Bicycles!

[guardianfox]

I mentioned in the l request forum the other day that I was looking for a bicycle. Found a nice mountain bike on clearance yesterday and brought it home for just $149 (reg $249). The model was "Blade" and I forget the brand, but it was very solid and it came from sportcheck so they tuned it up and I can come back at any time to get it tuned again for nothing for a year. :) They were even good enough to replace a rim that had a tiny dent in it before they gave it to me. I had to wait around an extra hour for the work, but considering that this bike was a hundred times more beautiful than the crap walmart and zellers had... I didn't mind.

So, here's the heads up. This is about when the sports stores clear out last year's bikes. The price on mine was better than the nearest comparable bike at Walmart, and I'll get tune ups on the cables, brakes, and shocks free.

The other three bikes like the one I bought are reportedly GONE today, so those of you looking for a bike for the summer might want to check out the what the sporting goods stores have while last year's bikes are still there.

[mogwai]

Hey any way you could get the brand of your bikes.. or the parts or a picture up. Also which SportsChek did you go to?
thanks for the heads up

[guardianfox]

Hey any way you could get the brand of your bikes.. or the parts or a picture up. Also which SportsChek did you go to?
thanks for the heads up

http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml?id=prod2833664&fromSpecificCategory=true

This is the one I picked up, an Arashi. Only I got the blue one. I knew it was something foreign sounding. lol. It's quite nice. If you browse the website a little bit, you'll see a bunch of them have "04" and one or two have "03" at the end of their names. Those are previous year's models and their prices have been cut. The original sticker price doesn't show on the website... so you may have to check the store to see how much of a deal any particular model might be.

Sportschek store in Corner Brook, NL... but since the bikes are priced the same on the webpage, I'm guessing you'll find some of the same deals wherever. There were also some bikes that looked like they were manager marked-down because of scratches and chipped paint... but I dont see those on the webpage either.

[mogwai]

cool.. thanks

[TricksX]

Start of season and end of season are the best times to buy bikes. At the end of the 2004 summer season i bought a 2004 Arashi Tread bike for 149. It was originally 300 at the time of purchase, so its a damn good deal. Two weeks later the price went up to 250 and they had a free helmet deal with any adult mountain bike. Being the cheap SOB that i am, i went back and claimed the free helmet (nakamura something).

[Mint]

Do places still sell bikes without shocks?
I'm looking for a bike without shocks. Just a regular old school bike.

[guardianfox]

Do places still sell bikes without shocks?
I'm looking for a bike without shocks. Just a regular old school bike.

Walmart fer sure, I've seen them recently... Zellers too. I would surmise that sport shops like sportchek still keep em around. You're not the only one who feels that way. Try the sport stores first.

[Hugh Jass]

Bike shops carry 'low-end' bikes too !! They will fit you out and take waay better care of you than a large discount store.

[gmark2000]

You get what you pay for. What kind of steel frame? Must weight 35lbs or something.

[Lalchi]

<a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> sells some decent bikes for good price on sale.

Are they as good as the sports shop ones?

[TROY1001]

those bikes look like the weigh a ton. Less weight equals better smoother ride. Spend the extra buck and get a Rocky Mountain or a Specialized. You'll be happy you did. If you intend on rideing on the road you should invest in some slicks. There about $40 each. It's so much better than trying to puch around those heavy off roaders.
Have fun

[Mint]

Walmart fer sure, I've seen them recently... Zellers too. I would surmise that sport shops like sportchek still keep em around. You're not the only one who feels that way. Try the sport stores first.

Yah, i'll try sportchek. Didnt really think of getting one yet, since its still snowy outside, but if this is the time when deals are, i think i'll check it out :D

The ones at walmart/zellers all seem so crappy. havent checked out the local shops either, so i should prob do that too. My old bike is just getting too old.

[spidermoore]

"If you intend on rideing on the road you should invest in some slicks. There about $40 each."

MEC has some slicks for about half that amount.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=669975&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=12779&bmUID=1110465308645

The are probably heavier than the $40 tires though.

[xb0xb0y]

those bikes look like the weigh a ton. Less weight equals better smoother ride. Spend the extra buck and get a Rocky Mountain or a Specialized. You'll be happy you did. If you intend on rideing on the road you should invest in some slicks. There about $40 each. It's so much better than trying to puch around those heavy off roaders.
Have fun

if ppl here are spending only $149 for a bike, i don't think they'll flip the change necessary to get an entry level Rocky Mountain or Specialized for weight savings. you'd be probably looking at $300-500 last i recall.

[Yohan]

You get what you pay for. What kind of steel frame? Must weight 35lbs or something.

Congrats on your deal find, but as the above poster noted "You get what you pay for". I'm sure the bike will be great for riding on regular paved bike paths, but don't expect miracles on off-road trails.

[Fritz the Cat]

My son goes to university and lives downtown Toronto. He rides his bike to school daily (yes in the winter too) and uses it at night. His bikes are purchased with my gold card because they are stolen anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months.

We buy the cheap Sportcheck or <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=133 target=_blank>Sportmart</a> bikes. We have tried many of their styles and have found the same sort term results in all of them.

1If your ride your bike:

1 year service is meaningless if you live downtown and have no superstores within walking distance, because that's what you have to do after you drop off your bike.

your bike will need service shortly and repeatedly, axel bearings poorly made, pedals break off etc.

store technitions are incompetant and out of frustration you will end up using a specialty bike shop before the end of the warranty period

[Mr. Robo]

store technitions are incompetant and out of frustration you will end up using a specialty bike shop before the end of the warranty period

I took my speeder to Eaton Centre - Sportchek to get a tune up on my bike. When I picked it up, I noticed that the cable for the gear shifting was loose. I told the guy when i went back, he told me that it was normal. When I told him, no way. He took my bike in the back and came back and said that's the best they can do. I would rather go an extra mile to the bike shop on John street, the one near Chum building.

[AMD]

Just go to your local bike shop.
In March and April they are seelling off their remaining bikes from the previous season and you can always get good deals.
Go for the good brands. I have two Specialized bikes and very happy with them. They're amazing quality and decently priced.
If you want a Mountain Bike, get a HardRock, you should be able to find one for 300-400$ and its really worth it. I also bought last year a road bike, a Allez (from Specialized also), paid 600$ instead of 1000$ and its just amazing, cruising at 50km/h! :)

[AMD]

Just go to your local bike shop.
In March and April they are seelling off their remaining bikes from the previous season and you can always get good deals.
Go for the good brands. I have two Specialized bikes and very happy with them. They're amazing quality and decently priced.
If you want a Mountain Bike, get a HardRock, you should be able to find one for 300-400$ and its really worth it. I also bought last year a road bike, a Allez (from Specialized also), paid 600$ instead of 1000$ and its just amazing, cruising at 50km/h! :)

Also buying from a specialized bike shop, you get better service and they're gonna fit the bike for your size.

