how do I choose a bike?

[Soyjoy]

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Hi everyone!
I'll be getting a bike for veterinary school... But I have no idea which one to get or where to even start. Is anyone a bike expert? Or facing a similar situation?
Many thanks in advance😀

 

[nyanko]

A bicycle that goes ding ding or a bike that goes vroom vroom?

 

[Myotis]

Where are you going to vet school? If the bike is just for commuting, hybrid bikes are a good way to go (they're in between a road bike and a mountain bike). I have a trek hybrid bike that I like, my only problem with it is that there are A LOT of hills where I live and, well, I'm a wimp hahaha, so I don't like going on long rides on it, but it's a great little commuter bike 🙂

 

[quantized]

If the bike goes ding ding, get the cheapest one that works from a graduating student or from your local police sale. Odds are it will be stolen at some point in time anyways and if you didn't pay much for it, you won't be saddened by this inevitable event!

 

[Soyjoy]

A bicycle that goes ding ding or a bike that goes vroom vroom?

Haha. Bike that goes ding ding..!

 

[nyanko]

No no the real in between of a mountain/road bike is a cyclocross bike, but I don't recommend getting one of those unless you really like to spend money and want to have anxiety attacks about leaving your bicycle outside.

It would help if we knew your riding experience maybe Soyjoy...have you ridden a mountain or road bike geometry before?

 

[Soyjoy]

I can ride a bike and that's about it! The last bike I rode (very old and about to collapse) was very wobbly and I probably looked like a clown or lunatic swerving down the street. Im definitely going to live within a few miles from campus (i haven't decided where to go yet and still waiting for one school) but I want to get a bike early and get used to riding it around. As u can see I need practice!

 

[sumstorm]

I have a hybrid trek as well, but I bought it more because it was pretty cheap used. I got it on Craig's list. Nyanko told me what to get otherwise, and now my bike is fully set up for commuting, which I do on days when the weather isn't horrible and I am not packing a ton of gear, only because I strip my bike at the school, though the area for bikes is not messed with (probably because it can be seen from the cafeteria and is behind the school) and my locker will not fit everything in it. First years have narrow lockers.

Nyanko was also kind enough not to scold my plan to bike on sidewalks, which I dropped within 2 weeks of riding. Roads are far better.

 

[nyanko]

^^Glad you ditched the sidewalk idea.

If you just want something to commute a couple of miles with over easy terrain (like here in Davis!), pretty much anything will do. The most important thing is finding something you're comfortable on because if you aren't comfortable you won't want to ride it.

Counterintuitively, a big squishy seat does not make for a better ride. You will want smooth shifting probably and a frame that absorbs shocks well for commuting. Also probably places to attach a basket/rear rack/fenders will be important.

 

[Whyevernot55]

I, too, had a hybrid Trek. Which I hardly ever rode because I am lazy, and then the ONE time I took it out last fall it got stolen. *stabs self in eye*
Now I have a shiny, shiny bright blue Bianchi Cortina, which is a cross-terrain bike. It is shiny. If I really loved biking on the horrible, pot-hole infested, crazy streets of Cleveland I would ride it more. My boyfriend works at a bike shop, so I got it at cost.

 

[Soyjoy]

Thanks everyone! Do you recommend a particular bike shop or vendor? Would it be ok to buy a bike from sport chalet or costco? Any favorite brands? Time to do some bike research instead of studying for my final!😛

 

[nyanko]

The Cortina seems a little expensive for its components, but good on you for getting it at cost!

OP: I really can't stress enough that your first bike should really probably be a used one. Do make sure you ride it before buying, though. Brand doesn't matter that much for the bike itself but if you want to ask me about any of the components of one you're looking at feel free.

Upright, flat handlebar bikes like that or the aforementioned Trek would be good for comfort for a new rider for sure. When it's windy they are less appealing. Basically you trade speed for comfort.

I'm sort of impatient and a bit of a thrill-seeking type so I went from a sort of cross-terrain bike like the Cortina to an entry level road geometry cyclocross (Kona Jake). Cyclocross bike frames look like road bike frames except a little sturdier, and they fit bigger tires generally. I love it so much that I will be upgrading the derailleurs soon and getting more into racing. 😍

edit: vv Yes I like mud and carrying my bike over jumps.

 

[Whyevernot55]

The Cortina seems a little expensive for its components, but good on you for getting it at cost!
...
I'm sort of impatient and a bit of a thrill-seeking type so I went from a sort of cross-terrain bike like the Cortina to an entry level road geometry cyclocross (Kona Jake). Cyclocross bike frames look like road bike frames except a little sturdier, and they fit bigger tires generally. I love it so much that I will be upgrading the derailleurs soon and getting more into racing. 😍

Yeah. It is. But my boyfriend INSISTED on finding me a shiny Bianchi because that's what his shop carries. And it comes in blue...so that's pretty much what I care about.

Cyclocross is FREAKING INSANE. Good on you for doing it, I would die immediately.

