Bicycles
Jun 19, 2020 22:59:36 #
Jun 20, 2020 05:59:29 #
My TREK 950 is getting on for 30 years old. American made True temper tubing rigid mountain bike used mainly for commuting but bought because the kids wanted to go places the road bike didn't.
I used to 40 miles a day in sun, rain, snow, hail etc. and I reckon the bike has done about 50,000 miles or more. If it could wear out, I've worn it out and only the frame, forks, stem, handlebars, and seat pin are left now.
I used to 40 miles a day in sun, rain, snow, hail etc. and I reckon the bike has done about 50,000 miles or more. If it could wear out, I've worn it out and only the frame, forks, stem, handlebars, and seat pin are left now.
Jun 20, 2020 06:27:01 #
SX2002 wrote:
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... 
I like the idea of the hydraulic disc brakes - something different. How did you get the sizing right online?
Jun 20, 2020 07:21:20 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I like the idea of the hydraulic disc brakes - something different. How did you get the sizing right online?
Something different.
Jun 20, 2020 08:07:17 #
I have enjoyed the post. I dug out our 2 mountain bikes that have been in storage for 15 years or so and took them to a bike shop and asked for new tires and tubes and it took them a month to get the tires and they put 2.25 width and the original tires were 2.0 width and it has been another month for them to get the correct size. Seems the problem is shipping. I should have done it myself but was too busy at the time and thought it would be a drop off one day and pick up the next. My wife said I may need chains by the time I get them back thinking it will be winter by then.
Jun 20, 2020 08:09:48 #
steve49
Loc: massachusetts
I have always been in the bicycle business ( now retired ).
You can get a decent functional bike for in the $500 range.
You can go from there easily up to a professional level bike that costs $10,000.
It's not different from cameras really...
For some a point and shoot or a phone works fine.
For others a $3,000 lens is an occasional use item.
If you use it a lot a better bike is notably different...
and these days It is a pretty technical product with hydraulic disc brakes and electronic shifting in many cases.
Then you can introduce the E-Bike.. which is powered partially by a battery/motor. These have taken over the business in Europe and are beginning to see in the US these days. Generally selling for $2-5K.
Bike sales have boomed during the Covid and these is a huge shortage of inventory in the lower middle price categories as people have been " stuck at home " and looking for something to do. This could have been a part of why the shop had no lower priced bikes.
You can get a decent functional bike for in the $500 range.
You can go from there easily up to a professional level bike that costs $10,000.
It's not different from cameras really...
For some a point and shoot or a phone works fine.
For others a $3,000 lens is an occasional use item.
If you use it a lot a better bike is notably different...
and these days It is a pretty technical product with hydraulic disc brakes and electronic shifting in many cases.
Then you can introduce the E-Bike.. which is powered partially by a battery/motor. These have taken over the business in Europe and are beginning to see in the US these days. Generally selling for $2-5K.
Bike sales have boomed during the Covid and these is a huge shortage of inventory in the lower middle price categories as people have been " stuck at home " and looking for something to do. This could have been a part of why the shop had no lower priced bikes.
Jun 20, 2020 08:10:35 #
I don't believe that you can define 'normal people' just as those who shop at Target or Walmart; my son owns a bike shop in Sarasota, selling $1,000-$5,000 bikes every day to lawyers, doctors, brick layers, construction workers... all normal folks. Why do we drive Ferraris, write with Mont Blanc pens, wear Rollex watches, surf the Web with $4,000 MacBooks and shoot pictures with Leicas...? Because normal people want the best they can afford.
If you take a close look at the new bikes you will me amazed at the technology, precision and workmanship of parts manufactured from titanium, aluminums and of course, carbon fiber. It is worth the look!
If you take a close look at the new bikes you will me amazed at the technology, precision and workmanship of parts manufactured from titanium, aluminums and of course, carbon fiber. It is worth the look!
Jun 20, 2020 08:26:30 #
jerryc41 wrote:
When I drove into town yesterday, I saw that the l... (show quote)
I like Costco for moderately (cheaper) priced bikes.
They even carry battery-powered (assisted) bikes.
https://www.costco.com/bicycles.html
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Jun 20, 2020 08:29:12 #
jerryc41 wrote:
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.
EDIT: Now the pages are full of ads for bikes.
I can't remember what I spent on my first Raleigh 3-speed but it wasn't much even back in the '60's. What did a Stingray with the banana seat go for? For my last bike, I skipped over the multi-thousand dollar models and went with a $300 Schwinn CrossFit that meets my demands. You can always go top-of-the-line for that tiny bit of extra performance but is it worth it? Where would it end?
My first camera was a Brownie Starflash...
And hey; I have bike ads crawling all over my screens, too!
Jun 20, 2020 08:30:15 #
Wow, there's a blast from the past. I still have my Raleigh Super Course out in the garage. Got it in early 1974. Over the years, it got a few upgrades, including front and rear derailleurs, shorter stem, 6 cog rear, "barcon" shifters and so on.
I used to do 15 to 20 miles, several evenings a week. I think my longest was about 50 miles on Cape Cod, the rail trail then back to the cottage where we were staying. Never did any organized tours or anything.
The combination of grey hair, 4 kids, and moving to a hilly part of town, slowed my riding down a lot, almost nothing in the last 10 years or so.
But now my son has a pricey bike that weighs nothing compared to mine, and thinks nothing of going out for 50 miles or more with his buddies.
I used to do 15 to 20 miles, several evenings a week. I think my longest was about 50 miles on Cape Cod, the rail trail then back to the cottage where we were staying. Never did any organized tours or anything.
The combination of grey hair, 4 kids, and moving to a hilly part of town, slowed my riding down a lot, almost nothing in the last 10 years or so.
But now my son has a pricey bike that weighs nothing compared to mine, and thinks nothing of going out for 50 miles or more with his buddies.
Jun 20, 2020 08:32:13 #
Jun 20, 2020 08:37:39 #
Don's Leica
Loc: Asheville, NC
In 1971 I visited a bike dealer in Denver, who sold me what he stated was the best road bike. It was signed by Faliero Masi, marked Gran Criterium, Reynolds 531 steel frame, MILANO, hardware by Campagnolo. I came to agree with the dealer, fell in love with the bike, could ride 100 miles in a day then when I was still young. At home I sat for hours looking at every detail of the handmade frame and the hardware. By 2010 I was too old for the drop bars, changed them, and sold it about 2015. Still have photos.
Jun 20, 2020 08:39:11 #
jerryc41 wrote:
When I drove into town yesterday, I saw that the l... (show quote)
What would the Wright Brothers think?
They would say, "For that kind of money, you can buy an Airplane!!"
Jun 20, 2020 08:52:21 #
I am 86 this year and no longer ride the bike, but a few years back I entered the "Strawberry Tour" thinking it was just a Saturday afternoon bike ride. It was a full blown RACE. Me and another guy were soon alone with just one old guy on a mountain bike behind us. We watched him and when he came near we just speeded up a bit. This way we wouldn't be involved in sprint to see who finished last. But it was fun, we just changed the rules of the game a bit.
Jun 20, 2020 08:56:23 #
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