bicycle

khuntiennang

I am thinking of buying a bicycle, preferably fold-able or light one, yet sturdy enough, because i live on a 4th floor walk up building. any recommended model? and where to get them?

katbka

Costco sells bikes for around $200, and the quality is significantly better than that in Target. I am not sure whether they sell foldable ones.

daver

caaahyoko has a couple nice folding ones, hopefully she'll see this. They cost more than Costco, but the one of hers I saw was pretty awesome.

With bikes, a couple big questions would be typical use and price range.

khuntiennang

well, im not too familiar with bicycle or how much they normally cost. is it realistic to get foldable one below 200?

i have never tried riding a folding bike, heck, i never ride bicycle in nyc before. so please enlighten me with all the rules / law and all that.

how is it like to ride long distance on folding bike? or like maybe to the city? is it safe to park and lock the bike in front of grocery store by the sidewalk?

caaahyoko

Don't get a cheap folder. They are way more trouble than they're worth. My co-worker tried one of the $175 Citizen bikes, and has all sorts of issues with it. If you really want to find one in that price range, you can get a used one on Craigslist. Search for Dahon and you should see a few good ones.

There are plenty of $300-500 folders out there. I ride mine 18 miles round trip every day to work. If you start to look for them, you'll realize that a lot of people are riding them around the city.

Since you live on a 4th floor walk-up, weight would be your biggest concern. My Dahon Curve folder weighs 25lbs, and eventhough I am strong, I don't think I would want to carry it up 4 floors on a regular basis. The Strida might be a good option for you. If you are just going to ride around the neighborhood, it should do the trick. They weigh 17-22 lbs and fold up more length-wise then mine, making it easier to carry up stairs.

I don't feel nervous about locking mine up outside for a while. Folded and locked bikes are nearly impossible for a thief to strip parts off if you lock it right. You can get a chain through both wheels and the frame, avoiding the need for separate front and rear locks.

Also, check out the folding bikes forum on www.bikeforums.net. There are reviews of most of the bikes on there. Plus, there is a great shop in Manhattan called bfold (224 E 13th st) that specializes in folding bikes. It really helps to try them out.

I hope all this helps! Please feel free to ask me more questions if you'd like.

khuntiennang

wow, thanks a lot for the input.
i was worried about the security, since I heard so much about stolen bicycle. That's why I was considering cheap ones, in case if it got stolen, then it's not as painful. (me and my twisted logic)

i checked bfold, boy, they are not cheap. but they do have cool looking fancy bikes.

I wont be riding bike to work though, and i probably wont be using it everyday either, and dont mind used bike as long as it is functional, should I really spend that much on that?

i saw a cute one here, albeit used. can i trust that? lol.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/733360269.html

caaahyoko

KhuntienNang wrote: wow, thanks a lot for the input.
i was worried about the security, since I heard so much about stolen bicycle. That's why I was considering cheap ones, in case if it got stolen, then it's not as painful. (me and my twisted logic)

i checked bfold, boy, they are not cheap. but they do have cool looking fancy bikes.

I wont be riding bike to work though, and i probably wont be using it everyday either, and dont mind used bike as long as it is functional, should I really spend that much on that?

i saw a cute one here, albeit used. can i trust that? lol.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/733360269.html

You're welcome I know, some of them are insanely expensive. You really pay to get the lighter bikes that fold smaller.

The vintage ones are usually rideable, but HEAVY. You may need a new chain ($15) and a tune-up, but otherwise, they're just fine. The good thing is, you could chain it outside with less risk of theft.

However, that particular one is a fixed speed (that's what they mean when they say the breaks are in the pedals), and this means that you must pedal while going downhill, rather than coast. Some people swear by fixed gear bikes, some people hate them. I wouldn't mind having a fixed gear, but I wouldn't make it my only bike.

