[Impaler]

Okay, so the Huffy I bought at Wal-Mart 10 years ago finally crapped out on me, and I've decided that I need a new bike.

I have no idea what to get, however, when it comes to brands, or quality of parts, or anything. The only thing I really knew how to do was brake and pedal.

I do take my bike camping with me, but I'd also like something with which I can cruise around town easily.

Any of you bike fans out there have suggestions?
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QED, sort of.

[Gort]

What is really boils down to - with most anything - is cost. How much are you willing to spend. As a bicycler myself I would recommend something durable but light and with good components. A good mountain bike will do; you can get some slickers (non-dirt treads) put on for "urban assault" mode. Mountain bikes (with slickers) are great for city riding, because they have more durable frames and can withstand the "emergency get-the-hell-out-of-the-way" episodes that often occur when traversing the city.

If cost is an issue then try to find one used; your local bike store can point the way, as they'll most likely have a bulletin board with "for sale" postings.

If you can plunk down the coin for a new rig, then I would look at a Trek 4900 or 4500.
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- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[see]

i ride the SCOTT PRO RACING . Its a very cool carbon frame bike with complete XT components . I bought the XTR Rear Derailleur a few months ago but they dont differ that much.

Have a look at good components. I would say at least LX components.

[Gort]

[henrik]

Do you like road bikes? I am on a Bianchi Veloce myself and I love it.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/site/bikes/23_Veloce-BW.html

It's fairly light weight, not carbon all the way thogh. For rough american roads steel frame is the way to go. Alu is too stiff and not durable enough. Yes you will be a little heaivier, but it doesn't affect you unless you're doing a lot of climbing.
All the shift gears, levers and brakes is Campagnolo, good quality stuff.
It comes with look pedals. All different sizes, so it's very easy to find your perfect match. All the way from 44 to 63.
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[see]

@gort:

the bike with the XTR was expensive and i dont think they sell the frame anymore.

im not sure about the $price cause im from Europe and there its about 2600 EURO which is about 3000 $ if im right.

Yeah Trek is cool and especially this bike you mentioned expensive! But the shape of the frames are really well done.

[Gort]

Cool

I am riding mountain bike...but I do like roadies. I am trying to get a LeMond Buenas Aries - I think they're very nice; however I do have a lot of respect for Bianchi.

That carbon fiber stuff is freaking amazing!! I was checking out an Easton seat post the other day - that sucker is light as a paper towel tube but strong as steel - amazing!
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- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[Giant Hamster]

Staple tin cans together in a bike-esque shape. Use a Folger's coffee tin as the seat and Altoid's mint containers as the pedals.

[Giant Hamster]

If you really want to soar, substitute the tin with aluminum.

[Gecko]

omg.. i still can't believe that tom carter is now ... Gort.
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Gecko
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[spyroteknik]

unrelated to the question but i'm so glad i read this, i'm not so far out of the loop, it's about 10 yrs ago since i raced or owned a bike and xtr/deore lx were the benchmark gears then, glad to see they still are as i'm planning on getting one too, and i still know what to look for

[Gort]

[Impaler]

Update:

I picked up a used Bianchi mountain bike at a bike auction at school a few weeks ago. Basically, bikes that had been collected as collateral or locked up in improper areas were impounded and sold at one big auction. I got it for a cool 150 bucks.

The bike itself was in near-new condition. There was one big ding on the top tube, but it's only a superficial scratch (I don't really care too much about appearances to begin with). I'll probably be upgrading the components pretty soon. I was looking at the new Shimano stuff, but if anyone has better suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

I had no idea how much difference a good bike would actually make! The most immediately noticeable difference is the weight-- I can lift the Bianchi with one hand easily, whereas my old crappy Huffy was so heavy that merely getting it in and out of the bed of my truck was an ordeal in itself. It also rides silky-smooth. I was never able to ride with no hands on my old bike, while I can balance effortlessly on my new one. All of the little things of a quality bike really make my day. Quick-releases on both tires AND the saddle are enormous time-savers, especially with all the tube-changing I've had to do.

I've already put probably 400 miles on this bike, since I've been riding about 30 miles every other day around the city. The only real problem I've had with this bike (aside from the face plant I pulled off by slamming on the front brakes too hard and too fast) is flat tires. Albuquerque is a mix of both urban and rural elements, and I've already lost three tubes to thorns. In response, I bought a heavy-duty thorn-resistant tube last week, and it seems to be doing okay. I've tried slime, but it seems to be a temporary solution at best. Should I just get used to patching tubes? Or is there another solution?

Anyways, I mostly wanted to say thanks. You guys gave me good advice and more confidence.
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QED, sort of.

[henrik]

If you're on a Bianchi you want Campa components, not Shimano.

I think you are putting in to little pressure if you end up with flat tires constantly. For road bikes, you want to put in at least 7 bar, i think this translates to 100 psi, I might be wrong. For MTB's you can go up to 4.
Don't use a hand held pump for your tires, it's useless. Zefal pumps can take you up to 4 bar, but a proper one makes it so much easier.
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[Gort]