 

[JuniorJumper]

I got an older model of this bike used for $70:
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=dew

I upgraded some things on it because it is pretty basic as-is. What I really liked about it was that it has flat bars. My bike only has 8 gears, which is weird and not too common as far as I know, so I would only recommend it to someone who will be doing pretty level asphalt riding. Nyanko is right though, definitely buy used and spend some time checking out different bike shops so that you find a bike that works for you 🙂

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

OP is your commute going to be mostly flat or are you going to be climbing? Don't get a road bike with skinny tires if you're not used to it. You don't need a heavy and clunky full suspension mountain bike either.

My first Trek (1997) was an 820- before the whole front shock thing trickled down to the "average" bikes. I still ride it around campus! It's old and beat as anything, but it is still going and I rode it ALOT as a preteen/teen. They are really worth the investment and there are a ton on craigslist. People buy a shiny new bike and never use it. Such a shame!
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/820/820/
Edit: My old bike looks a lot like this: http://blog.mikeshoup.com/cycling/1997-trek-820 , great little commuter, but I'm a bit tall for it now.
How tall are you? That could give you an idea of the frame size you need. Maybe go try some at a bike shop to get the correct frame size.

Nyanko- That is an awesome bike! I bet cyclocross is a lot of fun! Good for you racing! I've got a Trek 4300, 2006(Mountain). I bought another rim set and skinny slicks for the road- a new road bike wasn't an option. Got clip pedals, HR monitor, and an iPhone holder. I'm ready for the next season! I just switch rims and hit the trail or road. Of course my road pace is slow, the bike is about 20 lbs.

 

[StealthDog]

I love it so much that I will be upgrading the derailleurs soon and getting more into racing.

Good for you! My husband rides cross and loves it... I just cover my eyes and hope he survives each race!!

I have a sturdy, ridiculously heavy Schwinn that I got for $50 on Craigslist for commuting to school. I have a basket on the back for lugging my backpack, which saves me from showing up to school with a backpack-shaped sweat mark on my back. I also have fenders for wet days and good lights on the front and back for mornings when I have to get to school when it's dark or can't leave til it's dark (or both 😉 ). It was really important to me to have a bike that I can leave outside without being too worried about it getting stolen, so while it's not the most snazzy or comfortable, it's reliable and very replaceable should it get swiped.

For fun, I have a KHS Flite 500, and my husband has a CX200 that he rides for cross and for commuting.

 

[purplesaurus]

I have known so many people who have had their bikes stolen from home (they were all technically "outside," but some have been from garages that didn't lock; and all stolen in fairly safe neighborhoods) that my suggestion, if you can't bring it inside: get something cheap!

... of course, I'm not much of a bike person, so I don't know the benefits of a nice bike over a cheap bike.

 

[Soyjoy]

Wow.. The bike world is a whole different arena!! Thanks everyone. From what I've been reading I guess I should look into a hybrid? Would that be ok for my body frame? I'm 5'5" and skinny, like a lollipop...So balance is important😀 I'll definitely get a used bike.. Maybe from craigslist.
For you racers, that's so awesome!

 

[Tobysgirl81]

I have known so many people who have had their bikes stolen from home (they were all technically "outside," but some have been from garages that didn't lock; and all stolen in fairly safe neighborhoods) that my suggestion, if you can't bring it inside: get something cheap!

... of course, I'm not much of a bike person, so I don't know the benefits of a nice bike over a cheap bike.

When I lived in Davis I had left my bike in the garage of the house I lived at. One of my roommates left the garage door open and it got stolen! I thought it was pretty ballsy, but learned my lesson. Lock your bike even in your own garage!

 

[adunastella]

I have a hybrid trek as well, but I bought it more because it was pretty cheap used. I got it on Craig's list. Nyanko told me what to get otherwise, and now my bike is fully set up for commuting, which I do on days when the weather isn't horrible and I am not packing a ton of gear, only because I strip my bike at the school, though the area for bikes is not messed with (probably because it can be seen from the cafeteria and is behind the school) and my locker will not fit everything in it. First years have narrow lockers.

Nyanko was also kind enough not to scold my plan to bike on sidewalks, which I dropped within 2 weeks of riding. Roads are far better.

I was planning on getting a bike as well. I'm glad you mentioned that it is a pretty safe place to leave your bike. Are there lot's of areas to live that are within biking distance to the school? I'm kind of torn because I would like to get a nicer bike that I can do triathlons with but I am hesitant to leave that at school (and I'm dirt poor...lol).

 

[PrimalMU]

I'm gonna vote Trek. Even the cheapest Treks are about 50x nicer than anything you can get from Walmart or other similar places. I ride a Trek 3500 with disc brakes (a $100 upgrade, but well worth it after having water take out my rim brakes on a few rainy days on my previous bike).

 

[nyanko]

ImaJerseyGirl:

I was planning on doing the same thing with switching between road slicks and knobbies. It absolutely poured the day after I put my Armadillo slicks on though, and I instantly regretted not being able to go play in the mud. 🙄

edit: I leave my bike in the garage as well. You're gonna make me start locking it up in there, Tobysgirl81, haha!

