Bicycle recommendation needed (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Sparkle]

Looking for something to tool around the park/levee with kids. Looking for a basic mountain(ish) bike. Pure road bike is not really an option given NOLA potholes, etc.

Any ideas?

 

[CT Saints Fan]

If that's all you need, don't go to a bike store. You can get what you need at Target for 1/3 the price.

 

[buzd]

Craigslist. I've bought 4 bikes that way (we keep them in the garage for guests, riding to jazz fest, etc).

 

[gaminerie]

i bought a Specialized Hard Rock, because that's what i saw the bike couriers using here.

i'd definitely get a look at what the TRAX guys are using there, because they must not only handle monster road conditions, but also be Not Uncomfortable, and reasonable to maintain.

Then, check out craigslist, or Joe's on Tulane. i got a real nice used Mongoose from Adam's near S. Claiborne (behind Frostop, across from Kokopelli's) but i don't know if any of those places are open anymore.

 

[keepoursaints]

 

[jrdbrn]

My fiances parents have a pair of Schwin mountain bikes and they are so smooth. First time riding one this weekend and they were very comfortable to ride. Not sure what they paid, but I am sure they were a pretty penny.

 

[gaminerie]

The Schwinn is a good bike just for cruising. It's much heavier than your general hybrid road/trail bike though.

Schwinn cruisers run from about $200 to $400, they felt a little heavy to get up on my bike rack. They are also SUPER attractive to thieves.

Giant makes a good comfort-bike range, it's called the Sedona.

 

[Ted]

this is what I got to ride with the kids:

it's a Trek Sole Ride 300. it's perfect for tooling around - very comfortable

 

[keepoursaints]

cut costs on the bike and get you a pimpin' bike helmet

 

[CT Saints Fan]

This is the best accessory in my neighborhood.

 

[keepoursaints]

This is the best accessory in my neighborhood.

I gotta get me one of those for sure. Sure makes more sense than the old child seats that sat off the back end of the seat.

 

[covingtondog]

this is what I got to ride with the kids:

it's a Trek Sole Ride 300. it's perfect for tooling around - very comfortable

Heh...Ted = 90.

 

[CT Saints Fan]

I gotta get me one of those for sure. Sure makes more sense than the old child seats that sat off the back end of the seat.

They are very convenient. I pick up my younger son from school about 3 days a week. If my wife isn't home, I have to bring my 2 younger daughters with me, so it's easy to just buckle them in there. Plus, on the days that my wife is home, and the girls don't come with me, I can toss my son's bike in there to bring to him if he rode the bus to school or got dropped off that morning.

The one we have even has extra space behind the seat for backpacks and jackets and such.

 

[Sandman]

This is the best accessory in my neighborhood.

No kidding. Everyone has them. I see at least 4-5 every morning as I begin my journey to downtown Houston.

 

[CT Saints Fan]

Separate bike question: best shifter style - twist shifter or trigger shifter or lever shifter?

I've had my bike for about 13 or 14 years, so it has old school lever shifter (handlebar mounted, not OLD old school crossbar mounted). When we were looking for a bike for my wife, I wanted to get trigger shifter, but those are typically found mostly on more expensive, specialty bikes.

I was against the grip-twist shifter, thinking it would not be very precise, but I've tried her bike and I was shocked at how well it worked.

Anyone else have any preference or other experiences?