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OT: Bike recommendations

Dawg1976

Dawg1976

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2012
8,149
2,657
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I'm thinking about buying a bike and would like some thoughts from the sixpackers here. First of all I am a geezer(60) so not looking for a racing bike. Just something I can use to ride some trails on the AL coast. Mostly flat so don't think a lot of gears are needed. 1,3,7 or more gears? Wanting to keep it simple. Steel vs aluminum? Any particular brands I should focus on? Not wanting to spend a ton, but would like a decent one. Under $500 if possible. Would use the bike maybe 3 times a week.

Thanks for your help.
 
Dawgbite

Dawgbite

All-American
Nov 1, 2011
8,832
9,454
113
I have a TREK Navigator that I like a lot. Its a Hybrid bike that's works well on street or trails as long as they are not too aggressive. I don't think they make this particular bike any more but I'm sure they make something similar.When new, I think it was around $500 but I found this one on craigs list for $200 in like new condition. The best place to buy bikes is on Craigs list in a college town at the end of the year. Students will unload a nice bike for a bargain.
 
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AHSDawg

Redshirt
Sep 18, 2012
1,680
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0
The only recommendation you need is this: GO TO A BIKE SHOP. Tell them what you are looking for and get them to fit you. If you do not know much about bikes, you need help with this decision.

For some tips. Get them to measure you. This is the first step. You probably do not want steel. You probably do not want carbon. The more your bike weighs, the more you have to carry it going up hills. You think you want simple and fewer gears but it is no nearly as hard as you think. You have 3 large gears up front that you change with your left shift (you RARELY use this) and you have usually 7 or 9 on the right (total of 21 or 27 gears). Once you get comfortable, you will appreciate having these options more than not.

You can get a good bike for $500. Just spend some time on this and you will enjoy it and use it a ton more than if you buy something you aren't happy with.
 
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Crazy Cotton

All-Conference
Aug 26, 2012
3,647
1,405
113
Go to a good Bike Shop. Most important thing is going to be fit and quality of assembly. If you don't have a bike that fits, you are going to be miserable. Fit includes size of the frame, but it also can include things like the length of the handlebar stem, the length of the cranks, type of saddle, etc. Quality of assembly - you need a professional putting together and adjusting the bike so that it is operating as it should. Get those two things right and as long as you are getting a bike shop quality bike (say between 300-700$ for an intro level hybrid) you should be happy. I've worked with Jim and Tom at the Bike Rack in Jackson for over 20 years. Those guys and their employees ride every day, they have an active continuing education and training program for their employees, and they are fair people. When I was was at State I worked with Mike the Bike - I have no idea if he is still there.
 
seshomoru

seshomoru

Junior
Apr 24, 2006
5,603
293
83
Drive to Flowood and see Michael at the Bike Rack... or..

ask around and find a local shop in your area with a good reputation. Tell them exactly what you'll be using it for and they can do the rest. In general, Trek makes a bike for just about every type of riding you could ever imagine.
 
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AHSDawg

Redshirt
Sep 18, 2012
1,680
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Could not agree with this more. The 'fit' of a bike (all over) is the most important thing. If you seat is too short, your knees kick out to the side and within a few days, you have hip and knee pain. You quit riding and the fun is over. I did this early on. HATED riding. Got my seat up high and right, now, I have zero residual pain and love it. Been doing 40 and 75 milers.
 
Dawg1976

Dawg1976

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2012
8,149
2,657
113
I have a condo in Orange Beach. But don't live there full time. There is a place called Infinity Bikes near by and there is another place in Foley I might check out. I went by a bike shop here in Meridian. They had Treks but the owner was kind of pushing a Sun Revolution bike.

Thanks for the info. I figured getting fitted was a good idea. I'll try not to get too hung up on the number of gears. I imagine once I find the proper setting, I won't be changing it much anyway. The area down there has a good trail that runs from Orange Beach to Gulf Shores. I think its called the Outback trail.
 
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SignalToNoise

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
741
0
0
I will plug Trek. I've had a Trek 1000 since 2003. Snapped a few chains, gone through tires, etc, but it's hanging in their strong. Hope to upgrade some components on it soon.
 
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Knoxdog55

Redshirt
Nov 18, 2013
38
2
6
As a fellow old geezer (class of 77 and 79), I understand what you are saying. Go to a bike shop and check out the Townies. Great bikes ( light weight, unlike a Huffy bike) wide cushioned seat, wide tires and fenders! You can get them in either 26 or 27 inch wheels.
 
LandArchDawg

LandArchDawg

Junior
Sep 14, 2003
2,546
207
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I agree on going the bike shop route. WalMart and Target are for children's bikes, but not adults. Based on what you said, you will likely want a hybrid, and Trek makes some good ones, but so do others. Full carbon hybrids are even available.
If you are riding more pavement, you may consider a road bike. But road bikes are an absolute no-no if you plan to ride any dirt or gravel at any time. You can probably get a flat-bar road bike with fatter tires, if you do not like the strict upright position a hybrid puts you in. But like several said here, a good bike shop can walk you though these options.
 
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