignment, consider an internally-geared rear hub. The price premium is really coming down. Same for belt drives if you never want to worry about lubing a chain. This guy has both. It's probably much more expensive that what you were thinking, but it's the all-around bike I would buy.
posted by supercres at 4:58 PM on May 27, 2011
I want to place a tentative vote against Jamis. A few friends have bought inexpensive Jamis bikes, and they turned into rust-piles in a year :/ Cheap build, cheap components, and costs cut in the wrong places. Not an investment made to last IMO.
Jamis may be good overall, those might have been cheap/bad models, but at least check the reviews carefully.
posted by krilli at 5:07 PM on May 27, 2011
Jamis may be good overall, those might have been cheap/bad models, but at least check the reviews carefully.
posted by krilli at 5:07 PM on May 27, 2011
Response by poster: Based on the feedback so far, I think my first order of business will be to test ride some commuter hybrids and some comfort bikes to see which one I prefer.
posted by braveterry at 5:07 PM on May 27, 2011
posted by braveterry at 5:07 PM on May 27, 2011
krilli: do you mean they've literally rusted? That's a neglect issue; has nothing to do with the brand. Never leave a bike exposed to the elements more than you have to, and wipe it down after riding in the rain. Same with components; anything geared and less than $600 MSRP is not "made to last" if you're riding it every day. Components are the easiest way for manufacturers to reduce the cost of a bike.
I know people who are happy with their (drop bar commuter) Jamises.
posted by supercres at 5:24 PM on May 27, 2011
I know people who are happy with their (drop bar commuter) Jamises.
posted by supercres at 5:24 PM on May 27, 2011
What is it that you like about the comfort hybrids? The look? Being able to sit in a more upright position?
A lot of people who are new to adult cycling choose comfort hybrids or other upright bikes. They can be very happy with them if they stick to riding relatively short distances on relatively flat surfaces at a moderate pace. But you may find that going up hills, carrying things on your bike, going longer distances and achieving speed more efficiently are more difficult on a comfort bike.
If you'd like some flexibility, look for a sportier hybrid that can be configured for a relatively upright position as you get used to riding around cars and other cyclists. As you get more comfortable, you can do things like lowering the handlebars (adjusting the stem height) to get a slightly more integrated and aerodynamic position. I'm not talking about a Tour de France pro rider crouch: just a slightly less upright position can feel wonderful. As I've said here before, I ride on my comfort hybrid as if it were an armchair with wheels. I ride in my mountain bike and my performance hybrid in a much more comfortable and powerful position.
Look for a relatively lightweight bike (again, it doesn't have to be a featherweight road bike), avoid shocks, and when you compare bikes, try them on different terrain and different speeds. Which one feels like an armchair, and which ones feel like a responsive bike that will work with your body?
Those bikes you listed all have handlebars whose tilt can be adjusted with an Allen key to tilt further forward and give you a slightly lower position. See if you can try such bikes in the most extended position, and compare them with performance hybrids.
One more thing: performance hybrids with narrow tires may look too sporty and extreme for you. You can always get a performance hybrid with decent components that feels good, and swap out for slightly broader tires if it makes you feel more comfortable to start. Ask at the bike shop about your customization options.
posted by maudlin at 6:40 PM on May 27, 2011
A lot of people who are new to adult cycling choose comfort hybrids or other upright bikes. They can be very happy with them if they stick to riding relatively short distances on relatively flat surfaces at a moderate pace. But you may find that going up hills, carrying things on your bike, going longer distances and achieving speed more efficiently are more difficult on a comfort bike.
If you'd like some flexibility, look for a sportier hybrid that can be configured for a relatively upright position as you get used to riding around cars and other cyclists. As you get more comfortable, you can do things like lowering the handlebars (adjusting the stem height) to get a slightly more integrated and aerodynamic position. I'm not talking about a Tour de France pro rider crouch: just a slightly less upright position can feel wonderful. As I've said here before, I ride on my comfort hybrid as if it were an armchair with wheels. I ride in my mountain bike and my performance hybrid in a much more comfortable and powerful position.
Look for a relatively lightweight bike (again, it doesn't have to be a featherweight road bike), avoid shocks, and when you compare bikes, try them on different terrain and different speeds. Which one feels like an armchair, and which ones feel like a responsive bike that will work with your body?
Those bikes you listed all have handlebars whose tilt can be adjusted with an Allen key to tilt further forward and give you a slightly lower position. See if you can try such bikes in the most extended position, and compare them with performance hybrids.
One more thing: performance hybrids with narrow tires may look too sporty and extreme for you. You can always get a performance hybrid with decent components that feels good, and swap out for slightly broader tires if it makes you feel more comfortable to start. Ask at the bike shop about your customization options.
posted by maudlin at 6:40 PM on May 27, 2011
Just chiming in to protest: Dr.Enormous, what's wrong with V-Brakes?
Nothing, if they're good; in fact a good pair is better than a lot of other systems. But bad V-brakes don't stay centered, are made of flimsy material, and they're the brake of choice on crappy junk bikes...so they're just a warning sign that other things should be looked at carefully. I would never rule out a bike for that, but it would make me want to pay closer attention to details.
In the same way, there's nothing wrong with a 30 speed bike, but manufacturers of crappy bikes like to put "30 SPEEDS!!!!" in giant letters on the thing, so it's a sign that you should be on guard.
posted by Dr.Enormous at 6:42 PM on May 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nothing, if they're good; in fact a good pair is better than a lot of other systems. But bad V-brakes don't stay centered, are made of flimsy material, and they're the brake of choice on crappy junk bikes...so they're just a warning sign that other things should be looked at carefully. I would never rule out a bike for that, but it would make me want to pay closer attention to details.
In the same way, there's nothing wrong with a 30 speed bike, but manufacturers of crappy bikes like to put "30 SPEEDS!!!!" in giant letters on the thing, so it's a sign that you should be on guard.
posted by Dr.Enormous at 6:42 PM on May 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I want to place a tentative vote against Jamis.
I'll place my strong anecdotal position against this. I bought an inexpensive Jamis road bike two years ago (the Satellite Sport), and with minimal care (ie, I wipe it down now and again and don't store it outside) it's still in basically perfect condition. I ride just about daily in nicer weather, usually at least a few miles at a time, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Granted, that says nothing about the Explorer, and I'm never a big fan of suspension seatposts, because they ruin my cadence - but then, I'm the kind of guy who bypassed hybrids entirely in favor of just riding a road bike for errands, because I love the speed.
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:59 PM on May 27, 2011
I'll place my strong anecdotal position against this. I bought an inexpensive Jamis road bike two years ago (the Satellite Sport), and with minimal care (ie, I wipe it down now and again and don't store it outside) it's still in basically perfect condition. I ride just about daily in nicer weather, usually at least a few miles at a time, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Granted, that says nothing about the Explorer, and I'm never a big fan of suspension seatposts, because they ruin my cadence - but then, I'm the kind of guy who bypassed hybrids entirely in favor of just riding a road bike for errands, because I love the speed.
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:59 PM on May 27, 2011
Bike frames come out 2-3 factories. Brands are really mostly a function of marketing philosophy at this point. If you tell us your height, weight, sex, age, and approximately where you live, we can help you with this.
In the interim, look at Bikes Direct , paying attention to this category ...
Do not buy a bike with a suspension seat-post, under any circumstances.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 11:50 PM on May 27, 2011
In the interim, look at Bikes Direct , paying attention to this category ...
Do not buy a bike with a suspension seat-post, under any circumstances.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 11:50 PM on May 27, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for the response @PareidoliaticBoy. What is wrong with suspension seat-posts?
posted by braveterry at 5:56 AM on May 28, 2011
posted by braveterry at 5:56 AM on May 28, 2011
I am fully willing to not stand all that firmly behind the anti-Jamis sentiment. :) I will however indicate that Gary Fisher bikes are lots more reliable, for example, and in my opinion ... I haven't owned a Jamis; A number of friends bought bicycles over a 2-3 year period, and they seemed to care for them reasonably well. The Jamises seemed to start deteriorating soonest and fastest. Conversely, my 10-year-old Gary Fisher has seen way too little maintenance, but is still going strong.
So yeah ... It's a detail and an anecdote ... Perhaps to rephrase in a more general and useful way: Look at the long-term reviews for any budged bike! If there are no long-term reviews for a bike type, I'd avoid that one.
posted by krilli at 7:14 AM on May 28, 2011
So yeah ... It's a detail and an anecdote ... Perhaps to rephrase in a more general and useful way: Look at the long-term reviews for any budged bike! If there are no long-term reviews for a bike type, I'd avoid that one.
posted by krilli at 7:14 AM on May 28, 2011
Definitely do not buy anything until you've tested it out and know what size fits you best and what sort of style of riding you prefer. Different frames have different geometries.
I rode my mother's old Giant Sedona for years and was happy with it as a general sort of bike. I especially liked how I could adjust the tilt of the handlebars. But that bike is probably 10+ years old at this point and is a small women's frame, so I'm not sure how relevant my experience is for you :p
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 10:37 AM on May 28, 2011
I rode my mother's old Giant Sedona for years and was happy with it as a general sort of bike. I especially liked how I could adjust the tilt of the handlebars. But that bike is probably 10+ years old at this point and is a small women's frame, so I'm not sure how relevant my experience is for you :p
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 10:37 AM on May 28, 2011
Inexpensive bikes come with telescoping suspension seat-posts, which change the distance between the top of the rider's leg and the pedals. This is bad. They change the distance from the saddle to the handlebars. This is also bad. They also have no rebound damping, which pitches the rider off of the saddle on hits where they actually would have any utility. Bad. They reduce the rider's pedal efficiency. Not good.
You are far better off getting a saddle that fits you properly, but that is an entire conversation on its own.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 2:13 PM on May 28, 2011
You are far better off getting a saddle that fits you properly, but that is an entire conversation on its own.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 2:13 PM on May 28, 2011
Response by poster: I ended up getting a Trek 7.1 FX.
Thanks for all of your input!
posted by braveterry at 11:43 AM on July 5, 2011
Thanks for all of your input!
posted by braveterry at 11:43 AM on July 5, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Things you tend to find:
-Straight bars.
-Thin tires.
-Brakes vary between mechanical disc and v brakes.
-Relatively light frame.
-Enough gears to get you around.
Here's some of the Kona examples, I'm using them as an example because I know their stuff somewhat and have had good experiences in the past. It might be worth browsing through as a benchmark, they tend to have good part sets and the prices are pretty standard.
And you know, when you do buy, go into a bike store that carries your brand of choice and tell them what you want... they can help, that's what they're paid for! Do some reviews and make sure the store is good and helpful, that's critical, probably much more critical than having a specific bike in mind.
posted by Stagger Lee at 3:29 PM on May 27, 2011