[peppy5]

it's true, you get what you pay for and you also have a greater probability if you buy a more expensive bike, for it to be stolen.

heavy bikes don't matter as much if you are riding on flat terrain but maybe the extra weight will reduce the weight on the body which is always a better trade off.

i've mentioned it before, ride the bike before you buy it to get some idea if it fits. wal-mart brand or some high end trek/giant/bianchi. i'd rather get something that fits than a bike that doesn't that is 10 pounds lighter.

most people buy expensive bikes and ride them 10x a year. might as well buy a cheaper bike and trash it year after year imho. just think, if you ride 10x a year and you don't pull it out after that, it's $50 bucks a ride if you pay $500 for a bike. i know tons of friends that have done that and have even spent more. let's say you keep it over two years, it's still $25 bucks a ride. what a waste of money. it's better to buy a cheaper bike, realize that you enjoy riding and can commit the time to use a more expensive bike and then purchase the higher end bike. then you might have one for commuting to the local store and one for actually going out to ride.

if you are locking up a half decent bike, please try to park it and lock it up inside somewhere away from people seeing it. anything parked in public, i don't care what kind of lock you have, people will steal your seat, brakes, handlebars, deraileurs, pedals etc. hope this doesn't deter people from buying bikes. ;)

[CoffeeAddict]

those bikes look like the weigh a ton. Less weight equals better smoother ride. Spend the extra buck and get a Rocky Mountain or a Specialized. You'll be happy you did. If you intend on rideing on the road you should invest in some slicks. There about $40 each. It's so much better than trying to puch around those heavy off roaders.
Have fun

I wholeheartedly agree.
Spent $1500 on my bike that I pieced together over 2 years through Silent Sports near yonge/steeles and would never go back to a cheap bike. You can even find specializied or rocky mountain bikes used or on sale for under $500

[torontodragon]

Cantire has this week sale of the Supercycle XTI-18DS 18-speed MTB (http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444215 5369&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517511&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517512&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669601&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669601&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1110470360612) for $50 off. If you does not need any service, it would be not a bad bike.

[CoffeeAddict]

i've mentioned it before, ride the bike before you buy it to get some idea if it fits. wal-mart brand or some high end trek/giant/bianchi. i'd rather get something that fits than a bike that doesn't that is 10 pounds lighter.


This is a good point as well. A pro shop will be able to fit you much much much better and will be able to fit you for a bike suitable for your riding style. If you're just a road warrior they'll have something for you that's compeltely different from if you plan to do off-roading at all, or if you plan to do primarily off-roading.

The best bet for the casual rider might in fact be a hybrid bike or a road bike.

[Yohan]

The best bet for the casual rider might in fact be a hybrid bike or a road bike.

Actually the best bet for a casual rider is a mountain bike. They can perform both on and off road which is what the average novice rider will want to do with the bike. Hybrids IMO are useless. Not quite a road bike and no where near a moutain bike. Roads bikes are just that, for the road only.

Ultimately if you are serious into riding, get a dedicated bike for each terrain.

Here are my toys:

For the road:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Maxam/DSC00007.jpg

For the trail:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Maxam/SantaCruzSL3.jpg

[warpdrive]

most people buy expensive bikes and ride them 10x a year. might as well buy a cheaper bike and trash it year after year imho. just think, if you ride 10x a year and you don't pull it out after that, it's $50 bucks a ride if you pay $500 for a bike. i know tons of friends that have done that and have even spent more. let's say you keep it over two years, it's still $25 bucks a ride. what a waste of money. it's better to buy a cheaper bike, realize that you enjoy riding

On the flip side, you can buy a cheap bike, and hate riding it, and not ride it at all. Sometimes it's nice to spend a little bit more, actually really enjoy riding it. I know I had a cheap bike before, and it was just bad, the chain kept falling off due to the wobbly chainwheel, the brakes/rims squealed.

[warpdrive]

Actually the best bet for a casual rider is a mountain bike. They can perform both on and off road which is what the average novice rider will want to do with the bike. Hybrids IMO are useless. Not quite a road bike and no where near a moutain bike. Roads bikes are just that, for the road only.

Ultimately if you are serious into riding, get a dedicated bike for each terrain.


I have to disagree, for around the town riding, I prefer a nonsuspended hybrid. I used to have a Carbon Trek racing bike, did a lot of riding, regularly did longish (century or more) rides, but around town I used my hybrid more. It's still efficient with 700x25C tires, but has a more upright stance which makes it manageable in traffic, and more stable geometry.

So it depends on your needs. If you never plan to go onto trails, a hybrid is the way to go.

[AMD]

Actually the best bet for a casual rider is a mountain bike. They can perform both on and off road which is what the average novice rider will want to do with the bike. Hybrids IMO are useless. Not quite a road bike and no where near a moutain bike. Roads bikes are just that, for the road only.

Ultimately if you are serious into riding, get a dedicated bike for each terrain.



Just for the bragging, here are my bikes!

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/allez16redwh_l.jpg

I also have a HardRock but I can't find a picture as its 5-6 years old!

[guardianfox]

Wow... this thread actually got some attention today. Lol.

Nice to see a healthy argument going.

Personally, I chose a sturdy-looking mountain bike that was cheap. Why? Because I fully intend to do both off-road and on-road activities and I wan't something that can handle both. I could have bought a delicate, light touring bike... Hell, my dad's got an old racing cycle in the garage. But I seriously can't see it putting up with the crap I'll be putting my bike through this summer.

The arashi thing may be heavy... it may be cheap... and it might not be the prettiest thing on the streets. It's not a pro bike, and I'm not a pro.

I'll rest easy knowing that I'm not going to destroy my life savings riding it down the trails... and I'll sacrifice a little street performance to be able to do that.

[ainsane]

I bought a $250 Raleigh Tomahawk before and it never worked well. The chain would always slip and it wasn't a smooth ride.

Last summer I spent a bit more and got an new 03 model Diamondback Topanga. It's great for the price.

http://www.diamondback.com/images/items/MTN_Trail/full/topangablu-f.jpg

[kmltick]

Bottom line is your intended use.

If you plan on doing specialized riding (offroad / road), don't get a cheapy bike... If you intend on using it as a commuter (and you lock it up outside on the street), I wouldn't invest that much into it. You could buy an expensive bike as a commuter, unless you're locking it up inside the house it has a good chance of being stolen.

If you want to kill 2 birds with one stone and get a decent bike for both, just be sure you invest more $ into buying good locks... and I suggest more than 1.

I usually use up to 3 locks when I lock my bike in public, but generally I store all my bikes in the house.

[galanz]

Here are my toys:



Wow, nice Bikes!

I have a Full Carbon Fibre Trek STP300 with XTR etc mountain bike, and an almost full Campy Record Scandium road bike.

http://lanz.ca/IMG/record.jpg

[warpdrive]

Wow, nice Bikes!

