Bicycles

[Engels]

http://www.recycledcycles.com/ is a good place for a second hand bike in Seattle, too.

[Jeff Kelly]

I know that bikes get stolen a lot. On the other hand do you only buy a clunker because you are afraid that your car might get stolen eventually?

What bothers me is that in every city you get lots and lots of parking space for cars but virtaully no bike racks. I think this is part of the problem. I have two very sturdy locks (no lock is unbreakable but thieves are having a hard time with such locks) but half of the time I actually have to look for a spot where I can attach the bike to something.

@Salamok: If you're looking for hub transmissions look no further:
http://www.rohloff.de/en/products/speedhub/index.html

14 speed hub gear box

[Salamok]

nice, have you used one?  Also, I am more looking for a prebuilt wheel set that utilizes an internally geared hub, these seem to be in short supply here in the US.  Unfortunately my skills are pretty much maxed out at the assemble your own bicycle stage, I have no desire to lace my own spokes and attempt to true a wheel from scratch.

edit: just noticed the price, too steep for me.  A 526% gear range is amazing but I'll have to settle for the Shimano's 250% for a quarter of the price.  One of my goals is to keep the entire bike under $500.

[Murgos]

When I lived 3 miles form the office and could take mostly back roads to work I biked as long as the weather was good.

Now that I am closer to 6 and would have to take more main roads I can't seem to get up the motivation.

[Hawkbit]

I went out tonight and hit two shops. 

First was a Specialized shop.  Immediately greeted, salesman told me right off the bat he's commission based.  Didn't try to sell me a thing, though.  Showed me about five bikes all in the $600 range, with his model being the only one at $800.  Told me for Seattle he'd recommend a hybrid bike and I can change tires depending on function.  Told me my priorities should be 1. Fit 2. Frame 3. Everything else.  Recommended disc brakes for wet road stopping.  All in all a pretty good experience. 

Second was a Trek shop.  Waited 10 minutes in an empty shop while six employees fucked off behind the counter, finally one came up just as I was heading out.  Very nice girl, but didn't know shit about bikes.  Trek shop is not commission based, and it shows.  Instead of talking bikes, I was handed a catalog...  in the internet age. 

Next step:  riding some bikes and getting fit on one when I try a few more out.

[sickrubik]

Second was a Trek shop.  Waited 10 minutes in an empty shop while six employees fucked off behind the counter, finally one came up just as I was heading out.  Very nice girl, but didn't know shit about bikes.  Trek shop is not commission based, and it shows.  Instead of talking bikes, I was handed a catalog...  in the internet age. 

You would be suprised how many cyclists seem to be anti-internet. I work for a cycling apparel company, and we send out catalogs every year, because there are people that just do not either trust, or want to shop online.

[hal]

All Cleveland Ohio busses have bike racks. They are also cool on the rapid (light rail) the rules state not at rush hour but its never enforced. Cleveland drivers are not bike frendly (hell there not car or truck frendly either) but thats the joy of cuyhoga plates (fear us).

[ghost]

I'm very surprised that many San Antonio busses also have the bike racks.  It is really, really, really hot here in the summer, but there are often bikes on the racks.

[sickrubik]

Our busses on the Central Coast of California all have racks on the front. I just assumed all transit had those these days.

[Nebu]

You would be suprised how many cyclists seem to be anti-internet. I work for a cycling apparel company, and we send out catalogs every year, because there are people that just do not either trust, or want to shop online.

There are some things that you don't want to purchase online due to fit/finish issues.  Were I to be competitive as a cyclist, I'd want to rigorously test everything on site before spending big $$$. 

[sickrubik]

Nothing about that would change ordering from a catalog vs online.

That's why we do free returns/exchanges and include a postage paid label. We get a lot of compliments on that.

[Nebu]

Nothing about that would change ordering from a catalog vs online.

That's why we do free returns/exchanges and include a postage paid label. We get a lot of compliments on that.

Good point.  I think I was mistakenly making an argument for going to a brick & mortar.  My bad.

[ghost]

I order all my bicycle parts online and usually build my own bicycles from scratch.  I do my own wrench work though, so for someone that doesn't know anything it is good to have a relationship with a local bike shop.  You'll pay a little more at the shop for your stuff, but it's usually good to support them or else you won't have the option. 

[TripleDES]

Buy a cheap mountain bike, but lightly treaded tires on it. This will roll nicely on the road and not make you slip and fall, should you want to take a shortcut through a park or something.