WTB: Hybrid Bike 19" (medium pref./large 21" doable)

[tunicata]

Hey,

I just got fitted for a bike at the local shop and want to entertain used cycles as my entry into biking and if I get hooked, then will upgrade in the future.

I am 5'8, legs are longer than my torso, so when I tried the Large Trek (21") and the medium Giant Escape both were actually fine.

However, I preferred the medium@ 19"


Preferences:
double wall rim
hybrid bike with
700x32 tired
would like a cushier ride on the pot holes, unpaved streets (before they retar)
would like multiple speeds to help with the work of riding up/down hills

Use:
riding in the city
riding light trails

I'm a bigger bodied male hoping that enjoying this bike will help to shed pounds as well as be a useful part of my life (become a lifestyle).

ps. Tomorrow I am going to take the giant escape out for a spin (it seems to be $500...so I'm not actually going to buy it, but they offered to let me do it)

 

[skene]

Prob better to check Craigslist... Plenty of good finds there. Also check out some mountain bikes... just replace the tires for something smoother... that you can use on street and light trail riding... like these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EXE5A2/?tag=reefs04-20

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/3915608470.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/3918426657.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/3897849765.html

 

[tunicata]

yup, I'm going hard on cl for the past three days. lots of research for each bike, and figuring out how much changing certain things may cost.

there is a trek 730 at the nearest bike shop for resale at $280, it looks nice but online reviews and threads on bike forums say even in pristine shape it isnt "worth" more than $150, and maybe $180-200 with nicer gear.

so, I am also learning what upgrades are worth the extra price, what type of tires would be best for my weight (double wall tires or kevlar though that is excessive).

it's fun research anyway. I am in no rush.
i can get by on my beater from kmart for now

thanks for the links!

(give me your bike though)

 

[skene]

ha!!!! not happening...

 

[skene]

oh btw... check out pedaluniverse.com for some preowned bikes... it's a bit uptown but they do offer a 7 day trial.

 

[boozeman]

I can sympathize with you. A few months ago I was in your same situation. There are so many different bikes out there and it gets so confusing on what makes one better or worse than another. For me, because of my weight many recommended a bike with 29" rims ..... That is my one advice to pass on other than just do it !
I've lost 50lbs since I bought my bike in may... The investment was priceless

 

[tunicata]

Oh wow, yes, a 50lb reduction is definitely priceless and awesome.
Congrats!

How often were you riding?
Did you also change anything else about your lifestyle?

Thanks for the info on the rims and sharing a personal story.

I just finished fixing up my 'beater' bike from walmart (it's been sitting in storage for 2 years and had only been ridden like...10x max).

I'm going to research more about the 29ers. I actually remember reading something that said they were at a greater risk of being bent up from pot holes or off road riding, but that they were great for someone who wanted to be able to go faster with less effort.

I think they are comparable to the 700x32 double walled rims though in terms of good speed and extra durability for heavier riders/anyone.

 

[skene]

I don't think a 29" is going to be much different from a 26" or even a 700c wheel if you hit a pothole the wrong way. The 29's are just easier to climb things and go over them as the wheel positions change vs 26"... in actual retrospect on the street they go slightly quicker at slower speeds but at higher speeds it will be ever so slightly slower than a 26"... enough to notice..? Probably not unless you were next to another person with the same bike/weight/speed etc... with 26" wheels. Then you would notice the difference.

hth

 

[skene]

saw this on CL... looks like an interesting Cannondale...

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/spo/3929137757.html

 

[tunicata]

hm, that is a nice looking bike.

I was actually thinking about moving to a single speed bike the other day because they are cheaper.

I mean..I dont think I'm going to be doing any major hills right now, especially while I'm out of shape. So right now, I don't mind working harder than I have to.

i emailed the person.
thanks!

 

[boozeman]

Don't know about hitting a pot hole cause I haven't hit one yet (hope I didn't jinx myself) ... Arent 29" and 700cc the same diameter ? .... In my case the 29er was suggested because it can use a fatter tire to help carry my then 368lbs. I am now weighing 310lbs. and intend to keep going. I ride my bike everyday (unless it's raining). I set different distance goals for myself and once I feel that I make that distance easily, I set a farther one. My fist long goal was from Williamsburg to Brooklyn bridge park....then I set it longer to ikea park in redhook...then to coney island. Once I get comfortable with that I plan to ride to Floyd Bennett field. I drink plenty of water and the riding has really curbed my hunger. I now eat much less than I used too. I also try to eat healthier, I don't drink soda and don't eat fast foods anymore. Other than that I eat whatever I want to but much less of it lol

 

[skene]

700c is 27.5"... larger than a 26", smaller than a 29".. more like a 650b wheel which is supposedly the replacement for 26".
The 29" would be no better than a 26" in terms of carrying weight... So they just really did an upsell to get you on a 29". There is nothing wrong with either size though. It really is all about how comfortable you feel on the bike.

