Okay---I jam just getting into to this trail riding thing. I bought a cheap bike to make sure I would like it, and I was wrong-- I LOVE it. Except for the gears slipping on steep hills and slamming my knees into the handlebars , that is. I think it is time to buy a better bike. I ride Shelby Farms, Shelby Forest, and Herb Parsons, and the occasional wolf river trail. I am not looking to race or do anything crazy, but I would like a nice solid bike for a beginner that will function well.

Any suggestions? There are s many out there, it is overwhelming.

Thanks

What is your budget? It makes a big difference because you want to get the best bike that will fit your budget.


If you are hitting the good trails like those around here I would suggest disc brakes and if your budget can handle it 29" wheels instead of the smaller 26". I'm not convince that you need full suspension around here except for maybe Stankey Creek due to the millions of tree roots out there.

There are so many good brands out there but Trek has an entry level 29'er with disc for just under $600. Other brands have good ones like Specialized, Fuji and others.

Have fun at the bike shops shopping it's like being a kid in a candy store. Some stores are better than others about not trying to up sell you.

I've been hearing good things about "all about bikes" on mendenhall, right at poplar...it's behind the belmont grill. I've heard they're pretty good about not upselling you into something you don't really need; I haven't been in there, though, so can't speak from personal experience.

(02-21-2012 12:43 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  I've been hearing good things about "all about bikes" on mendenhall, right at poplar...it's behind the belmont grill. I've heard they're pretty good about not upselling you into something you don't really need; I haven't been in there, though, so can't speak from personal experience.

I heard about this place the other day from a buddy of mine. I need to check it out. Where do you ride to test ride a bike there?

(02-21-2012 01:10 PM)JTiger Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 12:43 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  I've been hearing good things about "all about bikes" on mendenhall, right at poplar...it's behind the belmont grill. I've heard they're pretty good about not upselling you into something you don't really need; I haven't been in there, though, so can't speak from personal experience.

I heard about this place the other day from a buddy of mine. I need to check it out. Where do you ride to test ride a bike there?

I'm not sure...unless there's some space back behind or to the side of the building, maybe?

I can't remember how close that place is to the little side street where the 'brown dog lodge' dog daycare is...maybe you just take it up that street.

There certainly isn't room out front....my friend owns the yoga studio pretty close to it, and getting in & out of there is a nightmare.

http://allaboutbikesllc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/allaboutbikesllc

looks like you ride alongside the building, going back around it.

J, do you know much about any of these brands? which ones are hybrid/cruiser type varieties?

Haro
Masi
KHS
Phat Cycles (looks like this one is cruisers, but not multi-speed)
FREE Agent
KaZAM
Sun Bicycles
Look Cycle
GT Bicycles

when I have some extra cash laying around (which given the HVAC thread I started, may be a while), I want to get a bike for riding the greenline - I don't need anything with more than a few speeds on it. I've got an OLD one from college right now.

I love the electra brand at midtown bike, but it may be overpriced.

(02-21-2012 01:21 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  J, do you know much about any of these brands? which ones are hybrid/cruiser type varieties?

Haro
Masi
KHS
Phat Cycles (looks like this one is cruisers, but not multi-speed)
FREE Agent
KaZAM
Sun Bicycles
Look Cycle
GT Bicycles

when I have some extra cash laying around (which given the HVAC thread I started, may be a while), I want to get a bike for riding the greenline - I don't need anything with more than a few speeds on it. I've got an OLD one from college right now.

I love the electra brand at midtown bike, but it may be overpriced.

I haven't heard of many of those except Haro, GT and KHS. If I remember KHS is fairly solid depending on the line. The thing with bikes is not so much the manufacturer or the frame but he components. When buying a bike you are buying components like brakes, shifter, derailers, etc. The better one you buy the better you experience should be. Starting out for a road bike you could get Shimano 105 and you would be very happy. I'm not sure if the hybrids use the same components as a road bike. Cruisers and Hybrids are VERY popular right now and people are buying them up so the price goes up . A guy I ride with started on a Shwinn from Target hybrid and he hung with us on many road rides. So if you want to start that way give it a shot it was grey and I don't remember the model. He upgraded to a full road bike. I like the mountain bikes if you are going to do dual purpose they are good on the road and trails. If you are on the road alot take the knobby tires off and put slicks on to make things easier on yourself.

