Bike-Strut (Newbie advice needed)

[mannybolone]

I haven't owned a bike since high school so I'm completely clueless on how to go about getting (literally) back in the saddle. I mostly am looking for a bike to commute with; it's about 30 miles from where I live to work and there is a pretty decent bike path (along the San Gabriel river) for much of it. I don't want a mountain bike but I'm getting conflicting advice between either a road bike or a hybrid. I'm sure Strut has its share of bike experts - any advice on what I should be thinking about in terms of what I need out of a bike? Budget?Brands?

 

[HarveyCanal]

You could instead buy a helicopter for what it costs to buy a bike nowadays.

 

[Reynaldo]

You can handle 30 miles one way?

 

[kitchenknight]

I ride my bike to work, 3 miles each way, and during summer in NYC, I sweat enough to want a shower some days; 30 miles? You're definitely going to want a shower at work...

That said, my route to work is flat-ish, and I went with a used single-speed road bike off Craigslist for $150. It's been great- I'd done a 1,500 mile trip on a hybrid, and wanted something different. And, frankly, the quiet and lack of maintenance has been a godsend on an everyday bike. Seriously, I poured tons of money into my old derailer, and that was great to get rid of.

But, if you've got hills and the like, I'd go roadbike over hybrid. Frankly, slimming up the tires and making 'em balder will make your ride easier, and if you aren't off roading, you don't really need the fat off-road tires.

I'm no bike expert, but these have been my experiences....

 

[street_muzik]

Just don't get a fixie.

 

[faux_rillz]

Just don't get a fixie.

O****r: hipster trend victim?

 

[pimlicosquirrel]

30 Miles seems a long ass way for a bike commute, what is an average road bike speed? 15-20 Miles an hour?

 

[tecate]

30 miles each way. . . that's more than 2 marathon's chief. In one day.

Good luck with that.

 

[Jimster]

I haven't owned a bike since high school

it's about 30 miles from where I live to work

Dude, unless your running game is already mhad strong, I think, for a while at least, you'll struggle commuting this. Bet on over 2 hours each way. Plus showering. Have you got that much time free in your day?

I ride a total of about half this distance, a few days every week, depending on weather. It takes me about 40 mins there and 30 mins back (uphill there, downhill back). I state that 2 hours each way of getting pissed on in the Winter is absolute folly unless you're doing it for a living and you need to put Lance Armstrong out of a job.

But don't let me, or anyone else, put you off. If you've got the stamina to cash the cheques of the banco del jard?n de la mente here's what I'd get:

A hybrid, on riser bars with a front fork and road wheels on Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (tires for you ham shanks). Road frame and wheels for speed. Fork and bars for comfort. You are going to be on that for 4 hours a day and with no payoff for coming first in the race, I'd make sure your joints don't take a beating.

Those tyres have been a Godsend for me. No more punctures. No need to carry all that shit in case I get one.

A road bike on skinnies and drop bars is deffo the fastest way, but on anything other than tarmac, they will punish you.

My 2p/1.5c

 

[spelunk]

Hybrid is the way to go.

Road bikes are the devil.

Mountain bikes are heavy.

Disc brakes are nice.

Everything is absurdly expensive if you buy it new. But dealing with used parts from "BIKE PEOPLE" is a total hassle in my experience.

There are lots of bike co-ops in CA who will help you build a really nice bike from parts. But again, this is also a hassle to deal with and may require bong hits for entry.

30 miles. 30 miles. 30 miles. Dude.

 

[jaysus]

This:

Masi Special CX

 

[HarveyCanal]

^^^My ass hurts just looking at that thing.

 

[jaysus]

It's a cyclocross bike.

Harvey, maybe you need one of these?

:asshurt:

 

[HarveyCanal]

Yes, that's better.

 

[kitchenknight]

I'll say this... if you start doing 60mpday, you will be in unfuckingbelievable shape.

 

[mannybolone]

Let me worry about the distance. Yeah, I know it's a lot. No, it's not my plan for a daily commute nor would it ever be. But yes, I'd like to at least work my way up there. And yes, I'll take baby steps because my running game is NOT mad strong.

But the bike itself is what I'm befuddled about. That Masi = $1000+. Not going there.

Jimster: what you suggested, what kind of damage are we talking?

 

[Reynaldo]

Plus showering.

Fuk a shower.

 

[phongone]

I know this is might be a foreign language to you, but you should get a bike with a decent groupset (ie, the drivetrain of the bike - cranks, big ring, gears, etc). I suggest Shimano 105 as the minimum (Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace are really good but more for serious racer dudes). Trust me, you may be tempted to buy a bike with a cheaper groupset, but they are prone to breakdown and are high maintenance. Once you get serious into the cycling shit, you'll need a good groupset anyway.

If you want a basket on your bike and ride like a woman, get a commuter bike. Otherwise keep it real, and get a road bike.

F*ck that single-speed and fixie shit, you'll need gearing to get you uphill.

Some reputable bike brands that make good entry/mid level road/commuter bikes include Specialized, Giant, Redline, KHS, Jamis and Bianchi.

Bikesdirect, an online retailer offers very cheap frame with great components and groupset -- you cant get cheaper then them. If you look around, you'll see a lot of dudes riding their bikes (Mercier and Motobecane). They ship their bikes halfway built in a box -- just take it to your local bikestore to get completely built up. Here's link:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

 

[jaysus]

But the bike itself is what I'm befuddled about. That Masi = $1000+. Not going there.

In that case I would find a nearby shop with knowledgeable workers, buy a used steel frame bike like a schwinn touring bike with some shimano components (look for indexed shifting), put on some 700x30 or 700x32 tires on it. Should run around $350-$400 or so.

If you are putting in commuting miles the components and frame will sustain much more abuse than the sunny day hybrid cruiser and older components are stronger and simpler.

If you still want a new bike, I would get a breezer 3 speed:

About $400

Good luck

 

[phongone]

If you still want a new bike, I would get a breezer 3 speed:

About $400

Good luck

you would die after 30 miles on that thing.