There will be other more practical ones on Craigslist, I'm sure. Here are a couple good Dahons:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/732533197.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/730045253.html

Here's a Strida:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/733239233.html

Here's a vintage one that's probably good:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/bik/732257467.html

A nice vintage one:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/729695583.html

khuntiennang

Cool! Thanks! I was checking them out too earlier on craigslist. haha. I already sent some emails to some of them. I'll go with your recommendation, hopefully the strida is still available im excited! haha! Thanks! Hopefully I get to try it out this weekend at the park!

oh btw, i didn't know that's how foot break works. hah. im glad you explained that to me. that bike doesnt sound as cute anymore

caaahyoko

KhuntienNang wrote: Cool! Thanks! I was checking them out too earlier on craigslist. haha. I already sent some emails to some of them. I'll go with your recommendation, hopefully the strida is still available im excited! haha! Thanks! Hopefully I get to try it out this weekend at the park!

oh btw, i didn't know that's how foot break works. hah. im glad you explained that to me. that bike doesnt sound as cute anymore

Yay! Let me know how it goes

khuntiennang

I got the bike!
it takes quite a bit of getting used to though because of the way it was built, like the pedals are a little way to the front / diagonal, while i have always been used to the vertical type, so i was wobbly for quite a few blocks. lol. it still feels a little awkward, but i will practice more at the prospect park. but other than that, i guess it is fine, most imporantly it works. it's strida 2, i heard it's an old model.

now, my question about biking on the street, should i stay on the left or right side of the street when there is no bike lane? is it illegal if i dont wear helmet? what is the best way to lock the bike? how long would you leave your bike (locked of course) outside by the street? say, if there is long queue at the post office, or doing grocery, or chill at some cafes. any other thing that i need to put on the bike, like some lights or those reflective thing that you put on the wheels or behind the bike, or bell, etc? (are they required by law anyway?)

booklaw

It is foolish if you do not wear a helmet.

whatchuwant

KhuntienNang wrote:

now, my question about biking on the street, should i stay on the left or right side of the street when there is no bike lane? is it illegal if i dont wear helmet? what is the best way to lock the bike? how long would you leave your bike (locked of course) outside by the street? say, if there is long queue at the post office, or doing grocery, or chill at some cafes. any other thing that i need to put on the bike, like some lights or those reflective thing that you put on the wheels or behind the bike, or bell, etc? (are they required by law anyway?)

Congrats on the bike! I don't think it's illegal to ride without a helmet. Only kids are required by law.

Always ride WITH the flow of traffic with or without a bike lane- in US that's the right side.

Best way to lock a bike is to make sure that any and all removable parts are within the chained up area.
How long? Depends on the nabe, but if its locked properly, than as long as you want, I guess. Just don't leave it anywhere for days, someone may think it's abandoned and cut the chain.

Rear lights are particularly useful and I highly recommend one. Reflectors don't do shit in the city. Bells are good in case a car doesn't see you but usually we just yell! :twisted:

caaahyoko

KhuntienNang wrote: I got the bike!
it takes quite a bit of getting used to though because of the way it was built, like the pedals are a little way to the front / diagonal, while i have always been used to the vertical type, so i was wobbly for quite a few blocks. lol. it still feels a little awkward, but i will practice more at the prospect park. but other than that, i guess it is fine, most imporantly it works. it's strida 2, i heard it's an old model.

Sweet. The Stridas are cool little bikes. If I ran across one at that price, I would snap it up. I'm sure your body will get used to the geometry after a few rides.

Whatchuwant covered most of your other questions well, so I'll just give you a couple links for lights that are good options. I use my rear one almost all the time (even during the day). I do notice that more cars see me when its on. I only use the front light if I'm out after dark.

Rear light:
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W/
http://www.amazon.com/Cateye-TL-LD130-Bicycle-Safety-Light/dp/B000R5NRBM/

Front light:
http://www.amazon.com/CatEye-HL-EL135-LED-Head-Light/dp/B0011E379U/
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Beamer-Bicycle-Bracket/dp/B000HU11ZG/

Congrats on the new bike and have fun!

khuntiennang

i just went for a bike ride this morning at prospect park, it was fun.
the guy who sold me the bike yesterday warned me about how this bike would attract attention, and true enough, i havent had it for 24 hours yet and i already had 4 strangers commenting about the bike. that was weird.

Whatchuwant wrote:
Always ride WITH the flow of traffic with or without a bike lane- in US that's the right side.

that's what i thought. but after i picked up the bike yesterday in manhattan, i was going up on 8th ave to meet someone. I half expected the bike lane would be painted on the right side, but it was on the left instead. that kinda confused me for a bit. :shock:

superjonbot

Congrats on the bike.

As far as leaving it places, it mostly depends on the neighborhood, but you're fairly ok in pslope. I usually use a simple U-lock for my bike and take off the quick release seat and take that with me. If I'm going to be gone for >30 mins I'll also take off the front wheel and lock that the frame and the backwheel together at a pole.

