HELP: newb getting a bike
Thread started by
stealthcheetah at 12.25.09 - 6:35 pm
merry christmazz y'all!
i've been in LA for a year & it's time to level up my life and get a bike.
where's a reliable place to shop? i want a simple, affordable road bike that i can ride every day and perhaps pimp out, maybe even fixie-fy if i actually make money at some point. 54-56cm.
i've been cruising CL, of course, but there seems to be sketchiness abound. what do you peeps recommend?
thanks so much! and glorious holiday wishes.
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Buy something off craigslist that's in decent shape, then give it a tune up at one of the local co-ops, or just buy a cheap bikesdirect.com fixie (WITH A BRAKE), and bring it in to a co-op / bike shop to assemble it properly and give it a thorough inspection.
JB12.25.09 - 7:00 pm
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go to orange 20. ask for a fixie.
mmaceda12.25.09 - 7:41 pm
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I CAN HOOK YOU UP WITH A SICK ASS BIKE
I'M A HIPSTER AT HEART
I HAVE A BITCHIN OLD BIANCHI
FREE OF CHARGE, SINCE THERE'S A RECESSION
AND OH YEAH, REAL MEN RIDE BRAKELESS
PRESIDENT OBAMA12.25.09 - 8:04 pm
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Don't buy a bikesdirect bike, you'll end up replacing all the parts on it.
Just buy a cheap steel road bike thats in OK condition and ride it to the ground. Once you've gotten all you can get out of it then buy something nice.
Graham12.25.09 - 8:08 pm
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THE ECONOMY SUCKS, SAVE YOUR MONEY, CONTINUE GETTING AROUND THE WAY YOU HAVE BEEN, BELIEVE ME THAT IF YOU START RIDING THEN YOU'LL BE RIDING A FIXIE, A
ND NOBODY LIKES A HIPSTER ON A BIKE, AND YOU'LL HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
I'VE INCLUDED A PIC OF A TRUE TO THE HEART HIPSTER.
eddieboyinla12.26.09 - 12:55 am
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Collared shirt over a tshirt, jeans. I can't tell y'all apart, are both of those hipsters you EDDIE?
franz responding to a
comment by mmaceda
12.26.09 - 3:06 am
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Craigslist is your best bet if not a friend who has a bike to unload. Maybe put up a posting here asking for what you want and how much you have to spend. Rumor has it that there a lot of people who own bikes around here. Another good reason to go with a vintage steel bike is if you ever want to convert it to fixed you'll need it to have a horizontal drop out. That you won't find on anything recent.
indigis12.26.09 - 6:57 am
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ebay postings with the "buy it now" option have always worked for me.
bentstrider12.26.09 - 7:07 am
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You get what you pay for, at Bikes Direct, Craigslist, Big Chain Bike Shops or Locally Owned Bike Shops. The key is to inform yourself. You can go so many ways with this.
Try visiting local owner operated bike shops in L.A., there are many.
Bike Factory
LA Brakeless
Atomic Cycles
Cycleworld
Orange 20
Athena
Safety Cycle
Or the Bike Co Ops:
Bikerowave
Bicycle Kitchen
Bike Oven
Take time to identify what's important for YOU. Where will you be riding most often? What are the road conditions of your favorite routes? Do you want versatility to do other things with your bike, touring, farmers market shopping, stylin' in echo park, riding in death valley?
Here's my review of a bike I bought from bikes direct:
http://engagedobserver.blogspot.com/2009/12/affordable-carbon-bottecchia-cf-66pro.html
Personally, I hate craigslist. It becomes a full time job trying to get a decent bike there. Deals do come up, but they sell quick.
The bike co-ops are the most affordable, educational and fun way to get exactly the bike you want while spending the least amount of money.
alexdc12.26.09 - 7:22 am
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bikesdirect is the way to gou want a cheap 1st bike...free shipping..i've been riding and playing brutal polo for a solid year on mine and its still rolling..i did switch some parts out but for the price it is worth it.that bike is a tank..
NOLOVE12.26.09 - 9:37 am
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i bought my girlfriends first bike from the texas chick that sells on bikes direct too. It is great for the money and i have no complaints. i too would switch some the parts like the brakes but for the money she got a great 1st bike.
onemanstrash12.26.09 - 11:56 am
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Ridazz Roulette!
HERE IS ONE FOO THAT IS NOT A HIPSTER!!