I have a Full Carbon Fibre Trek STP300 with XTR etc mountain bike, and an almost full Campy Record Scandium road bike.

Same to you! Nice stuff

I could never justify spending that much on the bike.....unless my last name is Bauer, Lemond or Armstrong.....

I guess there is a lot of bragging rights that go inton buying such a high end bike, but I never found a difference in speed between a $2000 and a $5000 bike. My cycling ability is limited by my genetics, I'm not the fastest rider....and I could never bear being passed by anybody if I had a megabuck bike.

[Yohan]

[QUOTE=galanz]Wow, nice Bikes!

I have a Full Carbon Fibre Trek STP300 with XTR etc mountain bike, and an almost full Campy Record Scandium road bike.
QUOTE]

Those two are pretty impressive bikes as well. What make is the scandium frame?

My road bike is a Merlin Titanium with 2005 10sp campy chorus and FSA team components. I've got it down to about 17 lbs. It hasn't seen the road yet since I just finished building it about 2 weeks agao.

The mountain bike is a full suspension Santa Cruz Superlight (23 lbs) with Full XTR and Mavic Crossmax UST wheels. The Santa Cruz is the first full suspension bike I've ridden competitively. It's night and day comparing it to my old hardtail (KHS Team ST). Sometimes I feel like an old man sitting on a lazy boy going through the trails.. :cheesygri

[Yohan]

but I never found a difference in speed between a $2000 and a $5000 bike.

I'd have to agree with you. Once you get past the $2k or $3k price point the performance gains are minimal, but it's all about the bling.. :cheesygri

[galanz]

Same to you! Nice stuff

I could never justify spending that much on the bike.....unless my last name is Bauer, Lemond or Armstrong.....

I guess there is a lot of bragging rights that go inton buying such a high end bike, but I never found a difference in speed between a $2000 and a $5000 bike. My cycling ability is limited by my genetics, I'm not the fastest rider....and I could never bear being passed by anybody if I had a megabuck bike.

By getting in on some deals, searching for coupons and scouring <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=78 target=_blank>ebay</a> I put together my roadbike for just under $2500 which is a great price for the level of parts I got. The same with the mountain bike, to replace it would cost close to $5000 and I paid under $3000 2 years ago.

But I definitely agree with your point, I took the road bike out last night and felt really slow. I might have to ride my 20 yr old Norco until I get back into shape. :cheesygri

[CJJ25]

a lot of experts here eh?
hehe
yeah i am actually looking for a bike too,
Can Tire has this Supercycle 2100 SD 21spd for sale 129 dunno if it is good also Supercycle XTI-18DS 18-speed MTB for the same price.
anyone noes any good bikes at that price range?
i usually do some biking in the summer. nothing too serious. just some trials in GTA. and use it to pick up stuff locally.

any suggestions? thx

[galanz]

Those two are pretty impressive bikes as well. What make is the scandium frame?

My road bike is a Merlin Titanium with 2005 10sp campy chorus and FSA team components. I've got it down to about 17 lbs. It hasn't seen the road yet since I just finished building it about 2 weeks agao.

The mountain bike is a full suspension Santa Cruz Superlight (23 lbs) with Full XTR and Mavic Crossmax UST wheels. The Santa Cruz is the first full suspension bike I've ridden competitively. It's night and day comparing it to my old hardtail (KHS Team ST). Sometimes I feel like an old man sitting on a lazy boy going through the trails.. :cheesygri

The frame's a Scattante, which is Supergo's house brand. I was little unsure about ordering it, but the price was great and the reviews were very positive. I've only put about 200KM so far but really like it. With pedals and my Polar S510 it's 18.3 lbs. I'd love to get a Merlin they make awesome frames. Chorus is very nice stuff too, works as well as the Record but weighs a couple ounces more. The reason I went with Record is that's all the store sold for Campy. Where'd you get the Merlin?

I really like Santa Cruz's and it sounds like you've got some very nice components as well. Mine's about 23lbs as well, with all XTR(minus crank) and older Crossmax's.

Here's the Mountain Bike with my XTR wheels on it.
http://lanz.ca/IMG/stp.jpg

[TechGuyMTL]

Great thread, guys!

I'm actually looking to buy a new bike for this summer. I plan on using my bike mainly for casual/recreational riding in the city (nothing serious, just some fun). I'm thinking that now's a good time to buy, so I'm going to check out a few of the local bike shops. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a sweet deal on one of last year's models.

Now, I have a few questions for you experts:

1. Should I choose a mountain bike or a hybrid? And why?
2. What bike brands would you recommend?
3. Other than feeling comfortable and being a good fit, is there anythying else in particular that I should be looking for in a new bike?

I prefer bikes with thicker tires (as opposed to the thinner ones that I see on some models). Basically, I want a quality bike that's reliable and comfortable. My maximum price range is set @ $300-$400.

Any feedback is appreciated! :)

[Yohan]

Now, I have a few questions for you experts:

1. Should I choose a mountain bike or a hybrid? And why?

Personally I would choose a mtb over a hybrid since it can handle both city and off-road riding. If you find you are riding in the city more often, then you can swap in a pair of slick tires for lower riding resistance. Parts selections are more widely available for a mtb vs hybrid as well.

2. What bike brands would you recommend?

Any of the major brands (Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher,Giant, etc) will have a good selection for you. I would try to stay away from department store brands. Now is probably a good time to save some money since the 2005 stock in coming in or already in and the local bike shops will try to clear out 2004 stock.

3. Other than feeling comfortable and being a good fit, is there anythying else in particular that I should be looking for in a new bike?

You've nailed to two major ones right on the head. Fit is extremely important. If the store has a super deal on a bike that won't fit you, it doesn't really matter how much you saved you'll never be comfortable on the bike. For mountain bike fitment, stand over/straddle the moutain bike and lift it up from the handlebars and seat until the top tube hits your crotch. The front and rear wheels should be off the floor by about 2 inches for proper fit. If it's more than 3 or 4 inches, it too small and if it's hitting your crotch without even lifting, too big.

Other than that it's personal preference on colours. Components wise you'll see very similar parts on the different manufacturers.


Now is a good time to talk to the store about further discounts if you buy additonal equipment such as locks, helmets, shoes, shorts, etc. If you buy everything at once you get a better discount.

[rhainman]

Some nice bikes!

I have a steel Stumpjumper w/ XT drivetrain/raceface rings/Next LP carbon crank, XTR V's, Judy Race fork, Rhynolite wheels on XT disk hubs and eggbeaters. Built it up myself and love it. Steel is real!

I've also got a Norco Evolve trials bike, which is stock. I may add Magura HS-33's to it to get more stopping power.

[swifferman]

If you buy a bike from a big department store get one that doesn't have rear suspension (the shocks at the back). It'll just make it weigh more and it won't work properly.

[xb0xb0y]

it started from a bike costing $150 to now bikes worth over 2k??? :confused:

my how this thread got hijacked!!! LOL

[CoffeeAddict]

Some nice bikes!

