Question for Aranuil and others

Adelrune Argenti · Post by **Adelrune Argenti** » May 21, 2003, 3:09 pm

Ok, I have decided it is time to get off my fat ass and get moving again. I used to do some biking, very casual, but I liked it. My question is, what should I be looking for in a bike that is economically priced and something that is not overkill for me. I anticipate doing rides in the 3-5 mile range most of the time. Most will be on streets but some will be off road.

My complaint about the last bike I had was the seat. Boy that really hurt my ass.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » May 21, 2003, 3:24 pm

Yeah what is it with bike seats? Everytime I've tried to get on a bike it hurts my ass.

I haven't ridden a bike in so long for that reason. I've considered getting a bike for casual biking, just something to cruise to the store on on nice days. I'd be happy with an old grandma bike with a big basket on the handle bars. I think that would be kinda cute actually...

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » May 21, 2003, 3:28 pm

I'm looking for a bike too. My main concerns are gears, comfort, and overall weight. A heavy bike can be a killer when riding. I learned that from experiance.

Hayley · Post by **Hayley** » May 21, 2003, 3:28 pm

I bought the C30 Raleigh bike a couple months ago and I love it.

http://www.jwweb.com/pbs/bikeview.php?id=333

It's considered a hybrid bike but is mainly for road use but it definitely has the ability to go off-road as well. The black thing you see under the seat is actually some spring/shock absorbsion deal that was highly recommended to me that a bicycle have. Hope this helps you some.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » May 21, 2003, 3:34 pm

If your "ass" or "inner thigh" hurts after biking...it is usually because of friction. Atleast that is whay I have heard. For me, a pair of biker shorts (worn underneath normal shorts) did the trick. Try that

Oh, and as for a bike to buy...if it is a mountain or hybrid, and you don't want too much, but you want something nice, just take $500 with you and spend that much. $500 scores you a bike that is very nice all arouond for casual riders.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » May 21, 2003, 3:38 pm

No, for me its the shape of the seat. I don't even have to ride it. Just sitting on it is uncomfortable.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » May 21, 2003, 3:52 pm

Adel, how much are you willing to spend? If your range is >= $500, Trek makes some nicely equipped, durable, and most importantly, LIGHTWEIGHT bikes.

I have a 7000 that's served me very well for several years now, paid around $800 for it new, and was worth every penny. You will need to buy a gel padded seat until your ass gets used to riding again

Adelrune Argenti · Post by **Adelrune Argenti** » May 21, 2003, 4:11 pm

Well, I am hoping to spend as little as possible and get the best deal I can. I am ballparking around $300-500 I guess.

noel · Post by **noel** » May 21, 2003, 4:17 pm

*Placeholder Post*

$500ish is good, more when I get to work.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » May 21, 2003, 4:30 pm

I bought a used Trek at a garage sale years ago for $50. It was in rather rough shape, but it was 10x better than the bike I had, which cost $400.00 new. Unfortunately, the ex-wife got the Trek when we seperated. By default, she apparently had the rights to anything that brought me happiness in life.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » May 21, 2003, 4:38 pm

Lalanae wrote:No, for me its the shape of the seat. I don't even have to ride it. Just sitting on it is uncomfortable.

Try a banana seat

or one of these : )

miir · Post by **miir** » May 21, 2003, 4:40 pm

sup winnow

Mr Bacon · Post by **Mr Bacon** » May 21, 2003, 4:40 pm

my buttox often hurts when I ride bikes -- I recommend a gel seat. I personally attached a couch to mine because of my size:

miir · Post by **miir** » May 21, 2003, 4:45 pm

What the fuck is that red blob supposed to be?

Revs · Post by **Revs** » May 21, 2003, 4:55 pm

Damn, Winnow actually found the Female Easy Access Seat! (3rd pic)

Last time I rode a bike long distance was four years ago (about 10 miles which included a hill climb) followed by a 4 hour nap.
Great exercise!

Post by **Sylvus** » May 21, 2003, 5:46 pm

miir wrote:What the fuck is that red blob supposed to be?

I personally attached a couch to mine because of my size

I think it's supposed to be a couch. Difficult to tell though. I give the photoshop a 4/10 for image quality and an 8/10 for the humorous use of a "little person".

noel · Post by **noel** » May 21, 2003, 6:05 pm

Ok so... bikes...

I love bikes, but the bikes I love are not the bikes I would recommend for someone doing 3-5 miles.

If you have trails near you, I'd recommend a mountain bike. If you plan on being on the road more, I'd say probably a hybrid would be the way to go. Hybrids are essentially like mountain bikes with road wheels and tires. Either way you go, I'd recommend a front shock, and rear hard tail at your price point. This will give you a slightly more comfortable ride, and more versatility.

I'd look at Trek, Giant, Cannondale, and ummm... not sure who else.

Bike seats:
Honestly, most bike seats will hurt your ass for the first week or so until your ass is used to it. Your ass will not get used to it if you're not riding the bike every day. Expect it to hurt, for at least a week. 3-5 miles is like a 30 minute ride TOPS even if you're out of shape (I can do ~20 miles in an hour depending on elevation changes).

