Do you know about road bikes? Help please!

2358 Views 44 Replies 14 Participants Last post by pejerrey, Sep 24, 2012

pejerrey

Discussion Starter · Sep 13, 2012

Hello,

I'm 5'10" and weight 182lb.

I'm thinking to get this bike:

56cm tour de france stage one yellow jersey road bike.

It's $240 at Walmart.

Does anyone have it? Experiences, opinions?

It's to commute to work, I ride standing and as fast as possible.

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1 - 20 of 45 Posts

Nubster

· #2 · Sep 13, 2012

Walmart = JUNK. That's about all you need to know. I definitely wouldn't ride one of their bikes much less ride one fast.

If you are on a tight budget, look for something used. That will get you the most bang for your buck. Now is a good time too cause all the 2013 bikes are hitting the market.

You can also check out a site called bikes direct if you don't mind ordering a bike online.

jeremyTR

· #3 · Sep 13, 2012

Nubster said:
Walmart = JUNK. That's about all you need to know.

This. Go to an actual bike shop.

Sent from my HTC Evo 4G

pejerrey

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 13, 2012

I've been researching a bit, there is very expensive bikes, even used in cl and in shops.

I bought a piece of cr4p from cl. I ended up donating it, it wasnt even good enough for burning man.

Some bike stores have this one actually.

Oh, and this is from Walmart but online only.

I know it's top notch, I need something cheap that won't hurt much if stolen.

Any ideas besides local shops or used.

I have Time tho. I could start building up one but seems more expensive.

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Nubster

· #5 · Sep 13, 2012

But it will hurt when it breaks and you crash...lol

Seriously though, if you plan to ride much at all, do yourself a favor and buy a good bike. Even a used, older bike that's been maintained is going to be better than that. If you have questions on particular bikes, ask about them. I'd also suggest maybe checking out Road Bike Review. There are some friendly, helpful folks over there and lots of good information. Just read through the beginner section and you'll see a number of threads for people looking for budget bikes.

acitydweller

· #6 · Sep 13, 2012

Fit and finish should be the top criterias for any cyclist.

The frame geometry vary by all mfg so find the right size, proportions and wheelbase which fit you for the style of riding intended. I have 6 bikes in the garage for various types of outtings. If you are lookinng at big box stores, go sit and pedal each. Have someone experienced to spot your pedaling to help critique and size whether seat and bar adjustments are needed or whether the frame sizes aren't suitable for your build.

A decent bike can be had for reasonable money. Back in the day, the schwinn paramount was a nicely kitted bike and a good bang for the buck value. If you are riding under 15 miles in a metro area, consider one of those city hybrids with the 700cc wheels and staight handle bars.

Best all around bikes ime are still steel frame bikes. Try looking for these on CL. Good luck

pejerrey

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 13, 2012

Thanks!

Well, i ride a small frame cannondale quick 4 with 700c wheels and gatorskin tires. It's pretty light but it got its original wheels stolen so I'm using some "McIver" wheels I put toghether from leftover ones. I ended up with a 7 gear freewheel in the back and the original 8 trigger shifter so its a pain to use the back gears. I end up only using the front ones.

I just got find a 7 trigger shifter or an 8 gear to swap from the back one.

Where do i get either?

And where do I get good and cheap tools?

The problem is that it feels a bit short for me, am I wrong?

Maybe I already have what I need, right?

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Nubster

· #8 · Sep 13, 2012

What tools do you need/want? You can do about 90% of the work on a bike with hex wrenches. Get a decent quality set of those and you're set. Only bike specific tools I own are a bottom bracket tool, cassette tool, and crank puller. I do want to get a pair of cable cutters though.

As for where to order parts, I really like PricePoint, JensonUSA, Universal Cycles, and Arts Cyclery.

Here is a 7 speed shifter. Not sure if it will work for you. If you change to 8 speed, you'll likely have to get a new rear derailleur as well. Perhaps you should consider converting to single speed.

pejerrey

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 14, 2012

So them maybe I need to find the 8 gear part to swap for the 7. What is the part name?
I want a spoke tuning tool, to true a wheel, i did it with a small adjusting wrench.... and whatever I need to change the gears and hubs.

I have all metric tools thanks to be a German car fan.

Thanks for the links!

Smellydeli

· #10 · Sep 14, 2012 (Edited)

Nashbar and Peformancebike (sister company) have some good options if you don't want to shell out a lot of money for a commuter bike and it won't be too much of a loss if it gets stolen.

To change the freewheel, you need a freewheel removal tool (and adjustable wrench unless come with an integrated handle) that matches the splines. Cassettes use a different tool. Wheel truing stands are expensive and used with a spoke tensiometer (bought separately).

Sheldonbrown and ParkTools are great resources to learn how to repair and change parts on your bike. Bicycletutor is video based but they changed to a subscription service.

Take the time to get fitted properly at a real bike store. It's not worth buying a random size just to suffer while you're riding.

plantbrain

· #11 · Sep 14, 2012

I own 5 bikes feller.

I'd suggest you go to Performance bikes there in the East Bay, good prices and you can get a much better bike for a little bit more $. They have some awesome sales and team members get 10% back. I bought a Fuji bike for the wife and she got a 600$ bike for 350$ after it was all said and done. Clip in campus pedals, so you can clip in or use the other side with reg street shoes, integrated STI brake/shifters......alum frame.........carbon fork.

Get ultra gator skin tires, they are tough as nails.
Cyclocross might your thing also for urban stuff.

