jlobban Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 buying a bike from an online direct site can be less expensive, but understand that bike will not be tuned when you receive it. buying it from a shop (not a big box store, an actual bike shop) will assure that it's not only tuned properly, but it's fitted to you properly. the bike being sized and positioned for you can make all the difference in how the bike rides. same goes for Craigslist in that regard, except you get a used product with no warranty and in god knows what condition. i work for a major bicycle manufacturer, and i can tell you guys that industry-wide, everyone is sitting on a metric shit-ton of inventory so there will be a LOT of closeouts for 2013 product in order for everyone to bring in 2014 product. so in the coming months start looking in the shops, you could easily find some screaming good deals on awesome bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albie007 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 ^^cl is a the best place for deals. Just have to bee jonny on the spot when a good one pops up. For me Surly makes the best bang for your buck. I ride a surly steamroller, a fixed gear that i ride as a single speed. They are soo versatile as far as swapping parts. I hope to get a karate monkey soon. There is something to bee said for quality steel bikes! And even ebay has some awesome deals on bikes, again just bee ready to pounce on a bin or other deals that goes unnoticed. Im sure all of this is common knowledge for us collectors. I recommend avoiding most of the bikes on bikes direct as they are cheap aluminum frames with equally cheap components. They do offer some good deals though. Just research what u are buying. And as far as cl goes, look for bikes that are being sold from a bike mechanic. I see ads in my area all the time anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 You can't bike across the one into Sarnia, but you can have someone from the DOT take you on a truck across. Good to know. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 I'm just curious -- what is there to be so wary about on a craigslist bike? It's not like buying something as complex as a car. Check the tires, look for rust, find one that looks like it has been taken care of, plan on taking it to a shop afterwards for a full tuning, oiling, fitting, etc. I get that. But it's not like people are selling lemon bicycles out there, right? The frame gonna break in half and the tires gonna fall off? I doubt it. If some part is worn and it comes out when you are riding, you replace it. Part of biking. I just don't see a lot to be afraid of in getting a used bike. As long as the frame is solid, the brakes are in good shape, and the tires are straight, everything else is small potatoes not to worry about too much. If I'm in left field then please explain. I don't claim to know more than industry pros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albie007 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 ^lebowski^ Im not a pro but ur not in left field....middle field but not left. Hairline cracks on mtb can be made known only when ur miles from nowhere though. I've heard of people rebranding cheap bikes. Fresh paint job, decals of cannondales,etc bought off ebay. Mostly buyer beware type stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlobban Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 not to mention that there's a ludicrous amount of stolen bikes sold on Craigslist. you could easily be supporting a thief. happens way too frequently here in the PNW, just happened to one of my coworkers actually. his garage got broken into, 4 bikes stolen, one was on Craigslist a week later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 not to mention that there's a ludicrous amount of stolen bikes sold on Craigslist. you could easily be supporting a thief. happens way too frequently here in the PNW, just happened to one of my coworkers actually. his garage got broken into, 4 bikes stolen, one was on Craigslist a week later. Yeah, that's a bummer. Not going to prevent me from buying on craigslist but it will remind me to be really careful about things like registering a serial number with an expensive bike if I can one (so if it does get stolen and pop up on craigslist, I might have a chance to get it back). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 And just to be clear, I'm not saying "I don't care if it is stolen", only "I have no way of determining what is stolen and what isn't other than using my gut (say, $2k bike being sold by someone who looks like a thug and has no idea what he has) so I'm not going to let it turn me away from taking advantage of the price advantages of Craigslist." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlobban Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 yeah i get that, no worries. i just have a hard time weighing the cost savings vs the potential of hidden damage, stolen goods, etc. but again, i work for a manufacturer. we want you to buy new bikes lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsfan4ever80 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Bought a bike from bikes direct. It's a legit site and they have good prices on new bikes. You will get more for your money on CL but it will be used. Anything else you were wondering? Since you asked lol, some guy recently posted a ton of bikes on Craigslist in my area, and a few of them are hybrids. However, the wheel widths are 38c, which I'm afraid may be wider than I'd like. One of my main goals is to keep up with my wife who has a decent Marin hybrid with 35c wheels. I've tried her bike out, and it moves so seamlessly. Will 38c width be that large of a difference from 35c? I'm primarily going to be riding on paved roads with the occasional sidewalk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlobban Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 the tires can be changed according to how you want them regardless of the wheel width. You're more likely to notice a difference when you're running much thinner wheel widths like for road bikes: 18c-25c. when you're already running wheel widths as wide as 35-38, you're more likely to feel a difference from the tread pattern on the tire, not the width of the tire. wider tires = wider contact patch = better traction but slightly more rolling resistance (slower) thinner tires = smaller contact patch = more responsive and less rolling resistance (faster) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UntitledRecords