FOT Forum
FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: todd on May 03, 2008, 02:15:24 PM
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I just moved to Chicago this winter and I'm really starting to envy the people zipping through traffic on a bike around me. I know there are some cyclist FOTs, so I thought I'd start an all-purpose bike question thread to get people like me off the fence and onto a bicycle.
To start off:
I'm really interested in getting a bike for transportation around the city, but I haven't ridden since I was like 10. Do you guys recommend going to a bigger store and buying a new bike, or going to a little bike chop-shop and buying a fixed up old beater? I've gone to the smaller co-ops and they were mostly 7,000 pound cruisers or mountain bikes.
Any advice would be great.
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Todd, I've heard folks say good things about a shop called Cycle Smithy at 2468 ½ North Clark Street. Not sure if it's convenient to where you are, but it sounds like a nice shop.
I have a 2000 Marin San Rafael, a hybrid: I use it for riding in the countryside, rail-trails and in town a bit (nothing like Chicago, though) and it's great. I got it used on eBay, of all places. I like it very much...I'd want nothing to do with those mountain bikes, or the cruisers, like you said. Maybe a used, good quality hybrid of some sort? That way, in case it gets stolen, you're not out too much--and maybe you won't get stolen if it's not too attractive...
More than anything else, I'd like to say: Do it! It's the coolest feeling to start biking again after a long time. Feels like you're flying, like you're...10 years old again. It's great.
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I like this guy. I've got one.
(http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/ElectraAmsterdamClassicGr.JPG)
I got it a bit cheap, because used. It's not perfect: the back wheel had a loose spoke and wobbled, which totally destroyed the rear wheel guards. Which aren't totally necessary, but still.
Also, generators for bikes just suck. I got a retro-looking battery powered headlight to replace it. Amazon. If you like, there are magnetic induction fancy lights now, too, which get some power from the rider but don't add friction.
Plus, I added a wicker basket to the back.
The key elements for a city bike are: ability to mount basket, internal 3-speed hub, lights, plenty of chain and mud guards.
The Amsterdam is obviously so called because it imitates the classic Euro-looking bike, but Electra is a company that usually makes those ugly-ass beach cruisers. I got it 1/2 for the style. Like, I can wear a tweed jacket in the fall and a scarf and pretend I'm Bertie Wooster.
If you're looking for a higher quality city bike, this one is really good: The Bianchi Milano.
(http://www.bikely.com/i/B/Bianchi-2007-Milano-.1F.jpg)
The popularity of fixed gear bicycles seems to be waning, at least around here (Boulder). Fixies are fine only if you just wear a t shirt and jeans and don't mind carrying everything in a backpack, and getting a sweaty back. And you don't have to negotiate a lot of hills.
Also, racing and mountain bikes are for racing and biking in the mountains. Sometime in the 90s the generic mountain bike became basically the default bike. It's totally inappropriate for most city tasks, though. Also, never trust anyone for city bike advice who thinks biking is a sport or exercise. Commuter biking is no kind of exercise at all.
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Or this:
(http://craphound.com/images/shoebike.jpg)
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I'm getting a bike, too! I want something lightweight that I can carry into my trailer when I go to work and something sturdy. I will probably wreck a lot.
Is there some kind of helmet that won't ruin my hair-do?
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Todd, check out Working Bikes. It's at the corner of Western and Grenshaw, 1 block north of Roosevelt. They build and sell bikes for around $50 and they also ship about 5000 bikes per year to 3rd world countries in order to help them out. Go to http://workingbikes.org/sales (http://workingbikes.org/sales)
There's also lots of quality bikes for sale on craigslist which is where I got my sweet schwinn road hound for $40. Definitely don't get a brand new bike because you can get a really good one built for you for a couple hundred bucks.
A couple other locally-owned bike shops that I like :
Boulevard Bikes (Logan Square). They primarily sell Bianchi bikes and do excellent repair work on all kinds.
Yojimbo's Garage (River West, I think..).
Rapid Transit (wicker park) they're kind of on the pricey side though.
and there's a few more that I can't think of right now.
oh, and also there's a free bike workshop at West Town bikes (http://westtownbikes.org/) if you want to learn repairs.
hope this helps
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All of these replies are really helpful. Thanks.
Maybe it would help me if I knew the right words for the kind of bike I want: when I see commuters on bikes, I see people riding these stripped-down bikes with thin wheels, low handlebars and not a lot of gadgetry. But when I go to the bike shops I see big thick wheels and high handlebars and 75 gears and shit. What is the KIND of bike I'm looking for, and what's a reasonable price to pay for it (new or used)?
