School me on Bikes

[Chankgeez]

You mean this bike thread?

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=31650

maz, where do you live?

I don't really like drop bars for commuting/riding around town. So, I wouldn't get a road bike, but we'll find you a bike.

[01010111]

Tips on not being a dick:
use hand signals
assume cars can't see you (almost always true)
follow the rules of the road (I hate Oregon cyclists for this reason)
bike lights

Tips on not dying:
DON'T BE A DICK
always wear a helmet, always
get more bike lights than you think you need, and make sure you have them with you always
it's generally safer to avoid busy roads if you can
if you're drinking, remember you're more impaired than you think you are, don't be afraid to walk your bike
wearing gloves is nice for when you crash

You will crash, so, the only thing you can do is try and not be a dick, and play it as safe as you can to minimize the damage.

[D.o.S.]

The kind of bike you'll be wanting to look for is called a commuter bike.

[ThurberMingus]

I work at an LBS, I know almost as much about bikes as I about pedals. You should find an old road bike in your size and turn it into a single speed with riser bars. Cheap, comfortable, fast (or slow), super easy to maintain, and high quality. Old lugged steel frames last forever and can handle whatever you can throw at them. PM me if you have questions or need advice.

[aens_wife]

I work at an LBS, I know almost as much about bikes as I about pedals. You should find an old road bike in your size and turn it into a single speed with riser bars. Cheap, comfortable, fast (or slow), super easy to maintain, and high quality. Old lugged steel frames last forever and can handle whatever you can throw at them. PM me if you have questions or need advice.

Solid advice. I just got a Motobecane single speed used off craigslist for $240. So far, I love it (though my lady parts are still getting used to it. lol). I just could not spend a zillion dollars on a new bike that I was going to beat the shit out off.

Also - YAY for moving to Wisconsin! If you ever find yourself up north a bit, give us a shout! Madison is a great city to bike

[Chankgeez]

Is Madison hilly?

[aens_wife]

Is Madison hilly?

Not so much. It is built on a swamp around a big lake : )

[Chankgeez]

OK, then a single speed will probably be fine. I like three speeds though.

[daseb]

I work at an LBS, I know almost as much about bikes as I about pedals. You should find an old road bike in your size and turn it into a single speed with riser bars. Cheap, comfortable, fast (or slow), super easy to maintain, and high quality. Old lugged steel frames last forever and can handle whatever you can throw at them. PM me if you have questions or need advice.

This.

Also you're a wuss for not biking around melbourne .

[ThurberMingus]

I work at an LBS, I know almost as much about bikes as I about pedals. You should find an old road bike in your size and turn it into a single speed with riser bars. Cheap, comfortable, fast (or slow), super easy to maintain, and high quality. Old lugged steel frames last forever and can handle whatever you can throw at them. PM me if you have questions or need advice.

Solid advice. I just got a Motobecane single speed used off craigslist for $240. So far, I love it (though my lady parts are still getting used to it. lol). I just could not spend a zillion dollars on a new bike that I was going to beat the shit out off.

Also - YAY for moving to Wisconsin! If you ever find yourself up north a bit, give us a shout! Madison is a great city to bike

Invest in a decent saddle with a solid cutaway in the middle. It will be beneficial for your bits! I recommend Specialized saddles for everyone. I'm not crazy about their non-mountain bikes, but hot damn are those saddles nice.

[Chankgeez]

Difficult to say. Frame angles, which components are spec'd and other stuff will effect fit. By swapping out bars/seatposts/saddles/etc, you're gonna be changing the way a bike rides. To start, I'd go with a bike that only needs a little work.

… and, if you can, it's always best to give a bike a quick test ride first.