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.
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.
Go see Frank and Vic at All About Bikes. They will take care of you.
(02-21-2012 02:09 PM)tigergreen Wrote: [ -> ] (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.
If you want to ride more upright, you'd be better off to just get a new bike. The Trek Navigator is a nice line.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/tow...navigator/
I was going this route before I decided to go with more of a crosstrail/hybrid bike with a little more aggressive ride.
Went in All About Bikes today and they couldn't have been more friendly. Met Frank and spoke with him a while. I would definitely check their store out if I were you. I bought my road bike at The Peddler because I had a big gift certificate and every time I've gone in there I have had to go find an associate to help me. Myself and my coworker were greeted immediately as we walked into AAB today.
Sounds like you want a mountain bike.
I would recommend a good brand name bike. Don't get a hybrid. Definitely get 29 inch rims, you will not regret it. It rolls faster and over stuff easier. Get disc brakes and at least 100m travel front fork. Make sure it has a lockout on it.
Suntour is a cheaper front shock, but i'm guessing it's still decent. I got rockshox and like them. The better forks (yet not as pricey) are rockshox or fox, then you move up to the really nice forks which are extremely expensive.
I'm pretty current on all the mountain bikes after buying a real nice one last year.
I'll look up some later and post some good link suggestions. I saw a 2012 trek 29er with suntour shock for $520 the other day. If you get a bike with rockshox or fox fork, you might have to step up to around $650-$1000. Those bikes usually have better components too as well as the better fork.
I recommend to buy online. Check ebay for new but older models or sometimes a nice bike appears on craigslist.
If you got the money, get a full suspension. Most likely a 29er with front suspension only and disc brakes will make you very happy.
(02-21-2012 03:20 PM)poppaslaw Wrote: [ -> ] (02-21-2012 02:09 PM)tigergreen Wrote: [ -> ]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.
If you want to ride more upright, you'd be better off to just get a new bike. The Trek Navigator is a nice line.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/tow...navigator/
I was going this route before I decided to go with more of a crosstrail/hybrid bike with a little more aggressive ride.
I like the look of that Navigator....especially the 'low to the ground' setup. That's what I liked about Electra as well....
I'm only 5'2", so most 'normal size' frame bikes have me on the very edge of my tiptoes when I put my feet down, even with the seat lowered all the way down.
(02-22-2012 09:36 AM)tigergreen Wrote: [ -> ] (02-21-2012 03:20 PM)poppaslaw Wrote: [ -> ] (02-21-2012 02:09 PM)tigergreen Wrote: [ -> ]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.
If you want to ride more upright, you'd be better off to just get a new bike. The Trek Navigator is a nice line.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/tow...navigator/
I was going this route before I decided to go with more of a crosstrail/hybrid bike with a little more aggressive ride.
I like the look of that Navigator....especially the 'low to the ground' setup. That's what I liked about Electra as well....
I'm only 5'2", so most 'normal size' frame bikes have me on the very edge of my tiptoes when I put my feet down, even with the seat lowered all the way down.
You don't sit on the seat when both your feet on the ground. You stand over your top tube when stopped. You can lean on one foot while on the seat. Google proper seat height for a bike and it will explain it for you. Your legs should have a slight bend with the pedal stroke all the way down.
Your frame size should allow your to stand over your top tube like you are stopped. The bar should be about an inch from your crotch. This is a VERY important measurement when sizing a bike. Any bike shop will help you with this.
sidenote: i've fallen over this way with clip in pedals when I leaned the opposite way I normally lean. Thank god for a helmet.
(02-21-2012 06:54 PM)memphis88 Wrote: [ -> ]Went in All About Bikes today and they couldn't have been more friendly. Met Frank and spoke with him a while. I would definitely check their store out if I were you. I bought my road bike at The Peddler because I had a big gift certificate and every time I've gone in there I have had to go find an associate to help me. Myself and my coworker were greeted immediately as we walked into AAB today.
I've always been helped at Peddler even when I'm just browsing at the bike pron.