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Purchasing Bikes And Racks *HELP*
Red*Panda
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So me and my wife have recently purchased a brand new car. With this new car we are able to finally travel around the state. we are both looking to get some decent Bikes and a rack for our car, So we can ride trails etc. at state parks and campgrounds. I need some advice on some good starter bike's for me and my wife, nothing to expensive just something to get us around basic bike trails and stuff. Since my car is a sedan that does not have a rack, I will need to purchase a bike rack. I have been looking at Yakima and Thule for a trunk rack system "are these any good?" If you guys could just give me some feedback on bikes and racks that you guys have used that would be great! thanks.
Red*Panda on
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If your location is correct, you're very close to 2 REI stores. They sell very good bikes, service them there, and they sell bike racks and will help you get them hooked up to your car if you ask nicely.
http://yellowpages.heraldextra.com/American+Fork/Bicycle+Stores.zq.html
I would suggest actually talking to a bike store. There's a LOT of bikes out there, but here's the crux of it -- you need to find a bike that fits you comfortably more than anything else. The bike frame is related to your overall body shape and size, and it's worthwhile to try out different sizes with the seat at the correct height.
For example, I'm 5'10" and my bike is a 17.5" frame. My wife is 5'4" and her bike is a 14" frame. She would probably be OK on a 15" frame as well, but the bike she bought was only available in 14" and 16", and the 16" is too big.
You shouldn't really look at mountain bikes unless you actually plan to go onto grass or "offroad." If you're going to stick to pavement, sidewalks, etc, a road-bike style with thinner tires will help you quite a bit. There are "urban-style" bikes like that, as well as bikes that are more upright.
personally, I think the bikes that are usually called "cruisers" are a joke. You sit very upright, so you have very poor leverage on the pedals, and your center of gravity is on the back of the bike, so you end up wobbly. They only really work if you only plan to bike for short distances and on very flat terrain.
If you plan to ride trails a lot (dirt, rocks), a mountain bike is obviously the way to go. Shocks can make a ride more comfortable but add a lot of weight to bikes. Front shocks also make going up hills more laborious than a solid fork, although they are slightly more comfortable if you're on a lot of rough trails. Steel frames are a bit more "bendy" than aluminum frames, so they're good if you're going to hit jumps or rocks, but they do sap some of your pedaling energy compared to a stiff aluminum frame. They're also heavier.
Note that you can get cheap bikes on Craigslist, but I would talk to someone at a store and ride some bikes in your budget before you search on craigslist, so you at least have some idea what you're looking for (vs. just "a bike").
As for the bikes themselves, go to a shop that only sells bikes. They will know how to fit you and your wife for the bikes. Fit is really important, especially for women. Up until recently women's bikes just had a smaller frame, now they are making all of the bike female friendly.
They will also be familiar with the trails in your area, so if you tell them where you want to ride, they can suggest a type of bike.
Also, this is the most important part, any bike shop worth going to will let you try any bike you want to buy. If they won't, go somewhere else.
EDIT: Clarity