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Post by Maura on Jul 16, 2015 0:13:32 GMT
I am currently in the market for a lady’s bicycle. 24”. Bikes this size are considered kids bikes, but I don’t want a trailblazer. I want comfort and a few speeds. By speeds, I don’t mean a really hard gear that is impossible except downhill, plus a speed that is so easy you can’t go anywhere, and a middle speed with you always use.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 2:12:40 GMT
I am currently in the market for a lady’s bicycle. 24”. Bikes this size are considered kids bikes, but I don’t want a trailblazer. I want comfort and a few speeds. By speeds, I don’t mean a really hard gear that is impossible except downhill, plus a speed that is so easy you can’t go anywhere, and a middle speed with you always use. What is your price range? Walmart/Target type stores carry bikes up to $200 or so. Bikes at specialty stores start around $500 and go up from there. They are a good place to start as they will fit you for the appropriate size frame for your body type. I am am too long legged to ride a typical lady bicycle from Walmart/Target stores. My knees hit the handlebars. Ouch! I have a Specialized Crossroads comfort bike that I absolutely love. It was just over $300 when purchased in 2007. I'm on my second set of tires as I wore out the first ones. I would highly recommend a bike like this if you are looking for comfort.
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Post by Mr DAVID In Wisconsin on Jul 16, 2015 2:32:42 GMT
I have a Trek Lime that I like. It's a 3 speed automatic shifter. Old fashioned coaster brakes not hand brakes. Got mine used 7 years ago. I think they are in the $600 range. A friend got a Giant about a year ago and it is very easy to shift and one sweet ride. I am considering getting one now. This one was in the $400 range.
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Post by Maura on Jul 16, 2015 3:45:32 GMT
I’m willing to pay more than #200. I can get a Huffy at the hardware store, but I’d like something better. I’ll look into Giant.
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Post by hermitjohn on Jul 16, 2015 6:59:15 GMT
If you are wanting something new and really nice and have plenty money to spend, probably go to a few independent bike shops. They will have genuine knowledge and you will be paying for lot advice and hand holding. You will just find low end China-made stuff at the box stores.
I really havent biked since my college years (dinosaurs roamed the countryside....) and low end stuff was still made here. I had an AMF ten speed bike. Continually having to tinker with the thing as it did use cheap parts, and it had to be welded couple times, but cant complain, think it was like $60 brand new back then at local hardware store, and it took real pounding and I really got my money's worth. Got laughed at some cause it was made of steel and kinda heavy, and had upright handlebars like the older Schwinn bikes, when the uncomfortable handlebars that curved down like racing bikes were the "in" thing. And it had big wide seat that was actually halfway comfortable to sit on, while the "in" bikes had tiny hard narrow ones that effectively castrated males trying to ride them unless you constantly held your butt up in the air and your nose down close to front wheel. In other words it was for practical transportation, not a wannabe racing bike that is neither a racing bike, nor a practical transportation bike.
It had ten speed, but I probably never used more than three or four speeds. I just got used to where I had to point the shifters without thinking about it, and thats it. Yea older three speed probably done me fine, but they werent selling those at that point in time. Sometimes one has to adapt to whats available rather than finding something that is exactly what one wants.
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Post by Callie on Jul 17, 2015 0:24:07 GMT
What do you plan on using a bike for? Street riding in the evening with a 4 yr old? Or 20 miles per day on bumpy country roads? Mostly flat or hill and dale?
I opted for a Schwinn from the sporting goods store in town. I got it about this time last year on clearance for $300. Then I bought a different seat and a carry-all bag for the handle bars, etc to the tune of $50. First day out, I had a flat. 2nd day - another one...so we replaced the tires and tubes. I've had a bit of trouble with the lowest gears- it doesn't always want to shift down into them. Other than that- it's been a lot of fun. I did 20 miles per day last summer on back highways. Eventually, I'll switch to a better bike but for now, it's been about the great thing I've ever bought myself.
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Post by Maura on Jul 17, 2015 0:50:50 GMT
Callie, I read that the low level Schwinns had cheap tires, but the bikes were otherwise well made. Glad you are enjoying it now.
Well, every time I am at the ‘new’ house in town I think, gee if I had a bike I could have ridden it to the grocery store for these few items instead of driving; I could have ridden a bike to the community garden instead of driving; I could have ridden a bike to the hardware store instead of driving… I need a bike for city riding and alluvial planes (down to Lake Huron and back on the new paved bike path).
I am 4’10 and it is not easy finding a bike that fits me unless I go into a child’s model, and they are generally not what I want. I looked for reviews, tried to educate myself a little and realized I would have to spend over $300 but shouldn’t be over $500 for my needs. I went to the bike shop in a tiny town nearby and the guy, who is 5’ 1”, knew exactly what I needed. I got a Sun Drifter, 7 speed, with forward crank. Forward crank means the pedals are farther forward then normal and the seat sits lower. This is a great ride with the leg stretch forward instead of down, much more comfortable for the knees. Also has an old lady comfort seat, fat tires, and ‘I can see in front of me’ handlebars. I’m really looking forward to riding it.
I also got a water bottle holder and a handlebar basket. With tax it was about $464. Better than Walmart, but not ready for the Tour de France.
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Post by oggie on Jul 17, 2015 16:39:01 GMT
Where will the bike be stored when it's not being ridden?
If it's going to be outside, stay with a used single-speed bike with a coaster brake (the kind of brake that engages when you push the pedal backward instead of forward). Exposure to the weather will cause multi-speed bikes with fancier brakes to quit working much more quickly.
For a bike that's going to be well-cared-for (Stored out of the weather and occasionally adjusted and maintained), look for a lightly used multi-speed bike that someone has grown tired of storing indoors because they rarely ride it. Pick the bike up and see how much it weighs. Some of the less-expensive bikes are very heavy.
Folks who haven't ridden bikes a lot tend to prefer bikes with a more upright riding position. Mountain bikes, city bikes and hybrids are some of the names that marketers stick on those.
You might want to put Slime or another sort of sealant in the tires if you have a lot of stickers or other debris on the roads or trails where you plan to ride.
Oh, and buy yourself a helmet.
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Post by hermitjohn on Jul 17, 2015 18:58:27 GMT
Folks who haven't ridden bikes a lot tend to prefer bikes with a more upright riding position. Father Brown rides his bike every episode and he rides in an upright position! LOL Upright is way people that use a bike to get around town rode them traditionally. The butt higher than head way of riding is imitation racing form. Its neither comfortable nor practical unless you are racing.
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Post by Maura on Jul 17, 2015 23:13:27 GMT
I tried finding a decent used bike, but being 4’ 10” makes it difficult. With the forward crank I can get full leg extension, yet not stress my knees. Even though it fits me well, it has 26” tires, which I like.
The forward leaning “racer” bikes are for distance and varying levels like hills and valleys. I hate them, give me a neck ache. For town riding, where you have to pay attention to what is around you, I find an upright position is much more practical.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 15:49:07 GMT
Many years ago, we found a small bike for my wife on ebay, of all places. The gal lived 30 miles away, so we bought it, and went and picked it up.
That bike would have retailed for almost $1,000. I think we paid $150 for it.
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