Comments on: Just Ask Jack — What Bike Do I Buy?

By: Simple Living News Update: Week of May 25th

Simple Living News Update: Week of May 25th — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:04:24 +0000

[...] Just Ask Jack — What Bike Do I Buy? [...]

By: Dean Peddle

Dean Peddle — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:25:44 +0000

My best advice is to point out that no bike can do “everything”. If you can do it then buy your bikes for the purpose you intend them to be for and own 5 or 6 for all those different purposes like most of us here

By: TimK

TimK — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:49:09 +0000

I’m like Trisha, except that my response would be, “Buy a Swobo Dixon.” I’ve been using mine to commute since I got it in January, and I absolutely love it. It’s a wonderful machine.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:35:24 +0000

I have several bikes in my fleet, but my most recent addition is my new favorite bike- a K2 Easy Roller! Simple, carefree, slow (great for hot days) and HUGE! Cars and trucks give me much more room than ever before, maybe they are afraid of those big wheels denting their vehicles. Check it out: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1061121_-1_20005_20000_20500

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:15:54 +0000

David,

thus my suggestion to be flexible about the “price ceiling” — buying the cheapest bike is not often the best solution, and saving up for a few extra weeks or months to get the ideal machine makes a lot of sense.

By: David

David — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:50:44 +0000

I would add that if you think you might get into bike riding, buy the best bike you can reasonably afford.

I made the mistake of buying a very inexpensive commuter bike (Schwinn World Avenue). I really dislike it, even more so now that I use it to commute (15 miles rnd trip) to work daily.

I should have kept with my original plan and spent a couple hundred more to get the bike I had really wanted to get in the first place.

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:40:48 +0000

Of course, there is a bit of a drawback to that “buy the bike you like” : That might be why JoAnn and I have 34 bikes and trikes.

Ah, well…

By: Tony Bullard

Tony Bullard — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:09:46 +0000

Another good reason to encourage people to visit as many stores as possible is the way companies distribute their bikes.

I learned this later on, but many bike shops will only carry a few brands, and the store on the other side of town will carry a few DIFFERENT brands. I’ve been told this is done so bike shops don’t have to play the price war game with each other. So not only should you find the right place that’s good for you, you should also be sure you’ve seen all the different brands out there.

And the tip I’d say is most important: ride as many different bikes as you can. I bought a mountain bike a year ago because I was told it would do what I needed (and admittedly I said I’d be doing stuff I never do) I’ve been riding it for a year now, saving my money, and the middle of next month I’ll be buying a touring bike, as I’ve learned that I LOVE them. You never know what you might like until you ride it!

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:01:23 +0000

Chip, I may have gotten that sentiment from you…it makes great sense.

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:34:39 +0000

I always tell people to buy the bike that makes them happy- the bike that makes them WANT to ride. That, to me, is more important than how many gears it has or the brand of equipment- or even the brand of bike. If they look at that bike and want to go for a ride, then that’s the right bike for them.

But that’s just me.