Bicycle recommendation needed (1 Viewer)

[keepoursaints]

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?

Mine only goes forwards and backwards.

 

[Ted]

Heh...Ted = 90.

you don't know the half of it. it had a backrest attached to the seat. I removed it because as it is, this bike is just one short step away from the giant tricycle.

 

[covingtondog]

you don't know the half of it. it had a backrest attached to the seat. I removed it because as it is, this bike is just one short step away from the giant tricycle.

Awesome, you should have kept it.

 

[CT Saints Fan]

you don't know the half of it. it had a backrest attached to the seat. I removed it because as it is, this bike is just one short step away from the giant tricycle.

Just go all the way

 

[Severum]

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?

From what you describe your options are a hardtail mountain bike (with road friendly tires), hybrid (mountainish), or comfort/cruiser. Go to a couple real bike shops for test rides and avoid department store (disposable) bikes if you plan to actually ride the bike. Craigslist can be hit or miss if you aren't familiar with maintenance and sizing.

Big brands (Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Giant, etc) won't have a huge performance difference at lower price points. Consider an aluminum frame instead of steel/cro-moly for weight savings and a slightly better component group if your budget allows. Avoid rear suspension and disc brakes since they aren't needed and are worthless on entry level bikes. Check MTBR (hardtail xc category) and Road Bike Review (hybrid and cruiser categories) for user submitted reviews of all the popular models.

 

[Severum]

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?

Twist can work fine for recreational riding if you go with quality brands. The mid range Shimano and SRAM drivetrains offer decent performance with trigger, brifter, and twist shifters. Off brand and lowest end components will perform poorly and need more frequent adjustment regardless of form factor. Check MTBR for reviews of specific mtb/hybrid shifters.

 

[Saintvan]

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.

They are very convenient. We have one. Only problem is that it has lately been attached to my 43 pound full suspension Kona mountain bike. Talk about a tough time getting up hills, but at least it makes for a good workout.

 

[robsmith32]

well, if you arent' planning on doing any PRO riding.. i'd stick to the dept stores against severums advice.. why pay a grand for something you can get 100, for and do the same thing, especially when you're buying kids' bikes that will have to replace in couple years do them getting to big for them.
toys R us has a decent selection, wal-mart can be useable. make sure you take it down, and make sure it is comfortable for you.
i havent' used trigger shifters. but the twist, on my current sure beats the heck out of the old levers. don't even have to move hand to adjust gears.

 

[Severum]

Department store bikes, particularly single speed non suspension models, are fine for light use kids toys that will be replaced frequently (disposable). I wouldn't trust them for more adventurous older kids though. Their bikes are sub par at best and dangerous at worst.

Adults should only use toy bikes for the most infrequent casual use (garage ornaments). A large LBS will have lots of entry level bikes in the sub $500 range (sub $300 for sales/closeouts) that offer far better quality, comfort, reliability, and service. Paying a bit more up front will give more enjoyment and value in the long run.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

Thanks for the input.

I ended up buying a Giant Boulder SE from what used to be Adam's Bicycle World (now just Bicycle World - dont know what happened to Adam) -its pretty much an entry level bike but I hope to hang on to it for awhile as my kids grow (and go through a number of kid bikes themselves), so I decided to stick with a 'brand name'.

Rode it home from the store along the levee - so far, it rides great.

PS. They're gonna have to open more of the Bonne Carret spillway - the water is HIGH.

 

[obwhiteo]

buy a Trek, period.... yeah they might be 1200-1500 dollars but you will buy 12-15 $100 bikes before that one has it's first problem.... Trek or nothing!!!

 

[saintsfan342000]

If being made in the US means anything to you, then get a Cannondale. They're the last of the big bike makers to still build their bikes here.

 

[Severum]

Thanks for the input.

I ended up buying a Giant Boulder SE from what used to be Adam's Bicycle World (now just Bicycle World - dont know what happened to Adam) -its pretty much an entry level bike but I hope to hang on to it for awhile as my kids grow (and go through a number of kid bikes themselves), so I decided to stick with a 'brand name'.

Rode it home from the store along the levee - so far, it rides great.

PS. They're gonna have to open more of the Bonne Carret spillway - the water is HIGH.

Good that you got an alu frame, it should serve you well for the intended MUP use.

Since you have multiple bikes you can save some money with a cheap lube (not WD40). I use Dupont Multi-Use Teflon lube from Lowes for dry/dirty conditions and DIY 1 part synthetic motor oil to 3 parts odorless mineral spirits for wet/clean conditions. Thoroughly wipe off the chains afterwards.

Jenson USA, Price Point, and Performance Bike (don't get the cheap shipping) all have cheap accessories and will price match other retailers. Insulated Polar water bottles are very nice during warm days.

 

[Severum]

If being made in the US means anything to you, then get a Cannondale. They're the last of the big bike makers to still build their bikes here.

My road bike protests that assertion.


Handmade in Waterloo, WI.

http://allanti.com/page.cfm?PageID=328 has a run down on where large brands make or buy their frames. There are still a few upper mid to high end bikes built or assembled in the US. Almost all components are foreign made regardless of brand.

The Cdale info is slightly outdated since more of the aluminum production has headed to Taiwan with most carbon frames remaining in the US for now. It's unclear what will happen now that they are part of the Canadian owned GT/Schwinn/Mongoose big box empire. I still wouldn't turn down the opportunity to lose a few XC pounds with a Scalpel.

Unfortunately entry and most mid level production has left the US for good thanks to foreign production costs being less than our raw materials. China will probably steal all but the higher end assembly from Taiwan eventually.

 

[saintsfan342000]

Ah! I feared that some Madone owner would get mad at me. That's cool, but in all fairness, the OP doesn't sound like they're ready for such a hot bike.

It was my understanding that all the C'dale frames, other than the Synapse Carbon models, were made in the Pennsylvania factory. This is definitely true as of the 2007, but I'm not sure what changes they've made for 08.

Do you race?