jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I drove into town yesterday, I saw that the local bike shop was open. I thought I'd stop in some day and see what they had, not that was thinking about buying - "just looking." When I got home, I looked on their website. Their cheapest bike costs $1,500, with most of them in the $5,000 - $7,000 price range. Wow! When I was a kid, my brother and I had several bikes, and my parents weren't millionaires. Even as an adult, I bought a couple of nice multi-speed road bikes, and cost wasn't a consideration. I guess normal people buy their bikes at Target and Walmart.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Jerry,
The big box stores sell cheap (price & quality) bicycles largely purchased by parents with small children that will soon outgrow them. The bike shop in my hometown sells a large variety of bikes in all price ranges and types. You can custom order as well. I bought last year a special order cruiser in order to get the color I wanted. Price was under $500 and included the addition of fenders and a rear luggage rack. There was no additional price for ordering the bike. In two days the shop had the bike and assembled it. I don’t know what type of bike you want, but mine is a 7 speed cruiser.
If you are a cruiser biker, take a look at the Electra bikes. Prices shown are normally the same as bike shops. Those $5-7k bikes most likely include carbon fiber ones.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

Actually normal people, whatever that means, shop at small, locally owned bike shops, where they can get a bike that fits, is not junk, and serves the needs of the consumer.
I have probably purchased 20 bikes in my life all from bike shops. I took up cycling as a hobby and activity some 30 years ago. I will be 79 in September and unfortunately had to stop cycling a couple of years ago for medical reasons.
I rode mainly road bikes, but having lived in CO for several years, mountain bikes also.
I did a lot of charity weekend rides, did the MS 150. Rode on average 30 miles/day, about five days a week. Rode hills and mountains.
I never spent more than $1800 on a roadie, and $1000, for a mtn. Sure I could have spent a lot more, but one reaches the law of diminishing returns, save a few ounces of bike weight? Not at my level did I need to save a few minutes.
When you see those prices, they are what the pros and semi pros buy.
I would never purchase a bike at the box stores. Most of them are junk, heavy steel bikes that rust and break.
They do the job like a pinhole camera would, not like a good DSLR.

eugenehinds

I have ridden over 200 miles in one day and the bike I used was a Raleigh Super Course which I got for less than $300. This was in the 70s. A similar bike would be around $1100 today. Most important is the fit which makes your arms and legs the perfect length. On a properly fitted bike the long downhill coast will rest you as your easy chair at home. The Super Course had a Reynolds 531 steel frame with a longish wheelbase and was comfortable. If I bought a new bike the new saddle went into the trash can and my old leather Brooks went onto the new bike. I did finish #2 in state championship one year but not on the Raleigh but on a Puch racing bike with sew up tires.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I have a bicycle that I used to commute a couple miles to work about 50 years ago. Not a racing bike, they cost several hundred dollars back then. I figured that part of the rationale for buying a bike was to get exercise to keep my weight down (yes, it was a problem in those ancient days also). So if the bike weighed a bit more than the racing bikes, it was good. I'd get more exercise.

I don't recall how much it actually cost but it was pretty expensive, maybe $85.

When I was a kid, I had a bike to get to school and all around town. Even rode it 75 miles to get to the Jersey shore. And back. That balloon tired bike probably cost my parents $25-30.

eugenehinds

Most of us started out on the old fat tired one speed and wore one out before we upgraded. Those were the days that stick in ones memory and $23 is about right. (From the Western Auto).

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

[quote=eugenehinds]I have ridden over 200 miles in one day and the bike I used was a Raleigh Super Course which I got for less than $300. This was in the 70s. A similar bike would be around $1100 today. Most important is the fit which makes your arms and legs the perfect length. On a properly fitted bike the long downhill coast will rest you as your easy chair at home. The Super Course had a Reynolds 531 steel frame with a longish wheelbase and was comfortable. If I bought a new bike the new saddle went into the trash can and my old leather Brooks went onto the new bike. I did finish #2 in state championship one year but not on the Raleigh but on a Puch racing bike with sew up tires.[/quote
That was great bike. My favorite bikes were the Reynolds Chrome moly steel.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm not shopping for one, but I thought I'd stop and look out of nostalgia.

EDIT: Now the pages are full of ads for bikes.

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

Thanks for posting this subject Jerry. I'm getting a real kick reading the responses. Some of the same people who are aghast at bicycle prices don't think anything about going out and spending $1000 or more on a carbon fiber tripod. And the tripod is but a tiny piece of the equipment puzzle in photography. At least with a bike you buy it and ride it. Its as simple as that.
Everybody has their own personal GAS preference :-))

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right, and how complicated is a tripod? Actually, I wouldn't spend $1,000 on either. I wouldn't want to ride a bike on the roads around here - two lanes, 55 mph. The only good place to ride is on one of the bike/hiking trails.

eugenehinds

Personally I would not touch one of these high dollar carbon fiber bikes. The old reliable crmo or mangmoly steel frames will last pretty much as long as you will and cost less money. Most important is getting the one which fits you. As for where to ride, local bike clubs have maps identifying less traveled back roads. A good clue is to find a road which parallels a freeway. Most of the high speed traffic will be on the freeway and you will be contending only with locals who are trying to get to the freeway. Some of the byways will be rough and hilly but if you're a photographer this is where you'll find the most photo opps such as old houses, barns, churches and off the beaten path scenery.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

NOt where I live. Cycling has gotten popular again.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

Different frames allow for different uses of ride. Carbon frames are very light and very stiff. Racers and triatheletes prefer them for their instant response. Aluminum is generally a stiff frame, less than a Carbon. Steel, is softer, gentler ride. The components on the bike, brakes, cassette, pedals, can be very expensive. Wheels are a high price item on the top carbon bikes. Less weight, less inertia. Trust me, riding up a 6 degree hill can be tough with a heavier wheel and tire.
In any event it is all about your use, pocketbook. I have seen folks purchase the less than 18 pound bike, only to add water bottle cages, bags and chains and locks. And you are correct, fit is most important. That's where a bike shop that knows what they are doing is all important.

eugenehinds

We took stop watches and did a few timed rides on a 6.5 mile time trial course, Racing sew ups vs some of the lightweight clinchers and found that there was almost no difference. On hill climbing I think that stiffness in the bottom bracket/crank area may be more important than a few ounces on the wheel. Flexing the frame adds nothing to forward motion.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

There are some excellent alternatives around Jerry...This is my bike...AUD$549 delivered to my door...it's a beautiful bike with suspension, 27 gears, and hydraulic disc brakes. Had it for three years now and it's great with no problems of any sort...being a mechanical engineer I was always concerned about the frame and the welding but it's the very best and I can't fault it...

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Hydraulic Disc Brakes..

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