I have a steel Stumpjumper w/ XT drivetrain/raceface rings/Next LP carbon crank, XTR V's, Judy Race fork, Rhynolite wheels on XT disk hubs and eggbeaters. Built it up myself and love it. Steel is real!

I've also got a Norco Evolve trials bike, which is stock. I may add Magura HS-33's to it to get more stopping power.

I have an ancient setup but I thought it was pretty sweet for its time

Custom made (for someone else's body lol) rocky mountain steel frame leftover from their team olympic trials for the very first olympic medal race (red and yellow theme with flying maple leafs). Picked it up for around $600 I think which was probably too much but I bought it more for personal collecting reasons than anything else, and the geometry was close to my own body type. It's a hardtail and I never did buy a suspension fork for it... ran outta money.

- One-of-a-kind pre-production Kore stem in bright yellow
- Pre-production Aheadset
- STR/XT/XTR combo drivetrain (I was trying to move from STR to a complete XTR package but never made it that far)
- Cheap ass rims lol
- Michelin tires... first year they came out. Still happy with them now
- Race Face cranks in red anodized alum
- shimano clipless system... can't remember which model
- one of a kind shimano embroidered kevlar/leather seat given as a gift to my counsin-in-law when he worked for shimano

edit: STX not STR... been playing too much WoW

[guardianfox]

it started from a bike costing $150 to now bikes worth over 2k??? :confused:

my how this thread got hijacked!!! LOL

It's a big subject. Bicycles, though we dont use them as much as some other countries... come in a pretty wide variety. It's good to see a fair discussion on it... Perhaps someone will get something out of it? All I really wanted to do was remind people that the summer is on the way and that now's a good time to get some of the toys for it.

There's a few different levels of seriousness when it comes to bicycles. A $2k + bike prolly isn't right for you if it'll just end up packed in the attic next to the stairmaster... I know a guy who a king's ransom on matching bikes for him and his wife... rode them once... and sold the pair a year later at their yard sale for fifty bucks. It'd have been better for those two to buy wal-mart bikes to see how they'd like it first.

I'm not a serious cyclist... thus I dont need an expensive pro bike. The $150 bike I bought fit nicely into my price-range and it had all the basic features I needed/wanted. If I didn't know what my cycling habits were already, I'd probably have opted for an even cheaper basic 18 speed at a department store, maybe the $75-$100 range.

If I just a little were more serious, or if I lived in a place where I had more summer... I'd probably opt between $250-500 or a little more for a lighter frame and better quality parts... If I were REALLY serious and wanted to run races or BMX competitions... I'd go in the thousands of dollers... but in real life, I've not paid that much even for a car. lol.

Oh, and for you serious bike nuts... try a visit to Newfoundland for some good cycling. The Corner Brook Triathalon is a great run... and a huge challenge. We've also got lots of great cross-country routes.

[fitbrit]

My ride (in silver/black and 20" frame)
http://www.raleigh-canada.ca/images/products/bigbikes/SENTINEL_big.jpg

[warpdrive]

Great thread, guys!

I'm actually looking to buy a new bike for this summer. I plan on using my bike mainly for casual/recreational riding in the city (nothing serious, just some fun). I'm thinking that now's a good time to buy, so I'm going to check out a few of the local bike shops. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a sweet deal on one of last year's models.

Now, I have a few questions for you experts:

1. Should I choose a mountain bike or a hybrid? And why?
2. What bike brands would you recommend?
3. Other than feeling comfortable and being a good fit, is there anythying else in particular that I should be looking for in a new bike?

I prefer bikes with thicker tires (as opposed to the thinner ones that I see on some models). Basically, I want a quality bike that's reliable and comfortable. My maximum price range is set @ $300-$400.

Any feedback is appreciated! :)

I prefer a Hybrid myself as they just feel lighter, and more efficient. As I said before, I used to ride a $2000 racing bike heavily, but now I do less riding so the hybrid is the next best thing without slowing me down a whole lot on smooth roads while providing me some comfort due to a less twitchy steering and upright position in traffic. My hybrid weighs 22.5 lbs, which is a lot lighter than most mountain bikes.

If you expect to be rough with your bike (going over potholes instead of around them), then a front suspension mountain bike with a tire swap is a best bet. If you don't expect to go onto trails, have the bike shop swap out the knobby tires right away for more general purpose city ones....as those big knobby tires will just slow you down on roads.

Stick with the brands you can get in bike shops. Trek, Marin, Norco, Giant, Mikado are all brands that are sold in bike stores and all make good products. To be honest, in each price range, most bikes are comparable, and it's more important to get a size that fits you. A $400 Trek is comparable to a $400 Giant etc. Just choose a bike shop that lets you test ride them and observes you riding (I would walk away from any bike shop that doesn't take the time and effort to fit you properly)

[Indeed]

I got a specialized hardrock bike as part of a package with the 03 crv. Is it really worth $500 as the dealer claimed? don't know nothing about bicycles. :confused:

[Hugh Jass]

I got a specialized hardrock bike as part of a package with the 03 crv. Is it really worth $500 as the dealer claimed? don't know nothing about bicycles. :confused:

Sounds about the manufacturers retail price. Very decent bike.

[edgar]

to reiterate what has been said in this thread

for the love of god, go to an actual bike shop to buy your bike. The previously mentioned Silent Sports used to be my local bike shop and those guys were always awesome. A bike from an actual bike shop will actually fit you, making it not only a better ride, but a safer one at that. <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> one size fits all, doesn't fit anyone right. Not to mention a decent entry level bike is made with infinitely better and safer parts and is put together right. From what I remember, entry level bikes from bike shops start at about $250 for something reasonable. It will weigh under 30lbs, ride decently well, and perform well.

[Turbo944]

I pay beetween 1500 and 3000$ for my bikes but I keep them for 10 years and they're still like new. I would never, never, never look back. It's one of the rare expensive purchase that won't make you regret your choice after 2 or 3 years unlike computer stuff, a car or misc electronics.

My latest toy was a custom made Guru bike 3 years ago and after 12 000 km it still rides like the day I bought it. My 2 cents...

[rhainman]

to reiterate what has been said in this thread

for the love of god, go to an actual bike shop to buy your bike. The previously mentioned Silent Sports used to be my local bike shop and those guys were always awesome. A bike from an actual bike shop will actually fit you, making it not only a better ride, but a safer one at that. <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> one size fits all, doesn't fit anyone right. Not to mention a decent entry level bike is made with infinitely better and safer parts and is put together right. From what I remember, entry level bikes from bike shops start at about $250 for something reasonable. It will weigh under 30lbs, ride decently well, and perform well.


I will also vouch for Silent Sports. Good guys to deal with. I bought my first real mountain bike (a Thin Blue Line Tornado) back in the day and I got a great bike for a great price. I also bought my trials bike from them, and their list price was almost $100 below the selling price of other bike shops. I'd recommend them if you want a fair price!

