Bike recommendations?

gradchica27
gradchica27 Posts: 777 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
For someone interested in riding for about 30-60 minutes a go, sometimes (increasingly) for fitness, sometimes with the family for pleasure, usually flat pavement, sometimes gravel or hard packed dirt.

I’m bewildered by all the possibilities of bike types and categories and am hesitant to walk in to a bike shop for “real” cyclists both bc I don’t know where to start and I don’t want to drop $1000.

All I know is my girl’s sale special from Walmart I got in grad school is not cutting it for comfort or speed. I need something better. I don’t want to totally cheap out and waste $ on something I’ll be annoyed with in a month, but I don’t want to go the opposite direction and splurge on something I don’t need for an activity I’m not sure I’ll increase doing *that* much (it’s that catch 22 of I dislike biking for very long bc my bike is uncomfortable and inefficient, so I don’t know if I’ll use the new one constantly or the same amount as I do now).

Can anyone point me in the right direction on what to look for/type of bike:etc?
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Replies

  • chris89topher
    chris89topher Posts: 389 Member
    I have a SixThreeZero "Around the Block". It's a beach cruiser and I love it!

    https://www.sixthreezero.com/
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    I took a quick look at my LBS website (local bike shop) - based on your description - maybe a flat handle bar hybrid could work - trek is the brand I ride so familiar with -

    https://www.bikedoctorwaldorf.com/product/trek-fx-2-disc-womens-363116-1.htm

    https://www.bikedoctorwaldorf.com/product/trek-marlin-6-womens-364566-1.htm

    They only had a few bikes under the $1000 - but that is new
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    I bought two Giant Hybrids from a shop in Tucson. I believe Giant is one of the largest makers of bikes in the world. Their female hybrid is called Liv I think. We love them. Were like 330 or so each. Maybe a bit more.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,166 Member
    I like my lowish-end Trek hybrid, for a similar set of uses, though not having many hills around here, and not doing much true off-road (just gravel and the like) the gearing I got is a little on the easy side for someone with decent leg strength IMO.

    The people at my local "real" bike shop were super nice and helpful when I bought it, BTW. I don't know what your real price point is, but there are quite a few well under $1000 even now. If you visit a shop, what's the worst that could happen? They might be super helpful (as I found), but if they're snooty jerks, that's their problem, you leave, no sale, right? ;)

    One possibility to consider, especially if you have any friends who are bike-knowledgeable, though it's a little fraught: I live near a major univeristy. People abandon bikes, even good ones, and lots of them. This university actually repairs the bikes if necessary, then sells them through their salvage operation. Sometime there are really good deals, but it's a little bit "luck of the draw". There are also police agencies that sell off unclaimed bikes in some areas, I believe. For either of these, you want that bike-knowledgeable buddy with you to help evaluate condition and price appropriateness.
  • MuttiNM
    MuttiNM Posts: 240 Member
    Another vote here for stopping in your local bike shop. I just got on a bike again for the first time in over 40 years. My LBS was very helpful and super friendly. I purchased a Specialized Roll Sport Low-Entry. (They also have a version with a top tube if you don't want or need the low-entry.) I love the bike! I use it for similar rides as you described. I've had it on several types of trails: paved, crushed limestone, and hard-pack dirt. It also handled well through a couple sandy patches as well as a section filled in with large gravel. I also went on one trail that had an almost mile long boardwalk and the ride was very smooth. I've found it very comfortable so far.

