In the market for a bike

mamaclose
mamaclose Posts: 179 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am currently looking to buy a bike. I will be using it for triathlons and road races. I will obviously use it for training purposes as well. I do at times like to ride on paths (ie; dirt) and am not sure what type of bike to get. It doesn't have to be anything super fancy but I also don't want to get a Wal-Mart special. Any recommendations/suggestions? Thanks!

Replies

  • phil4v7
    phil4v7 Posts: 68 Member
    Bump. Sorry, all I have is a stationary bike, so I can't help here.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    If you want a bike that's fast on the road AND you can take it in dirt, then consider a Cyclocross bike.

    It has wider clearances than a road bike, but generally, is road bike shaped. You can toss on a set of slick skinny road tires and take to the asphalt, or thicker, knobblier tires and hit the trails.

    If I had to own just one bike, this would be it.
  • MariarR33
    MariarR33 Posts: 69
    bump
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Go to a local bike shop and discuss your needs and budget with them. You don't have to spend thousands, but don't buy a cheap bike either, or you just won't use it like you will a good one!
  • itsmedicinalbacon
    itsmedicinalbacon Posts: 180
    bump: curious about this myself :)
  • ROBJ3411
    ROBJ3411 Posts: 72 Member
    There really isnt a do all bike a mountain bike is more comfortable and better on dirt, uneven surfaces, but it is not geared to go fast and you will get blown away in a tri. A cyclocross bike is a hybrid road bike, with wider wheels. These are not a common bike to find. A road bike is you "10 speed" is much faster, but the narrow wheel make it less then ideal for off road.

    My advice is to go to a reputable local bike store and let them discuss options, you should also get fitted for a bike, it will allow you to purchase the right bike and keep you from injury..
  • mikejacobs1958
    mikejacobs1958 Posts: 128
    Kawasaki ZXR......

    Ooops sorry, not the bike you looking for.
  • debloves2ride
    debloves2ride Posts: 386
    Kawasaki ZXR......

    Ooops sorry, not the bike you looking for.

    thats what i was thinking..... suzuki 50T 805...... not quite the same thing
  • thekarens
    thekarens Posts: 254 Member
    I've been bike shopping myself. They aren't cheap for sure. Found out even the "cheap" bikes are around $500 (which for me is a lot of money, but worth it) I'd go to a bike shop like others have said and then look for a used one on local bike trader, craigslist, etc.
  • PittShkr
    PittShkr Posts: 1,000 Member
    I am currently looking to buy a bike. I will be using it for triathlons and road races. I will obviously use it for training purposes as well. I do at times like to ride on paths (ie; dirt) and am not sure what type of bike to get. It doesn't have to be anything super fancy but I also don't want to get a Wal-Mart special. Any recommendations/suggestions? Thanks!

    gary fisher is good
  • 42kgirl
    42kgirl Posts: 692 Member
    I have a road bike and a hybrid. I went with a Bianchi for the road bike and it's the one I use most often. I traded some car seats for the hybrid because the road bike is not ideal for some of the paths around here. I would go road bike and check around for a used mountain or hybrid you could get on the cheap. Definitely get fitted at a bike shop. The bike I thought I wanted and thought would be the best fit really wasn't and the guys at my shop did a great job of getting me the best bike. And I got it on sale!
  • staci2468
    staci2468 Posts: 25
    do your booty a favor and get a good seat. A little pricy but so worth it
  • tinyrah
    tinyrah Posts: 32 Member
    I want one too. I'm reluctant to spend $1,000 on one though. But I don't want a Walmart special either. From my preliminary research I think what I want is a hybrid. It's a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike.

    D i c k s Sporting Goods has some Diamondback models that are about $300-$500.
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    I'm buying a Trek 4900 or 4500 tonight...haven't decided which one I want yet lol

    If you want a good all around bike, I would recommend looking at Hybrid bikes, they come with locking forks and the tires are smooth with ridges on the side for the dirt trails, all depends on budget because a good bike can be expensive!
  • mamaclose
    mamaclose Posts: 179 Member
    Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I will get a road specific frame and will definitely get a good seat! Will head to my LBS this week to see what he can hellp me with.
  • mamaclose
    mamaclose Posts: 179 Member
    Kawasaki ZXR......

    Ooops sorry, not the bike you looking for.

    thats what i was thinking..... suzuki 50T 805...... not quite the same thing

    LOL. Could probably win a road race with one of those!
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    I am currently looking to buy a bike. I will be using it for triathlons and road races. I will obviously use it for training purposes as well. I do at times like to ride on paths (ie; dirt) and am not sure what type of bike to get. It doesn't have to be anything super fancy but I also don't want to get a Wal-Mart special. Any recommendations/suggestions? Thanks!

