Shopping for a bicycle

[IdofEntity]

Hey everyone!

Since Oil is projected to go up to $145+ (USD) per barrel again by summer I figured I'd go ahead and save some money by making my daily commute on a bicycle. The problem is, I have no idea what bike to get. I'm looking at a 9 mile commute both ways (7 miles if I choose higher traffic routes) I figure a hybrid frame is probably best since I'll be travelling on roads, but they're not the best paved roads of all. I'm trying to spend less than $500 (USD) on the bicycle. Any more and I won't really be saving much money.

So the point is, do you have any suggestions for a bicycle? Is there a model you've had a great experience with?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[Master of fact]

I also am doing this, however the bike broke and cost me £20 quid to fix! lol. I just bought a mountain bike with standard gears and no suspension for around £200

 

[IdofEntity]

If my Cobra breaks it costs a heck of a lot more than 20 pounds to fix.

A Mountain Bike seems a bit too unwieldy for my purposes. I'm not going off-road and you lose speed on those tires. I'm looking for something lighter and quicker that can handle an occasional pothole, you know?

 

[breadhead]

I've got a Giant M1 Escape that I used for commuting and the like. Basically a mountain bike with no suspension and slick tyres. The only problem I had was finding mud guards to fit it. (If you will be riding in the rain at all you will want them). I've had to use the clip on MTB style ones which don't give you quite as much protection from spray.

You will probably be best off finding a decent local bike store and seeing what they have in or can recommend for you.

 

[freakinacage]

You will probably be best off finding a decent local bike store and seeing what they have in or can recommend for you.

agreed. as long as they aren't crooks, they are the best for advice.

if it aint too hilly and you want ot get fit, maybe try a single speed. less to go wrong for a start

 

[cassar]

saracen mountain bikes are very good or gary fisher but they cost (go second hand) try and get one with front suspension though saves your wrists and forearms especially if you've got nobbly's on the rides comfortable, a nice rigid alloy frame light but strong. no fancy rear suspension you dont need it unless you intend to do serious down hill stuff (they tend to be very heavey too)

 

[freakinacage]

(they tend to be very heavy too)

also most of your energy get transferred into bouncing up and down rather than going forward!!

 

[breadhead]

If you will only be riding on the roads you can definitely get away with no suspension. Suspension forks are heavy and a heavy bike is a slow bike

 

[cassar]

If you will only be riding on the roads you can definitely get away with no suspension. Suspension forks are heavy and a heavy bike is a slow bike

hence the aluminium frame, my saracen's a one finger bike (you can lift it with one finger) theres very little difference in the weight of the forks and the benefits (no numb wrists,hands or forearms) far outway the disadvantages

 

[IdofEntity]

Well, I went out to ride a couple of bikes at a local bike shop. They have a little track behind their store, and I felt the most comfortable on a Schwinn Crest Urban Men's Hybrid. The frame is light, it didn't have any problem biting into gravel, and it's aesthetically pleasing. I never thought I'd be pedalling a Schwinn again, but it looks like that's the winner. Right in my price range too. Thanks for the advice and support, everyone!

 

[cassar]

coolio, remember not to sit on your nut sack and happy commuting.