    I would maybe take a look at Bikes Direct that NorthCascades mentioned. Like he said, use some caution but if you look at the bikes that have the better components, I think you could get a decent bike in your price range. My son got his road bike through them. He didn't get the cheapest but it was under $500. He's had it a few years now and just road it across the country in Feb. and March following the ACA's Southern Tier route so it's served him well.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,928 Member
    I would, if possible avoid a bike with shock absorbers. Useful shock absorbers cost from about $300 upwards, and if you buy a bike for say $700, then the rest of the bike would be costing $400. Which of course is not true. More likely the absorbers are completely rubbish, only swallow energy when cycling and only make the bike heavier. Also have a look at the specs of the gear shifting parts. Altus and Turney are the lowest of the low. If it's a part that could easily be replaced with a better one once it breaks then that's not so much of a problem. But quite often the parts that are more difficult to replace are used there. Plus they make shifting gears less smooth to start with.
  • amorfati601070
    amorfati601070 Posts: 2,890 Member
    Go to the Local Bike Shop, usually they will let you take some out for a short test ride so you can get a rough feel for each kind of bike. For fitness riding and longer rides your probably gonna look for a flat-bar road bike or gravel/cx bike with disc brakes. The Gravel/CX option is good because if you just throw some slick tread tyres on their u pretty much got a just a plain old road bike for endurance riding. They will probably talk about how agressive the frame geometry is... it just means how bent over you are on the bike (talking road bikes). If you do go down the road bike/cx/gravel route make sure u get the right size. Some manufacturers have calculators on their websites but definitely try out some sizes...we all have different body proportions (long legs etc).

    Most likely avoid any mountain bike (unless you're serious about going off road) or hybrid, especially at that price the spring-coil forks are usually just rubbish and add weight...not to mention those fat-*kitten* tyres..

    For around $1K u might be able to pick up something with an alloy frame, carbon fork. Then there is second hand but try to support your local bike guys if you can!

    Just my $0.02
  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,265 MFP Moderator
    +1 for the head to your local bike store recommendation, help selecting a bike AND a professional fitting. They are knowledgeable and helpful. And if you're going to be spending an hour on a bike, a professional fit will make sure you're more comfortable. A badly fit bike can make time spent on the road (or trail or whatever) hellish and not fun.

    My first 'adult' bike was a hybrid which was super fun. My second bike was a mountain bike for riding on trails - also super fun, but very very heavy. You can take a mountain bike on the road, but it's lots of work and not nearly as much fun as... my third bike. My third bike is a gravel road bike. These things are amazeballs fun on the roads. You get great exercise and get the pleasure of going FAST(er) which is super motivating. I agree with @NorthCascades that the type of riding you describe makes me think you should get a gravel road bike.
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    edited May 2020
    Just wanted to add, if it's like in my area, one shop carries Trek, one carries Giant (Trek and Giant were the most reasonable brands I found) and another carried Specialized. These three brands, in particular, are quality brands that have nice hybrids (listening to you, I think you're going to settle on a hybrid -- great for fun, fitness and an occasional gravel road ride but NOT for serious trails and it's super comfy). But there isn't one bike shop that carries all three. They each only have one of the three big brands typically.

    Also see if you can find a bike shop that specializes in rebuilding bikes. There's a guy in Tucson that everyone knows. He finds quality frames and rebuilds them with high quality components. You tell him what you want, he'll build you a bike that's equal in quality to a new one for half the price.
  • Onedaywriter
    Onedaywriter Posts: 326 Member
    I recommend used equipment in your case. In the 80’s I used to ride but then stopped for whatever reasons. In 2000 I started riding again and still had my old bike. I rode about 4000 miles on a 18 year old bike and bought a new bike two years later.
    Tips:
    - unless you live near trails buy a road bike or hybrid. Mountain bikes are great for trails but not so great for roads
    - be sure you buy a suitable frame size for your height. There are lots of charts online.
    - Allow about $75 for a tuneup at a local bike shop and get it done. They will check, clean and lube everything that needs
    - Check Craigslist, Facebook messenger and ask at local shops. Many people like to upgrade bikes and the shop may know who has something they no longer want. Some shops even stock used bikes or have them in consignment.
    - in my area (central NJ) we have the Trenton Bike Exchange. They rehab, restore etc older donated bikes and sell them with proceeds going to boys and girls clubs. These places have popped up in many locations. This is the absolute best place as you will get a bike that you know is mechanically sound at a fraction of new price with the $ you spend going to a great cause.They can also guide you and make adjustments so the bike fits you (seat position etc)

    Good luck! Enjoy.
  • nighthawk584
    nighthawk584 Posts: 2,023 Member
    I love Trek bikes. I'm using a trek I bought 20 years ago EVERY DAY on trails. I've wrecked it twice HARD and it still going strong. ME, not so much HAHA
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    I have a hybrid that I use for rides on surfaces like you describe. I also have a road bike for pavement when I’m looking to do something more fitness oriented. All riding is fitness oriented, but hybrid bikes are heavy and I don’t find it as easy to do a “workout” vs on the road bike. But I find the hyrbrid more comfortable for riding around when I want to be looking at things and/or terrain may be semi-sketchy.