[markreda]

I just called Peddal Performance and McBride Bicycle and they have some good deals on their remaining 04 bikes.

I picked up an 04 Norco Bushpilot this week and got a pretty good deal on it.

[TechGuyMTL]

Thanks to all of you for the great bike advice!

I'll be starting my bike shopping this week. Wish me luck!

[Sceptor]

Thanks for a great thread...good insights.

Bump...for others who are interested in riding this summer :)

[TechGuyMTL]

Okay guys, I still need your help. Can't decide between a hybrid or a mountain bike! I can see myself riding both types of bike!

I noticed that Norco has 2 bike types of interest: Comfort vs. Comfort Hybrid. I'd appreciate it if you savvy people could take a look at these Norco bikes and tell me what you think:

http://norco.com/05/2005bikes/comfort.php
http://norco.com/05/2005bikes/hybrids.php

Forget the ones over $400 CDN. The Plateau and Yorkville models look interesting. What do you guys think of the specs?

Also, can you recommend other models from other manufacturers that are within the $300-$400 price range? Please post links if possible.

You guys are great, thanks!

[sledbc]

Buying a bike from walmart/cdn tire/sportcheck etc...is comparable to buying your computer from MDG....

I have a 10 year old Kona Munimula and its still as good as the day I bought it, I love it, i paid 1400 for it, and another 400 for the best clipless pedals and shoes I could buy at the time. when it came time to buy my wife a bike, i bought her a middle of the line Kona as well for around 700 bucks......its been great for 5 years and rarely needs a tune up, always works well when she wants to go for a ride.

If you actually want to ride your bike, and enjoy doing so, dont buy no-name crap

[prod]

I just got one for my girlfriend, the Specialized Expedition. The '04s were ~$550, now marked to $450. You might be able to bargain down around $400.
Great bike, similar to their Crossroads. Expedition has 26" all-terrain tires while the Crossroads has 700C semi-slicks. Acera rear, decent components, nice frame, suspension forks and seatpost, adjustable angle stem. Both seem very good comfort bikes.

[Daijoubu]

You also have higher chance of getting your 2k bike stolen :D

[warpdrive]

Okay guys, I still need your help. Can't decide between a hybrid or a mountain bike! I can see myself riding both types of bike!

I noticed that Norco has 2 bike types of interest: Comfort vs. Comfort Hybrid. I'd appreciate it if you savvy people could take a look at these Norco bikes and tell me what you think:



They look fine to me. The comfort ones tend to be gear toward very casual riders, I think the Hybrid models will be more general purpose.

If you intend to ride on a lot of gravelly or rough paths, then a mountain bike is well worth getting, otherwise stick with a hybrid. Again consider changing out the tire for a moderately aggressive tire if you get a mountain bike and plan to do a lot of road riding

My friend just bought a Giant Cypress, it was less than $400 IIRC. They also have the Sedona line which has dirt tires.

http://www.giantbicycle.com/cn/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp

[Daijoubu]

How are these bikes?
http://ptprophecy.com/daij/desperado.jpg

http://ptprophecy.com/daij/adventure.jpg
Link: http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/pavement/adventure.shtml

Made in China, Shimano Tourney derailleur, alu frame...worth the money?

Edit: For some reason, I can't find the Desperado on that website

[baymoe]

Those bikes look great for the price.

[zepperdude]

What about good plain simple single-speed bikes? How come we don't see them anymore?

[CoffeeAddict]

Sweetest stock single speeds or enclosed-gearing design bikes on the planet IMHO

http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_category.php?id=50

[Senor Kaboom]

Thanks to OP. My ten year old will be thrilled with his birthday present.

[Daijoubu]

http://ptprophecy.com/daij/desperado.jpg
Just got it, 21 speed, 6061 aluminium frame, Shimano EZ-Fire shifters, Tourney rear derailleur, RST Omni 181 C5 front shocks, Kenda tires

Componments looks entry level, let hope it has a good frame :o

[guest10586]

If you need a lock PM me.

[mingcourt]

Do places still sell bikes without shocks?
I'm looking for a bike without shocks. Just a regular old school bike.

why would you want a bike w/o shocks? i have one... and it sucks! its such a bumpy ride, why would you want that? hurts your rear.

[CJJ25]

I bought a $250 Raleigh Tomahawk before and it never worked well. The chain would always slip and it wasn't a smooth ride.

Last summer I spent a bit more and got an new 03 model Diamondback Topanga. It's great for the price.

http://www.diamondback.com/images/items/MTN_Trail/full/topangablu-f.jpg


wow your bike looks really nice ! i'd like to buy one of em lol, any idea where i can get something like that? n p.s wats the price on these? i dont wanna spend more than 300 on a bike....hehehe

[dasurge]

Does anyone know of any good deals on in the GVRD?

I'm looking for something in the 300-500 range after taxes, and while I use(d) my bike daily for commuting, I'm certainly not gentle on it.

Shocks would be awesome, but since I've never had them, I can't say I'd miss them.

So, if you know of any great bike shops or great deals on now, please post now or send me a PM. I gotta get on a bike in this awesome weather, and my current (Sears :cry: ) bike is officially dead.

[Magoomba]

Does anyone know of any good deals on in the GVRD?

I'm looking for something in the 300-500 range after taxes, and while I use(d) my bike daily for commuting, I'm certainly not gentle on it.

Shocks would be awesome, but since I've never had them, I can't say I'd miss them.

So, if you know of any great bike shops or great deals on now, please post now or send me a PM. I gotta get on a bike in this awesome weather, and my current (Sears :cry: ) bike is officially dead.

I'm in the same boat as you. Only want to spend $250-$350. Will be riding casually around town. Around Stanley Park, to Granville Island, etc.

Any suggestions would be awesome!

[hot_potato]

Does anyone know of any good deals on in the GVRD?

I'm looking for something in the 300-500 range after taxes, and while I use(d) my bike daily for commuting, I'm certainly not gentle on it.

Shocks would be awesome, but since I've never had them, I can't say I'd miss them.

So, if you know of any great bike shops or great deals on now, please post now or send me a PM. I gotta get on a bike in this awesome weather, and my current (Sears :cry: ) bike is officially dead.

Try the cyclepath for bikes in that price range. When I used to live out there I got a beater bike for about $330 (it was their own house brand, I think they were called maxam?).. anyways, pretty good for daily use riding around town. I'm sure it was a lot better than anything from canadian tire at the time.. Good luck!

[JF Ryan]

I got a mountain bike at SportMart for $100.00 - saved about 20% using the entertainment.com coupon and the bike was already on sale. You could use the coupon on sale items!!!

[baymoe]

There's a pretty nicely priced Ironhorse Desperado front suspension bike on sale at Sportchek for $529. Rock Shox Judy fork, alloy frame, disc brakes (front and rear) and alivio rear derailleur. Only one left at Markville mall.

