Help on bike buying, part 2

[Guus]

One thought to put in the mix: take a look at bikes with a hub dynamo. They are great to give you excellent light without the need for battery. Especially useful if you are commuting in any type of traffic.

It’s difficult to put a hub dynamo on an existing bike. I mean it’s possible but it’s not the type of thing that you can easily upgrade your bike with.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Finding a used bike with fenders and a chainguard is going to be difficult.. they are all cruisers for the most part. Check out Bikes for the Rest of Us for ideas on bikes like you describe. (disclaimer, I contribute to BFROU).

I have a bike that exactly fits your description, but it is heavy and a three speed (Torker Cargo T). Probably more heavy duty than you need.

[DismalScientist]

I think you will find a much bigger selection if you go with 700 C wheels. It is hard to find relatively narrow tires that go to high pressure for 26″ wheels.

I suggest you look at flat bar road bikes with 28 mm tires as they may be substantially lighter than other hybrids.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Bikenetic stocks the Kona Dew for around $500 new. Fits most of your parameters, easily takes fenders and rack, and is a fairly light hybrid.

[PotomacCyclist]

Bike and Roll has a sale on Oct. 20, from 11-3, at their Old Post Office location. Trek hybrid for $280. Road bikes available too.

More info at bikethesites.com.

FYI – The Army Ten-Miler takes place that day. Many roads along the Mall will be closed for the race.

EDIT: Link to the press release: http://bikethesites.com/Press-Releases/bike-and-roll-s-fall-2013-bike-sale

(I was using a smartphone before. I haven’t figured out how to copy and paste a URL on the phone.)

[TwoWheelsDC]

@PotomacCyclist 65071 wrote:

Bike and Roll has a sale on Oct. 20, from 11-3, at their Old Post Office location. Trek hybrid for $280. Road bikes available too.

More info at bikethesites.com.

FYI – The Army Ten-Miler takes place that day. Many roads along the Mall will be closed for the race.

$650 for a Trek 1.5 seems like a decent deal… May have to look into that for the wife.

[lordofthemark]

@DismalScientist 65067 wrote:

I think you will find a much bigger selection if you go with 700 C wheels. It is hard to find relatively narrow tires that go to high pressure for 26″ wheels.

I suggest you look at flat bar road bikes with 28 mm tires as they may be substantially lighter than other hybrids.

Light is good – as that would help me on hills and bridges. Would such a bike be less comfortable/more likely to need repairs when ridden on poor pavement, up curbs, over gunk, etc?

[lordofthemark]

@ShawnoftheDread 65069 wrote:

Bikenetic stocks the Kona Dew for around $500 new. Fits most of your parameters, easily takes fenders and rack, and is a fairly light hybrid.

$500 is a bit more than I want to spend now, but it definitely sounds like I should take a look at that.

[lordofthemark]

If I buy from bike and roll, they don’t offer the same service as a shop would, right?

How would you compare the Trek 7300 to say the Novara Transfer? Lighter, I guess?

[KayakCyndi]

@lordofthemark 65090 wrote:

$500 is a bit more than I want to spend now, but it definitely sounds like I should take a look at that.

Another plug for Bikenetic is that they offer free lifetime service on bikes purchased from them. That will save you $$ in the long run if you don’t do your own wrenching.

[rcannon100]

@lordofthemark 65091 wrote:

If I buy from bike and roll, they don’t offer the same service as a shop would, right?

How would you compare the Trek 7300 to say the Novara Transfer? Lighter, I guess?

Look at the welds. This past summer we bought a new bike for my son. We went to REI to try out the cannondales. But we also tried out the novaras. First, the welds on the novaras were down right sloppy. Second, it just was not a comfortable ride. My son test road it for seconds before he got off it and said no. In the end it was a choice between the Trek 1.3 (or 1.2 I dont know) and the the Specialized Allez. In general, the Treks were excellent bikes. A quality brand.

Just in terms of brand, I would take Trek over Novara.

[DismalScientist]

@lordofthemark 65088 wrote:

Light is good – as that would help me on hills and bridges. Would such a bike be less comfortable/more likely to need repairs when ridden on poor pavement, up curbs, over gunk, etc?

Comfort–It depends on how you personally define comfort
Durability–Should be the same durability. If you are worried about riding on poor pavement, just don’t go for low-spoke count wheels (and that matters more the heavier you are).

[mstone]

If you want comfort and durability, make sure you have sensibly-sized tires–that will matter more than anything else.

[DismalScientist]

@lordofthemark 65091 wrote:

How would you compare the Trek 7300 to say the Novara Transfer? Lighter, I guess?

My wife has a Trek 7300. It’s a heavy aluminum hybrid with 3×8 gearing, so-so components, a lightly suspended fork and 35 mm tires. She doesn’t like it.
The Novara Transfer is a steel bike with an 8 speed internal hub. Apparently, it weighs 36 pounds. That is HEAVY.

I would look for something with specs like these:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_latte_x.htm

It may be difficult to get bikes with better wheelsets in your price range.

[NicDiesel]

You can’t go wrong with a steel road or cyclocross bike (think Surly Cross Check, Salsa Casseroll, Trek 520) or an old ’80s steel racing bike (Raleigh, Trek), frame wise for a commuter bike. I’m a super heavy rider (350+lbs) and ride about 80 miles a week on a Surly Cross Check with a stock 32h front wheel and a 48h rear wheel. Outside of replacing the chain at 5,000 miles and upgrading the cassette and saddle, I’ve had zero problems. If you’re a heavier ride (250+lbs) I’d try my best not to hit pot holes or drop off of curves, but normal street riding shouldn’t be an issue if you have a decent wheel set.

In the spirit of full disclosure, my rear wheel was pretty expensive (~$700) but it’s a Phil Wood 48h hub ($420, should last for 20 years) and Velocity Chukkar rim (~$90, perfect for bike polo and super heavy riders). After well over a year of riding it hasn’t needed to be trued or repaired yet and probably won’t for another 10,000 miles.

[Author]

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