    I am short (with short legs & arms)/small and need a very small bike frame. I was fortunate to get both of mine on clearance at a local bike shop because nobody really fit the frame (or nobody that was shopping there for bikes really fit the frame so they were just sitting there being not sold).

    I also started with a Walmart bike. Whatever you choose will be a big step up.
  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    All good advice so far... much of which I learned over the course of the last couple of weeks by researching and talking to multiple people so a great time saver to read this thread! My dad cautioned me about the used carbon fiber bikes... bikes direct was also intriguing, but I have read mixed reviews.

    I am eyeing a gravel bike, but both the price tag and lack of availability are hindrances right now. The LBS I talked to last week had TWELVE in stock, and only one my size but a road bike which isn’t quite what I am looking for. (Side note, no new stock of bikes in sight, and the same for kayaks which he also sells... he has ZERO of them in stock).

    I have a Cannondale MTB from the mid 90’s that I am currently getting a quote on to rebuild to better suit my needs. I have no idea what numbers he is going to give me next week! Eeek! Trigger shifters are #1 on the list, maybe thinner/smoother tires for road riding, different handlebars, several other things. He actually seemed a bit excited talking through all the options (on the phone he wasn’t sure, but as soon as he saw it he said “oh yeah, we can definitely work with this.”)

    Check for used bikes - I second the college town idea because my parents live in a bike friendly college town in Idaho and you can find really nice bikes dirt cheap at places like Goodwill. Pawn shops, Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook, etc.
  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    @NorthCascades I think your photos would
    motivate just about anyone to take up bike riding! I love seeing them!
  • DiscusTank5
    DiscusTank5 Posts: 459 Member
    gradchica27 wrote: »
    For someone interested in riding for about 30-60 minutes a go, sometimes (increasingly) for fitness, sometimes with the family for pleasure, usually flat pavement, sometimes gravel or hard packed dirt. I’m bewildered by all the possibilities of bike types and categories and am hesitant to walk in to a bike shop for “real” cyclists both bc I don’t know where to start and I don’t want to drop $1000.

    I could have written this post. Thanks so much--I need direction as well. I'd like to spend $300-400 on a decent bike on sale (so one worth maybe $600-700 if possible), but not spend $1000. My job is between 2 and 3 miles from my house, a perfect bike commute with the exception of crossing a major highway and the ride involving a lot of uphill on the way back. I would love to be out biking right now and leave the car in the garage! That commute probably sounds like nothing for you guys who bike 30 or 40 miles at a time, but I haven't biked in 3 or 4 years so it is a big deal to me. And I've been over-thinking the bike issue for several months now, putting off getting one because the internet's advice is all over the place.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    edited May 2020
    I use to own a really great Peugeot road bike in the 80's and wish that I never sold it. Have ridden a bicycle much since.

    Motorcycles were my 2 main wheel vehicle of choice for over 50 yrs. Traveled all over the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe on one over the years

    However, I just bought a new 3spd folding bike for just $269 from Green Zone Bikes in Houston for alternative transportation; mainly between car shops and my house. Was think about buying a 7spd eBike from them but couldn't justify the 3x higher cost.

    These bikes are fine for flats and a little dirt/gravel and they are extremely easy and convenient to transport. Something to consider if you are not a SERIOUS bicyclist, which I'm not.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    edited May 2020
    ahimes39 wrote: »
    gradchica27 wrote: »
    For someone interested in riding for about 30-60 minutes a go, sometimes (increasingly) for fitness, sometimes with the family for pleasure, usually flat pavement, sometimes gravel or hard packed dirt. I’m bewildered by all the possibilities of bike types and categories and am hesitant to walk in to a bike shop for “real” cyclists both bc I don’t know where to start and I don’t want to drop $1000.