You could rebuild the bike you have from college. Lot's of people are going that route and having a blast. Depending on how old it is it's not that hard. Buy a book on bike mechaics and there are TONS of videos on Youtube showing you what to do if you are even slightly mechanically inclined.

Happy cycling. If you are interested later consider joining the Memphis Hightailers. It's like the bike version of the Memphis Runners. Lot's of good riding events and weekly rides in different locations. Very efficient organization.

(02-21-2012 01:13 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 01:10 PM)JTiger Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 12:43 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  I've been hearing good things about "all about bikes" on mendenhall, right at poplar...it's behind the belmont grill. I've heard they're pretty good about not upselling you into something you don't really need; I haven't been in there, though, so can't speak from personal experience.

I heard about this place the other day from a buddy of mine. I need to check it out. Where do you ride to test ride a bike there?

I'm not sure...unless there's some space back behind or to the side of the building, maybe?

I can't remember how close that place is to the little side street where the 'brown dog lodge' dog daycare is...maybe you just take it up that street.

There certainly isn't room out front....my friend owns the yoga studio pretty close to it, and getting in & out of there is a nightmare.

Just like going to Belmont. I literally can't remember how many times I've stumbled out of there to only play frogger across Mendenhall late at night. Sobers you up real quick.

(02-21-2012 01:45 PM)JTiger Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 01:21 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  J, do you know much about any of these brands? which ones are hybrid/cruiser type varieties?

Haro
Masi
KHS
Phat Cycles (looks like this one is cruisers, but not multi-speed)
FREE Agent
KaZAM
Sun Bicycles
Look Cycle
GT Bicycles

when I have some extra cash laying around (which given the HVAC thread I started, may be a while), I want to get a bike for riding the greenline - I don't need anything with more than a few speeds on it. I've got an OLD one from college right now.

I love the electra brand at midtown bike, but it may be overpriced.

I haven't heard of many of those except Haro, GT and KHS. If I remember KHS is fairly solid depending on the line. The thing with bikes is not so much the manufacturer or the frame but he components. When buying a bike you are buying components like brakes, shifter, derailers, etc. The better one you buy the better you experience should be. Starting out for a road bike you could get Shimano 105 and you would be very happy. I'm not sure if the hybrids use the same components as a road bike. Cruisers and Hybrids are VERY popular right now and people are buying them up so the price goes up . A guy I ride with started on a Shwinn from Target hybrid and he hung with us on many road rides. So if you want to start that way give it a shot it was grey and I don't remember the model. He upgraded to a full road bike. I like the mountain bikes if you are going to do dual purpose they are good on the road and trails. If you are on the road alot take the knobby tires off and put slicks on to make things easier on yourself.

You could rebuild the bike you have from college. Lot's of people are going that route and having a blast. Depending on how old it is it's not that hard. Buy a book on bike mechaics and there are TONS of videos on Youtube showing you what to do if you are even slightly mechanically inclined.

Happy cycling. If you are interested later consider joining the Memphis Hightailers. It's like the bike version of the Memphis Runners. Lot's of good riding events and weekly rides in different locations. Very efficient organization.

if you rebuild a bike, can you change the configuration of a frame to keep from hunching over so much? I'm not familiar with how many parts make up a frame; if it's just one piece, obviously I'm SOL.

my bike is an old (early/mid 90's) "mountain" type bike, but the tires are super skinny...obviously not meant to really go off-road; it just looks like it. the handlebars are straight across, and I'm hunched over, no matter how high or low I put the seat.

I wouldn't be opposed to rebuilding it at all...it's still in decent shape; I just have a few more requirements for comfort than I did when I was 20.