I am looking to buy a bicycle and need some advice.
Its main focus would be to be driven in the city but of course here in Crete there is always the possibility of uneven pavement and dirt.
My budget is between 300-500 euros, so something economical.
I don't need for it to be folding or anything else exotic.
I went to a local bicycle shop and asked about six bicycles ranging from 220 to 450 euros (with 10% discount included).
The top one was the Ideal Zig Zag.
It had a good alluminium frame, good suspension system, good brakes at the front and some extras like level gear changing system and easier maintenance.
The bottom one was another Ideal, which as almost nothing except gears (no suspension, no alluminium,etc).
One city bicycle I looked at, I found the wheel to be very thin, especially compared to the mountain Ideal, but had a 150 euros difference in price (ofcourse with other things included not just the wheel size).
Can someone help me out?
I know nothing about bicycles so I need some education.
First off, how the bike fits is close to more important than anything else, next is weight.
If the majority of your riding will be on pavement, even poor pavement, you'll want smooth-treaded tires rather than the knobbys that are common for mountain bikes. That's an easy switch to make though, so don't make the bike choice depend on the tires on the one you look at.
Aluminum is the most common frame material these days, but a steel frame bike can be a little more comfortable, as steel absorbs shock better than aluminum. Weight will be about the same until you get to the exotic stuff that you can't afford.
Will you be carrying the bike up stairways, etc? Do you plan to add racks, etc. to haul gear? What's the longest ride you envision? How long will your routine rides be?
What is the terrain like where you'll be riding? - hilly, flat, steep hills?
I don't know the Ideal brand, but the Zig Zag looks reasonable, I don't know what brands one would expect to find there.
Here's some stuff to look at; http://www.gtbicycles.com/grc/eng/Pr...Commuter/#2622
Surly makes steel frame bikes and this one is at the very top end your budget, assuming you could even buy one there, but I'll thow it in here for comparison; http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html They do have some single-speed bikes that would fit price-wise, but that assumes your terrain is pretty flat.
Bianchi would be good to look at, and perhaps Giant.
Go to several bike shops to have the sales people educate you.
I have no idea what brand bicycles are sold in Greece.
Thank you, that was a most helpful post.
I wouldn't have thought of asking in the bicycle shops by myself.
Thank you BDial.
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Will you be carrying the bike up stairways, etc?
No, I won't. Unless they are part of my course.
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Do you plan to add racks, etc. to haul gear?
A rack in the back and maybe a basket in the front will be essential.
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What's the longest ride you envision? How long will your routine rides be?
Distances here in the city are very small.
My routine would be five-ten minutes max and most of the time I can do that on foot, so the bicycle is not essential a lot of times. But, with a bicycle I might be able to go to places that would be too far on foot and too close for a car, so maybe, assuming I can beat my fear of the traffic, I can take it to the beach or inland, twenty-thirty minutes car ride.
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What is the terrain like where you'll be riding? - hilly, flat, steep hills?
The terrain certainly isn't flat here and there are steep up and downs in some places, but most of the time I think, is mostly flat. I am planning not to tax myself too much with my rides.
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About the tires, how different in feeling are the thin city ones compared with the thicker mountain types?
Since I don't live in Amsterdam or New York, or London, I don't want to limit myself in just the pavement, that's why I am thinking of mountain tires. I am not a very sporty kind of a guy, not do I often go on excursion (or do I envision myself going), so its a big possibility that I will mostly stick to the pavement. Then again...
Do I also need the disc brakes considering the small distances, that I won't be running very fast and that bicycles are generally easy to brake compared to motorbikes?
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There are city tires that have tread plenty thick enough to deal with hazards, I use one of these; http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/fr...150436&lang=EN on the bike I use for foul weather and bad roads.
The knobby tires are good for traction on soft dirt, but they aren't very efficient on pavement. Since you won't be racing around on dirt, a heavy-duty city tire will be fine most likely. There are also tires like these; http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/fr...150450&lang=EN whch are sort of a hybrid approach, the main part of the tread is flat for pavement, but the edges have knobs to grip while cornering in dirt.
If you want to add a rack, or fenders it will be easier if the frame has mounting points built-in. I can't tell if the Zig-Zag does. For example, this Bianchi has mounts; http://www.bianchiusa.com/08_rubino.html
Do I also need the disc brakes considering the small distances, that I won't be running very fast and that bicycles are generally easy to brake compared to motorbikes?
If you have good rim brakes vs good discs, the discs will slow you down a bit better. The main advantage to discs is in the rain.
Ari, I was out and shooting with my Razzle 4x5 on my pushbike today. Some of the things that I find nice are a saddle that is sprung either via the saddle itself, or through the post the saddle sits on has a bit of suspension.
The ability to adjust the front stem that the handlebars are attached to, can really make the bike more suitable and comfortable to ride.
Tyres of all sorts are available, perhaps one type you may wish to try is the one where the centre of the tyre is like a road tyre, but the edges have knobs for traction and stability like knobby tyres. I have full knobs on my tyres but a friend has the combination and having ridden it a few times think I'll be switching to that type when my current ones wear out.
As for brakes, well the centre pull rim brakes are quite adequate for what I would call normal riding and a reasonable amount of spirited riding. Going down a steep hill at 50 km/hr is the only time I feel I would like better brakes, especially when it's a long hill.
Are there secondhand bicycles available? Usually there are and they can be an excellent way to try without outlaying too much dosh.
Certainly the size of the bike in relation is the most important aspect and something you should ask the bike shops to inform you more about. The lower end of the market, which is where we are at, is slightly restricted, but not too bad.
Basically push bikes come in frame sizes, my wife and I have the same model of bike, but I have one frame size larger than hers. We can both ride each others bike very easily, but the relationship of the seat, bars and wheel crank where the pedals are located are not quite right, compared to our own machines.
The more questions you ask, the more you will learn.
This is a completely contemporary bike, built on traditional principles. It will climb mountains, and look great at the cafe while you sip something cool. Get a basket and a light. And send us pictures.
Disc brakes are popular because they easy to manufacture and expensive. They work well in the wet, work poorly in the dirt, and offer no advantage at all to the rider... except to some racers, and to all the salesman. The parallels to photography are absolute.
Tires: the Bianchi comes with good, general purpose tires.
Makers such as Schwalbe make a range of tires to suit any kind of need. They are a European firm, and will be readily available to you.
AND with any luck you can find a splendid used bike (with 650b tires)
that will be perfect --- !
good luck !
attached, my bike on my island... but not a cafe in sight !
If you have good rim brakes vs good discs, the discs will slow you down a bit better. The main advantage to discs is in the rain.
Not true. V-brakes on aluminium rims are better than discs.
Ari, if you only intend riding in the city a good entry level hybrid with a suspension seat post should do you. Full suspension, discs and all the other gimmicks just add weight to the bike and are unnecessary in town.
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