which bike for newbie?

[brigid]

I used to ride my bike a lot when I was a teenager, but it was stolen during my senior year, and I haven't ridden one since. ( That would be 18 years of non-riding.) I am now looking for one which I can ride around the neighborhood and pull my 2-yr.-old in a trailer, and am in a quandry as to which one to buy. I've been looking at mostly hybrids and "comfort bikes," but, really, they all seem about the same. I had pretty much decided to buy the Bianchi Avenue or Advantage, mostly just because I liked the looks of them, but when I tested them again today, I didn't like the feel of them as well as some of the others I tried (shifting wasn't as smooth and the chain came off on the Advantage while I was testing, though the bike shop guy assured me that all it needed was a slight adjustment) and I was chatting with a woman on a bike at a local coffee shop (I stopped to ask her about her bike) who told me that the shop that sells the Bianchis has poor costomer service -- they adjusted her bike all wrong -- and recommended another local shop for their great service. Well, that shop only sells Raleighs, which I didn't like much.

I also liked the Marin San Anselmo, which is only sold at the same shop (with the poor service). I might like the Marin San Rafael (the price is better) but they didn't have one in stock to try. They both have the finger-shifts, rather than the grip kind. I found the finger ones easier, but none of the other low-end bikes seem to have them. Unfortunately, both bikes only come in an ugly grey color.


I also liked the Specialized Expedition Sport, which I tried at another local shop which no one I talked to had ever used for repairs or service, so I don't know how they are. They guy I talked to seemed okay, but not as good as the guy at
another local shop recommended by my hairdresser (her husband is a road biker). There I tried the Trek Navigator 100 and 200, which seemed okay (grip shifts, though) and the guy who helped me (the owner) seemed really knowledgable and helpful. They also carried Specialized, but not the hybrids. I didn't ask if they could order one -- this might be a possibility.

In addition, I tried the Giant Sedona series (LX, DX and plain Sedona) at another local shop, which seemed comparable to the Treks. The guy at the shop (a teenager) said they are a better bike for the money than Trek because they use their own parts, whereas Trek buys parts from Giant and thus charges more. I wondered if that guy knew what he was talking about, though. I don't know anything about the service there, either.

I also tried the Cannondale Adventure series at the shop with the poor service, but they were more expensive for what seemed like the same bike to me.

I checked the websites for Bianchi and Marin to see if they sell them anywhere else locally, and Marin is sold at a local shop I didn't go to (and don't know anything about), but Bianchi is only sold about a 30-minute drive from me, which is okay for the initial purchase, but a bit of a pain if I have to go often for adjustments.

So, we have
1. Bianchi Avenue or Advantage and Marin San Anselmo (or maybe San Rafael) at a shop which has poor service, or

2. the Trek Nav 100 or 200 at a shop with great service or

3. the Raleigh M20 or C40 at a shop with great service, or

4. the Specialized Expedition Sport and Giant Sedona at shops with unknown service.

Any ideas? anyone ridden any of these bikes and have opinions as to which ones are better? I am trying to stay under $400 (as far under as possible), since I don't know yet how often I will end up actually riding the bike, though I hope to ride a couple of times a week. Also, it is very hilly where I live, so that may make a difference.

Thanks for any input!

--Brigid

[pedalfaster]

Whew! Welcome to the wonderful world of bike-shopping! It's a good thing that you are able to get out and see and test-ride so many bikes, but it does become a bit overwhelming, huh?

I won't comment on the pros/cons of specific bikes. At that price range you mosty want to focus on good fit and, yes, good customer service. The third important factor will be how the bike "feels" to you and how much you like the bike (cosmetics )

I think you really need to clarify (in your own mind) whether you want a comfort mountain bike or a hybrid, that will help you narrow your selection. Generally I will sell the mtb to someone who says they might go off road on easy trails. If a customer says that she will only ride on pavement and perhaps has a goal (century ride?) in the future I usually lead her toward the hybrid.

There I tried the Trek Navigator 100 and 200, which seemed okay (grip shifts, though) and the guy who helped me (the owner) seemed really knowledgable and helpful. They also carried Specialized, but not the hybrids. I didn't ask if they could order one -- this might be a possibility.

Yes bike shops can order bikes. Also, you didn't mention whether you got to try one of Trek's hybrids (the 7100 or 7200).

