Buying a bicycle

[PartyGirlUK]

Im thinking of getting a second hand one. Im doing a triathlon in 3 months but it would be nice to have one anyway. I think the majority of my useage will be rides up to 10 miles in urban settings (or along the lake) - it would be nice for it to have mountain ablity, but I wont be doing that very often.

What should I look for? Am happy to spend say $500? idk.

[tsearcher]

Get a road bike. Don't be fooled into that mountain bike or hybrid bike crap. There are no mountains in Chicago and all the streets are paved.

For $500 you can get a decent new machine. You want to go to a shop that specializes in cycling. They can fit you properly. Additionally, the shop's mechanics build the bikes. Also the shops usually have some good used bikes. Do not go to a sporting goods store.

Be sure to get some kind of clipless pedal system. For example Look or Shimano. Spend some money on some good hard shoes you'll appreciate it.

Once the weather gets nice, riding on the lake sucks any where North of the Museums. But South of the Museums is great. You can go all the way to Indiana if you want.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I'll be glad to answer them.

[ShipitFMA]

I think road bikes will end up being alot more expensive with all the accesories.
My dad and his friends all ride very seriously and I know you can be spending upwards of 10k on a bike and gear.
If you're looking to spend 500 just get a second hand bike and a pear of new shoes (cleats is it?)

[illuminati]

Ya dnt get a hybrid - typically they do both poorly as opposed to one well. Get a road bike and the Shimano SPuD shoes/pedals.

Word of advice - if you haven't used them before practice a few times on the driveway - I have seen a couple of people go to dismount and fall over in a heap.

[tdarko]

Dean,

You need to have more information in the OP. $500 could be enough but it also may not be anywhere close to enough.

First off, if you are competing in triathlons then you're a fool to have a mountain bike. There is also a difference between a road bike and a triathlon bike. If you are just doing a triathlon just for grins then it really doesn't matter but I would invest in my bike either way b/c it benefits you in so many ways.

The prices on bikes vary so much that it is tough. For instance just a Kuota (triathlon bike) frameset can get up to 3K.

Just go to a trusted bike shop, it is easy for me b/c Richardson Bike Mart is right down the rode and they are a noted biking authority (see Lance Armstrong) and get fitted. I don't know where you are and some people may not be anywhere near a bike shop. Anyway, they will measure everything. But my advice is that I would invest some money even if I just bought a Trek roadster.

As far as triathlons go you will be spending all your money on cycling. People don't realize how expensive cycling is b/c of how much stuff you have to have.

[Victor]

if you are doing a triathlon you need a rode bike and should get aero bars too.

for riding in the city and (obv) mountain biking you should get a mountain bike. i have a specialized stumpjumper 05' model. i dont think you can go wrong there. ive also had a few old school gary fishers and they were great too.

and darko is rite, cycling is expensive.

[Blarg]

Jeez, I remember when bikes cost next to nothing. And you didn't have to wear special gear for them either. How much of this expense is really necessary for someone who just wants to wheel around some bike paths in the suburbs or at the beach?

[limitedslip]

If you need the bike for a triathlon, get a triathlon or road bike. If you are doing commuting, or riding in urban areas where you want to dip in and out of traffic, a hybrid is best. It is important to be able to stop on a dime riding in traffic, so you really want disc brakes (especially if it ever rains there). I'd recommend this bike on ebay, if it will fit you:

novara buzz

A buddy of mine owned one of the previous buzz's, it was an incredible bike. All the parts are high quality.

[edfurlong]

I can't imagine needing disk brakes on a bike, I'm pretty sure I could cover my wheels in vegetable oil and have no problem locking them up.

[limitedslip]

There are a few distinct advantages to having disc brakes, and once you try them you understand immediately how much better they are. For one, if your rims get wet, v-brakes are next to useless, where disc brakes work fine even if the discs get wet. The increased power is obviously an advantage, but also being able to control the power compared to v-brakes (which just lock up as you said). Then there is the maintainance, which is a pain with v-brakes but is MUCH easier with discs (although hydraulic discs are better in this regard than mechanical).

When you are riding around in traffic and some [censored] cuts you off, the difference of a few feet of stopping distance is huge.