[John Reynolds]

No, not the Queen song. I finally threw my 1982 Schwinn 10-speed out and I'm now looking for a good exercise bike. I'm just a hair shy of 6' tall, and I'm after something to use around my neighborhood for 5-10 mile jaunts. No trails, no steep hills, just something that's comfortable to ride and doesn't cost two car payments to buy.

[digitalwanderer]

I though you were gonna get a Mazda!

[John Reynolds]

Originally Posted by digitalwanderer

I though you were gonna get a Mazda!

I did, picked it up last Wednesday after the sales mgr called me back that night. Got it for $14.7 plus free splash guards for the debacle that the previous night turned into. Slapped the 94 Civic up on Craiglist Sat morning around 8:30 and it was gone by 11:30, title signed over and $500 cash in my pocket.

[digitalwanderer]

Sweet. I was afraid you were going all green on me.

[John Reynolds]

I work close enough to bike in, but not in this summer's heat + humidity. Don't want to start my work day already pre-drenched in sweat.

[digitalwanderer]

Sonoma Men's Chainless Drive Evolution Urban Commuter Bicycle $343.57



Schwinn Crest Urban Men's Hybrid Bike (700c Wheels) $282.95



Schwinn Network 7 Men's Hybrid Bike (700C Wheels) - $229.99



Is that enough to get you started? I'd never heard of a "commuter bike" before I googled it, but I do like their style. That last one looked comfy to me.

[Zaphod]

I'd go for something with disc breaks and at least a mid-level overall kit. Avoiding the cheapest stuff will save a lot of hassle adjusting gears, cantilevers and with ease of general maintenance. I'd also avoid the kind of big springy-spongy seats like those in the pics digi linked. They're not comfortable in the real world.

I'm not sure what a decent bike costs in the US, but something like this one shouldn't be too far off the $500 mark.

It's probably the wrong time of the year to suggest this, but for a deal on an actually good bike, one should always look for last year's models out of season or just before the new lines hit the stores.

[Simon F]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

I'd go for something with disc breaks and at least a mid-level overall kit. Avoiding the cheapest stuff will save a lot of hassle adjusting gears, cantilevers and with ease of general maintenance. I'd also avoid the kind of big springy-spongy seats like those in the pics digi linked. They're not comfortable in the real world.

I agree with you on the saddle, but surely, unless you are going to be doing a lot of off-road/mud riding, disc brakes are just added weight for general commuting?

FWIW, colleagues were suggesting that I look at a cyclo-cross style bike (i.e. a toughened racer) as a replacement for my current aging bike.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by Simon F

I agree with you on the saddle, but surely, unless you are going to be doing a lot of off-road/mud riding, disc brakes are just added weight for general commuting?

Safer (well, mostly due to most people's lack of maintenance), easier to maintain, won't make annoying squeal once they go slightly out of alignment, won't leave residue that ruins your all your light-colored clothes...

Personally I find the pros outweigh the cons, even for basic use, but I might not necessarily suggest making it a deal breaker if considering another reasonably specced bike at a good price.

[Sxotty]

Disc brakes are nicer to adjust as well.

JR try bikesdirect.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/

If you are comfy doing work on a bike. Do you live where it is flat? An internally geared hub might be nice then.

If you buy local it will have maintenance advantages, but I do all my own bike work anyway.

Almost all LBS (local bike shop) will adjust prices, so it is like buying a car kind of annoying, but you can at least show an online price and they might come down some.

I don't have a commuter myself I have these
maverick ML8
kona kikapu
as well as an old klein pulse pro.

I used the kikapu for a commuter since it was cheap used ($400) and I could not find a better option at the time. I am giving it away though and going to build up a commuter probably.

[digitalwanderer]

Originally Posted by Sxotty

Almost all LBS (local bike shop) will adjust prices, so it is like buying a car kind of annoying, but you can at least show an online price and they might come down some.

Man, that Maverick ML8 costs more than most of the cars I've owned in my lifetime!

[Simon F]

Originally Posted by digitalwanderer

Man, that Maverick ML8 costs more than most of the cars I've owned in my lifetime!

But I bet none of your cars were quite as ugly as that

[digitalwanderer]

You would lose that bet.

[Simon F]

What!? Did you own a Fiat multipla?

[digitalwanderer]

Originally Posted by Simon F

What!? Did you own a Fiat multipla?

No, but I did own a neon green 79 Fiat Strada....and a 65 mail jeep. Those weren't even the ugliest.

Glad to hear Sxotty, very smart....and bugger off John, I did think you wanted a commuter. Sorry.

EDITED BITS: Hey John, do what I did. Put an elliptical trainer in your living room and tie your 42" plasma into your PC through the 360 and watch anime whilst you work out.

