I figgered JC would be more appropriate than RSU since I’m talking bikes.
It’s been a while, like 7 or 8 years since I rode a bike. My parents bought me a Columbia ‘Mtn’ bike that was a titch on the small side. I rode it off and on, but eventually it got forgotten (like many things) and I stopped riding it all together. A few years later, my parents bought me a unicycle for Christmas, and that seems to have stuck.
I love riding my uni’s, but lately I’ve been thinking it’d be nice to have something a bit faster, a bit more comfortable for longer distances, and something I could tour with. Thoughts of getting a bike again have been rolling around in my head.
Problem is, I haven’t ridden a bike in forever, and the last bike I rode was not a ‘real’ bike. The seat was about 6" below the handlebars, and I think it had 7 speeds that I never used. I don’t know if I can even get on one of the damn things, let alone shift and brake and ride at the same time.
Seriously, would my LBS laugh at me if I walked in and told them I don’t know if I can even ride one, but I want to buy one? I know I need to test ride, but I also know that a lot of biker types can be kind of… condescending.
I’m also not renouncing unicycles, just supplementing.
You can probably be sized adequately from just sitting over the bike. Whether or not it is a bike you like is tougher. Are you thinking something road or mtb?
I’m wanting one for road. I really like the look of the Surly Cross-Check SS, but there aren’t any available locally to test ride. I like the idea of a single speed because of the simplicity, but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker.
I know I’ll eventually need to test ride a few, which is what has me concerned. I don’t see why I wouldn’t be able to pick it back up (just like riding a bike ), but that first few minutes I’m going to look like a complete dumbass.
I also don’t know a ton about bikes.
I feel like I’m in a weird kind of middle-ground, I know cycling because I’ve been unicycling, but I don’t know bikes. There’s a lot of cross over that I’m familiar with, but plenty of stuff unique to each cycle. I know wheels and tires and brakes, but not bottom brackets or headsets or cassettes.
how much are you willing to spend, because I have seen 250 dollar bikes like that that have sealed cartridge bearings that ride better than 900 dollar bikes.
is brand important to you, because a surly is a very expensive bike for a single speed.
you can probly get a orgin 8 for less or a midgrade SE
I’d be willing to spend 1000-1350 or so. Brand isn’t a deal breaker (though I do like Surly) if I could find the right bike at the right price. I mostly want something reliable that’ll last me a few years. I’d also like a decent resale on it, in case I ever want to upgrade.
A full cromo frame is awesome though, My brothers bike has a way nicer full cromo frame, he got it for under 100 dollars, and retail it was a 900 dollar bike, if that gives you a idea of resale of bicycles
Bike theft is a serious problem where I live and I would never spend that much on something someone with bolt cutters can and will steal from me if I lock it anywhere and take my eyes off it, even a u-lock wont keep it from getting stolen here.
bikesdirect has track/fixed single speed bikes in the 300-500 dollar range and some have aluminium frames too for that price, the motobecanes are real good riding bicycles too, the same bikes sell for about a grand in a bike shop.
and you can save alot of cash buying used on ebay or craigslist.
I live in a college town so single speed bike parts are easy to come by, can sometimes use them as a form of currency, I traded a fixie i built from all second hand parts for my torker lx. I will eventually just build another full time fixie, but I always hurt myself on a fixie theyre not nearly as safe as a unicycle.
You could try renting a bike to get over your initial lack of confidence in riding. You wouldn’t need to take a test ride, just walk out of the store with your rented bike and have at it in a secluded spot.
I haven’t ridden a bike in over 30 years myself, so I suspect bike shops are accustomed to dealing with that kind of customer. You could try calling them first and explain your situation, setup an appt, I am sure they will be sympathetic. If they aren’t or seemed uninterested, try a different shop.
I think that’s what I’ll do in the next few weeks, go and visit some shops and see what they have to say.
For all around riding, would a single speed even be a reasonable thought? I worry about having to deal with derailleurs and all that stuff, which is why the SS is so appealing. Or would it be a total PITA to climb on one?
