I want to ride a bicycle... - by Yakoob
Yakoob on 23/12/2011 at 07:40
So I'm currently looking at buying a new bicycle since busing around the neighborhood with the shitty LA transit system is a hassle. I'm currently in the "go to all local bike shops and ask around/do test rides" stage, and having gotten lots of good feedback in my gaming
rig black box recommendation thread, I figured I'd ask TTLG again!
I live in LA, in a semi-hilly neighborhood, about 30mins from downtown (by bike). I will have fairly frequent use, from running errands/shopping in the neighborhood, to trekking to downtown or other parts of LA (maybe part bus part bike) for fun and potentially work. I used to commute regularly to downtown two summers ago and loved the ride.
I don't know much about bicycles (yet), but from doing a wee bit of research and having owned a few bikes, I know for sure that I want a non-fixed gear hybrid, preferably aluminium frame and maybe slightly thicker tires to deal with the potholes. I'm looking around the +-$300 range, so definitely dont want anything top-o-the line, or one of those "will last you 30 years" bikes. Used is fine if I can pick it up already fixed up from a used bike shop (would rather avoid craigslist)
One of the ones that I tried out and really liked so far (perfect height, great control and breaking, sturdy and comfort, overall feeling of "confidence" and safety) was the (
http://www.altonus.com/corsa/zh-500/) Corsa zh500 which was around 350 at the store. But it doesnt seem like there are much reviews for it, and the specs on the page leave me completely :confused:
Any thoughts, feedbacks or resources would be much appreciated!
jay pettitt on 23/12/2011 at 08:17
Bicycles. Hray!
Mudguards (fenders) are really good if ever it rains in LA. They stop you getting drenched and if you ever cycle with someone else they stop you drenching them in the face. That bike hasn't got them, presumably to make it look 'sporty'. You could always retro-fit clip on raceblades.
Also you don't have braze-ons (attachment points) on that frame for a pannier rack just in case you ever want to have any things with you when you go outside. Again, you can retro-fit a clip on thingy that extends from the seat post - so not the end of the world - but not ideal either.
Bike looks okay. It's a cheap frame and bottom range parts - but nothing horribly horrible. As long as it's put together half competently it'll be cheap and cheerful rather than cheap and nasty I reckon. That's no bad thing.
Also, it's always ready to go, no matter what you're wearing. Which is nice. My bike sometimes refuses to budge unless I tuck my shirt in and have a fresh pair of underpants.
You do get a big leap in quality/durability if you go from Simano Acera/Sora bits to Deore/Tiagra and upwards (cogs and cranks and bearings and other bits that wear are properly hardened for example and there are more bits made of alloys and stainless steels that don't rust with enthusiasm) - If you want to cycle a lot rather than a little it's worth considering spending a bit more or doing some second hand hunting. There are friendly bike nerds at the (
http://www.bicyclekitchen.com/) bikekitchen in LA that'll help you find something tasty.
The Alchemist on 25/12/2011 at 09:37
A wasp woman?
PeeperStorm on 25/12/2011 at 19:30
Quote Posted by jay pettitt
Mudguards (fenders) are really good if ever it rains in LA.
They're a good idea if you don't like the idea of constantly having a decorative stripe of mud and various unidentifiables on the back of your shirt.
CCCToad on 29/12/2011 at 05:26
Other than what he said, there isn't that much of a difference as long as you're using it just for transportation. Pettit's advice is mostly on the money, since your main concern is going to be durability. The main thing you want to look for is parts made out of cheap metals which will rust and the brands he recommended will avoid that problem.
Avoid the scooter an account of gayness.
dreamcatcher on 29/12/2011 at 17:55
If you're still in the research stage, I heartily recommend you visit bikeforums.net, Yakoob. Specifically the hybrid sub forum. The amount of reference info and competent advice one can find there is amazing.
As for personal experience, I've been commuting with a 2008 Specialized Globe City hybrid, all stock parts, the exception being some added racks and lights, and it's been a dependable ride, if not the lightest. I was able to pick it up for about $400 new, so it's likely there are later models within your price range.
demagogue on 29/12/2011 at 18:19
Boy on the bike, what are you like
As you cycle round the town?
You're going up, you're going down
You're going nowhere
It's not as if they're paying you
It's not as if it's fun
At least not anymore
When your legs are black and blue
It's time to take a break
When your legs are black and blue
It's time to take a holiday
Yakoob on 30/12/2011 at 00:23
Dreamcatcher, thanks for the link, I'll check it out. I'm pretty much narrowing down to Giant Escape 2.0 at this point at $390 (my budget is 200-400). Tried a few and that and the one in my OP felt the nicest, plus the guy at the shop left the most favorable impression on me, and I get lifetime free tuneups from them, so not a bad deal at all. I would've prefered something around the 200-300 zone, even used, but hybrids generally start around 400ish and I dont wanna risk getting shafted on craigslist.
jay pettitt on 30/12/2011 at 13:49
Avoid.
Slightly more useful frame, wasted with an appalling drive train. Heading into the dreaded Bike Shaped Object realm - shame on you Giant. Still, it's good the shop are offering tune ups for life - because you'll be back there once a week if you try using it as a bicycle. Can we sell you a gel saddle sir - ooh suits you. Crappy materials mean whatever crisp set up you experience on a test ride won't last past the weekend. That thing's designed to be ridden twice and then sit in a shed for the rest of its life. Sorry.
If you can save a bit more and stretch to the Escape 1 you'll have a decent bike.