[Daijoubu]

There's a pretty nicely priced Ironhorse Desperado front suspension bike on sale at Sportchek for $529. Rock Shox Judy fork, alloy frame, disc brakes (front and rear) and alivio rear derailleur. Only one left at Markville mall.
Rock Shox Judy, looks like to be the 2002 model?
I got the 2004 (or so, I beleive) with RST fork, Alu 6061, linear pull and crappy tourney for 250$ @ Sports Experts :lol:

[Marc L]

Lots of good points being made here. I bought a new bike last spring after my wife comandeered mine. Here's my 2cents.

I bought an Arashi Vertical on sale at Sportchek.

1. It weighs a ton, but I don't care. It gets me where I'm going comfortably.

2. It didn't cost 2K, so I didn't spend big bucks on a lock. It's not an expensive bike, so I don't sweat it when I park it out of sight.

3. Riding is more important than bragging rights. If you're not going to ride regularly what's the point of buying any bike? Work it into your chores like going to the library or shopping for small items. I see a lot of nice bikes permanently parked in garages around here.

4. Full front and back suspension is worth it!

5. Lesson Learned: It's hard to find accessories that fit a Y Frame bike. Next time I would buy a full suspension traditional frame. Ironhorse has one.

6. If you are a serious mountain bike kind of guy/gal by all means empty your bank account and buy the best. It's a personal choice. Just stop telling me I need a light weight big money bike. I don't.

End of rant. :lol:

[warpdrive]

4. Full front and back suspension is worth it!

...

Just stop telling me I need a light weight big money bike. I don't.

End of rant. :lol:


No quite dude.

1) Saying you don't need a lightweight bike is kind of silly. If you ride enough, you'll appreciate the efficiency of saving a few extra pounds on the bike. You can go longer and farther when you need to.
2) full suspension is a complete waste for most riders, it's very heavy too...see #1
3) it's better to go for a hardtail (front suspension only) bike and *for the same money* get a better quality frame and components instead.
4) one buy a bike at a real bike shop instead of Canadian Tire/Sportchek type specials, much better chance of getting one that fits (especially if you are above or below average in body size). They will typically have better components and the bike will be adjusted properly.
5) the price difference between a bike store bike and a Canadian Tire bike is minimal, you don't have to spend $$$, but there is a huge difference between a $300 bike store bike versus a $250 Canadian Tire bike in terms of quality of bike. You'll lose some features such as full suspension or disc brakes, but the quality of the bike is so much better.
6) I'm not advocating spending big money on a bike, a good brand name bike starts around $300. As you move up in price, the quality and lightness goes up, but $300 is about the starting point for a brand name bike at a local bike shop.

[BMR]

Excellent Topic, Need Advice:

Many of you have said to go to a bike store and that is exacty what I did 5 years ago and purchased a Specialized Hardrock Mountainbike for about $475 at bike depot. It has been a pretty good bike ( some problems with brakes and a bad pedal arm ) but now is in need of some service. I took it in to bike depot at yonge and steeles and was told the following:

New brakes
New shifter
tune up
spokes tightened and realigned
new chain
new rear sprocket
new front tire
new pedal arm

When the guy was done working it out he came up with a price of somewhere between $220 and $350 depending upon options that I chose.

Now for the most part I have rode this bike on the road and to some extent on easy trails for the past 2 years and some lite riding for the first 3 years. Many of you say your $500 and above bikes are in great shape after many years but it certainly does not seem so in my case. The bike store says why not buy another specialized hardrock off them for $475 and keep this as a second bike. Needless to say I am not happy about this.

A $500 bike I would have thought, would hold up much better than this over the years ??

Should I repair this bike?? Buy another bike ??


Side note: All the bike stores claim they will give you a good trade in on your mountain bike toward the purchase of another. Two different shops offered me $75 for this bike off the purchase of one of their bikes. Not very promising for a "Quality" $500 Specialized bike is it.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

enough talk about the specs and other high-tech gadgets... most important thing is to get a chance to enjoy what u have!!

cant wait for the weather to warm up so i get outside and go biking again.

[warpdrive]

Excellent Topic, Need Advice:

Many of you have said to go to a bike store and that is exacty what I did 5 years ago

Any bike, no matter HOW expensive has things that wear out, and any kind of trail riding is hard on a bike. Things wear out, whether you spend $300 or $3000. Many of the things that broke may have just worn due to use. Did you get the bike tuned up every year? Doing so is preventative maintenance and is necessary to avoid problems down the road. Brakes, if not cleaned, and inspected may go out of alignment and cause damage. If the gears aren't adjusted, stretching and grinding may cause the gear cluster wear. Did you clean the bike drivetrain regularly to prevent dirt buildup? Lastly, no matter how nice the bike, there is a potential for a lemon. We bought a $1700 bike recently (it happened to be a Specialized too), and it was assembled with a wrong spec bottom bracket....so manufacturing glitches do occur...just like you can spend $80000 for a Lexus which is unreliable.

[Daijoubu]

Indeed, if you choose to buy a bike, whether or not from a LBS or a chain store, be prepared to learn how to maintain it yourself
A more expensive bike requier less maintenance but not none, cables do stretch and you'll have to adjust your derailleurs and brakes from time to time

So, don't wait until it's broken to fix it ;) Preventions saves you money

[Slimfast]

I'm looking for a comfortable bike just to ride in urban areas. What can you reccommend for $200-300 or maybe even $400 if its really nice. Nothing fancy...just comfy! Thanks!

[penf]

Excellent Topic, Need Advice:

New brakes
New shifter
tune up
spokes tightened and realigned
new chain
new rear sprocket
new front tire
new pedal arm



I think you are being taken for a ride, if you really did light riding.

New brakes - why? Brake pads are dirt cheap at MEC.
New shifter - why? With light riding, this doesn't make sense, unless you abused it or jammed it up.
Tune up, ok.
Spokes tightened and re-aligned - unless you have some exotic spokes, you just need to tighten loose spokes with a spoke wrench, lightly squeeze spokes to remove any stuck spokes, etc. Re-aligning rims is usually simple if they are not badly dinged. Nothing difficult, unless your rims are very out of alignment, 5 minutes. You can probably Google for instructions.
New chain - does your chain sag that much?
Rear sprocket - can you visually see extensive wear? Does it affect shifting? After only a few years of mostly light road riding, I doubt there is much wear unless your chain was sandy all the time.
Front tire - tires wear out. You can find cheap tires at MEC, and sometimes closeouts online.
Cranks (the "pedal arms") - why? Are they cracked? If they are cracked, that suggests very hard riding or manufacturing defect. If its a defect, you can call the manufacturer and there is a good chance they will replace them for free.

[dasurge]

It seems there's no more good sales in the GVRD =(.

However, I've found 2 1/2 models that I like and fit in my budget, and wanted some advice from those more knowledgable than myself.

