"BJ" (benjamin-bignell)
08/22/2018 at 16:38 • Filed to: You won't get much money for that shitty bike
0
22|
"BJ" (benjamin-bignell)
08/22/2018 at 16:38 • Filed to: You won't get much money for that shitty bike | 0
| 22 |
The handlebars made my hands numb, the seat hurt my ass, and the rear wheel had at least 6 broken spokes. But it was mine.
It was, apparently, a 2011 Opus Urbano with a rigid fork. I can't believe I had that bike for 7 years already!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Oh well, this is what happens when you park on the street downtown. I had thought of replacing or upgrading the bike this year, now I guess I have to.
Any recommendations for a simple commuter bike that goes fast but isn’t complicated? Steel or aluminim is fine. Budget is limited, out of common sense as much as anything else.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 16:48 |
|
LOREM IPSUM
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 16:49 |
|
That sucks.
No specific recommendations to offer, but if you can’t find anything of interest on Craigslist, a Nashbar budget rig might be worth looking into.
https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling
Though I have no personal experience with them... So if someone says they suck, they might actually suck. I don't know for sure.
Nom De Plume
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 17:02 |
|
Lockable bike? If in the US give me a nearby major city and I’ll be of great help. Helps to know if you will be climbing 1500' anywhere you go or riding on dead flat roads.
Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 17:07 |
|
I recommend a 2-stroke bicycle build. (Note: I do not actually recommend this.)
Might check to see if you’re city has a bicycle refurbisher or whatever. In Tulsa we have a non-profit that refurbishes donated bikes and gives them to people in need of reliable transport, but they’ll also sell you refurbished bikes to help cover the cost of fixing the donated ones. Seems like a good deal if you just need “an bike”.
benjrblant
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 17:07 |
|
Nashbar, bikesdirect, and other super discount online bike sites ship partially assembled bikes in a box. It’s definitely worth your time to go through one and ensure everything is properly assembled as the headset and hubs are often not fully assembled or greased properly. A shop might charge $100-150 to do this if you’re unable and at that point, you might be priced comparable to something decent from a local bike shop.
I’d recommend something like the Trek FX1, or Specialized Sirrus , both good entry-pricepoint bikes . From a local shop it will come assembled and ready to go, plus a frame warranty and many shops will throw in a free tune-up or two.
If this is more than you’re comfortable spending, I’d encourage checking craigslist or a local bike nonprofit which might have some refurbed bikes available for cheap. Bikes have a lot of initial depreciation as the new hotness wears off, but after that the price is generally stable.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 17:13 |
|
I had a bike stolen while i was at class in college. I had bought it with my hard earned money from delivering papers at age 13. I wanted to stab the mother fucker with each and every spoke. One at a time.
check craigs
list. maybe you can find a new one there or
maybe you’ll find one
with
handlebars that
make
your
hands numb, a
seat hurts
ur
ass, and a
rear wheel with
at least 6 broken spokes
|
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> benjrblant
08/22/2018 at 17:14 |
|
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/s-works-venge-sagan-collection/p/157778?color=255236-157778
I think that is their most expensive bike ever.
|
benjrblant
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/22/2018 at 17:19 |
|
oo, purdy.
That’s also more money than I’ve paid for all the cars I’ve ever owned.
)=
TheRealBicycleBuck
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 17:21 |
|
Too many questions to render a proper answer. Do you have to traverse hills? Do you want something with gears? Do you prefer a flat bar or a drop bar? What’s your budget? Will this just be for commuting or will you ride trails on the weekend? While commuting, do you carry a backpack or do you need a basket or do you pull a trailer?
I once knew a fellow that bought Walmart bikes for commuting. Nobody wanted them, so nobody stole them. With maintenance, he would get a couple of years use out of each one. When something on them finally broke, he’d go buy a new one. He contended that it was cheaper to buy a whole new bike every other year than it was to buy parts for a bike from a bike shop. He wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t really comfortable either.
Future Heap Owner
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 18:02 |
|
Shit dude, I’m sorry to hear thay
nermal
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 18:03 |
|
Bike shops are a racket and I couldn’t see buying one through them after ordering one online.
Check out Canyon or Commencal for a good option, they’re gonna start at around $1k though. Shipping takes about a week and assembly less than an hour, to save $1k+ over buying local.
If you’re trying to get something cheaper than $1k, just go to Walmart. You’re looking at cheap made-in-China crap at that point, so might as well get the cheapest, Chinesiest, crappiest option you can.
Whatever bike you get, make sure you also get a security robot to protect it.
