Buying a Bike

[LenexatoKCMO]

There is no good way up that hill.  But yeah, Gillham is better then some of the others.  Not nearly as much traffic on it either.

Well perhaps the new Gondola will have a bike rack so out of shape, novices like me can catch a lift up. 

[Tosspot]

I'm not thrilled with the bike offerings on craigslist right now.

What if I bought a Huffy at Dick's sporting goods for $129.00.  Bad idea? Indifferent? Would that be almost the equivalent of buying a $70 bike at Sprawlmart?

[Slappy the Wang]

I'm not thrilled with the bike offerings on craigslist right now.

What if I bought a Huffy at Dick's sporting goods for $129.00.  Bad idea? Indifferent? Would that be almost the equivalent of buying a $70 bike at Sprawlmart?

Look man, there's no such thing as a good - cheap bike.  If you're going discount, at least go to Target and get a Schwinn. 

On second thought, I have a 2004 Raleigh M60 (mountainbike) that's LIKE NEW with a comfy seat and decent components that I don't use as I've taken up road riding.  I'd be willing to cut it loose for $300.  Brand new it was $500.

I'll post  a pic later if you have an interest.

[Tosspot]

I'm just gonna have to get a cheap bike then, it looks like. Midwest Cyclery's cheapest was like $350, which is out of my price range.

[Tosspot]

Per your Target recommendation Slappy, I found this Schwinn within my price range

I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Tosspot]

I bought a $140 Schwinn from Target.

Surely that's better than a $70 off-brand from Wal Mart (?) I hope so anyway, because that was my most previous bike purchase (CMSU university life), which was a total waste.

[Slappy the Wang]

I bought a $140 Schwinn from Target.

Surely that's better than a $70 off-brand from Wal Mart (?) I hope so anyway, because that was my most previous bike purchase (CMSU university life), which was a total waste.

Cool.  Any bike is better than not riding!

Has anyone proposed putting together an urban cruise anytime in the next month or so?  Maybe the first weekend in October?

[VELO DOOM]

So I'm at work this afternoon bringing a train into the yard, which is across the street from the DT airport, watching some people ride around and thought of this one important bit of advice to give to new riders. 

Invest in a floor pump and keep your tires inflated to their maximum capacity!!  I don't know how many times, this afternoon was one of them, where I've seen people almost riding on their rims cause the tire pressure was too low.  Properly inflated tires equal less rolling resistance which equals less work you have to do and its an easy fix. 

Cool.  Any bike is better than not riding!

Has anyone proposed putting together an urban cruise anytime in the next month or so?  Maybe the first weekend in October?

I'd be down for a KCD&SF meet n greet ride.

[kard]

I bought a $140 Schwinn from Target.

Neat!

And you got a helmet, too, right?

[Tosspot]

And you got a helmet, too, right?

Yeah. Figured it might be a good idea.

[Thrillcekr]

Yeah. Figured it might be a good idea.

Just don't take it any further than that.  Nothing looks more ridiculous than a bunch of wannabes that think they need to spend a hundred bucks on a cheesy spandex halloween costume just to ride a bicycle.

[kard]

Just don't take it any further than that.  Nothing looks more ridiculous than a bunch of wannabes that think they need to spend a hundred bucks on a cheesy spandex halloween costume just to ride a bicycle.

Yeah, that ranks right up there with buying an H1/H2/H3/Tahoe, Corvette, Esclade or other snazzified vehicle.

[riebschlager]

This thread has reminded me that I need to ride my bike a lot more before it starts getting too cold. 

Thanks, thread.

[kc-vino]

In all seriousness.  I'm in the market for a bike.  I want to support and check out the digs at River Market Cycling and will soon.  I'm not terribly into biking but want to do it 3-5 times a week after work and on the weekend.  I've heard I can get a decent bike for around $400.  And again I'm looking for something that will just last a couple of years, not something I'll take to Colorado on a monthly basis for serious mountain biking.  Any thoughts are appreciated

[LenexatoKCMO]

As discussed above, I just bought a bike there a few weeks ago and found them to be pretty helpful and reasonable to deal with.  I guess I will get another chance to evaluate them when I go back for the post-break in tune up in a couple weeks. 

[Tosspot]

My Schwinn from the Mission Target is already misaligned with its front wheel. I'm assuming that's from plowing through a nasty pothole I didn't see coming on Westport Road.

[chrizow]

thrift store bikes are THA HOTTNESS.

[staubio]

My Schwinn from the Mission Target is already misaligned with its front wheel. I'm assuming that's from plowing through a nasty pothole I didn't see coming on Westport Road.

I won't say I told you so... well, because I don't have to.

A reputable shop can "true" your wheel for you and get it straightened out.  It involves retensioning the spokes on either side of the bend to straighten it out.  I can take a shot and doing it as well but I'm not as good at it as many of my friends are.

[Tosspot]

I won't say I told you so... well, because I don't have to.

A reputable shop can "true" your wheel for you and get it straightened out.  It involves retensioning the spokes on either side of the bend to straighten it out.  I can take a shot and doing it as well but I'm not as good at it as many of my friends are.

Cool...if you want to come by sometime and take a stab at it, by all means. Otherwise I can bike over to Midwest Cyclery and ask them to do it. Any idea how much money this is gonna cost me?

[staubio]

Cool...if you want to come by sometime and take a stab at it, by all means. Otherwise I can bike over to Midwest Cyclery and ask them to do it. Any idea how much money this is gonna cost me?

Probably around $15.  I'll give it a shot but I'm pretty much booked for the rest of the week.