LITTLEBLACKDOG.COM

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject: Bicycle Hunt

Well my Bike was stolen last year, and I want a new one.

I know some of you dawgs are die hard cyclists, so I am looking for advice on a new bike.

Basically I will be using it mainly for going back and forth to work, gas is getting too expensive, and I am not completely lazy so I figure I can start biking again.

Now for the fun part, I am cheap, tall, and live in a state that pours dirt on their PAVED roads.

I used to have a Specialized Mountain Bike, but I have been seeing a lot of street bikes around lately. I don't believe that I will start mountain biking again any time soon, but I am open for anything.
The cheap part is I am only looking to spend around $500 (US)
The tall part is I am 7ft tall, and I seem to remember having problems finding a bike that I could ride comfortably.
As for the state that pours dirt on their paved roads, that's not an exaggeration. Every year in the fall, they pour gravel on all of our roads to "help prevent ice from forming in the winter". So we have pretty crappy roads here, and no bike lanes.
Plus I don't really have any perception of hot or cold, so I will probably be biking in the dead of winter this 3 inches of snow on the ground.

Any suggestions? Anyone trying to get rid of an old bike?

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

Stick with what you know? I have a Specialized Crossroads Elite, and I love it. Check out hybrids for the roads you're looking at. (Mine is a hybrid, much recommended) The particular model I have goes for about $450-500, so right in your range.

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject:

Quote:
The tall part is I am 7ft tall

no pics or it isn't true Very Happy

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject:

fear_nothing wrote:
Quote:
The tall part is I am 7ft tall

no pics or it isn't true

I saw the pic from the Jaymac tour. It's true. Unfortunately that pic doesn't seem to be hosted anymore.

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject:

blahpony wrote:
fear_nothing wrote:
Quote:
The tall part is I am 7ft tall

no pics or it isn't true

I saw the pic from the Jaymac tour. It's true. Unfortunately that pic doesn't seem to be hosted anymore.

Yeah he let the domain expire, and tried to move it to a subdomain of jaymac.info, but it's not working right now...

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

fear_nothing wrote:
Quote:
The tall part is I am 7ft tall

no pics or it isn't true

There are pics of Jaymac, (over 6') myself and Skookum, looks like I'm surrounded by Redwoods Rolling Eyes

Fathertyme has the pics

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject:

Back on topic,

A hybrid ("Street" or "Commuter") bike is a good idea, if you are planning on riding on roads. In the past 5 or so years, the industry has woken up and started actually designing proper commuter bikes.

I just got my new Cycle Surgery catalog and was checking out the now 15 pages of commuter/city bikes, the manufacturers definitely have clue.

Specialized has the Globe which should come in around your price range, Marin has the Muirwoods which might be a little over your price range, check out the Giant CRS series, I think any of those are likely to work for you. A big frame should be available, if you look hard enough or order over the Internet.

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:53 am Post subject:

Edison's post prompted me check out the Cycle Surgery website and I found this page: http://www.cyclesurgery.com/article/mcs/art/49

That's a very cool idea. Have you ever bought a bike in this way, Ed?

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

CMTG wrote:
Edison's post prompted me check out the Cycle Surgery website and I found this page: http://www.cyclesurgery.com/article/mcs/art/49

That's a very cool idea. Have you ever bought a bike in this way, Ed?

I haven't but I have heard of quite a few people who have. It works, especially once you convince your employer of the tax advantages.

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

I still got my Trek 1000 that I bought in 1990.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 4:12 am Post subject:

Well I picked up the Globe Sport, I also got a Specialized Expedition for my wife.

The ride of my bike is so different from the mountain bikes that I am used to. It's not quite as smooth as I don't have the shocks, but it is a lot faster, and quite a bit easier on the bigger hills.

I have been cycling to work all week, it only takes me an extra 3 mins to get to work on my bike. So by cycling to work I will save $274 a year. Yay!

Thanks for the help with this.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 4:39 am Post subject:

Good deal. I finally replaced my bicycle earlier this year that was stolen as well. I ride into work everyday and most other places as well if I can get away with it. I haven't put gas in my car yet this year.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:17 am Post subject:

blahpony wrote:
fear_nothing wrote:
Quote:
The tall part is I am 7ft tall

no pics or it isn't true

I saw the pic from the Jaymac tour. It's true. Unfortunately that pic doesn't seem to be hosted anymore.

Gallery2 exploded on me. I have all of the photos.

The new URL of my tour blog is: http://wheres.jaymac.info

The Gallery is misconfigured, despite my best efforts to fix it. If any dogs have any ideas of what I could try (without wiping it and starting over, if possible), give me a shout Smile