Help! Need Bicycle Expert!
Thread started by
CMS at 07.16.08 - 2:53 pm
Is there anyone out there who knows all about bikes? I'm sure everyone here is. I'm looking for any thoughts and advice on buying a new bike or getting one on craigslist or just getting a new bike in general.
Currently, I have a very cute but very heavy beach cruiser. I ride her everywhere. I do all of my grocery shopping with her as I have three baskets ( a double in the back and a small one in the front). After purchasing my bike, I was introduced to the midnight ridazz and have been hooked on the many rides. Since then, everyone keeps telling me I need to get a lighter bike so I can go on more rides.
A one gear cruiser can only get you but so far.
Here is the dilemma. I don't want to spend a mess load of money on something I'm still learning about. I stopped off at Goodwill and checked out their donated bikes. Most were old and cheap and perhaps not worth fixing up. I'd read from other forums that cheap department store bikes are no good as they are often not assembled correctly. I checked on craigslist and I can't determine if these are just cheap bikes no one wants anymore. I don't know if I want to bite the bullet and go to a bike shop which I know will have better bikes. I'd read a little about bicycle kitchen where you can create, work on or fix your own bike.
I just want to find a bike with gears which is much lighter than my cruiser which I can carry on my shoulder in the metro when the elevator or escalator goes out. I'd like a girls bike as I don't care for the bar. I'd also like it to be comfortable and not a serious racer bike. And even if it's too much to ask, I'd like to be able to put a basket on it when I want to go shopping.
So, to all you experts out there, which I'm sure all of you are, please give me some advice about how to find a decent bike without making too many bad decisions. I've done enough of that with my life already. But that's a different story.
Charla
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sounds like you want a townie style bike. Kind of clunky and still heavy though.
if your willing to spend, Dahon has great folding bikes.
Why don't you go to Bike Oven or Bikerowave?
Joe Borfo07.16.08 - 2:59 pm
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Find an aluminium mountain bike you like, with non-steel rims, refurbish as needed, replace chunky mountain tires with skinny tires - done.
All in, you could be done with less than $100 and two or three hours of your time. You'd have a pretty dope ride afterward, too.
Spend more money for fenders, a good bike rack, panniers, etc. and you'll get closer to $300.
ubrayj0207.16.08 - 3:06 pm
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That bike is really cute, much like my own, but it looks incredible heavy which is what I'm trying to avoid. The idea is to be able to carry the darn thing when the elevator and escalator are out. If you have ever had a beach cruiser with three baskets on the metro when the escalator is out and you are on the platform level, you'd understand.
But what is the bike oven? And where is it? I live in Studio City. How would they have the solution to my problem?
Thanks
Charla
CMS07.16.08 - 3:07 pm
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Ooh, I forgot, shameless self promotion:
http://flyingpigeon-la.com
These bikes are heavy (heavy duty too), but they look good, and we are going to sell them for CHEAP. Everything must go.
I am so happy I can shamelessly plug myself now! Wootz!
ubrayj0207.16.08 - 3:08 pm
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Sounds like good advice, but as of now, I'm a complete ignoramus about bikes in general, let alone rebuilding one. Where would I get an aluminum frame?
Charla
CMS07.16.08 - 3:09 pm
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Take a refrigerator magnet with you to the Goodwil/St. Vincents.
If the magnet sticks on the bike frame - it is not aluminium.
The frame will be much lighter if it is aluminium.
You'd be surprised how easy it can be to fix an old bike. Time is the only factor - two to three hours of your own time. Or you can pay someone too much to do it for you.
ubrayj0207.16.08 - 3:11 pm
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i'm buying one of dem pigeons, Josef!
Joe Borfo07.16.08 - 3:13 pm
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Borfo, $325 plus tax and it's yours homie. They'll be here in a week and a half.
We're going to have some Dim Sum Rides to introduce the bikes )and party too)
ubrayj0207.16.08 - 3:15 pm
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Hey Ubrayj02,
Thanks for the info. I checked out the Goodwill in North Hollywood. which had a few bikes. Is there another one you know that has lots of bikes? What is this with St. Vincents? Another donation store? I'm perfectly willing to learn how to create and fix my own bike. I have the time and the patience, just not the knowledge, which I see places like bicycle kitchen and bikerowave are for.
I guess I was just uncertain about going to goodwill and getting a piece of junk and then trying unsuccessfully to make it into a bike. I may be out 60 or 70 bucks. ( The bikes they had at the Goodwill were 50 dollars) and totally frustrated ( and without a decent bike). Then I'm right back where I started and in tears.
But thanks for the start.
CMS07.16.08 - 3:23 pm
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Saint Vincents down on Avenue 19 in Lincoln Heights has the best bikes. You can also hit up Atomic Cycles in The Valley.
ubrayj0207.16.08 - 3:28 pm
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Josef, don't you have used bikes for sale at Bike Oven?
From my experience they are in much better shape than the thrift store bikes.
marino07.16.08 - 3:33 pm
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also, there is an AMAZING up and coming variety store with a very PRO-BIKE agenda called "Co-Co's"
i got my dreamy bike there and they have a bunch of really sweet bikes for unbelievable prices....
they are on riverside, just near fletcher....kind of across from the arco am/pm
Co-Co's!
ingipet07.16.08 - 3:35 pm
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I went to Coco's when I was trying to find a bike and they were a bit pricey...
imachynna07.16.08 - 3:37 pm
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300-400 is not too bad!
i got a carbon frame from there!
ingipet07.16.08 - 3:38 pm
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I didn't actually go inside, and 300-400 isn't bad for a new bike, but they had old ones outside that were more than they should have been :(
imachynna07.16.08 - 3:39 pm
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Also try Athena's Cycles, Atomic Cycles (used), and The Bike factory (used). You might also consider a lighter steel road frame and turn it into a single speed (stripped down)which would be perfect for the MR rides.
speedybrian200007.17.08 - 11:20 am
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