Finding the best beginner bike is not easy
Finding the best beginner bike can be a difficult process if you don’t know where to start. The best bike for you will really depend on what you want it for.
I would suggest that most people would fall into the following very general categories:
- Comfort bikes for casual, comfortable riding during leisure time.
- Hybrid or commuter bikes which are purely intended as a means of transport to work and back home again.
- Road bikes meant for serious cycling enthusiasts or those that want to get fit or ride socially.
- Mountain biking for off-road cyclists who like to get into the great outdoors.
- Touring bikes for long distance riding.
Questions you should ask yourself when purchasing a bicycle
Once you have determined what you are buying a bike for you need to think about what your budget is going to be as this will no doubt be the most limiting factor.
Also think about your overall health and fitness and particular body shape. Bikes do come in a range of sizes but from time to time it may be difficult to find the right sort of bike in the right size.
Find the best beginner bikes
Your local area and the different types of surfaces that you like to ride on will also have an impact on your eventual decision. You basically have a few choices here:
Road bikes
Road bikes are typically finer with thinner tires and a shorter wheelbase. Their light construction is to maximize speed and agility and as a result they are not as tough as say a mountain bike for example.
Such is their relative fragility that they are only designed for smooth pavement and shouldn’t be taken off road.
These sorts of bikes may also require a bit more sizing than other bikes because of the way you ride a road bike, but a local shop can certainly help you out.
Touring bikes
As mentioned earlier, these are great for long distance riding and have the capacity to carry quite a bit of cargo too. They tend to have a thicker, more stout frame and have extra gears than a road bike for moving loads up inclines.
Mountain bikes
These are certainly very popular amongst bike enthusiasts because they have greater aesthetic appeal and can be more versatile than any other sort of bike.
Although we like to think of mountain bikes on mountains, the reality is that they can be used on any surface and have become very widespread as a result, becoming particularly attractive to kids.
They usually come with appealing add-ons like suspension, a high number of gears and thick, shock-absorbing tires with complex frames.
Mountain bikes use different sizing to road or touring bikes because more clearance over the top bar is required, so this is something to keep in mind.
Hybrid and comfort bikes
As the name suggests, a hybrid is typically a cross between a road and mountain bike and this is a niche that has only been filled relatively recently in the biking sector.
They really do have the best of both worlds though, with narrower tires than a mountain bike for smooth pavement while still retaining the comfortable upright position and raised handlebars that makes a mountain bike so enjoyable.
They are also used for commuting to and from work because of the thinner more roadworthy tires and the capacity to carry a little extra cargo than a standard road bike.
In summary, finding the best beginner bike will require careful thought on your part combined with the right specialist bike advice. Get these steps right and you are well on your way to finding the right bike for you!
Filed Under Biking Enthusiasts | Comments Off
Compare frame sizes Trek 3500 and Specialized Hardrock – reviews
If you are undecided about which bike is for you and are trying to compare frame sizes trek 3500 and specialized hard rock then I have made a basic comparison between the two bikes to help you decide which one is right for you.
It is important to realize that these two bikes are very similar in terms of frame and performance and for some cyclists the only way to make a definitive decision will be to test ride both of them and see which one feels better.
However, I can accept that some people will want to take a more analytical approach and as a result I have sought to compare some of the other important features of these two bikes. Of course, these are the 2011 versions of each to give the most relevant review possible.
Price
For starters, the Specialized Hardrock is the more expensive option, but only just. It is valued at nearer to $420 while the Trek 3500 is a slightly more affordable $380.
Important specifications
Both bikes carry 26 inch tires and both have hard tail suspension and aluminum frames. They both also have 5 frame sizes available, ranging from XS (13-15 inch) to XL (21-23 inch).
The Trek 3500 has mostly Shimano drive train components while the Specialized Hardrock is made up of a mixture of SRAM, SR, Shimano and KMC parts.
Brakes
The Specialized Hardrock bike has dedicated front and rear alloy linear pull brakes (“V” brakes) while the Trek 3500 has Shimano EF-51 level brakes.