I don't carry anything heavier than a Ulock, those NYC kryptonite hardened chains are ridiculously heavy. I don't get how people wear them as belts as they ride, it takes the fun out of riding.

If I happen to not have a lock and have to run into a store like a deli or order some take out, this is probably fairly evil, I unlatch both of my brakes so that the brake levers don't work. I make sure the bike is inline of sight from the register/cashier. I figure if I see someone does take off with my bike, I'll chase him, he'll ride as fast as he can to get away and will eventually end up as road kill the second he squeezes on the brake and nothing happens. What can I say, people shouldn't steal bikes.

whatchuwant

KhuntienNang wrote:

[quote=Whatchuwant]
Always ride WITH the flow of traffic with or without a bike lane- in US that's the right side.

that's what i thought. but after i picked up the bike yesterday in manhattan, i was going up on 8th ave to meet someone. I half expected the bike lane would be painted on the right side, but it was on the left instead. that kinda confused me for a bit. :shock:

Yea, in that case, I'd ride in the bike lane. Just be aware that to the bikers riding towards you will have the right if way. If you see a lane on the left, it means you should be headed with the traffic. FYI- if you go to the following block (a pain in Manhattan, I know), you'll see a lane going in your direction. I highly recommend a bike map, which can be found in probably any bike store.

caaahyoko

superjonbot wrote: Congrats on the bike.

As far as leaving it places, it mostly depends on the neighborhood, but you're fairly ok in pslope. I usually use a simple U-lock for my bike and take off the quick release seat and take that with me. If I'm going to be gone for >30 mins I'll also take off the front wheel and lock that the frame and the backwheel together at a pole.

I don't carry anything heavier than a Ulock, those NYC kryptonite hardened chains are ridiculously heavy. I don't get how people wear them as belts as they ride, it takes the fun out of riding.

If I happen to not have a lock and have to run into a store like a deli or order some take out, this is probably fairly evil, I unlatch both of my brakes so that the brake levers don't work. I make sure the bike is inline of sight from the register/cashier. I figure if I see someone does take off with my bike, I'll chase him, he'll ride as fast as he can to get away and will eventually end up as road kill the second he squeezes on the brake and nothing happens. What can I say, people shouldn't steal bikes.

Unhooking the breaks--Niiice. I hadn't thought of that.

Yeah, I have a 8 lb kryptonite chain that I rarely use. I've actually ended up using my $12 lighter chain the most (its a kryptonite "tough locking" chain). The good thing is the Strida doesn't have a quick-release seat or wheels, so you don't even have to worry about people swiping them. A simple u-lock should be great for you, KhuntienNang.

halfpint

Bike lanes seem to be on the left side of the road (in my experience and flakey memory of this hour); however, if there is not a bike lane then you should ride on the right is my understanding.

Also, check out ridethecity.com

It's a website sort of like hopstop.com but for biking.

Good luck with the bike

superjonbot

caaahyoko wrote: [quote=superjonbot]
If I happen to not have a lock and have to run into a store like a deli or order some take out, this is probably fairly evil, I unlatch both of my brakes so that the brake levers don't work. I make sure the bike is inline of sight from the register/cashier. I figure if I see someone does take off with my bike, I'll chase him, he'll ride as fast as he can to get away and will eventually end up as road kill the second he squeezes on the brake and nothing happens. What can I say, people shouldn't steal bikes.

Unhooking the breaks--Niiice. I hadn't thought of that.

Doing what I can to make this world a better place. I've had 3 bikes stolen in my life, so no more mister nice guy. :twisted:

daver

Whatchuwant wrote: I highly recommend a bike map, which can be found in probably any bike store.

A very useful item for planning, you can also have one sent to you free of charge via snail mail by calling 311. I've seen them in the Brower Park library too.

If the street is one way ride on the left or right, whatever makes more sense and is safer. And even when there is a marked bike lane, you don't _have_ to use it. You are legally allowed to take a road lane if the bike lane is unsafe for any reason, like yahoos using it for a pssing lane, standing pedestrians, getting doored, etc.

lanciano

>>Unhooking the breaks>>

That IS a good one. Of course, with my luck, i'd probably get the last laugh on myself, as i know i would forget to hook the cable back up.