BMX/MotorX/Skateboarding

» Amanda Kendle - Being stingy on bike-buying ...

Jodi, I wish you'd written this about two years ago, when I made the mistake of buying a department store bike. I was so shocked by the prices in the real bike stores (here in Germany, anyway) and was on a tight budget at the time, so I took the cheap way out. Since then I met and married a nice guy with a great bike, and I can never keep up with him - OK, sure he's probably fitter and/or stronger than me, but I like to blame the cheap bike for at least part of the disadvantage!
cheers
Amanda

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» desertblue - Being stingy on bike-buying ...

In response to Being stingy on bike-buying ... posted by akendle:
i totally agree. having the right bike for you is so crucial. you can overspend easily, but underspending just leaves you literally in the dirt. the right bike is a good investment, if you take care of it. just like a car.

-- posted by desertblue

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» Alan Sorum - Buying a Bike

In response to Being stingy on bike-buying ... posted by desertblue:
Great timing for the article. I still use a Bridgestone that I bought from a shop in Arizona 15 years ago. I think it's time to get another.

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» Jennifer W. Miner - Buying a Bike

In response to Buying a Bike posted by asorum:
How important are different tire widths for non-racers like myself?

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» Jodi Gallegos - Buying a Bike

In response to Buying a Bike posted by JenniferMiner:

Amanda, it may be time to have that great guy get you your own great bike

Jennifer, I'm going to assume that you're asking about tires in general (not BMX specific). Tire width is really a matter of personal preference. Width varies from about 1.95-2.5" with the average sizes sold being 2.1-2.3". The narrower tires are best for cross country riding. At 2.5" you have a tire that will have the heaviest weight. If you are concerned about minimizing the weight of your bike, they may not be the best choice. But, if you're into aggressive downhill riding, 2.5" may be the way to go!

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» desertblue - Buying a Bike

In response to Buying a Bike posted by JodiG:
Jen, that's not really an issue for just toodling around. Are you talking road bike, touring bike, mounain bike or hybrid? See...?

I personally found that I had a lightweight mountain bike with a knobby on the front and a slick on the back. helped me go faster on the roads plus gave me a little more control for gravel paths. it wasn't as great for the real dirt trails, but it made a nice commuter bike to cover both pavement and gravel urban trails.

and a lighter bike is nice for smallish women like me. make a big difference. more so than tire width for just the average joe. but even that is good to a point - you don't want a superlight bike either. or i don't - it's too much of a target for stealing and then you have to worry about it everywhere you go.

all of this changes if you LIVE for biking. But this is just for the communter or occassional biker. plus there is nothing sadder than an expensive bike getting rusty in someone's garage, flat tires and out of tune.

-- posted by desertblue

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» Jodi Gallegos - Buying a Bike

In response to Buying a Bike posted by desertblue:

Thanks, Jill.
And, as I mentioned tires size really is a personal preference. Two people with the same riding surface, etc. can have entirely different picks for tires.

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» desertblue - Buying a Bike

In response to Buying a Bike posted by JodiG:
:)

-- posted by desertblue

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