Davis is so weird, so very very little crime except bicycle theft.

Soyjoy: If you get into and come to UC Davis, there is a bicycle auction in May (and another in the Fall) where you can get something on the cheap.

 

[Soyjoy]

Soyjoy: If you get into and come to UC Davis, there is a bicycle auction in May (and another in the Fall) where you can get something on the cheap.[/QUOTE]

nyanko, if I get into Davis, I'll definitely go to
the auction! Btw how'd u know that Im waiting for Davis? Spoooky! Jk hope we both get in!

 

[rileyroo]

i'm a fan of Trek. i don't have a hybrid, but i do have both a mountain bike and road bike. i love them both and the mountain bike wasn't too terribly expensive (compared the price of the road bike!!!). i hope to take both of them with me to vet school b/c i don't get to ride them much where i live now 🙁

 

[nyanko]

I read like, all of the schools' threads mostly because so many people I'm rooting for here applied to a lot of schools and I think you mentioned it in the Minnesota thread. 😉

 

[sumstorm]

Wow.. The bike world is a whole different arena!! Thanks everyone. From what I've been reading I guess I should look into a hybrid? Would that be ok for my body frame? I'm 5'5" and skinny, like a lollipop...So balance is important😀 I'll definitely get a used bike.. Maybe from craigslist.
For you racers, that's so awesome!

Check out a couple of bike shops and let them size you. Try to find one that does NOT pressure you into buying. My shop was great. Their attitude was 'we are here to help you fall in love with biking.' They taught me a lot (including maintenance and repair.) I keep going back because of that. They aren't the cheapest, but it is great, especially as a commuter, to have a shop where you know everyone. Also, commuting is hard on bikes; maintain, maintain, maintain.

 

[Willowhand]

I personally prefer having a mountain bike, but maybe this is because I am from new England and enjoy the ability to ride through sand, slush, ice, and gravel. They do require more effort and give less speed on the road than a road bike, but I like having the option of negotiating terrain. Anyway, do keep climate and the type of surfaces you plan on traveling on in mind when making your decision.

As others have pointed out, comfort is another important factor. Cycling shops are usually wonderful about helping you find a bike that is well suited to your needs, and you can go for test rides to get a feel the different kinds. Some shops sell used as well, which can be a good option for finding a well-cared-for bike that isn't as expensive.

 

[BlacKAT33]

If the bike goes ding ding, get the cheapest one that works from a graduating student or from your local police sale. Odds are it will be stolen at some point in time anyways and if you didn't pay much for it, you won't be saddened by this inevitable event!

👍👍 mine was stolen 😡 It was even a cheap bike!! if you get an expensive one then say goodbye to it even sooner.

so who cares about the bike, get a solid lock for it. don't get a wired lock no matter how big/thick/expensive it is. It can ALWAYS be cut!! get a steel U lock. I have a U one and a wired one so i can easily loop it through the front tire as well.

Maybe it depends on the area though?? But I'm sure Philly will be as bad, if not worse, than my old school haha

 

[PrimalMU]

👍👍 mine was stolen 😡 It was even a cheap bike!! if you get an expensive one then say goodbye to it even sooner.

so who cares about the bike, get a solid lock for it. don't get a wired lock no matter how big/thick/expensive it is. It can ALWAYS be cut!! get a steel U lock. I have a U one and a wired one so i can easily loop it through the front tire as well.

Maybe it depends on the area though?? But I'm sure Philly will be as bad, if not worse, than my old school haha

That's the one thing I dislike about my Trek -- its impossible to get a u-lock through the frame AND the front wheel.

 

[scb44f]

👍👍 mine was stolen 😡 It was even a cheap bike!! if you get an expensive one then say goodbye to it even sooner.

My seat got stolen during St. Pat's last year. I was not emotionally attached to the bike... in fact, I sort of hated the darned thing, so I left it over the summer, came back, and it was gone. Less hassle for me now.

 

[BlacKAT33]

That's the one thing I dislike about my Trek -- its impossible to get a u-lock through the frame AND the front wheel.

ugh yea! so annoying! why dont they make a U lock that twists like a wired one hehehe if only..

 

[Soyjoy]

Thanks sumstorm.. That's great advice!

 

[nyanko]

I personally prefer having a mountain bike, but maybe this is because I am from new England and enjoy the ability to ride through sand, slush, ice, and gravel.

Cyclocross bikes do that well. 😉

 

[kootz]

get yourself a fixie! you'll workout and commute at the same time.

i got a nice racing road bike I planned to use to actually um, race. i commute on it now. i look super fast but I feel bad beating the crap out of a really nice bike

bike store people will fit you and make sure you don't wreck your knees. there are also women specific bikes that are made for womanly hips and torsos... not that its necessary but if you are really womanly and like girly colors it might work.

 

[Soyjoy]

Thank you everyone for your input! I definitely have a solid starting point, thanks to ALL of you. SDNers are awesome😀😀😀