[Sxotty]

That is why I buy used bikes Digi, new ones are too expensive. If you know how to work on them yourself you can save a boat load of money. The depreciation is even faster than cars. I got the ML8 for <1k.

[John Reynolds]

I want a new bike for exercise, not commuting. Not sure where commute stuff got introduced into the thread. I blame Diggie.

My left knee doesn't let me run anymore, and I get tired of using ellipticals at the gym. So wanting a new bike for variation to my cardio routine.

[Sxotty]

Originally Posted by John Reynolds

I want a new bike for exercise, not commuting. Not sure where commute stuff got introduced into the thread. I blame Diggie.

My left knee doesn't let me run anymore, and I get tired of using ellipticals at the gym. So wanting a new bike for variation to my cardio routine.

Yeah well digi deserves blame as he has copped to it. You can also get a trainer for any old bike and set that in front of your TV, but they are pretty darn loud. Performance bike has a pretty decent one for cheap (you have to have the old bike to stick in it though).

I think you could get a really nice bike for what you describe from bikes direct as I mentioned. Compare the specs to what you have in a local bike shop. You said "new," but if you meant modern instead of unused then you can obviously get a used bike as well for a significant savings from craigslist, ebay etc...

[Davros]

Originally Posted by John Reynolds

I want a new bike for exercise, not commuting.

Once again the mighty Davros, solves the problems of b3d readers

[eastmen]

http://www.huffy.com/Products/Produc...cat=4&subcat=8

I had this and loved it , got it for $120 at a kmart . IT was great until I took a wrong turn on path after my little cousin and we both tumbled down a huge hill . The bikes were totaled . Thankfully both of us didn't go as far down the hill.

[John Reynolds]

Thanks guys, I'll check those out. The bike doesn't need to be brand new so long as it's in decent condition.

[Sxotty]

The only problem with used bikes is you never know if a problem will occur.

Park Tool has a [insert superlative] website that tell you how to fix basically anything though. The problem with used is the more expensive a bike is to begin with the more the price falls. Cheaper bikes are not as good of deals.
http://www.parktool.com/repair/bikemap.asp Park tool site. It doesn't deal with suspension though which is another thing to break if you don't use it.


I would personally stay away from the throwaway bikes if it was me (and yes huffy, pacific, etc.. are throwaway bikes). If you just want to ride around on pavement you don't need suspension. And cheap suspension is horrible. Any cheap dual suspension bike will be terrible.

What you want if you are concerned with comfort is an upright ride with fairly wide tires (for a road bike) like 1.5" in width. The tires will make the ride comfy on smooth terrain. Obviously this will not be a super duper road bike for going fast (those are uncomfortable) nor a super duper off road mountain bike (expensive, heavy, unnecessarily strong).

If you get a "mountain bike" you want a very cross country oriented one, otherwise a hybrid probably will be nice for you.

On that website I think of the MTB this one would a good price for what it is
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cliff4900.htm

But it still may be more than you want.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by Sxotty

If you just want to ride around on pavement you don't need suspension.

I'd say "on pavement" is too generic. Front suspension is actually really nice if there are lots of curbs, cobblestone, or other irregularities around. I'd stay far away from rear suspension except on a MTB that will in fact be used (exclusively) off road.

[Vadi]

Many bike mechanics in Vienna wouldn't even accept to check the Huffy in their shops (the parts are usually that bad). Unless you want to have worst possible experience on a bike, go for it, but you should know how to fix the entire thing yourself. And you should check it entirely before trying to ride it too (often important parts are dangerously loose).

I'm quite happy with a used Marin Pine Mountain '91 (180Eur from Ebay). It's comfortable steel without suspension, and back then it was highend. Now you'll have a hard time finding a new model, because they're a niche market I think. I upgraded the frame completely with current parts and I'm very happy with it. I had to buy some tools though. Since my trails are no rubble fields, I don't need no mushy suspension. For long and bumpy rides a suspension does lessen stresses for the wrists and knees.
As a rear suspension, a one-link with one big bearing is more durable (Cannondale Jekyll for example), but its geometry has to be good (expensive frame), or it will bob on each pedal stroke.

I had a good KTM aluminum frame with cheap suspension fork before and I didn't like it.

The seating position is important, ie. how low you have to reach for the handle bar. A sporty position is more taxing on your upper back but it also releaves your spine from bumps more. If you have problems, a CaneCreek suspension seatpost should be enough for that.

And disc brakes are nice to have if you're riding a lot in rainy and/or muddy conditions. Otherwise an Avid SD7 will do very well.

If you want, you may even go for a gearless fixie bike, but they're kind of expensive/trendy now.

[Sxotty]

fixies are not something I would recommend they are killer on lnees for no reason. A lot of mechanics in the US also won't work on throwaway bikes. That is why they are throwaway. JR let me know what you think of the bike I linked ( don't know if they had your size though)