nOOb in nEEd!

[residentgeek]

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of going out and grabbing a Wal-Mart special just because they're cheaper. The bike will almost surely not fit you well, won't shift or brake properly--at least not for long, and you'll be so unhappy and uncomfortable with the the bike that you might think you just don't like cycling, when it's really the bike that's at fault, not the sport.

I did this. Went out and bought a sub-$100 bike at Wal-Mart in April. Figured I wouldn't be wasting much money if I didn't enjoy riding. I've put almost 100 miles on it, and man, it's beat up now. The shifting SUCKS (it especially loves to jump gears when I'm going up a hill), I've already had to replace the brakes once, the crankshaft wobbles when I pedal... the list goes on and on. I've decided I'll have to deal with it for the rest of this season, and when I get my tax return in Feb/March, I'm going to the city to find a bike shop and get a real bike. The closest bike shop here is probably almost an hour away, but it'll be worth it.

Don't waste your money on the discount store bikes. Get a real bike from a real bike shop. Even a cheapie from the bike shop would be better than the one I got at Wal-Mart. Ugh. I feel so dumb for wasting my money.

[CorsairMac]

Ugh. I feel so dumb for wasting my money.

no need to feel dumb. At the time it was a decision that worked best for you. Just think - if for some unfathomable reason you had Hated cycling - you wouldn't be out a lot of money. Now.........you know that you not only Love it but you've got a Great idea just what it'll take to make it even more perfect for you! Just think - but for that Wal-Mart bike you might've bought a higher-end bike that wasn't right for you......and sold it at a garage sale!

oh: and the longer you keep riding the heavy clunker, the better shape you'll be in. By the time you get that higher-end ride, you'll be able to just blow riders right off the road! :-D

[plantluvver]

no need to feel dumb. At the time it was a decision that worked best for you. Just think - if for some unfathomable reason you had Hated cycling - you wouldn't be out a lot of money. Now.........you know that you not only Love it but you've got a Great idea just what it'll take to make it even more perfect for you! Just think - but for that Wal-Mart bike you might've bought a higher-end bike that wasn't right for you......and sold it at a garage sale!

oh: and the longer you keep riding the heavy clunker, the better shape you'll be in. By the time you get that higher-end ride, you'll be able to just blow riders right off the road! :-D

I agree she shouldn't feel dumb. But her advice is good. I had a cheapy department store bike. Made me feel I was too old to ride. I was in my twenties!

So I think she is very fortunate that she continued to ride DESPITE that clunker!

Luckily for me, a freind at work talked me into considering buying his wife's bike, and I hesitated. So they loaned it to me for a weekend. I rode that bike 14 miles my first time out! I had no idea how far I had gone! I still have that Schwinn and I am now 47. And I know that I can enjoy riding (although its been about a year since I've ridden much.)

Unfortunately, I never maintained her. I just didn't know how, and thought it was something that only cycling geeks did. My childhood bikes only ever got oil on the chain every so often, and seemed okay.

I am a cheapskate, and will probably wind up with a garage sale bike, but I will hold out for something that feels good, at least as good as my Schwinn did when I first had her.

And also, my bargain bike was no bargain. something was wrong and the threads in the pedals got stripped. I couldn't find replacement pedals to fit. They were some non-standard size. I went back to the store and they replaced them once, by taking them from another bike. It happened a second time, and they no longer carried the bike. Besides, this time, the crank was stripped as well.

Also, you can't test ride a department store bike, and who is going to give you any advice.

I don't know anything about new bikes from bike shops, my two Schwinns were bought used. But I would certainly stay away from department store models!

Do you have any biking freinds who can assist you in making your decision?

Mary

[residentgeek]

Okay, okay, I'm done feeling dumb

The discount bike has definitely made me aware of what to look for when I finally get a real bike. I won't make the mistake of walking into the bike shop and buying the first bike they put me on! Especially since I'll probably be giving up going to hockey camp next year if I spend my tax return on a new bike. I won't have the money to do both. So I'll probably drive the shop guys (or girls, if I'm lucky) nuts being so picky

And I do keep reminding myself that the harder the bike is to work with, the easier I'll ride when I get a good one. If only I could get the muscles in my thighs to start showing... They're there, but they're hiding. Guess I'll have to throw the kids in the bike trailer again.