My bird IS the word
> BJ
08/22/2018 at 19:33 |
|
I can give you a good deal on a bike real similar to the one you had. In fact, its almost identical.
|
BJ
> Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/22/2018 at 20:58 |
|
We have bike recyclers like that, t hanks for reminding me.
|
BJ
> TheRealBicycleBuck
08/22/2018 at 21:00 |
|
Gears are a must. I’ve only ever ridden flat bars, but I’m open to suggestions. Most of my riding is on paved paths or city streets, relatively flat roads with some bad pavement. I do pleasure rides with the family, too, and need something that can handle some hard-pack gravel/dirt on occasion.
|
BJ
> TheRealBicycleBuck
08/22/2018 at 21:15 |
|
And for commuting, I use a backpack. But I need a rack for the little one’s seat, too.
|
BJ
> benjrblant
08/22/2018 at 21:22 |
|
I’ll almost certainly buy a whole bike from a local shop, to encourage local business. I don’t want to deal with shipping and import duties to Canada either. Even if I buy used I’ll still need to shop in-store first to figure out what fits/what I like... I’m not against used bikes, but I should be able to afford new.
My wife just bought a Specialized, the Sirrus Elite (?) with mechanical discs. It's very nice but I won't be spending that kind of money... gotta keep some cash available for car parts!
|
BJ
> My bird IS the word
08/22/2018 at 21:51 |
|
|
TheRealBicycleBuck
> BJ
08/23/2018 at 06:58 |
|
I suggest a hybrid or mountain bike with slicks. Since you need a rear rack for the seat, make sure you look for a frame that has eyelets. While p-clamps will work, proper eyelets make for a better connection to the frame.
Most hybrids use 700c wheels (same size as a road bike) but have larger tires. Larger tires require less air pressure which means they give a more comfortable ride. If you go with a mountain bike, look for 26" wheels and buy some slick tires. I’ve used Kenda City Slicks for years. They are aren’t the lightest tire, but I’ve never had one get punctured .
I wouldn’t recommend low-end disc brakes and I’m not a fan of cheap caliper brakes, so i f your budget is low, I would recommend something that has V -brakes. Even cheap V-brakes have fantastic stopping power.
I would avoid bikes with cheap suspension forks. Most of these are heavy, can’t be adjusted, and can’t be rebuilt when they wear out. The cheapest ones don’t even have oil for damping - they depend on friction with the internal elastomers to keep them from bouncing all over the place. They’re also designed for someone small, so if you’re big like me, it’s easy to bottom the fork out on small bumps. You’ll get a better riding bike with a solid fork and big tires.
In my book, a must-have accessory for commuting is a good set of fenders. They will keep you mostly clean and dry and will show their value the first time it rains. Don’t waste your time with short fenders. The gold standard are Planet Bike full fenders. These things are awesome.
As for gearing, since you are riding in a mostly flat area, you might consider a bike with an internally-geared hub. The downsides are fewer gears and a little more weight on the back. The upsides are a cleaner, simpler drive train and the ability to shift gears when stopped.
This Gravity is a good option to start with . It has V-brakes, a Shimano 8-speed hub, and plenty of mounting eyelets for fenders and a rack. It does have 700c wheels, but it comes with 700x38c tires which have a little tread - perfect for the occasional gravel road or dirt path. Add a rack and a set of fenders and you’ll be good to go!
Lokiparts
> TheRealBicycleBuck
08/23/2018 at 08:09 |
|
W
o
w
t
h
a
t
’
s
a
f
a
n
t
a
s
t
i
c
p
r
i
c
e
f
o
r
a
b
i
k
e
w
i
t
h
a
N
e
x
u
s
8
-
s
p
e
e
d
h
u
b
,
a
n
d
I love how clean and simple it looks.
I
h
a
v
e
b
e
e
n
l
u
s
t
i
n
g
a
f
t
e
r
a
i
n
t
e
r
n
a
l
l
y
g
e
a
r
e
d
b
i
k
e
f
o
r
a
w
h
i
l
e
n
o
w
,
a
n
d
I
m
a
y
j
u
s
t
h
a
v
e
t
o
p
i
c
k
o
n
e
o
f
t
h
e
s
e
u
p
.
|
BJ
> TheRealBicycleBuck
08/23/2018 at 08:41 |
|
Most of your recommendations are exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks for all the tips.
The internally geared hubs interest me a lot for their clean and compact look, but I’m a heavy shifter - I’m constantly changing gears to keep the motor running in the sweet spot - so more gears is better. As a commuter, it drives me nuts to be stuck behind the cyclists who leave their bike in high gear and then take forever to get rolling off a light. You’ve got indexed shifters, so use them!
|
TheRealBicycleBuck
> BJ
08/23/2018 at 09:02 |
|
Ask and ye shall receive! Same frame , different drivetrain, lower price.
|
BJ
> TheRealBicycleBuck
08/23/2018 at 10:37 |
|
Those prices are crazy.. . b ut with shipping + exchange rates + duty, I’m still going to be better off buying local or online from a Canadian seller.