Recently Started Biking
Thread started by
nisse at 08.21.08 - 3:44 pm
And I feel completely in love with it. i have a beach cruiser but im looking into getting more serious biking. i have no knowledge on what to look for or what type of road bike i should purchase. can any one give me some tips id greatly appreciate it. also if you can give me some pinpoints on locations where i can purchase it.
thanks!
ps (im 5'2)
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nisse,
Make sure your tires are pumped up on your beach cruiser and you should be good to go on the big rides. Look on the side of the tire for the MAX PSI and pump it up to that. Then start asking around and asking people if you can ride their bikes. Just about everyone I know wouldn't mind doing this. This is assuming the bike fits you. You'll start to get an idea of what you want as you start riding different bikes. Also ask lots of questions from these people too.
User108.21.08 - 4:01 pm
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cool thanks for the feedback
im definitely gonna start doing that
nisse08.21.08 - 4:05 pm
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Ya, if you can learn to climb hills on a beach cruiser, you'll get really strong so when you do get a road bike, fixie, etc. it'll be soo much easier and you'll be wicked fast.
good luck.
And, everyone has an opinion about bikes. - just a heads up!
stevo408.21.08 - 4:32 pm
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Make sure the seat is considerably higher than the handlebars, then you can blaze past cars in traffic.
jericho1ne08.21.08 - 4:40 pm
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What area are you in? Check craigslist too, I've seen a few on there in the last few days.
Hot Prowl08.21.08 - 4:45 pm
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Yeah, rear disc wheels are also in. They make you go like 317.559% faster. You can just put cardboard cutouts onto the rear wheel of your beach cruiser and save some money. Make sure it has cool things drawn on it, otherwise it doesn't work.
vladster08.21.08 - 4:47 pm
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sweet thanks!
i stay in the Beverly/Vermont area
nisse08.21.08 - 5:13 pm
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No don't listen to them, it's just sarcastic funny internet forum talk.
Definitely search craigslist. If the best you can find is a piece of crap then buy it and head over to bike oven or bike kitchen or bikerowave. (Google them)
imachynna08.21.08 - 5:16 pm
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This is my standard spiel for all newbies:
For $100-$400 you can get something pretty nice used on Craig's List. I'm thinking an older lugged steel bike, 80s or early 90s. I've been seeing lots of good older Specialized and Treks. Get one of those or an 80s Japanese bike like Univega, Centurion, Bridgestone, Miyata, Fuji, or Nishiki. Stick with the higher-end ones. Most of these brands have catalogs available on the Internet, you can see which are the desirable models.
By all means stay away from French bikes if you are a newbie.
cabhauler08.21.08 - 5:27 pm
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cabhauler, what the hell is wrong with you? That advice is way to sensible and reasonable!
mr rollers08.21.08 - 6:01 pm
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I know! Stop posting helpful stuff! Post more bike snobbery and inside jokery that a newbie would never understand, or take seriously and be totally misinformed as a result. Now THAT's the ticket.
bananaphone08.21.08 - 6:08 pm
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You can go to a bike shop and ride their bikes. They will also give you good advice on bike fit. Bike Attack in Santa Monica has a pretty good selection and knowledgeable staff. It's pricey though, but you don't have to buy.
vladster08.21.08 - 7:09 pm
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this is a very positive thread it makes me wanna ride my bike.. im out.
theshues08.21.08 - 7:16 pm
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Okie, so I just got my paycheck and I wanna buy a road bike.
Would it be better to go to like the store by LACC and get a 7 bill bianchi or should I go to wallmart and get a road bike from there for about 2 bills and adjust it along the way?
Motor Vehicle08.21.08 - 7:43 pm
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Don't be so excited on buying a new/used bike. Take your time and ride a bunch of bikes till you find something that's comfortable and fits you.
I would follow cabhauler's advice and stick to the bikes he mentioned. The higher end older bikes are really nice and many riders on the ride ride the older lugged bikes and kick ass in them.
digablesoul08.21.08 - 7:53 pm
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oh... and I'd stay away from that road bike at Wal-Mart. You can use that money towards a nice used bike.
digablesoul08.21.08 - 7:57 pm
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Thank you.
I'll look into craigs list right now thenn.
Motor Vehicle08.21.08 - 8:04 pm
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If you want a new bike and live in a flat area I'd consider getting something like the KHS Flite 100, Bianchi Pista, Bianchi San Jose, or Redline 925. You don't even have to ride those fixed, though I'd strongly suggest two brakes if you're going to freewheel it.
cabhauler08.21.08 - 8:04 pm
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What are you looking for in a bike, and not getting from your beach cruiser? How much money are you able to spend?
PC08.21.08 - 8:23 pm
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Your in my hood homie,
was crackin!
aksendz08.21.08 - 9:50 pm
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A titanium bike will shave precious seconds off your trackstand, and attract cute hipsters.
ephemerae08.21.08 - 10:45 pm
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kick ass pieces of advice right here:
"start asking around and asking people if you can ride their bikes. Just about everyone I know wouldn't mind doing this. This is assuming the bike fits you. You'll start to get an idea of what you want as you start riding different bikes. Also ask lots of questions from these people too.
User1
08.21.08 - 7:01 pm"
"This is my standard spiel for all newbies:
For $100-$400 you can get something pretty nice used on Craig's List. I'm thinking an older lugged steel bike, 80s or early 90s. I've been seeing lots of good older Specialized and Treks. Get one of those or an 80s Japanese bike like Univega, Centurion, Bridgestone, Miyata, Fuji, or Nishiki. Stick with the higher-end ones. Most of these brands have catalogs available on the Internet, you can see which are the desirable models.
By all means stay away from French bikes if you are a newbie.
cabhauler
08.21.08 - 8:27 pm"
lackflag08.21.08 - 10:54 pm
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hey thanks for all your replies
im keeping all in consideration
cabhauler thanks your reply was very helpful
nisse08.21.08 - 11:15 pm
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You can ride my bike. I'm 5'2". It's a road bike.
imachynna08.21.08 - 11:17 pm
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that would be awesome
where do you usually ride by
i go mainly from Hollywood to DT LA or West Hollywood area
nisse08.21.08 - 11:22 pm
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Yeah same. I don't usually go to West Hollywood though.
I'm in Silver Lake, ride to Downtown a lot. Go to the DTLA ride tomorrow, I'll be there... if not that one then I'm go to the one I'm leading on Saturday. We start in Hollywood.
imachynna08.21.08 - 11:23 pm
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sounds like a plan see ya there :-D
nisse08.21.08 - 11:38 pm
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