The guy at the shop (a teenager) said they are a better bike for the money than Trek because they use their own parts, whereas Trek buys parts from Giant and thus charges more.

Uhm, close but no cigar. Giant is a HUGE Chinese company and they own/control a huge amount of the bicycling manufactuing overseas. Many US bike companies will use Giant facilites to produce their parts and frames, but they are still "their" parts built to their specs. And of course almost everybody buys from Shimano.

I also tried the Cannondale Adventure series at the shop with the poor service, but they were more expensive for what seemed like the same bike to me.

Cannondale will be the one bike in this price range with a frame that is made in the USA. For some people this is important.


Hope this helped, good luck in the search. Try not to over-think it too much...riding season is here and the most important thing is to get out and ride your bike

[jobob]

Hi Brigid -

Welcome to the boards!

It's so hard to get that first bike. Especially if you haven't been riding much, your body doesn't really know yet what does and doesn't work for you. So odds are, if you're bit with the bug, your first bike won't be your last .

I'd definitely go with a shop with salespeople that are easy to talk to, are willing to answer your questions, and will let you bring the bike in for the inevitable adjustments you'll want to make as your body settles in. Check to see if the shop gives clinics on simple repairs and adjustments, that's a great way to get to know your shop and to get to know your bike. If they give beginner's riding clinics, all the better. If you have a car or some other way to transport your bike, I wouldn't settle on a shop only because it's close by, but that's a reasonable deciding factor to use if you've narrowed it down to 2 bike shops that are otherwise about equal.

You're doing the right thing in asking around, too. Just remember that opinions are like (fillintheblank)s, everybody has one. Someone might praise a shop to the hills and the next person you ask might say that same shop is the pits. But if you gather enough data, a trend might emerge.

I don't know anything about the bikes you listed, sorry....

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes!

PS - are you in th East Bay, or the Penninsula? I might be able to recommend specific shops to you. Send me a PM (personal message) if you prefer.

[brigid]

I am in the East Bay. The shop that one woman told me had poor service was Pegasas in Danville. I believe they have another branch (maybe in Berkeley?) also. I also have been to California Pedaler in Danville and Danville Bike (next to the high school) . I have been to the one on Main St. in Pleasanton (can't remember the name of it), and the Alamo Bicycles ( behind Rotten Robbie) in Alamo and Livermore Cyclery in Dublin. I found by checking the web that Dublin Cyclery (which is across from the athletic field in Dublin) carries Marin bicycles (in addition to Pegasas) and Pleasant Hill Cyclery and Eden Bicycles in Castro Valley both carry Bianchi bicycles. I have not visited these yet.

Anyone have any experience with any of these places?

--Brigid

[Steph_in_TX]

Look out...you are about to get addicted to bikes! I bought a Trek 7200 to pull a trailer for my one year old last spring and I've since added two road bikes! Definitely find a bike you are happy riding or you'll be less likely to ride it. Have a great time...my now two year old absolutely loves to get out and about in her trailer. She's also the proud owner of a Giant tricycle!

[aka_kim]

Eric at Pleasant Hill bikes is very friendly (he'll talk your ear off) and knowledgeable. I test rode a few bikes there a few years ago, and had a fitting on a later bike, but he still remembers me.

I've had tune-ups at both the Dublin and Livermore shops, which were fine, but don't know anything more about them.

Sharp's in Lafayette has friendly, helpful staff. But I don't remember which brands they carry.

Good luck in your search.

[Barb]

Two years ago I bought a Giant Sedona DX. I have had zero problems and it is very comfortable. It's fun for around town but it's not great for Mtn biking and a little heavy for road work (I also want the larger wheel size). So now I want a road bike and a mountain bike!

[brigid]

Thanks for your comments! Okay, I have now been to Sharp's and Pleasant Hill Cyclery, and have 3 more bikes to add to my choices: the Trek 7200, Specialized Crossroads and a Diamondback -- I can't remember the model and don't want to go search for it downstairs. I am leaning towards the Trek 7200. Smooth shifting (though it has the grip shifters, which I don't like as well) and the more road-bike look and feel which I like better.

So, I'll decode in the next few days, and then I have to get a kiddie trailer. (I emailed a few people with some listed on Craig's list, but none replied.)