    I could have written this post. Thanks so much--I need direction as well. I'd like to spend $300-400 on a decent bike on sale (so one worth maybe $600-700 if possible), but not spend $1000. My job is between 2 and 3 miles from my house, a perfect bike commute with the exception of crossing a major highway and the ride involving a lot of uphill on the way back. I would love to be out biking right now and leave the car in the garage! That commute probably sounds like nothing for you guys who bike 30 or 40 miles at a time, but I haven't biked in 3 or 4 years so it is a big deal to me. And I've been over-thinking the bike issue for several months now, putting off getting one because the internet's advice is all over the place.

    $300-400 is not an easy price point to hit with a bike. As a commuter you don't need the top of the line, but you need something of enough quality to be reliable and not give you mechanical difficulty so you can arrive at work on time. It's also hard to find sales right now because it's very much a buyer's market.

    I would call local bike shops to see if they have anything in your range. I'd also consider used. Finally, and as a last resort, I'd consider bikes direct and similar places. I'd also watch enough YouTube to learn to do basic maintenance for reliability and budget reasons.

    Here's an example of something near your price, it's an upright bike which makes you a little more visible in traffic, and has disc braking which is useful if you'll be commuting in the rain. The gearing goes down to almost 1:1 which is good for hills. I'm not recommending this, just using it as an example. PS - ignore the list prices on this site.

    http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_fb-xiv.htm

    If you commute by bike, check with your car insurance company to see if you can get a discount by having your car classified as a pleasure vehicle.
  • DiscusTank5
    DiscusTank5 Posts: 459 Member


    $300-400 is not an easy price point to hit with a bike. As a commuter you don't need the top of the line, but you need something of enough quality to be reliable and not give you mechanical difficulty so you can arrive at work on time. It's also hard to find sales right now because it's very much a buyer's market.

    I would call local bike shops to see if they have anything in your range. I'd also consider used. Finally, and as a last resort, I'd consider bikes direct and similar places. I'd also watch enough YouTube to learn to do basic maintenance for reliability and budget reasons.

    Here's an example of something near your price, it's an upright bike which makes you a little more visible in traffic, and has disc braking which is useful if you'll be commuting in the rain. The gearing goes down to almost 1:1 which is good for hills. I'm not recommending this, just using it as an example. PS - ignore the list prices on this site.

    http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_fb-xiv.htm

    If you commute by bike, check with your car insurance company to see if you can get a discount by having your car classified as a pleasure vehicle.[/quote]

    Thanks for your sound advice and example of a bike close to my price range. My husband is afraid I'll spend $500 on something I'm not actually going to use--I'd like to prove him wrong! :) I need to learn bike maintenance, too. My brother learned how to fix the family mower from watching Youtube, so I'll start there. And thanks also for the tip on car insurance. All very helpful.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    The most common thing people have to do is fix a flat tire. Your sort of bike is less prone to them, and it's typically every several hundred miles or even less frequently. But sometimes bad luck strikes.

    The other thing is you'll want to adjust your brakes every now and then. The pads wear down with use, so you bring them in closer to the rim.

    https://www.bicycling.com/repair/a20013517/bike-repair-how-to-fix-a-flat-tire/

    https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/flat-tire.html
  • mjbnj0001
    mjbnj0001 Posts: 1,258 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »

    This is straight up bike porn from a ride I like to do every couple years, from the valley floor up to Washington Pass. Stop for a photo at the top, and then it's car speed most of the way down for 45 minutes. It was hot and sunny down below.

    46869668195_dfa039edaa_o_d.jpg

    your pics are usually great. the scenery is awesome.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Thanks! 🙂

    About the scenery there, when they were building the highway in that photo, the construction workers put the project on hold until they could get the poet laureate to come capture the place in verse.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited June 2020
    gradchica27 wrote: »
    For someone interested in riding for about 30-60 minutes a go, sometimes (increasingly) for fitness, sometimes with the family for pleasure, usually flat pavement, sometimes gravel or hard packed dirt.

