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Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:22 pm
by 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.
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:43 pm
by 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.
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:55 pm
by D.o.S.
The kind of bike you'll be wanting to look for is called a commuter bike.
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:20 am
by 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.
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 11:41 am
by aens_wife
ThurberMingus wrote: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

Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:04 pm
by Chankgeez
Is Madison hilly?
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:06 pm
by aens_wife
Chankgeez wrote:Is Madison hilly?
Not so much. It is built on a swamp around a big lake : )
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:10 pm
by Chankgeez
OK, then a single speed will probably be fine. I like three speeds though.
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:34 pm
by daseb
ThurberMingus wrote: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

.
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 2:24 am
by ThurberMingus
aens_wife wrote:ThurberMingus wrote: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.
Re: School me on Bikes
Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 8:52 am
by 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.