[brigid]

decide, I meant, not decode!

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by brigid
I am leaning towards the Trek 7200. Smooth shifting (though it has the grip shifters, which I don't like as well)

Lots of bike shops will let you switch components when you buy a new bike. (You just pay the difference between what the bike comes with and what you want). Tell them you don't like the grip shift and ask if they'll change it for you.

[jobob]

Sorry, brigid, I forgot to follow up ... except I'm not going to be much help I'm afraid - I live in the East Bay (Union City, near Fremont) but I'm really only familiar with bike shops in the peninsula, but that's way too much of a haul from Dublin / Livermore, I'd think.

- no help at all Jo

[brigid]

Well, I bought the Trek 7200 and rode it for the first time today. It was great, except the chain came off the front derailer twice when I downshifted on hills. I am going to take it back to the shop tomorrow to see if they can adjust that. I also realized after I got home that I forgot to buy a helmet! So, I used my horse riding helmet, and looked rather silly I'm sure!

The owner of the lbs said I could try out the grip shifts, and if I decide I want to switch to rapid-fire, he won't charge me for labor. I do have to pay the full price of the shifters, even if I switched when i bought the bike, because for some reason he can't give me credit for the value of the grip-shifts, because he said they have no resale value. That sort of annoyed me. I don't know if other shops would have said the same thing, or not. Lots of places nearby carry Trek, but I went to this shop specifically because they had great customer service when I was trying out the bikes, and a friend with a husband who bikes recommended it. I know mine is a "beginner" bike, and the components that come on it aren't the best, so perhaps they aren't something anyone is going to upgrade to and any shop would have done the same thing. I think the rapid-fire shifts were $50.

So, now I'm in the market for shorts, a helmet, sunglasses, a water-bottle cage, flat-tire repair kit, and I'm still trying to get a good deal on a trailer on ebay. This is nearly as expensive as horseback riding! (But, at least the bike doesn't eat or have vet bills or need any training. And, it hasn't once bitten me or picked a fight with another male bike! And, no manure! Oh, and I can keep it in my garage! Though, I must admit that it doesn't nicker to me, or blow sweet-smelling breath at me, either. And though it may be pretty, it can't compare to a horse! )

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by brigid
It was great, except the chain came off the front derailer twice when I downshifted on hills. I am going to take it back to the shop tomorrow to see if they can adjust that. I also realized after I got home that I forgot to buy a helmet!

The derailleur should have been properly adjusted when you bought the bike. The mechanic should have built the bike, adjusted it and taken it for a test ride.

The owner of the lbs said I could try out the grip shifts, and if I decide I want to switch to rapid-fire, he won't charge me for labor. I do have to pay the full price of the shifters, even if I switched when i bought the bike.

The owner my bike shop NEVER would have done this. He wants the customer to LOVE her bike and to RIDE! Partly because he wants them to be happy, but of course partly because he will ultimately sell you more stuff the more you ride... It's not all altruistic, but the bottom line is that he wants his customers to be happy with their purchases.

I went to this shop specifically because they had great customer service when I was trying out the bikes.
So, now I'm in the market for shorts, a helmet, sunglasses, a water-bottle cage, flat-tire repair kit

No offense, but it certainly doesn't sound like they have good customer service.
1. derailleur was not adjusted correctly.
2. They were unwilling to negotiate on upgrade parts for you on a brand new bike you bought from them.
3. They don't even mention accessories (especially a helmet)!!
4. You have to pay FULL PRICE for upgrades.

I have bought several bikes from my LBS. But even when I purchased my first one I received tremendous service. I was a total stranger to them and I had never bought a single item from their store (I'm assuming that's the position you were in). If I had been treated as you were, I would have never gone back.

There are better bike shops out there!!

[bounceswoosh]

I have to wonder if Adventure Girl is right. The good places I know of go *way* out of their way to make sure you get a helmet (in fact, they wouldn't let me out the door to test-ride a bike without loaning me a helmet), and they usually make a point of suggesting gear, and give you a discount on accessories bought at the same time as your bike.

Then again, I don't have years of experience with this, so maybe I've just been lucky.

[Veronica]

My LBS just gave us two new sets of tires in exchange for some pictures. I still need to put a set on Fluffy. Maybe the other set will go onto the tandem

V.