    I was in the exact same boat as you and ended up buying a Specialized CrossTrail hybrid. It's a nice bike and I ride it quite a bit, but I very rarely use it on dirt. It handles quite well when riding on rougher urban terrain though, which occassionally comes in handly However, if I could go back in time I would just get a normal road bike. Trek makes some nice beginner road bikes that are in the 500 buck range.
  • grahamwhist
    grahamwhist Posts: 8
    Hi, I have a Specialised TriCross and can highly recommend it for the type of use you are looking at.

    I have 32mm tyres (they came with it) and 25mm for a little more speed on the road / triathlons.

    I do about 50 - 100 miles a week on it mainly on road but also cycle tracks (dusty but not too horrible).

    Also has a triple ring so enables you to ease into some high gradient climbs.

    I cycled coast to coast (UK) last year with it without a hitch.
  • pleytem
    pleytem Posts: 79 Member
    I have also been looking to buy a bike. I too wanted something more for road but occasional dirt path the bikes I have narrowed it down to are:
    Trek FX 7.2., Giant Escape 1 and the Cannondale Quick. These bike are all great bikes in the $500 range.They perform better on the road but you can rise on dirt paths without wiping out.
  • mamaclose
    mamaclose Posts: 179 Member
    I have also been looking to buy a bike. I too wanted something more for road but occasional dirt path the bikes I have narrowed it down to are:
    Trek FX 7.2., Giant Escape 1 and the Cannondale Quick. These bike are all great bikes in the $500 range.They perform better on the road but you can rise on dirt paths without wiping out.

    Which Cannondale Quick? There are several choices out there and prices vary greatly.
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    If you want a bike that's fast on the road AND you can take it in dirt, then consider a Cyclocross bike.

    It has wider clearances than a road bike, but generally, is road bike shaped. You can toss on a set of slick skinny road tires and take to the asphalt, or thicker, knobblier tires and hit the trails.

    If I had to own just one bike, this would be it.

    THIS! Of my bikes, my CX bike is my favorite (that's what I'm on in my avatar and the bike on the right in my ticker below).
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    There really isnt a do all bike a mountain bike is more comfortable and better on dirt, uneven surfaces, but it is not geared to go fast and you will get blown away in a tri. A cyclocross bike is a hybrid road bike, with wider wheels. These are not a common bike to find. A road bike is you "10 speed" is much faster, but the narrow wheel make it less then ideal for off road.

    My advice is to go to a reputable local bike store and let them discuss options, you should also get fitted for a bike, it will allow you to purchase the right bike and keep you from injury..

    A cyclocross bike is really not that difficult to find. All of the major quality brands make a CX model (Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc.). Many reputable shops will carry smaller niche brand CX bikes, as well (our favorite shop carries Redline, Gunnar, and Ridley CX bikes, as well as Cannondale).

    CX bikes do not have wider wheels, they simply have wider and taller frame/fork clearance so that one can use wider, knobby tires on standard 700cc road wheels. A CX bike will generally weigh a lot less than a flat-bar'd hybrid. My aluminum CX bike only weighs 3-4#s more than my carbon road bike.
  • mamaclose
    mamaclose Posts: 179 Member
    My LBS has a Redline Cyclocross that I will be purchasing on Tuesday. Thanks for all the advice!
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    My LBS has a Redline Cyclocross that I will be purchasing on Tuesday. Thanks for all the advice!

    Yay! My favorite bike is my Redline Conquest. My 11 year old DS has a Conquest 24, which is their pint-size model scaled for 9-13 year olds. You will not regret this purchase! :drinker:
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    I am currently looking to buy a bike. I will be using it for triathlons and road races. I will obviously use it for training purposes as well. I do at times like to ride on paths (ie; dirt) and am not sure what type of bike to get. It doesn't have to be anything super fancy but I also don't want to get a Wal-Mart special. Any recommendations/suggestions? Thanks!
    DON'T GET A WAL MART BIKE!!!! Especially if you want to serious riding. It's worth the money to get a good bike, and if you buy a walmart bike you WILL regret it! Wal Mart bikes are made super cheap. My commuter bike is from walmart, and many components wore out after just a few months, and i had to pay to upgrade those parts. My latest bike is a fancy Trek road bike, and OMG what a sweet bike that one is!!! It came from the store ready to ride, and i can't keep off of the thing!

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