    I’m bewildered by all the possibilities of bike types and categories and am hesitant to walk in to a bike shop for “real” cyclists both bc I don’t know where to start and I don’t want to drop $1000.

    All I know is my girl’s sale special from Walmart I got in grad school is not cutting it for comfort or speed. I need something better. I don’t want to totally cheap out and waste $ on something I’ll be annoyed with in a month, but I don’t want to go the opposite direction and splurge on something I don’t need for an activity I’m not sure I’ll increase doing *that* much (it’s that catch 22 of I dislike biking for very long bc my bike is uncomfortable and inefficient, so I don’t know if I’ll use the new one constantly or the same amount as I do now).

    Can anyone point me in the right direction on what to look for/type of bike:etc?

    A bike shop is the ideal place to go if you don't know where to start...they can help you with that. Also, you want to buy a quality bike...the bikes at Walmart and such are generally poor performers and use the cheapest components they can get and in most cases many of those components aren't replaceable...so when they wear out, your bike is done.

    Your cheapest option at a bike shop is going to be a hybrid...I'm personally not a fan. I don't like anything with shocks while I'm riding on the road and they probably aren't necessary for dirt paths and gravel roads either unless they are pretty rutted.

    For the type of riding you described, I would go with an entry level cyclocross (CX) bike. That is what I bought for my first "real" bike as my early days of riding were much as you have described. They are a similar geometry to a road bike with drop bars which makes it more comfortable on longer rides as you can move your hands around. They have wider tires than a road bike with some traction for taking the bike off road if it's nothing too crazy. It won't be as fast or as comfortable on the road as a road bike, but IMO a better and more comfortable option than a hybrid.

    It would also be a better option if you ultimately get into doing cycling events and whatnot. I did my first few half centuries on my CX bike and just threw some slicks on for those events and when I was training a lot of road. An entry level CX bike will also have the little pegs to allow you to mount saddle bags if you ever get into commuting. I don't do a ton of bike commuting, but I do some and that is what my CX bike is primarily used for.

    A good bike is a worthwhile investment. I bought my CX bike in 2013 and it's still going strong. Ultimately I ended up getting into a lot of road events, and while my CX did ok, I decided I really wanted to get a road bike and just use my CX bike for tooling around some of the trails here or commuting as most road bikes aren't equipped for saddle bags. Then I got into some more rugged trail riding and the CX wasn't cutting it for that so I bought a hard tail 29er last year...so yeah, I now have three bikes. That happens and it's a thing...

    My entry level CX bike was just under $1K...so yeah, unfortunately cycling and owning a quality bike is expensive...but the difference between that and a big box bike is night and day and makes cycling that much more fun and enjoyable. You should also look at helmet and cycling shorts in regards to your overall budget.

    ETA: most bike shops are going to only carry one or two brands. The brand isn't as important is fit and feel as different brands will have different geometries for the same purpose. My CX bike is a Giant, my roadie is a carbon fiber Specialized and my hardtail 29er is a Scott. All great brands.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    This is an endurance bike. Basically looks like any other road bike, but it has wider tires for a plush ride, and the gearing is a little easier which helps on hills. And on dirt, you'll notice as soon as you leave the pavement it gets harder to pedal. A full on gravel bike takes even fatter tires, and they'd be real helpful to me on some of the nastiest roads and trails I've ridden - more comfort, more traction.

    Basically posting this to show that this kind of bike can go on dirt and gravel roads, and on tame trails. If there's a lot of rock and root, places where you drop because the trail goes down like a stair, etc, you need a mountain bike and want a suspension. But in the OP it doesn't sound like you're looking for a full on mountain bike. But for hard packed dirt, you don't even need tires with tread.

    Why this kind of bike? Since you said you're riding for fitness more often, it's easier to do. Fitness means going fast, road-ish bikes are meant for that. They handle better at speed - easier to control. It's psychologically harder to try to ride hard/fast for exercise on a bike that's slowing you down. The handlebars are built for comfort, you can move your back and shoulders and neck around while you ride. A flat bar bike always makes me sore after a couple hours, and part of that is only having one riding position.