Here are my options


Trek 820 - $329 (http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Hardtail/Steel/820/index.php)
Trek 3700 - $399 (http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Hardtail/Alpha_Aluminum/3700/index.php)
Marin Pioneer Trail - $450 (http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2005/html/bikes/bike_specs/specs_pioneer_trail.html)


The first two are identical, except that the 820 has a steel frame while the other has aluminum. The Marin seems slightly lighter than the Trek bikes, and offers adjustable front shocks (ie harder or softer).

I'm coming from a Sears Free Spirit bike, and want to try something decent. These are in my price range, with the Marin stepping a bit over (ideally $300 - 400). If the Marin is significantly better, I'm willing to bite the bullet up to $450.

Most of my riding is road riding, with some trail riding for fun. The standard tires on the Marin seem ideal for this, smooth in the centre with more grip towards the edges.

Any advice/comments/better prices will be very appreciated. :cheesygri

Thank you!

[850T]

If you don't mind going over the border, this maybe a good one.
K2 Zed 1.0 - 04 Closeout
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/47926310.htm?vcat=OUTLET_SSHP_CYCLING_SA
$230USD and you get something that's equivalent to a bike that costs ~$400CAD here.

Just ride the bike over the weekend and bring it over, tax free :-0

[jande9]

The best advice everybody has given here is, Go to a bike shop.

Don't go to department stores, sports superstores, hardware stores etc if you want a decent bike.

Bikes are like a commodity. Similar quality bikes will be similarly priced. Those $199.00 bikes with full suspension only look like a real bike. In two years you will have a bike with a really heavy fork that is frozen and does not bounce. It will be nasty to ride, shift poorly and be just no fun.

Expect to pay around $400. for a mountain/hybrid with no suspension. This will get you a no-frills but decent bike that will last for years. Spend $50 for a seat post shock absorber that will make the bike more comfortable to ride. Even the racers use these on their practise bikes.

Front suspension should add about another $150. For city riding you don't need it but it is nice for off road.

Don't bother with rear suspension unless you really know you need it. Rear suspension soaks up a lot of pedalling energy.

Paying more than this will get you a lighter bike with lighter and stronger components, up to maybe $1000. Higher than this you are entering into the zone of diminishing returns, where a large price increase results in only a small improvement. You will get a lighter bike, but also one that is not as durable.

Most bike frames are made of aluminum these days, but don't be afraid of steel. Equivalent quality frames made of steel are only a few ounces heavier than aluminum, and a good steel frame is lighter than a mediocre aluminum one. Aluminum frames tend to fail from metal fatigue after 10 years or so, I've heard, and they tend to be very stiff, while steel frames will last for many years with care, and they give a springier ride. If you do go for steel, make sure it is chrome-moly for all the tubes including seat stays and the fork, and that the main tubes are double butted.

Have the bike shop fit the frame and handlebars properly, try out different seats until you find one you like, change the gearing to suit your personal strength and anticipated hills, install tires to suit your use, and then enjoy many years of service from a reliable and trustworthy machine.

If you do not want to spend $400 on a new machine, do your homework and try to pick up a decent used bike. One way to check the quality of a bike is to familiarize yourself with the different derailleurs. They all come from Shimano (almost) and they give a good idea of the bike's quality level. LX and XT will be on the best bikes, Alivio on the medium quality, and S.I.S on the low quality. Avoid those.

This advice pertains to adult bikes, where you will be using them for many years. For kids bikes, shop where you like. They will only get a couple of years out of them, leave them out in the rain, and drop them on the sidewalk anyways. It doesn't pay to spend too much.

[MizTEcK]

The best advice everybody has given here is, Go to a bike shop.

Don't go to department stores, sports superstores, hardware stores etc if you want a decent bike.

Bikes are like a commodity. Similar quality bikes will be similarly priced. Those $199.00 bikes with full suspension only look like a real bike. In two years you will have a bike with a really heavy fork that is frozen and does not bounce. It will be nasty to ride, shift poorly and be just no fun.

Expect to pay around $400. for a mountain/hybrid with no suspension. This will get you a no-frills but decent bike that will last for years. Spend $50 for a seat post shock absorber that will make the bike more comfortable to ride. Even the racers use these on their practise bikes.

Front suspension should add about another $150. For city riding you don't need it but it is nice for off road.

Don't bother with rear suspension unless you really know you need it. Rear suspension soaks up a lot of pedalling energy.

Paying more than this will get you a lighter bike with lighter and stronger components, up to maybe $1000. Higher than this you are entering into the zone of diminishing returns, where a large price increase results in only a small improvement. You will get a lighter bike, but also one that is not as durable.

Most bike frames are made of aluminum these days, but don't be afraid of steel. Equivalent quality frames made of steel are only a few ounces heavier than aluminum, and a good steel frame is lighter than a mediocre aluminum one. Aluminum frames tend to fail from metal fatigue after 10 years or so, I've heard, and they tend to be very stiff, while steel frames will last for many years with care, and they give a springier ride. If you do go for steel, make sure it is chrome-moly for all the tubes including seat stays and the fork, and that the main tubes are double butted.

Have the bike shop fit the frame and handlebars properly, try out different seats until you find one you like, change the gearing to suit your personal strength and anticipated hills, install tires to suit your use, and then enjoy many years of service from a reliable and trustworthy machine.

If you do not want to spend $400 on a new machine, do your homework and try to pick up a decent used bike. One way to check the quality of a bike is to familiarize yourself with the different derailleurs. They all come from Shimano (almost) and they give a good idea of the bike's quality level. LX and XT will be on the best bikes, Alivio on the medium quality, and S.I.S on the low quality. Avoid those.

This advice pertains to adult bikes, where you will be using them for many years. For kids bikes, shop where you like. They will only get a couple of years out of them, leave them out in the rain, and drop them on the sidewalk anyways. It doesn't pay to spend too much.
the bike i got for 15 bux at a garage sale has lasted me about 6 years :cheesygri

[warpdrive]

It seems there's no more good sales in the GVRD =(.

However, I've found 2 1/2 models that I like and fit in my budget, and wanted some advice from those more knowledgable than myself.

Here are my options


For bang for buck, I would say go for the Aluminum Trek....and if you want a more road suited tire, ask the bike shop whether they will swap out the tire for a smoother tire for no-or-minimal charge. If not, then go for the Marin

[Slimfast]

is Marin a good bike brand?
also: are disc brakes worth it?

[SiR001]

Check out Dizzy Cycles on 4th and Burrard...great service, selection, prices and quality bikes.

Or another small shop is Edmund's Cycle..small shop but friendly people.


Does anyone know of any good deals on in the
GVRD?

I'm looking for something in the 300-500 range after taxes, and while I use(d) my bike daily for commuting, I'm certainly not gentle on it.

Shocks would be awesome, but since I've never had them, I can't say I'd miss them.

So, if you know of any great bike shops or great deals on now, please post now or send me a PM. I gotta get on a bike in this awesome weather, and my current (Sears :cry: ) bike is officially dead.