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I think the kind of bike you should get, as a commuter, depends on what the commute is, and what kinds of work you do.
If you have to wear nice clothes, I'd recommend getting a bike like the ones I posted. They keep your clothes clean because of the chain guard and fender, and you can easily mount baskets so that you don't have to wear bags on your person, which is a really good thing if you don't want to get rumpled and sweaty. Plus, getting a bike with gears (as opposed to a fixie) means you don't have to get all sweaty for hills and so on. That kind of bike is generally just called a "city bike." I think that a bell and lights are good gadgets to have on such a bike. You can get a decent one for between 300 and 600 dollars. I'd be suspicious of bikes much cheaper than $300, although I have had my eye on some budget folding bikes (now that Jason put the bug in me in an earlier thread),
Getting more of a road bike (stripped down, no fenders, etc) is a good idea if you have a longer distance.
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I bought a folding bike the other day, its at least 35 years old. It has new hampshire bicycle license sticker on the back that expired in 1973.
Columbia brand but Dutch made (Magneet). I bought it so I could get the Path to Manhattan and then ride around. It's not that practical for folding but its very sturdy and holds my tool back really well. Still needs some attention. Only $32
(http://b.imagehost.org/0670/mag.jpg)
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Yesno's bikes are awesome. Where can I get bikes like that?
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First of all, for all bike related questions, go to bikeforums.net for good advice.
...as yesno said, it depends completely on what you're intentions are. Beyond that, it's a bike, after all, ...try not to over think it. Overspending vs underspending, as with cars, is completely up to you. That having been said, don't go the dumpster diving route; if you were to buy the most amazing bike in the world, it'd still be cheaper than almost any car. Go only to a local BIKE STORE, not a target or some sporting goods store etc. The local bike store will sell you what you need, hi or low end. You might get away with spending $100 or less from a friendly store on a used bike, but expect to pay $500 or more for a new one that's any good.
I started out with a Specialized Crossroads (so you can look it up...it's the same as any hybrid, really) bike. It's a fine bike, but it's basically a mountain bike with a cushy seat and larger wheels (the main selling point for hybrids, bigger wheels! with smooth tires)...It was fine for about a year. But in the midwest, the wind is insane (I've heard that too about Chicago....) and you begin to want more of an aerodynamic experience, rather than complete frustration when you're little more than a bitchy kite...so I went to my local bike shop and they set me up with a bike designed for cyclocross, which is great for city commutes. It's like a REAL hybrid between a road bike and a commuting bike. A strong road bike with fenders and lights, and a rack, etc. I was at first totally against drop handlebars, but quickly came to love my current set up. I thought drop handlebars were just for racing, but they're much more comfortable than upright hybrids or cruisers for long distance commutes. I've got a front wheel generator hub which powers my lights, and is completely unnoticeable as I'm moving along (nothing like bart simpson's generator, in other words...), I've come to both learn and love "clip in peddles" which allow you to use the full 360 degree motion of the peddles and stop your feet from slipping when it rains. They help you quickly gain momentum when the light turns green as well, or when you're making a left hand turn...pulling up with your legs helps for sure.
I suggest starting simple at a local bike store such as one Dania suggested. They'll more than likely have a road frame with fenders etc for sale. I advise you to avoid "hybrids" and Amsterdam style cruisers, especially if you live in any city in the USA. Even Portland I'd avoid them as a commuting bike. They're too heavy and aren't that comfortable for commuting. When I was getting into biking I was wishing I could find bikes like they have in Amsterdam, I thought they'd be more comfortable etc, but in the USA we just don't have the infrastructure for such bikes. Better get a light, strong, road bike with fenders etc such as the Bianchi Castro Valley, or an old steel framed schwinn from the 80's off ebay with some fenders and flashing lights on it...
Don't forget your helmet and plenty of lights, FLASHING LIGHTS, both for yourself and for cars seeing you.. If you see people without a helmet, that's their problem. Wear a fucking helmet.
here's a picture of my bike. I've ridden 4500 miles now on it since April of 06. No problems. Surly Cross Check frame. ...notice the reflective tape, reflective tires, and the best show sticker for luck... (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2462645213_0215a2e043.jpg?v=0)
Whatever bike you end up getting, be safe and good luck!
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To add more to this, if you're looking for a few terminology bits, I know only a few, I'm no expert though. My guess is that you're might be new to cycling (?), so you probably don't want a fixed gear bike, but you might be considering a single speed. The only difference between the two is that with a fixed gear, you can't stop pedaling EVER. However, if you get a single speed with a freewheel, you get the lightness of having one gear, but you can still coast and pedal backwards.
