Certainly worked for PeeWee Herman!If you want a bike and be noticed by the girls ....
New bike - should I buy with front suspension, front and back suspension?
- Thread starter HAMSTER INSPECTOR
- Start date
Looks like it would appeal to a Candy StriperIf you want a bike and be noticed by the girls ....
1. No lock will deter a determined bike thief. [Corollary - The nicer the lock, the nicer the bike...the more motivated a thief.]
2. I use to carry a Kryptonite NY. Then I asked myself "Why did I spend $$$ to get a lighter bike...and then saddle myself with a 5 lb lock?!?!"
I just returned from my 48 hr. trip from the US, as I am looking for a replacement bike for my 15 year old bike with 60-75,000 kms. on it I took the opportunity to shop or include a bike in with my purchases. My 15 year old bike cost $750 back then, but you can get the equivalent now for about $400 - $450 because mostly come from China and the labor cost are much lower than it was for my bike that was made in the USA. Since I only use my bike for leisure and exercise and not transportation, my strategy is to get a bike of about $400 - $475 which will do me just fine. If you look on the CDN Tire flyer every week you will see bikes on special at $400-$450 going for half price. A Schwinn or CCM with good fit and finish, quality build and rapid fire shifters is all I need. Since I have a working bike, I can buy it this season or even wait till next year.
If you are looking to buy a bike across the border, this is what I found out. You get lower prices and better quality in the USA for the price. The Schwinn bikes going for $225-$275 in the USA is what we have in Canada at $425-$475. They do discount, but the bikes on special for the week are marked down only $30-75. ( No half price sales, like at CDN Tire every week. ) Schwinn use to be made in the USA, if this was still the case you could bring it back duty free under Free Trade. Schwinn, CCM and other middle and low end bikes are all made in China now. If you are bringing in a bike from the US in that price range you will have to pay duty or fit it into your duty free exemptions.
On the matter of bike locks, my theory is that thieves go for more expensive bikes and they go for the ones that are easiest to steal. That is why I carry a U lock and a cable lock. The harder you make it for them to steal a bike, the less chance your bike is stolen. I bought a couple of bike locks at Harbor Freight ( Amhurst, NY ) at $10.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-bike-lock-and-cable-66364.html
If you are looking to buy a bike across the border, this is what I found out. You get lower prices and better quality in the USA for the price. The Schwinn bikes going for $225-$275 in the USA is what we have in Canada at $425-$475. They do discount, but the bikes on special for the week are marked down only $30-75. ( No half price sales, like at CDN Tire every week. ) Schwinn use to be made in the USA, if this was still the case you could bring it back duty free under Free Trade. Schwinn, CCM and other middle and low end bikes are all made in China now. If you are bringing in a bike from the US in that price range you will have to pay duty or fit it into your duty free exemptions.
On the matter of bike locks, my theory is that thieves go for more expensive bikes and they go for the ones that are easiest to steal. That is why I carry a U lock and a cable lock. The harder you make it for them to steal a bike, the less chance your bike is stolen. I bought a couple of bike locks at Harbor Freight ( Amhurst, NY ) at $10.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-bike-lock-and-cable-66364.html
1) If you have a Dremel tool, you can cut a slot into the bolt and unscrew it with a flat head screw driver. ( there is also a Canadian Tire version of the tool which is cheaper )
2) You can buy an Easy-out tool and drill a hole in the bolt and ease it out.
When unscrewing a rusted bolt use a lot of WD-40 first.
Or
Try the third option
( watch video )
2) You can buy an Easy-out tool and drill a hole in the bolt and ease it out.
When unscrewing a rusted bolt use a lot of WD-40 first.
Or
Try the third option
( watch video )
Unless your riding off road I wouldn't get any suspension, adds weigh and hinders power to the rear wheel….
In terms of efficiency road>city/hybrid>mountain…. get steel or carbon fiber (never aluminum, harshest of rides) or if you have an unlimited budget Titanium….
In terms of efficiency road>city/hybrid>mountain…. get steel or carbon fiber (never aluminum, harshest of rides) or if you have an unlimited budget Titanium….
Front suspension, and seat shock post.
Rear suspension adds too much weight, and it also makes standing acceleration much much slower - because the suspension compresses on your downstroke.
Front suspension helps in maintaining control in pothole ridden city and going over (shi)ttc tracks.
And you can take your seatpost with you when you lockup your bike.
Rear suspension adds too much weight, and it also makes standing acceleration much much slower - because the suspension compresses on your downstroke.
Front suspension helps in maintaining control in pothole ridden city and going over (shi)ttc tracks.
And you can take your seatpost with you when you lockup your bike.
Did you buy anything yet?
Note to those interested: you can get a 1 year Bikeshare membership right now for $42.50, really good deal.
http://bikingtoronto.com/blog/2014/...mbership-for-just-42-50-less-than-half-price/
Actually, cycling commuters are happier!
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/want-t...y-says-ditch-the-car-ride-your-bike-1.1850616
I did not need anything special, just a quality bike. I took the advice given in this thread and checked the Canadian Tire flyer each week. There are always bikes on special. The ones that are $275 or less get discounted $40-70, while the $399 bikes get 50% off. I got a CCM for $199. ( reg. $399 ) It is a hybrid mountain bike with fat smooth tires that are good for bumps and cracks on dry pavement. It has a front suspension, but no back suspension. One thing I must have is the rapid fire gear changes with two levers, once you have that you can not have anything else.
