Buying a new bike--any suggestions?

Charismatron

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Buying a new bike--any suggestions?

« on: December 03, 2011, 04:42:33 PM »

Hey folks,
my wife and I recently moved back to North America from Japan and are bike-less (the
horror . . . the horror . . . ).

Currently in San Diego, we'll be moving north to Vancouver B.C. next January. While
we're here in S.D. we'd like to pick up some new road bikes (or hybrids). My wife prefers
to keep things less than $1,000.00 per bike. This afternoon I've looked at a Trek 1.5
Compact and a GIANT Defy 3. I'm also perusing reviews for these and other bikes.

So, I turn to you folks to perhaps offer a suggestion. We use our bikes a lot and tend
towards doing 120 km. rides on weekends. We're are active cyclists looking for a nice
ride--something that will give us a good return for the money we can afford to spend.

We're not pros, but we love cycling. If anyone can suggest a bike, how well negotiating
can go at indie bike shops, or perhaps even suggest a nice store in the San Diego area,
that would be fantastic!

Thanks a bunch!


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End0m0rph

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Re: Buying a new bike--any suggestions?

« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2011, 01:32:14 PM »

Have a look into the Surely Longhaul Trucker.

Not the fastest bike but you won't be dissapointed. (Plus it's a little bit different)


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Scooby

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Re: Buying a new bike--any suggestions?

« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2011, 01:53:46 PM »

Interesting situation you are in. Normally I recommend buying from a local bike shop because over the lifrpetime of a bike the service costs are significant and the free service many shops provide is valuable - but you are moving.

Since you wont get any benefit from your local shop you might as well order a bike on the internet and cut the price in half.

I have purchased two bikes over the internet and they have both been incredible values. Both were expertly packed so shipping damage was virtually impossible. The road bike was from a now defunct company "airborne.net", my mountain bike was from motobecane and I would definitely buy a bike from them again.

The "assembly" on the bike I bought from MOtobecane involved tightening one hex bolt to attach the handlebars if ai remember correctly.


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poxpower

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Re: Buying a new bike--any suggestions?

« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2011, 06:06:09 PM »

Hey, if you want cheap there's always things like craigslist.
Tons of people are selling high-end bikes on there for less than half of what they're worth.
You can use this site: http://www.bikepedia.com/ to get more info and see what they're really selling.

You're not gonna have the latest and greatest, but if you're not competing it doesn't matter. Good bikes last for decades and thousands of miles anyway.

If you can find bike shops that will tune up / repair / clean you bike X times a year for free if you buy new from them, it might be worth considering... but meh. By buying used you stand to save 500+ bucks anyway, I doubt they'd ever give you that much money's worth in services for free.

And I imagine you already use clipless pedals, but just in case you're not.. definitely get those. Get the shoes from a shop who can fit them and install cleats properly to your feet.

If you plan to shop around town with the same bike, then definitely get a used one you won't cry over when/ if it gets stolen. And don't buy a hybrid bike. Ever. Come on.


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Charismatron

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Re: Buying a new bike--any suggestions?

« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2011, 12:05:27 PM »

Scooby, what were you looking for when it came to ordering your bike.
It's difficult to navigate the various sites when confronted with a blizzard
of component comparisons and an endless stream of opinions both cele-
brating and poo-pooing the vey same product.

I am basically looking for something that isn't going to crack my bank acc-
ount in half. An entry-level road bike that will last for a few years. I don't
want to get caught in marketing hype.

When did buying a bike become so danged complicated? Any suggestions
are warmly welcomed!


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