I'm thinking about buying a bike because I'm fat and out of shape.

"My citroen won't start" (lucasboechat) 02/02/2015 at 00:42 • Filed to: None

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I want something light and that I can use in busy city streets, can be old or new, I know nothing about them. Just that old Peugeot racing ones look cool and I want one. Teach/help me Oppo.

bob and john > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 00:43

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ehh. those are SUPREMLY uncomfortable.

you might want to start off with a cruiser or a ,oumtain bike first...something with fatter tires and a LITTLE bit of suspension

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > bob and john 02/02/2015 at 00:47

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and an engine....

bob and john > Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast 02/02/2015 at 00:48

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nah. I used to cycle. was pretty good, then I discovered motorcycles and well...I got fat. (sorry, fell out of shape..I still ok the same...but NOO stamina what so ever)

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > bob and john 02/02/2015 at 01:08

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My reply didn't reply. I'm not drunk so it must be kinja.

I left my stamina in the shed with the bike 24 years ago.

Xyl0c41n3 > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 01:17

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The riding position needed for a road bike takes some getting used to. It puts you at an extreme angle that is really harsh if you're not already used to riding bikes regularly (and even if you are)— all hunched over and you have to crane your neck upwards awkwardly to see forward. Peter is right... look for something more forgiving on your body, as far as suspension and riding position. An old mountain bike with a front suspension could serve you well. (I ride a 20 year old chromoly rigid frame MTB with slicks and have no problems). You can swap out the knobbies for road slicks to make the ride smoother. Also, bikes are pretty easy/fun to wrench on. If you're getting something used off of CL or something, be prepared to have to change out the chain and tires/innertubes, as well as shift and brake cables. And also that you'll have to clean and lube up moving parts. Also... gear, gear, gear! Please don't ride without a helmet, ever. Helmets are essential. Check your local laws to make sure you don't need any additional accessories on the bike itself, either. In my state, a head and tail light are mandatory if you're going to ride around dusk/after dark. Stay away from anything that originated from a big box store like Walmart, Costco, Target, etc. Those bikes, even if they have "name brand" components, are usually utter shit. Stay away from something with a rear suspension, too. You don't need that unless you're doing some serious off-roading. On the road, that much play will slow you down and wear you out faster. Anyway... have fun, and good luck!

Birddog > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 01:55

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Buy a "Fixie".

At least you can sell it to a local hipster after you don't ride it.

(Kidding.. I kid. I kid..)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 02:06

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This from the guy who needs an armored car. Were you going to build a bullet-proof bubble around it?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 02:13

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I recommend anything by Fuji. Great bikes for the price, and very light. You can easily hit 35mph on an entry level Roubaix

http://www.fujibikes.com/

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/02/2015 at 02:14

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My citroen won't start > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/02/2015 at 02:18

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I think as long as I don't ride it at night in the bad parts of town I should be fine.

pip bip - choose Corrour > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 02:19

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how about walking maybe?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 02:21

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Your picture proves my point. Wear a Kevlar vest (or full on riot gear) and take some fighting/self defense classes.

My citroen won't start > Xyl0c41n3 02/02/2015 at 02:21

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Haha thanks! I'll take all that into consideration, any particular/specific models you'd recommend? lightness is key

promoted by the color red > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 03:04

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Buying a full-on lightweight carbon bike for simple rides is like buying a Lotus Exige or 911 RS GT3 as your commuter car into a place like Sao Paulo. Yes, it's possible but it'll get the shit kicked/beaten out of it in record time.

If you're going to mostly do fitness rides and commute into the city, a aluminium frame hybrid road bike might be up your alley. It's significantly cheaper ($450 USD should buy you an alright one) and cost significantly less to maintain.

My friend's $2,000 road bike needs shop servicing every so often, and it's bye bye if he ever has a minor crash with it. Meanwhile, I kept my hybridized Rockhopper going using whatever tools and $30 tires/cassettes I need. Best of all, you're running the same wheel size as the fancy road bikes, so you could theoretically use the same drivetrain parts if you're so inclined, but I'd rather save the cash if I'm not racing.

Tareim - V8 powered > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 03:08

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whoa what do/did you do to deserve that?

My citroen won't start > promoted by the color red 02/02/2015 at 03:21

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That's why I asked, I know nothing about them, just that that one in the picture looks pretty. I was thinking something a bit like this.

http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/d…

My citroen won't start > Tareim - V8 powered 02/02/2015 at 03:21

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Have money in a country where most people are poor.

My citroen won't start > bob and john 02/02/2015 at 03:31

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http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/d… How about this?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 05:12

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as a current bike shop employee at a "big box" bike shop, do not get GT, Diamondback, Fuji, or Schwinn. I REPEAT DO NOT GET FUJI. If you spend a good amount of money 700+, get something with Shimano 105. It's the Toyota of bike shifters/brakes. It's not shitty like a K car (tiagra) or exuberantly light/crazy precise like Mercedes (ultegra/dura ace). Maintenance is also key, find a copy of Park Tools big blue book. Very useful, and will help you save a lot of money on the long run. If you a road bike, and trying to find a good set of bulletproof tires, Continental Gatorskins. A bit heavier but amazing. A good used bike: Bridgestone. 90s Japanese steel is amazing. I can't deny that. If you're spending big bucks, find a Leopard DC-1 on eBay...great road bike (I have a bit of a biased opinion on that, as sponsorship). Else a old Bianchi or trek is nice. Don't get the old treks with the Titanium/aluminum lugs and carbon tubing. Those don't work and tend to have the carbon tubes detaching from the lugs. The new treks are fine. There's an issue involving cannondale Synapses and them actually snapping. Oh yes, 90s Cannondale bikes are beautiful. I have one in my garage, the worlds smoothest welds ever known to man. Softride bikes are awesome. Serotta is appropiate if you are above 40 and have money. I have a coworker who has a Fairdale Taj. It's pretty fucking awesome. Trek carbon is nice. I emphasize Fuji because I have built so many of them it's not even funny how crappy they are. The sportifs, absolutes, the fucking number system, the disk rotors that are almost always wobbly, and the goddamn gears. On a steel bike, make sure there is no rust. Very crucial, or your Peugeot will fall apart. 90s Cannondale aluminum. Very thin, very sexy, very strong. I recommend one brand of bikes. Cooker. I truely fell in love with a Cooker mountain bike...was one of the best pieces of bike I ever rode and built together. If it was human, I would kiss it. Always wear a helmet and have lights when it's dark. Reflectors don't matter for shit. Pedro's lube doesn't work. Dumontag is the shit. Shimano Alivio doesn't not alleviate sadness. Support your local bike shop and get to know one of the mechanics. They might cut you a deal. Have fun riding!

Tareim - V8 powered > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 07:06

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oh right, not cool to have that happen :(

Old-Busted-Hotness > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 07:11

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Speaking as one who is also circumferentially challenged, do yourself a favor and look into a multi-speed cruiser. The so-called seat (saddle if you wanna be technical) on a road bike is a painful reminder that you are not 19 years old and 140 pounds anymore. This is mine:

Get a nice cushy seat, some fat tires and paperboy-bike bars. You'll sit up like a civilized person and actually enjoy yourself. If like me you've given up completely, throw an engine on there.

bob and john > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 09:28

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you've got the style down.

personally, i'm not a fan of Fujis. I'm more of a trek guy (then again i sold treks and norcos for 2 years lol)

take a look at treks DS line.

My citroen won't start > Old-Busted-Hotness 02/02/2015 at 13:38

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Huh, I'll look into that, lightness is an important factor for me as I'll keep it in my apartment

Old-Busted-Hotness > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 13:44

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Without a comfortable seat, it'll never leave the apartment.

brianbrannon > My citroen won't start 02/02/2015 at 18:37

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Paleo diet and a kettle bell

BayAreaMiataBoi > My citroen won't start 02/06/2015 at 03:57

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After you have been riding for a while, and already have a pair of chamois-lined riding pants (I wear mine under my blue jeans), invest in a Brooks leather saddle. Spend the time to soften it up, and spend all the time it takes to break in the leather (there are lots of write-ups on how to do this quickly and or slowly, and they pretty much all work). Your sit bones will break in at the exact same rate as the leather. How do you know when you're done with the break-in period? When you hit a +really big+ bump at speed, and you immediately think "Hey! That didn't hurt at all!" When it is broken in, keep that saddle forever, because you can tilt it to the required angle on any subsequent bike so you experience the same comfort level.

You will know when you need to upgrade from the starter gel-lined riding pants when they begin retaining too much heat and threatening you with "nether" blisters.

Oh, and get a tube of Chamois Butt'r to recover the chamois from that warped, harsh, painful, industrial cutting tool that it became when you wadded it up and left it in the used cycling clothes pile. Seriously, that stuff is magic!

And read the Lovely Bicycle blog ( http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/ ). Read it from the beginning, so you can see how someone else started from being a non-bicyclist into a becoming a pretty discerning bicycle owner/operator/builder/reviewer. . .