 

[boozeman]

Thanks for clarifying that .... Can you recommend a durable road tire for my next upgrade?

 

[tunicata]

That's awesome!!! I like your way of goal setting.

So far I'm just riding around the side streets in my neighborhood. I'm kind of scared to go into real traffic.

This is so much fun!! a good learning process.


However, monday I will ride to prospect park. I know a way that has low traffic mid day or rather it has huge bike lanes leading straight to the park.

That way I can just ride the bike paths within the park.

I am going to keep using my walmart MTB for now. Until I come across something I really want in my price range (don't want a single speed after being more realistic).

I test rode a Giant Escape 1 from the LBS and it was nice. However, the differences I noticed the most were that: it was lighter, the tire movement felt smoother, and the breaks were very responsive.

But my MTB may be heavier because...it may be typical that MTBs are heavier with the heavier tires (I read on bikeforum.net that mtbs are usually heavier than road bikes and hybrids are lighter than mtbs), my tires are knobby and wider than the hybrid tires on the Giant, and my brakes do work very well, just not as nice as the Giant.

I'll be putting a bit of money aside every week to be able to get a better bike with components that are worth the change.

There is the Giant Sedona I see on CL but the guy redid the bike himself and it doesn't have all of the original components which would make it worth buying!

The most important thing is that I just get out there and keep it up.

 

[skene]

Thanks for clarifying that .... Can you recommend a durable road tire for my next upgrade?

Unfortunately I do not go through enough tires on my mtb or hybrid to recommend anything worth while. Just really can only recommend reading up on specifics due to the riding that you normally do. If you have a 29" and are looking to ride with a slicker tire for city streets, than look into some continentals or kendas that have good puncture resistance. There are lots of brands that are out there, but you will still be limited to what either your local bike shop carries or you can always order online.

 

[skene]

But my MTB may be heavier because...it may be typical that MTBs are heavier with the heavier tires.

The most important thing is that I just get out there and keep it up.

Your MTB will most definitely be heavier due to being a "Walmart" brand. They are usually made out of steel which while it can be more durable for the everyday tossing, it will be in no way shape or form "Light". When you step up to bikes that have aluminum or carbon fiber frames/components then you will be looking at a higher cost to pay for those premiums.

My Cannondale F4 and Badboy are in no way shape or form a slouch in terms of weight... probably about 27-29lbs... which is not bad considering and they are not the cream of the crop bikes with carbon fiber and such.
They are aluminum and easy to ride and carry around when need be.
While I can easily knock of a lb or two out of them by swapping to carbon fiber, I'm not all too interested in full on weight reduction.

If you really wanted a really light bike, then you go into road bikes where depending on costs can get you down to the low teens in terms of weight. But you do have to consider what you want out of the bike and how much you want to spend. Probably this is something that most people that want exercise and general enjoyment out of riding will opt out of.

Just get out there and enjoy yourselves.

 

[boozeman]

The most important thing is that I just get out there and keep it up.

^^ this !!!

I admit there are days when I don't feel like getting on my bike... But I always feel better after I do.
I know what you mean about keeping on the bike paths, there are a lot of scary drivers out there. Prospect park is great to ride on !

 

[boozeman]

 

[tunicata]

that is a sweet looking bike!!

I'm looking at a used red Trek 830 (late 80s/90's??) for $95 (still nicer than my walmart bike...and I found lightly used 700x32c tires on line, just have to figure out if they are exchangeable.)

then there is a Giant Cypress Matte Grey for $165
(MSRP $300)

There is a Giant Sedona for $125 (MSRP was probably around 300 too) but I have to double check that it still has all of the stock or better components because this guy remakes bikes in his basement..and I can't tell from the picture if the grips are the same. The majority of the rest of the bike match other online pictures. I'm asking him to tell me the year it was made because since 2008 Sedona's have had suspension seats and his (and two other bikes like this online) doesn't have it, it looks like quick release.

I definitely like the look of the Giant Matte Grey better and of course it's more exp.

 

[tunicata]

ok, going with the Giant Cypress Matte Grey with nice cushy seat and rear bike rack. Getting it tomorrow for $150. Not bad with the two extras and original MSRP of $300. I think anyway!