[CSR]

Assuming your bike was $500, $75 back or 15% is fairly good i would say.. how much do you expect them to sell a used bike for? Not much... and they also have to repair and tune up ur bike to good working condition...Excellent Topic, Need Advice:

Many of you have said to go to a bike store and that is exacty what I did 5 years ago and purchased a Specialized Hardrock Mountainbike for about $475 at bike depot. It has been a pretty good bike ( some problems with brakes and a bad pedal arm ) but now is in need of some service. I took it in to bike depot at yonge and steeles and was told the following:

New brakes
New shifter
tune up
spokes tightened and realigned
new chain
new rear sprocket
new front tire
new pedal arm

When the guy was done working it out he came up with a price of somewhere between $220 and $350 depending upon options that I chose.

Now for the most part I have rode this bike on the road and to some extent on easy trails for the past 2 years and some lite riding for the first 3 years. Many of you say your $500 and above bikes are in great shape after many years but it certainly does not seem so in my case. The bike store says why not buy another specialized hardrock off them for $475 and keep this as a second bike. Needless to say I am not happy about this.

A $500 bike I would have thought, would hold up much better than this over the years ??

Should I repair this bike?? Buy another bike ??


Side note: All the bike stores claim they will give you a good trade in on your mountain bike toward the purchase of another. Two different shops offered me $75 for this bike off the purchase of one of their bikes. Not very promising for a "Quality" $500 Specialized bike is it.

[bosephus]

Here's an offtopic question... Would any of the experienced bike riders suggest getting some kind of a mask for your mouth and nose to filter out the dust/exhaust fumes? Is there such a thing? And is it necessary?

I'm only asking this, because I'm thinking of purchasing a bike to ride to work during the summer months (smoggy) to save money on gas & energy.

Thanks,

B.

[warpdrive]

is Marin a good bike brand?
also: are disc brakes worth it?

I own a Marin and have no complaints.

Disc brakes are worth it if you ride in conditions that warrant it. They are heavier and you do have to pay attention to them. I think disc brakes start to be worth it when you get into bikes costing above $600

[Thundercloud]

why would you want a bike w/o shocks? i have one... and it sucks! its such a bumpy ride, why would you want that? hurts your rear.

If it hurts your rear, you might want to put more weight on the paddles before you hit a bump!

Low end forks are useless and weight a ton, a pair of $15 padded bicycle gloved absorbs more shocks than my RST fork.

Furthermore, dual suspension bikes may look like a real deal at $150 (TWO suspensions for the price of one!) But in reality, all that rear shock does is add 20 pounds (crude extimation) onto your bike (requires special frame geometry, which probably makes the frame weight an extra 40% [I'm just gussing!] + the weight of the extra steel shocks).

If anyone is going to buy a ~$200 bike from sportchek/wallmart/zellars, here are something I've learnt after doing some researches:

1) Do not buy dual suspension bikes. - They weight too much and the suspensions don't do much! The less suspensions a bike has the better it is for cheap bikes.
2) Look for aluminum frames. - Low end steel frames tend to be crap and extremely heavy.
3) Look for shimano components on your derailer and shifter. - no point in getting a 18 speed mountain bike when you can't even use 15 of them.
4) Look for bent wheels or chain rings. My sportchek bike has a bent chain ring and it couldn't be fixed. Now my chain grinds against the front derailleur all the time at highest/lowest geear.
5) If you're just going to just ride the bike to school, then get a bike with less aggressive prosture (ie saddle lower than handle bar). Wearing a heavy backpack while riding a mountain bike can kill your lower spine. And see if you can get slick tires, they're less bumpy on pavement and go faster.
6) If you're going to spend more than $250 on a bike, go to a specialty store. They probably have bikes in that price range.
7) Most of the time, those bikes you buy from box stores are not safe! Make sure you look it over, make sure the brakes work, make sure the chain doesn't fall out, make sure the wheels are tight (doesn't wobble side to side, very dangerous if it does), make sure the bike fits the rider (check height of seat and handle bar) and such.
8) Repairs will cost a lot. Tubes will get punchured by grass, wheel will bent when you get off the sidewalk, components will rust. I'm exaggerating though, may take between a month to a year before that happens.

If I havne't scared your enough yet, read this:
http://www.bikesrnottoys.com/

However, if you don't care about how fast you can go, how long you can ride for, how steep a hill you can climb, how comfortable your bike is, how safe it is, and how long it'll last; ignore everything I've said above.

Bottom line is you want to get a bike that you'll enjoy riding so that you'll hopefully find riding fun and keep doing it for years to come. It's a very healthy activity you know.

[swifferman]

Here's an offtopic question... Would any of the experienced bike riders suggest getting some kind of a mask for your mouth and nose to filter out the dust/exhaust fumes? Is there such a thing? And is it necessary?

I'm only asking this, because I'm thinking of purchasing a bike to ride to work during the summer months (smoggy) to save money on gas & energy.

Thanks,

B.

Necessary? Probably not. It's not like you absorb more fumes riding a bike as opposed to walking. It's probably useful, but not anymore on a bike then it would be if you were just standing outside. Unless of course you're breathing directly behind an idle car.


Also, that guy with all the repairs for the hardrock is probably being taken for a ride. If your eally have been riding it easy, there's no way it should require all that stuff unless you've been leaving it out in the rain and snow.


Also, higher end bikes by no means have less maintenance. Their parts are more costly and as a result are hella more complicated. This creates a heck of a lot more things to go wrong. They might not necessarily be stronger either because those Canadian tire suspension forks are bricks. Solid steel. Nearly impossible to break doing just riding but the more expensive forks use lighter alloys which aren't as strong but are better for speed.

For those of you looking at $300 bikes, look at the city and bike path bikes. Or hybrid/comfort bikes. They will offer you good reliability and speed at a reasonable price.

www.trekbikes.com has prices and hybrid bikes but remember the prices are US MSRP.

[whey]

thnx for da headsup

[Slimfast]

I got my eyes set on the kona lana'i. My local bike shop has it for $400. What does norco have that's comparable?

[dasurge]

I'm considering getting my bike at Cap's bikes here in the lower mainland. Does anyone have much to say about them, positive or negative?

Free service for a year and then halfprice thereafter seems pretty good, but I realize this likely means a higher initial price.

Any comments?

[SiR001]

I'm considering getting my bike at Cap's bikes here in the lower mainland. Does anyone have much to say about them, positive or negative?

Free service for a year and then halfprice thereafter seems pretty good, but I realize this likely means a higher initial price.

Any comments?

all small shops are good ..most have been around for a long time... what you can do is check their price and give some shops like JohnHenryBikes.com and Dizzy Cycles etc for pricing, they are usually pretty close. The lower end bikes are usually the same price and can't be discounted too much as they have limited markup compared to higher end bikes, it's when you get a 800+ bike that you can bargain a little more.