Possibly the biggest advantage that bikes have over unicycles is their availability. I purchased a ~$600 dollar bike last year for $86.60 at a local pawn shop. Because there are so many bikes their is a much more active used market for them. Anywhere you live you can get on craigslist and go look at gobs of bikes for sale.
If you do get a bike I want to hear about your experience with it. For me, riding a bike after a unicycle is just plain weird. It doesn’t make me saddle sore at all. I can now ride with no hands for miles and hills are wayyy harder. Also I can get myself worn out faster just because I’ve spent so much more time on a uni.
Locally we have a pretty good classifieds system that I didn’t even really think to use (duh). Seems to be some pretty good stuff out there. If I could get something a few hundered cheaper, I could have my LBS go through it and tune everything up.
I wasn’t even looking used to begin with, but it’d make sense that it’s pretty similar to car shopping.
I would pick the type of bike based on how you will use it. a single speed is great for around town and places with no hills, if you have hills you can run a higher gear and walk it up the hill and ride it down, or run a lower gear and top out too easily, or you can cheat and build a rear wheel with a sram 2 speed automatic hub or a 2 speed kickback hub.
I geared my bike way too high, but I like to use it to build up leg muscles for unicycling. I have to stand on it to start off, most people dont find it fun, but they also don’t ride unicycles so they dont understand.
Those sturmey 2 speed kickback hubs are such a neat concept, but I don’t trust it. Playing around with one in a shop, I managed to lock it up between gears.
I like it! It’s a randonneur, the kind of bike that upright cyclists who ride a lot seem to usually end up with. A sane choice. Get a pair of panniers with it.
I’m going to go look at some Trek’s tomorrow and get an idea of what size I’ll need, but we don’t have any Surly dealers around with a Cross check in stock. I’d worry about not being able to test ride it first, though at my skill level, I don’t know if that’s really important.
I hope you had some success in your process of bike-fitting.
A tip on the issue of pedals:
The “eggbeater” clipless system is a good one. The engaging and disengaging action is easy-working, and the cleats sit deeper in the sole’s middle groove than SPD cleats, so when walking you have less clacking noise and less danger of slipping (which I always found to be very serious with SPD and my pair of MTB shoes).
I find it calls for a rather stiff sole, as the pressure is on a very small area (just as with SPD). I have got used to walk with that kind of shoe.
So this is my recommendation for a touring pedal.
Eggbeaters are very popular around here, so figured that’d be what I go with. If you can’t beat 'em join 'em, eh?
I know what size to look for now, so I guess that’s successful. After looking at a couple of bike shops, with my budget I’ve decided I’ll definitely be going used.
I’m looking at 4 different bikes right now, a Giant Defy 1, Trek Madone 4.5, Cannondale Supersix 6, and Ridley Excaliber. 3 of the 4 have carbon frames which makes me nervous. The only way I have to get the bike home, is in my truck bed. Think I’d be okay to just lay a carbon bike in the bed on top of a blanket or something? The Cannondale is selling for less then half of retail and it looks super clean, which also makes me nervous. Was it wrecked or is it stolen?
That’s another good point, the carbon frames have much to be desired when it comes to racks or panniers.
The carbon is definitely lighter, but I really wonder about it’s durability. Plus I can save money on the alloy framed Giant, and get shoes, pedals, a new helmet, etc. plus have the LBS do a tune up on it; and still be healthily within my budget.
I really hope I fit the Giant tomorrow, cause on paper, that’s the one I really want.
Bikes also get stolen so often, sometimes its just not worth it to pay too much. They’ll attack you riding it if its worth something, especially in Utah. Of course, people ride $3000 bikes, which is like waving your money around. Smart people with an expensive bike paint it black and funky, so it can’t be identified as expensive.
Ride the most expensive uni, you don’t have to worry about this.
), but that first few minutes I’m going to look like a complete dumbass.