    This is called double track, as opposed to single track which is what you think of for a hiking trail in the woods. Those aren't the most creative names, but they're descriptive. You can see that it's dirt with a very light sprinkling of gravel. This kind of riding needs 28 mm tires or bigger in my experience, a road bike is harder to control here. But you don't need shocks to ride something like this.

    36738260510_4b0863f6b7_o_d.jpg

    This was a little rough and more difficult than necessary on 28 mm tires. Sand with a lot of embedded rocks. On a road-ish bike the tires are the suspension and in this case it would have made it faster and less effort.

    35733105100_5be51c3ef7_o_d.jpg

    Again, bigger tires would have helped with this one too. I was all over the road trying to avoid rocks as much as possible. Each one, you feel a little impact and over a while you get really tired. Again bigger tires are more suspension, but without wasting much energy.

    37397769686_fa860f61cf_o_d.jpg

    So why am I making such a big deal about tires? Because if you go for a road-ish bike, the frame will only give you so much room. And since you said hard packed dirt and some gravel, you want to make sure you have room for 28s, ideally up to around 40 mm.
  • mullanphylane
    mullanphylane Posts: 172 Member
    Sounds like you already know how and where you'll ride, so next decision is budget. Take all of that to a bike shop or sporting goods store that has a decent bicycle department and ask for recommendations. You don't have to buy there, and you can then compare their recommendations with other brands via the 'net.

    After a series of bicycles that just weren't "me", I broke down and asked a pro for suggestions. I ended up buying from the shop because their recommendation cost less than a comparable bike at Walmart. That was 25 years ago and, at 69, I still ride it several times/week in good weather just for fun on the same type of surfaces you described. (just not as far or fast 😜) The brand is Trek, but there are lots of comparable brands.
  • mjbnj0001
    mjbnj0001 Posts: 1,258 Member
    Following up on what @NorthCascades wrote, here's my current bike. It's a mountain bike (actually, "cross country" bike) with mods for my 50/50 onroad/offroad, 80/20 paved/unpaved riding profile. Note the tires - nearly slick (means smoothish-tread, not knobby tires) makes it a "go most anywhere" bike, except deep/wet mud, loose sand, snow/ice. They are 29x2.35" tires. Replaced my old 1980s "road touring bike" (2nd pic, on it's way to being sold this past Saturday). Gearing on the old bike was 3x6, meaning I got some very low gears for hills and carrying loads (the 3rd chain ring [front cog] is often called the "granny gear"). The new bike is 2x11 gearing, which gives me a decently good range - not as low as the tourer, not as high as the tourer or some other road bikes and certainly not as high as real racing bikes. Not having the higher gears means I can't take as much advantage of flats or even downhills to really go fast, easily. Gearing is about efficiency in pedaling. My old bike's 27x1.25" tires allowed me some limited off-pavement riding, but nothing too primitive. The new bike is not in your price range - new - but you might get something decent pre-owned. @NorthCascades uses an endurance bike; where on my old tourer I did longer rides moderately easy (60+ miles) on rolling terrain, on my new bike, 40 in a day is a reach. Of course, I'm 65yo now, overweight and such, as opposed to 35 years ago on the old bike. You're getting lots of info on this thread. Probably some info overload. A good bike shop should be able to navigate you through your options. I'd bet $0.02 the bike you get now won't be the bike you want to be riding by mid-next-year, so don't fret too much over this first purchase. Ride what you get (stick to basic needs - but as much quality as you can afford, which might be pre-owned), then learn what you want/need for your next bike. Good luck in your pursuit.

    jfm6i598dsyc.jpg

    wqohzu17zx3v.jpg
  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    Inventory might be tough right now unfortunately :/ this was our local Dick’s Sporting Goods tonight... I was hoping to check out a couple bikes while the rest of the family were in the fishing section (also sparse).

    sdqmgquwctye.jpeg
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited June 2020
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