User experience and suitability
The Trek 3500 is a traditionally constructed bike that has a good mixture of agility and stability. It doesn’t have any of the bells or whistles of some other bikes but it will be enough for the majority of riders, particularly beginners who are looking at buying their first serious bike.
The 3500 is slightly heavier than perhaps a beginner bike should be at around 31 pounds however. The thing that I think could have been improved is that more of the weight could have been put into the frame instead of the wheels.
Why? Because heavy wheels require more physical effort to move as opposed to moving the frame. This is slightly counteracted by the fact that the wheels have rubber that glides across most surfaces with ease.
By all accounts the Specialized Hardrock has a slightly better ride than the Trek 3500 thanks mostly due to a surprisingly good fork suspension setup.
Something else which accounts for the slightly smoother ride is the thin aluminum frame construction which also makes it lighter, too. Any good compare frame sizes trek 3500 and specialized hard rock review will make mention of the slightly different frame design and construction material.
Small or spacious?
While the Trek 3500 has quite a crouched, compact cockpit the Hardrock is much more forgiving and allows you more freedom of movement while riding, lending to a better riding experience overall.
Of course, some people (particularly those of short stature) will appreciate the more compact Trek 3500 but anyone of a reasonable height that liked to stretch out would do a lot better in the Hardrock.
Like the Trek 3500, the Specialized Hardrock is the perfect entry level bike for beginners.
Filed Under Mountain Bikes | Comments Off
Best commuter bikes under $1000
I have owned for months now the best commuter bike under 500. However I am now leaning to get something more sophisticated and hence the search for something which is good yet lower than 1000 dollars. Not sure but anything above 1000 seems like a hell lot of money. So here is my research and review on some of them.
If you have owned a sub-standard commuter bike for some time now and want to upgrade to something that makes the daily commute a little more enjoyable then you are in luck.
I have done some thorough research and had a look at the best commuter bikes under $1000, looking at factors like size, weight, features, comfort and durability.
Electra Ticino 8D review
Available for around $800, the Electra Ticino 8D features the classic French construction style otherwise known as constructeur. This is more of a relaxed and relatively upright ride than you may be used to in a commuter bike, but don’t let that put you off by any means.
Having said that, it is probably best suited to short trips to work only because it is more geared to comfort rather than speed and long distance commuting.
As the name of this bike suggests, this is an 8-speed bike which is perfect for short, flat commutes and the whole gear system has Shimano trigger shifters and a Shimano rear derailleur.
One of the things that I love about this particular bike is the Tektro cantilever brakes which enable smooth but powerful stopping. I do believe that brakes are always very important on commuter bikes because they are used far more frequently than in other riding situations.
The other pleasing feature of the Ticino 8D are the platform pedals, meaning that you don’t need special shoes to ride to work each day. Just a pair of sneakers would be more than appropriate until you reach your place of work.
Transit Franklin commuter bike review– I will rate as the best commuter bike for 2012
Scraping in at just under $1000, the Transit Franklin is a high end commuter bike with an equally high end and impressive list of features.
The Franklin combines all of the great qualities of a bike into one, including dependability, comfort, good looks and versatility.
It features a Shimano Alfine 8-speed internal gear hub that is powered by a Rapidfire shifter which gives the rider adequate assistance to climb any hills or inclines that may be on the daily route to work.
The rear cargo rack and fenders provide good protection against wet days where water is likely to be flicked up by the rear wheels and on to the clothing.
In my opinion this is something that all commuter bikes need to have (and the fenders need to work effectively) because there is nothing worse than having a dirty, greasy stain up the back of your formal clothing by the time you arrive at work.
The frame is built from an aluminum-hybrid material which not only gives you a smoother ride but it also looks stylish too.
Like most commuter bikes under $1000, but over a range of around $700-$800, the Franklin also has front and rear disc brakes. In this particular case they are powered by Shimano and compliment the spring loaded bike seat and leather handle bar grips perfectly.
This is definitely one of the best commuter bikes that money can buy, and you should definitely have a look at it if you are at all interested in making that daily slog to work a lot more pleasurable than it is at the moment.
Filed Under Commuter Bikes | Comments Off
keep looking »