Is that kind of what you're going for? It sounds like you'd really like to go fast, but I wouldn't recommend getting a fixed-gear unless you've been cycling for quite some time. As for me, I don't think I'll be getting a fixed gear any time soon even though I've been cycling for many years. A few summers ago, I would bike 20 miles a day to and from work, but even then I still liked having gear options.
To add to your speed, the frame is important. The lightest frames are made of aluminum or cromium-molybdenum (cro-moly). Some people might go crazy making all of their bike's components (rims, spoke nipples, crank sets, etc.) superduper lightweight. But I don't think you need to go crazy unless you're planning on racing.
One of the most important things is to get the right size bike. That's also why you should definitely go to a local place because they will know how to get you fitted for one.
I think the bikes you're talking about, with the stripped-down effect and such, are mostly built by local bike enthusiasts. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to find that kind of bike in stores, although I could be wrong. The guy at Yojimbo's Garage builds ones like that, I don't know how much that would cost you, but you might be able to get one built for a few hundred bucks if you ask around. I saw someone post something on craigslist offering to build bikes like that for people on a sliding scale.
Honestly, I think your best bet is to get a basic road bike if you're looking to not spend too much, but new Bianchi bikes at Boulevard always look so pretty. They're nice folks over there at Boulevard. Good luck and WEAR A HELMET!!
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I second, third, fourth and fifth buying the bike from a bike shop. Not only do you get to see hands on what's good (which is worth the slightly higher price), but for bikes that have fenders and so on, I don't even change flats. Too much hassle. It's way worth it to find a bike shop you're comfortable with, so that you can go there for the inevitable repair. Which does bring me to an advantage of the stripped down bikes: it's easier to do home maintenance.
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Yea, Dania, you got it. I know nothing about cycling - I wanted to get some pointers so I know what to ask when I head to the shop this week. I'll ask about the freewheel stuff when I go. Do you live in Chicago?
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Yup! Best city for biking in America if you ask me; so very flat...
Another thing, be sure to grab a bike map when you go into the shop. I think the library has them too.
Some more tidbits-
Streets not to bike on (if I were you):
Western
Fullerton (except for east of ashland is a-ok)
Grand
Ashland
Streets to bike on:
East/West:
Diversey
Augusta
Cortland/Armitage
Warren
Roosevelt
North/South:
Halstead
California
Damen
there's a lot more good biking streets, some of which have bike lanes, but if you're gonna be mostly downtown, it's a free-for-all. All of the diagonal streets are good too.
Have fun and try not to get discouraged by negligent drivers, cold and rainy weather, cruddy streets, time limitations, etc. Any way you look at it, biking will almost always be just as fast, if not faster, than driving. Especially once you build up your leg muscles.
ok, I need to stop going on and on about this. I could keep talking, but I shan't.
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I think the bikes you're talking about, with the stripped-down effect and such, are mostly built by local bike enthusiasts. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to find that kind of bike in stores, although I could be wrong. The guy at Yojimbo's Garage builds ones like that, I don't know how much that would cost you, but you might be able to get one built for a few hundred bucks if you ask around. I saw someone post something on craigslist offering to build bikes like that for people on a sliding scale.
....Definitely don't get a brand new bike because you can get a really good one built for you for a couple hundred bucks....
I'll be honest: one of the major reasons I like the idea of biking is that I really enjoy fixing and repairing stuff - thats why I want such a stripped down, easy-to-fix bike. Computers and cars are so complicated, I want something simple that I can look at and go "oh thats the problem."
So my last stupid question is: is having a bike made a really stupid idea? I kind of like the idea of picking out a frame, picking out the gears, picking out some handlebars, and walking out with Todd's Bike, not a SCHWINN RAPTOR FX or whatever.
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no, it's not stupid to want one made, but for somebody who hasn't ridden a bike since they were ten, you might want to keep it simple by just getting a road bike that fits. Look at this sweet one for instance:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/669112768.html (http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/669112768.html)
or this one looks decent too:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/668903212.html (http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/668903212.html)
more:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/668808889.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/668783242.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/668987687.html
there are lots of quality used bikes on craigslist. I'm constantly looking out for a second or maybe third bike for myself, or for friends.
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Anyone have any experience with Kona bicycles? I'm considering the Smoke 2-9 for commuting, errands, and joy/ghostriding.