Posted July 11, 2013 Author Share Posted July 11, 2013 Great end to todays part in the tour. Is anyone else watching this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseydave77 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I just got a new Cervelo P2. This is the most self indulgent purchase I've ever made in my life and after training 75 miles these past three days I can honestly say I'm in love. What a brilliant design. Anyone on here have any experience with Flo's? I am thinking about investing in a set of race tires, likely 60s. I am reading mostly excellent stuff on Slow Twitch but I figured I'd toss it out here since we have a few serious cyclists. UntitledRecords 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynamitekid Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 ANyone know where you can get some Chrome shoes for cheap? I wear 10.5/11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UntitledRecords Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 I just got a new Cervelo P2. This is the most self indulgent purchase I've ever made in my life and after training 75 miles these past three days I can honestly say I'm in love. What a brilliant design. Anyone on here have any experience with Flo's? I am thinking about investing in a set of race tires, likely 60s. I am reading mostly excellent stuff on Slow Twitch but I figured I'd toss it out here since we have a few serious cyclists. I try to keep 100 miles a week. I live close to the country and there are plenty of long roads, and under developed neighborhoods to ride through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pushbacktosquare Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Just bought a Giant Escape 3. Going to start commuting to School / work. About a 10 mile ride from my home to school. Excited to start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnolan15 Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Anyone know of a good site to buy tires off of? I've been riding with two different size wheels for a while and I think it's about time I get the same size haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinisterkidd Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I really wanna start riding to work but its 12 miles..not that far but I have a physical job and am on my feet all day and I feel like when its time to go home I'm not gunna wanna ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albie007 Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 ^tianna...u get used to it! The first couple weeks suck for sure. The morning ride gets u ready for the day and the afternoon ride let's u unwind. And im on my feet for 9 to 11 hours a day. Some afternoon rides are tough for sure. (A cold beer never tasted soo good). Im a bout a month away from nonstop rain for 7 months. The right gear is essential for winter. The money I save on one less car supports my record habit! ^Mnolan15.....as far as tires (ebay/bike nashbar/etc) I stocked up a few years ago on craigslist. My citys got a huge biking community though. Just check often and be ready to pounce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UntitledRecords Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 ^tianna...u get used to it! The first couple weeks suck for sure. The morning ride gets u ready for the day and the afternoon ride let's u unwind. And im on my feet for 9 to 11 hours a day. Some afternoon rides are tough for sure. (A cold beer never tasted soo good). Im a bout a month away from nonstop rain for 7 months. The right gear is essential for winter. The money I save on one less car supports my record habit! ^Mnolan15.....as far as tires (ebay/bike nashbar/etc) I stocked up a few years ago on craigslist. My citys got a huge biking community though. Just check often and be ready to pounce. Where do you live? Seattle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiatorhums Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Where do you live? Seattle? That's where I'm at. I like riding in the rain quite a bit actually. Sucks having to bring spare clothes though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseydave77 Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Just bought a used Zipp 404 wheelset off a fellow for a crazy good price and went looking for the right thread to talk in. He threw in a free set of Conti 4000s to seal the deal so I'm dying to get to warmer weather and closer to race season so I can justify giving them a good ride. Does anyone in here race? Bike - run - anything? I would love to see a thread for folks sharing what they've accomplished. I'm in full training for my first 70.3 triathlon and could use some likemindedness on here since I find the Triathlon forum's to be too hardcore. For instance a thread about listening to music while you run - in training or on race day - turned into a flame thread the equivalent of a kid starting a thread here about framing sealed LPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrc Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 no racing for me, but my 2014 biking goal is to do a century ride. I got a new bike late last year and haven't been able to use it much lately (weather, time, work, holidays, hangovers...) but i was happy to knockout two 25 mile rides over the weekend, so hopefully i can get back into a routine in the next month or so. I only started biking again about a year and a half ago, and already did a 73 mile ride. Not bad for a somewhat new rider on a commuter bike. I have no friends that ride, so i have no one to push me, or to learn from (bike maintenance, advice, tips...). Kinda sucks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseydave77 Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Im a solo cyclist too. My speed is improving, averaging over 21 mph on 30 mile rides. Not bad for a dude who last may averaged 14.5 mph in his first race. I need to be closer to 23mph but thats gonna take time. These wheels are gonna improve my training and ultimately race times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiatorhums Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I definitely plan on riding more once it gets nice out. Right not all I do is ride to work and back, which is only a few miles each way. I guess there is a ~22 mile trail that'll take me up to a Red Hook Brewery. I don't love their beer, but I think it would be a lot of fun to ride up there every few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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