Need suggestions in buying a new bicycle?

kids bicycle 4 years old image

Steve

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!

What do you think of a parent who tows a 2-seat bike trailer ( 2 yr + 3 yr kids in it) on a busy road?

honesty_co

I know of a gentleman who regularly drives his bike on a busy 4-lane road, a road that during most of the times is packed with heavy trucks and 18-wheelers whizzing by at 50 to 60 miles per hour. He says that roads are build for bicycles also and that a bicycle has every right to be on the road, as much as the cars and trucks also. Problem is, it is an old road, and when two transports are side-by-side they are so close they almost touch each other !

Not only that, but he pulls behind him a 2-seater bike trailer, one where his 2 year old son and 3 year old daughter sit, side-by-side. that trailer must be about 4 feet wide, and because of the potholes, he often has to drive not very close to the curb, all the while pedaling at about 5 to 10 miles per hour (crawling, in other words).

My question is this: Do you feel he is risking the life of himself and his kids by riding on such a road? How long do you think he will last?
What is left of a child carrying bike trailer when a 60 ton transport hits the child-trailer at 60 miles per hour?

And what do you think of such a parent who does this?

--

(personally: I own a folding bike, and I ride on the sidewalks (rather slowly also), and when I am within about 30 feet of a pedestrian on the sidewalk, I either stop completely and get off my bike to walk past them, or I simply get totally off the sidewalk to go around him, either on the grass, or onto the road when it is safe to do so (no cars). Sidewalks are for people, so I always get the heck off of them when there are people nearby. However, I'm usually doing only about 5 mph, and sometimes even joggers on the sidewalk pass me by, that is how slow i am on the sidewalks. )

I drive on the sidewalks because I have a relative that died 12 years ago while riding on the road. He had reflectors, helmet, tail light, headlight, bell, everything. He was riding within 24 inches of the curb when he was hit from behind by a car doing 110 in a 50 zone. He was dead before his body even hit the ground, and his body was in multiple pieces when it did hit the ground. Since then, I drive on the sidewalks only, slowly too, so as not to be dangerous to any pedestrians. The roads scare me to death.

Oh yes, I own two cars also, but I like to drive a bike for the exercise, to try to be more healthy, that's all.

Answer
Q. What do you think of a parent who tows a 2-seat bike trailer ?
A. Cool dad!

At least he follows the Law, not like you.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Title Post: Need suggestions in buying a new bicycle?
Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown

Thanks For Coming To My Blog