where should i get a bike?

The lazy person in me says Craig's List, but Bicycle Station is highly recommended.

Bicycle Station! I actually saw the owner recommend something CHEAPER to someone looking to buy rather than selling him something he didn't need. I love that place and I am super picky when it comes to bike stores.

If you're willing to go into the city, Frank's on Grand Street has a really good selection of used bikes at reasonable prices. Recycle a Bike in DUMBO is a good option too if you're just looking for a cheap cruiser--most of their stuff is in teh $100 range.

i'll also highly recommend bicycle station. they're really great, know what they're doing, prices are reasonable and are really good at setting people up with what they need.

there are great deals to be had on craig's list although there are also a lot of people getting rid of really old bikes for much more than they're worth which you don't always know until you schlep out to wherever they are to look at them. after looking for a while for a bike for my daughter there, i went to bicycle station and found a better new bike for not much more than some of the super-heavy 30-year-old models i was looking at.

as to shocks, it you're a commmuter or delivery person, maybe, but better road bikes don't have them because they add a lot of weight and make the frame less stable. my strategy is to watch where you're going and avoid the potholes.

I was thinking about a cheap robust hybrid with basic shocks, nothing fancy. Front forks, maybe the post. Fairly slick tires at a little over an inch thick. That's what I get around our streets on, and I value the extra maneuverability and upright position for keeping an eye on the traffic rather than the road, and not having to dodge everything in your path. Wide handlebars and higher head makes you look bigger to cars and pedestrians, and that's what gets hit first rather than your elbows. Makes me feel safer. I sacrifice a bit of speed for comfort and safety when it comes to getting around the city.

But I'm no expert whatsover; talk to one of the good shops about how much cycling you'll be doing where, and what they recommend.

Drano wrote: Check out Amazon, too. They usually have some ok, no frills bikes on special for $200.00 or less. You won't get admiring looks from the spandex squads, but you'll get around just fine.

Yeah, some of these look totally adequate, right price range, and shipping is free. But no test driving, so for a first time buyer it's a bit hard to compare drop bars vs. flat, mountain/hybrid vs. road/racer, choose what kind of tires, feel the weight, etc.

erikka wrote: I will probably be the only one to say forgo shocks. They're corny and really won't do that much in terms of your ride. Get a good pair of padded gloves and spend that money on other more important features, like shifting and breaks.

Agreed. Shocks will slow you down as well with all that mush. Although an adjustable front shock can remedy that....for a hefty price.

As far as I know adjustables can add quite a lot to the bill. My mountainbikee has an adjustable front which works fine but it did add to the price as opposed to a fixed shock. Actually, I shouldn't call it adjustable, just "on/off".

Looks like you're mobile. Congratulations. If you find the tires are thin and you want some extra stability if you have rougher roads on your route (for a small increase in rolling resistance) it may be possible to change for something a little wider/thicker that's still reasonably slick and still fits the rims.

doctorj wrote: [quote=Idlewild]
Agreed. Shocks will slow you down as well with all that mush. Although an adjustable front shock can remedy that....for a hefty price.

I thought adjustable shocks were pretty much standard these days, even on cheaper hybrids (my wife's bike was about $300 new with front and post shocks). Yes, you don't want them too soft, and yes good gloves go a long way. It really depends where you're riding, how often, what your style is not to mention height and proportions, and also whether you ride at night. No substitute for trying out different types and working out what you need and like.

Well....I think some companies automatically add them now because people think that anything new and shiny is automatically better (e.g., disc brakes--unless you spend A LOT of money on them they're usually completely garbage) when that's not always the case. I rode a friend's Gary Fischer that had front shocks on it and the experience was jarring and weird. Thankfully that bike allowed you to turn them off. If you were truly mountain biking they might be helpful, but for city riding they'll just slow you down and add weight to your bike, not to mention it's just another part to fix should it break.

But then again, I'm mostly track bikes and the occasion road bike for centuries. I like light and fast.

I strongly recommend gatorskins tires and tuffy liners http://www.rei.com/product/546130
I've got both and rarely get flats.

doctorj wrote: where/why/when you're cycling.

Yep. I now have one of each. One for the city and one for trips out side of the city where there are bike trails!

erikka wrote:
I had a small bike collection for awhile too but getting that hybrid up and down the stairs made my back hurt. Four flights is a lot to carry a bike up and down.

I know that problem all too well. Cycle storage was a major requirement for us when choosing a place to live in PH.