(http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2008/smoke/2008-smoke-2-9.jpg)
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get a small pair of bolt cutters and take your pick
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They're a good brand. You might want to consider a chain guard to protect your pants when commuting, and a basket. I can't emphasize basket enough. I never had a bike with a basket until last year, and I can't imagine commuting without one now, carrying my stuff in a messenger bag or backpack.
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try out Nearly New Shop up on 3826 N. broadway. he is the sweetest older bike man in city. completely unpretenious bike guy with a good amount of knowledge. NNS is a small shop with floor to ceiling bikes. if he doesn't have one for you one day try the going back, his inventory is always changing. picked up a super nice raleigh for my girlfriend. it was perfect for a conversion (we just finished it).
if you are looking for a new bike you might want to try Tati. his shop is in hyde park, but his customer service is unbeatable. he closes his cash register at noon for one hour of tea and conversation. it's really endless with this guy. if anything stop down by his shop and hang out with him for a bit.
www.taticyles.com (http://www.taticyles.com)
let me know when you get a bike. we can have FOT bike ride.
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that reminds me.. CRITICAL MASS IS THIS FRIDAY!!!!!
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i have a bike.
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I also have a bike. It's great!
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I have a bike but I don't ride it often enough.
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Todd--any luck on the bike front yet?
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Yes! I'm sorry I didn't update the thread. I bought a cheap $100 Giant road bike from the Nearly New Shop Henry posted. I actually knew about that place before, and I live 2 blocks from there, but every time I'd gone they didn't have anything in my size.
My bike has some problems (the seat and drops are terribly uncomfortable), but its a great bike to beat around on and learn what I need out of a more expensive bike in the future. It's been cold in Chicago, so I haven't ridden as much as I like, and I still don't have the confidence to commute from Lakeview to my job in River North (about 4 miles of city traffic), but I'm working on it.
This thread was a big help! Thanks to everyone!
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Excellent! Great to hear it.
Seats/saddles are a fraught area--many different ways to fix it, many different issues could be at work--your body geometry, your body not being used to the saddle, the saddle being wrong for your shape, the bike being the wrong size/geometry, the bike being maladjusted, you being maladjusted, etc etc etc. It took me 2 seasons of riding to get a saddle I really like (a Brooks B17, FWIW). The more you ride, and the more regularly you ride, the better things will be, in my experience. Things will sort themselves out.
As a tinkerer, I have to admit that having a bike is great. Plenty of relatively easy stuff to mess with...it sounds like you like that sort of thing, too. Have Fun!
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Yes! I'm sorry I didn't update the thread. I bought a cheap $100 Giant road bike from the Nearly New Shop Henry posted. I actually knew about that place before, and I live 2 blocks from there, but every time I'd gone they didn't have anything in my size.
My bike has some problems (the seat and drops are terribly uncomfortable), but its a great bike to beat around on and learn what I need out of a more expensive bike in the future. It's been cold in Chicago, so I haven't ridden as much as I like, and I still don't have the confidence to commute from Lakeview to my job in River North (about 4 miles of city traffic), but I'm working on it.
This thread was a big help! Thanks to everyone!
good to hear. i hope to see you tearing around the streets. it's warming up finally.
since this is the bike thread...i just picked up a schwinn circuit frame. from my few attempts at internet research, i believe it was made in the late '80s. i think it was the #2 bike that schwinn was producing at the time. it's great, columbus tubing. but it has some rust on the bottom bracket and on the top tube. any suggestion on how to stop it from further damage? also, if any enthusiastist have some parts that might work for this bike and are willing to sell please let me know.
i know there are proper forums to be asking these questions. but i don't know those folks, i know FOT.
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Yea, I decided to get a junker to learn what I like by riding, instead of guessing whats right for me based on things that I read online. I have a habit of obsessing over things and trying to get "THE PERFECT BIKE/AMP/GUITAR" instead of just buying a damn bike/amp/guitar.
So I knew this bike was going to be uncomfortable and a hassle, but I don't know the difference anyway! Once I get the balls to actually use this bike as a commuting vehicle, I'll start shopping for something a little more suited to me.
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Yea, I decided to get a junker to learn what I like by riding
thats what i did when i first started riding in the city. it was an old junky murray road bike that i converted into a single-speed. i called it 'Mur'. it was heavy and the gearing was to low, but once i had some momentum i was able to keep pace with any of the biker dudes. i smashed it up one night. drunk driver, parked car, hospital. big mess. i got a schwinn traveler next and turned it into a fixed gear. had it for a couple of years now. it's a size to large, but its comfy. now i got this great circuit that is about to be built up. i'm about to start gushing...