kids bicycle guide image
I'm looking to buy a bike so I could ride along with my kids (4 and 7 years old). I'm thinking that a mountain bike would be better than a road bike, due to its versatility. However, I have very limited knowledge in brands, features, wheel sizes, suspensions, etc... I don't want to spend more than $600 on a new bike. Can you offer some suggestions to assist/guide me in shopping for a new bike?
Answer
Start by reading "How to Choose a Bicycle" on this link - http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle.html
I seriously doubt you NEED a mountain bike. Don't buy what you want - buy what you NEED. If you'll be riding on streets & light off road (groomed) trails you don't NEED suspension at all. A comfort and/or hybrid bike would work just as well & be easier to ride. Suspension parts soak up or 'zap' your energy. With every stroke of the pedals part of your energy is lost or soaked up into those suspension parts. Knobby off-road tires slow you down.
Features? Double wall rims and an 8 speed "cassette" rear cog - not a 7 speed "freewheel". The hub (axle) on the cassette is MUCH stronger. Too many good brands to recommend just one or two. See your local bike shop. Tell the salesperson "where & how" you plan on riding. What you NEED the bicycle to do for you.
Extensively test ride a few. The one that rides & just plain feels the best - buy it!
Start by reading "How to Choose a Bicycle" on this link - http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle.html
I seriously doubt you NEED a mountain bike. Don't buy what you want - buy what you NEED. If you'll be riding on streets & light off road (groomed) trails you don't NEED suspension at all. A comfort and/or hybrid bike would work just as well & be easier to ride. Suspension parts soak up or 'zap' your energy. With every stroke of the pedals part of your energy is lost or soaked up into those suspension parts. Knobby off-road tires slow you down.
Features? Double wall rims and an 8 speed "cassette" rear cog - not a 7 speed "freewheel". The hub (axle) on the cassette is MUCH stronger. Too many good brands to recommend just one or two. See your local bike shop. Tell the salesperson "where & how" you plan on riding. What you NEED the bicycle to do for you.
Extensively test ride a few. The one that rides & just plain feels the best - buy it!
What Bike Parts Can Be Made From Alumnium Castings?
himynameis
i know lugs can be made...
what are the other possibilities?
seat post collars? stems? dropouts?
Answer
Yes, lugs can be investment cast but they are usually steel, not aluminum.
Contrary to the other answers, MANY parts are die cast and are generally labeled as 'melt forged'. This is something the marketing people came up with to reduce the dubious reference to die casting. If you were to go to a U.S. factory they would tell you until they are blue in the face that die casting and melt forging are different things, but in the bicycle industry they are considered identical.
Commonly die cast bicycle parts in aluminum include dropouts, bottom brackets, stem and seat post heads, suspension fork crowns, chainstay reinforcements, brake levers and calipers, derailleur bodies, and accessory bosses like cable guides. Also, blanks are cast for head tubes, seat post collars, and other items.
In the past, there was a company called Trusty (later purchased by Yamaha) that made a cast aluminum fork for their road bike. The fork started failing- not because of the cast part, but because of the way the casting was attached to the steerer tube- and earned the name the "Death Fork" (although nobody actually died to my knowledge).
Huffy also had a kids bike called the Metaloid http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/huffy/31318, the frame was cast aluminum and looked like a piece of a steel bridge girder. Pretty cool. Kent currently markets a cast magnesium folding bicycle http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Ultra-Magnesium-Compact-Folding/dp/B000H6G146 , but I suspect it is aluminum alloy with an added dollop of magnesium to the mix.
Yes, lugs can be investment cast but they are usually steel, not aluminum.
Contrary to the other answers, MANY parts are die cast and are generally labeled as 'melt forged'. This is something the marketing people came up with to reduce the dubious reference to die casting. If you were to go to a U.S. factory they would tell you until they are blue in the face that die casting and melt forging are different things, but in the bicycle industry they are considered identical.
Commonly die cast bicycle parts in aluminum include dropouts, bottom brackets, stem and seat post heads, suspension fork crowns, chainstay reinforcements, brake levers and calipers, derailleur bodies, and accessory bosses like cable guides. Also, blanks are cast for head tubes, seat post collars, and other items.
In the past, there was a company called Trusty (later purchased by Yamaha) that made a cast aluminum fork for their road bike. The fork started failing- not because of the cast part, but because of the way the casting was attached to the steerer tube- and earned the name the "Death Fork" (although nobody actually died to my knowledge).
Huffy also had a kids bike called the Metaloid http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/huffy/31318, the frame was cast aluminum and looked like a piece of a steel bridge girder. Pretty cool. Kent currently markets a cast magnesium folding bicycle http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Ultra-Magnesium-Compact-Folding/dp/B000H6G146 , but I suspect it is aluminum alloy with an added dollop of magnesium to the mix.
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Title Post: Need suggestions in buying a new bicycle?
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Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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