In.a.Box

· #12 · Sep 14, 2012

buy one of those bike u can fold up

Sethjohnson30

· #13 · Sep 14, 2012

pejerrey said:
So them maybe I need to find the 8 gear part to swap for the 7. What is the part name?
I want a spoke tuning tool, to true a wheel, i did it with a small adjusting wrench.... and whatever I need to change the gears and hubs.

I have all metric tools thanks to be a German car fan.

Thanks for the links!

Maybe off topic, but you posted German car fan. So I have to say you must have good taste. Why would you consider buying a bike at Walmart? Are you a water cooled v dub guy? That's the only logical explanation.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

acitydweller

· #14 · Sep 14, 2012 (Edited)

Used to love supergo when it was around, and when lived closer to santa monica. If you are riding with mismatched components, I suggest sorting that out first. Cannondales use shimano kit and you'll find pretty decent prices online for 8 speed stuff since everyones gone 9 and beyond by now. I have stuff from campy and shimano for road and MTn and alll over the map with with gear speeds.

Get gators like Tom mentioned, Michelin slicks if you are a roadie, and change out that front shifter and you should be good on your current ride. Also, get two locks so you don't get these current wheels stolen. A lot can be said for uglifying your stuff so it goes unnoticed. Ducttape and sharpie works great.

Don't worry about buying an offbrand so long as it fits your body frame. I was the guy that out rode others with cannondales, lemonds, kestrels, treks and litespeeds on 75 and 100 mile tours on my 10 yr old steel bianchi before getting properly fitted in titanium and carbon fiber.

Sethjohnson30

· #15 · Sep 14, 2012

acitydweller said:
Used to love supergo when it was around, and when lived closer to santa monica. If you are riding with mismatched components, I suggest sorting that out first. Cannondales use shimano kit and you'll find pretty decent prices online for 8 speed stuff since everyones gone 9 and beyond by now. I have stuff from campy and shimano for road and MTn and alll over the map with with gear speeds.

Get gators like Tom mentioned, Michelin slicks if you are a roadie, and change out that front shifter and you should be good on your current ride. Also, get two locks so you don't get these current wheels stolen. A lot can be said for uglifying your stuff so it goes unnoticed. Ducttape and sharpie works great.

Don't worry about buying an offbrand so long as it fits your body frame. I was the guy that out rode others with cannondales, lemonds, kestrels, treks and litespeeds on 75 and 100 mile tours on my 10 yr old steel bianchi before getting properly fitted in titanium and carbon fiber.

Nothing wrong with a 10 yr old steel bianchi

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Nubster

· #16 · Sep 14, 2012

Sethjohnson30 said:
Nothing wrong with a 10 yr old steel bianchi

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+1. A 10yr old steel Bianchi will be heads and tails better than anything from Walmart. Thing is, a Walmart bike first of all is going to be poorly assembled. Expect to either spend another $50-100 having your local shop get it together correctly and tuned up, or spend several hours doing it your self. Second, the frames on these bikes, though not horrible, are likely going to be very heavy. They are made from inferior materials. They might hold up, but it won't be a pleasant experience. Third, components are bottom of the barrel. I can say from experience, that components do make a huge difference to a point. Nicer parts are going to weight less, work better, and be more durable. Of course I am all about mid-level, maybe mid-high level stuff. To me, unless racing competitively, there is a point where cost vs upgrade gets way skewed. I am not a bike snob, far from it. I do however push quality on people when I can. I'd rather see someone have to save up a little longer but get a bike that will work for them for a long time which means theres a much higher chance that person will continue to ride bikes for a long time.

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pejerrey

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 14, 2012

2

I have the two locks and gator skin tires!

I'm looking around to find the right shifting component to my current "female" bike as its my wife's..

As I said before, it's a small frame and I don't know if it's the right size for me. Maybe this bike is all I need.

I like better quality stuff but we have had so many bikes/parts stolen at sf japantown and in lake Merritt Bart station (the two places were we park) that I want something that I won't be so sorry to let go.

The Walmart bike I'm looking into is the one in the first post or this schwinn one:

http://www.walmart.com/msharbor/ip/19582523?adid=1500000000000012981640&veh=mweb

Is this one worth upgrading when components fail? I mean, is it a trusty brand frame?

As for building it from a used Craigslist bike, what should I be looking for?

Oh, and what is the hype about fixies?

Is that a hipster trend? Do I need to ride with tight jeans and hoodie?(joke)

Can a single speed free wheel be upgraded to shift? Maybe in the front gears?

Thanks!

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TheBigSleep

· #18 · Sep 14, 2012 (Edited)

There's a guy in my area who makes a living handcrafting bike frames & other components, and although I know little about roadbikes I'll pass on his advice to me - "it doesn't matter what kind of bike you have as long as it fits your body and feels 'right'". "Real" cyclists on here may disagree with that, but I'm just parroting back what was said to me. I was looking for a junker bike a few years back and Richard told me to go to a shop and get measured, then to try bikes based on measurements instead of brand/style/whatever. I never ended up buying a bike but I've never forgotten his advice, I hope it helps ya!

Nubster

· #19 · Sep 14, 2012

TheBigSleep said:
"Real" cyclists on here may disagree with that, but I'm just parroting back what was said to me. I was looking for a junker bike a few years back and Richard told me to go to a shop and get measured, then to try bikes based on measurements instead of brand/style/whatever. I never ended up buying a bike but I've never forgotten his advice, I hope it helps ya!

So you don't have a bike but you feel qualified to insult and talk down to those of us that actually have bikes and ride?

HD Blazingwolf

· #20 · Sep 15, 2012

Look for an old trek 400. Indestructable bike. Lightweight, great balance and about 26 years old if u can find one. They are still out there and sell for a decent price. I ride mine almost daily

And as others have said. Seriously invest in a bike from a shop that sell one to ur needs

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