i'm looking at getting a bike pretty soon. i'm not sure if i want a mountain bike, or a road bike. my main use will be riding to the beach, which is about 6 miles away i think. i ride in the canal, so it's pretty flat, except for the street underpasses. what do you guys suggest? there's some decent looking cheap ones on craigslist in my area, but i don't really know anything about bikes.

 

first thing is go to a good bike shop and have them fit you for a size
try a few brands and styles, ride them around the parking lot, then take note of what brands and what size in that brand you like

unless you are strictly on paved surfaces a road bike is not my favorite choice
a mountain bike with road tires on it is pretty good for all around use, riser bars and a short stem will give you an upright seating position so its more comfortable and not as aggresive

hybrid or crossover bikes are the inbetween, and i hate them
they are great for what they are designed for, but i beat the shit out of my bikes, and they arent designed like a mountain bike is for abuse

what kind of budget are you looking at?
what is your biking style, relaxed, aggressive, do you hop of of curbs and shit, or do you relax and stay on the smooth stuff?


and never, ever ever ever ride ON the beach, sand in the chain/hubs/bottem bracket will fuck up a bike faster than anything else except submersing it in salt water

 

i guess a mountain bike is what i need. i stay mostly on the road, but it's not the smoothest. i'm trying to go as cheap as i can.

this is what i've found on craigslist:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/381471429.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/381429054.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/381467108.html

 

Mountain bike.

 

Out of those, I'd get the Specialized. That's cheap too. I've got a Specialized Hardrock with front and rear disc brakes and front suspension. I haven't ridden many trails yet so I'm planning on getting some street tires for my daily rides.

 

I'm a pretty avid biker, although I don't keep up to date with whats out there, I'll rack up 500-600 miles in a Summer.

I kind of wish I went with a road bike for less rolling resistance, but for 90% of scenarios you'll need a Mountain Bike, road bikes are pretty frail.

 

out of those only the specialized is even worth your time
the others are shit wallmart brands that weigh twice as much as they need to and dont shift for shit

look for name brands, and dont be afraid to get an old bike, my mountain bike is from the late 90's and kicks ass, my road bike is the first ever carbon fiber specialized from the early 90's and its absolutely amazing
both of these bikes i got used and have loved for years

make sure above all else its the right sized frame, even an amazing bike will suck if it doesnt fit you well

that said look at the specialized, if it fits well get it
add a shorter stem, riser downhill style bars, look for clearance wheels and derailers and shifters

drop $150 into that bike and you are set pretty well until you get serious about the sport and want to get into a new bike


road bike only comes out if i am doing over 50 miles that day on the road, otherwise its mtb all the time

 

thanks guys. my mom said she has an old bike that i'm gonna look at, and if it's no good, will try to get that specialized.

 

what is all that suff? :thinking: