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Conference noted::bicycle

Title:	Bicycling
Notice:	Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:	JAMIN::WASSER

Created:	Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	3214
Total number of notes:	31946

2120.0. "advice on a new bike requested" by BOOVX2::NAOR () Fri Nov 08 1991 12:33

    
    	I'm the one who wrote the note right before this asking for advice
    on used mountain bikes.  From the responses I got, it seems that I may
    be better off getting my brother a new one instead.  Does anyone have
    any advice for me on what I should look for?  He needs it to ride to
    school in the winter through Boston - so brakes and tires are most
    important.  I also asked this in the other note, but thought I'd write
    it here again -
    
    	Thanks so much for the advice - it has really been helpful!  I
    don't know much about bikes at all, and this is a pretty big purchase
    for us.......

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2120.1	Bridgstone, Giant have some good models..	SALEM::SHAW	Freedom is skiing solo...!	`Fri Nov 08 1991 12:51`	18
	You might want to look at some city bikes instead of mountain bikes. If your brothers intetions are only city riding or a fitness sport bike. Mountain bikes, because of the pounding they have to go through will require stronger frames, more durable componants etc.. so they generally will cost more. At lower prices, it is good to look at brands that actually make frames for others too. These bikes usually give you more quality for the same price. eg. Giant bicycles, another quality lower priced bike would be Bridgstone, they make some bike specific for city rides. Right now is a very good time to purchase bikes. Most bike shops (atleast around here, Southern NH) have 15 to 40 percent off the in stock prices. Because not only this is the slowest season for bike sales, but also by the time the season picks up again, the would be the new year models. All together a mountain bike with knobbies is not the best ride for going around town. You need slicker tires. Shaw
2120.2	winter bikes	DANGER::JBELL	Zeno was almost here	`Fri Nov 08 1991 16:23`	32
	> He needs it to ride to > school in the winter through Boston - so brakes and tires are most > important. The accessories are the things that change a normal bike into a commuter city bike. You might be better off with a cheaper bike, to spend 100$ or so on these things: helmet headlight lock fenders luggage rack A cheap bike might have steel rims, that are no good when wet. Make sure to at least get a bike with aluminum rims. Anodizing will wear off in the first month since road grit is much harder. Quick-releases on seats are a liability. Get bolt-on seats. Gearing does not have to be fancy, but it must be realiable. Get a copy of Effective Cycling by John Forrester. Will your brother have backup transportation? Most winters in downtown Boston have between 5 and 12 days where you might want knobby tires. The rest of the time you can get around on touring width tires. In Boston the snow tends to melt quicker than in the suburbs. Lot's of times, they get rain when it's snowing in metrowest. -Jeff Bell
2120.3	found a bike!	BOOVX2::NAOR		`Mon Nov 11 1991 10:08`	7
	We ended up getting my brother a used bike - a 2 year old Giant Rincon that looks brand new - it was apparently bought by someone in Cambridge who liked the idea of a mountain bike more than the bike itself. My brother also bought a good lock, helmet, light, etc., so he should be all set. Thanks for the advice!