Bike seats generally have more to do with where they contact your ass than how much padding is on the seat itself. People are made differently though, so your mileage may vary. Most good bike shops will let you ride a seat for a few days to see if you like it.

Also, don't forget that you can buy bike-shorts which come with padding built into them. They even make these to look like regular shorts now.

Feel free to ask more questions, and I'll do what I can.

Adelrune Argenti · Post by **Adelrune Argenti** » May 21, 2003, 6:09 pm

Well, I will probably be riding more than 3-5 miles. When I was riding before, most of my rides were around 6-8 miles. I enjoyed it immensely.

I will look into the shorts idea as well as look for a more suitable seat.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » May 21, 2003, 6:54 pm

They have those nice mesh-type torsion controlled seats now, much like the really nice computer chairs. However, whatever you do, stay away from the penis shaped seats.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » May 21, 2003, 7:06 pm

Canelek wrote:whatever you do, stay away from the penis shaped seats.

Link PLS!!

Mr Bacon · Post by **Mr Bacon** » May 21, 2003, 11:32 pm

Sylvus wrote:
miir wrote:What the fuck is that red blob supposed to be?

I personally attached a couch to mine because of my size
I think it's supposed to be a couch. Difficult to tell though. I give the photoshop a 4/10 for image quality and an 8/10 for the humorous use of a "little person".

lol yes -- and I made this in 30 seconds with crap mspaint! haha

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » May 22, 2003, 5:59 am

My own preference is for no shocks unless I was to do any real off-road riding.
For general use the benefits of a front shock don't outweigh the cost/maintenance drawbacks IMO.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » May 22, 2003, 9:28 am

With the advancements in shocks on bikes, they basicly all come with them now. The front fork shock is adjustable to be very rigid, or vice versa.

I have Marin full suspension frame myself, and I can adjusts both shocks to the point where it can ride on paved roadways without the un-cool "bounce" effect...but then again, I'm only on the road to get to the trails

I truly doubt you will experience the bounce with a front fork bike.

Also, as for suggestions...a friend of mine just bought a GT hardtail...for the price, it comes with everything you will ever need...and a nice warranty to back the frame (which you wont break)

Look in the Sunday paper classifieds...there are always people moving out of town that just 'have to sell everything'. bikes go cheap from these people

Especially the ones that got Treks and Giants as wedding gifts, and then never used them. Just take it to the local bike shop for a "tune up" before you tear into the trails.

Pilsburry · Post by **Pilsburry** » May 22, 2003, 2:00 pm

Miir, although the picture was quickly done....his post said the word "couch" in it. Please learn to read soon, your making our heads hurt.

Kluden, people give bikes as wedding presents where your from? I've never seen that here....where do you live at? Must be a regional thing, I guess.

Baglaz · Post by **Baglaz** » May 22, 2003, 2:42 pm

If weight is an issue, just look for Aluminum frames, which covers almost every mountain/hybrid bike I've seen made the past few years(some have Carbon-Fiber versions of the same bike that are extremely light).

Lynxe · Post by **Lynxe** » May 22, 2003, 5:24 pm

Newf-land is great mountain bike terrain.

We have a Kona http://www.konaworld.com/ and a Schwinn http://www.schwinn.com/. The Kona wasn't too pricey ($700ish Can) and I love it

The Schwinn is hands down the better bike but more $$$.

My seat bothered me a lot the few months I had the Kona. When it was broken in a bit, I brought it back to the cycle shop for my "free tune-up" and the technician pointed out that my handle-bars were too low. Around the same time, Narmgarf had read some articles about where you butt, knees, feet etc should be when peddling and we moved my seat to match the reccomendations. It made a big improvement.

Aranuil is right though, no matter what you do, be prepared for pain before pleasure

noel · Post by **noel** » May 22, 2003, 5:37 pm

Baglaz wrote:If weight is an issue, just look for Aluminum frames, which covers almost every mountain/hybrid bike I've seen made the past few years(some have Carbon-Fiber versions of the same bike that are extremely light).

You couldn't pay me enough money to ride an aluminum mountain bike without suspension. That would be a hellacious, jarring ride.

Carbon Fiber, Titanium, or Steel for me please.

Valgul · Post by **Valgul** » May 22, 2003, 5:45 pm

I have no problems riding with this bike.

Baglaz · Post by **Baglaz** » May 23, 2003, 3:08 pm

Aluminum and Chromoly are the cheapest piping that they use to make bikes out of anymore, which is why I pointed that out. Once you start messing with Carbon Fiber and Titanium, your getting into the $1000+ category for the most part.

Any bike without suspension that you ride on trails will be a jarring ride, nice attempt at a generalization though.

Adelrune Argenti · Post by **Adelrune Argenti** » June 2, 2003, 3:24 pm

Well, I got my bike this weekend. I went to several stores and ended up very happy.
This is what I got, although the one I have is Gray/Black not these weird colors. Anyways, here it is.

http://bicyclewarehouse.com/site/itemde ... sort=Price