Bikes - what should I look for?

[Spacealien2]

Good morning fellow terbites.

I'm thinking about buying a bike for riding along bike paths in the york region. I'm a total retard when it comes to getting a bike for what I need so any help would be appreciated. What are the essentials? and where can I get a cheap one?

Thanks

 

[TeasePlease]

For casual riding, get a hybrid or cruiser. You don't need a road bike for speed (and you probably won't find the extreme angles very comfortable). If you're riding paths, you won't need fully suspended mountain bikes (which would have unncessary weight and knobby tires that slow you down anyways).

Something in Trek's Town line? http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/town/

You'll find that some of these cruisers have front suspensions (mostly for comfort). The main thing is that the riding angles are more relaxed than road or mountain bikes, so you'll be more comfortable on longer rides.

For casual riding, you won't need fancy grouppos or disc brakes. Then again, I wouldn't recommend cheap no name stuff from China either. (On that note, avoid Canadian Tire.) Cheap stuff works fine....for a while. Then just breaks. Decent stuff will last years with only basic maintenance. I've got a hardtail MTB with Shimano/Altus components assembled by a local bikemaker. It's lasted 20 years with only 2(!) tuneups.


As for cheap bikes, you can keep an eye out on Craigslist. there's a guy who refurbs bikes in the high park area. He has good stuff on occasion. Silent Sports at Doncaster east of Yonge has swap sales twice a year.

Royal Distributing has the best prices I've seen on Marin bikes. They're up in Barrie. They have deep discounts on new old stock models (2011 or 2012 stuff). http://www.royaldistributing.com/Catalogues/Main/2013-Spring-Fall/m/#98

 

[Frosty]

Just go to any bike store. Tell them exactly what you're going to use the bike for and how much you are willing to spend. Usually you can barter cheaper with cash payment.

 

[Questor]

where can I get a cheap one?

Thanks

I don't recommend a cheap one, but if you must, try Canadian Tire or Toys R Us. They will have the essentials...2 wheels, a frame and a seat, a cheap brake system and a cheap gear shift mechanism. It will be a heavy clunker made out of substandard alloys, it will shift gears roughly, it won't be as enjoyable to ride, it will wear out more quickly, but it will be cheap.

The cruisers will have higher or more more curved handle bars and less distance between the seat and the bars, so that you are sitting more upright. Its more comfortable. The hybrids have bars more forward or lower and more space between bars and seat so that you are leaning forward and lower. That makes for a less wind resistance (you can go faster and farther with less effort) and lowers the center of gravity. That will help with balance and manoeuvrability. That's good if you hit a patch of loose gravel on the trail, or if you have to steer around potholes, etc.

If you go to a bike shop, they can explain this type of thing to you and recommend the bike that would be best for you. If you go to Canadian Tire, you will get a high school kid with a summer job that doesn't know anything about bikes, you will save $100 - $200 and end out with a piece of shit for a bike.

 

[Spacealien2]

Thanks guys!

 

[Dougal Short]

Try the Police Auction...

 

[Goodoer]

Wheels, tires, pedals, gears, chain, seat, frame and handle bars are a must! j/k

Skip Crappy Tire as their bikes are for children. Cyclepath or equivalent store can help. I like what MEC is now offering.