So I’m going to buy a bike. I started thinking about it last summer while doing some volunteer work with Harbor to the Bay. I kept saying “I’m getting a bike. I’m getting a bike. I’m getting a bike.”
Well I’ll save you from the suspense of not knowing: No I never did end up getting a bike.
How about you help me? I’ll tell you what I want/need, and you give me suggestions of bikes (brands/styles/etc) to check out.
WANTS/NEEDS:
1.) Something I can take on bike paths and non-scary city streets. I’m not going to be doing anything Harbor to the Bay (Boston to Ptown) style. I’m not going to be racing. Ideally I’d like to take some rides on weekends, maybe do light grocery shopping and commute to work.
2.) Something that is sturdy and won’t fall apart. I’m kind of a klutz. And by kind of, I mean it’s one of my defining characteristics. I don’t mind investing a bit of money so long as it means I’ll be safe (from myself.) I don’t want to crumble the thing the first time I fall off it. Yes, I said first. Because there will be many.
3.) Something that is reasonably priced. I said I’d be willing to invest a bit of money. But again, I’m not doing crazy racing or insane bike trips. Let’s keep it in the $400 and lower range.
4.) Something that is conducive to mounting a back or front rack. Think small items: bag of groceries, work files, laptop maybe?
5.) Something preeeetttty. Shut up. I’m a girl. And a designer. I like pretty things.
That being said, I’ve done a bit of research and asking around and have been told a hybrid is likely a good fit for me. From what I’ve read that seems pretty right on.
Hybrids are almost as fast and easy to pedal as road bikes, while being almost as comfortable and versatile as mountain bikes. They’re great for commuting, errands, getting in shape and all-around fun.
I pulled up a few that I like (based only on reading specs and looking at photos of course. I haven’t test driven any of these yet.) and here’s what I’m eying right now:
’09 Specialized Women’s Globe Carmel 2 (700c wheels) This is right at the top of my price range (on sale for $399), but it seems to have the specs I’m looking for. And, hello. It’s gorgeous.
Raleigh 2008 Hybrid DETOUR 3.5 It’s somewhere between $200 and $400. But … its purple. I don’t really like the purple. The specs look good though.
’09 Specialized Globe Vienna 1 Still on the high end of my budget $369, but good stuff for the price.
Trek 7000 WSD It’s $359 and fits all my requirements. It looks tough. Maybe a little tooooo tough for me. (I still like the “prettier” bikes better!)
So that’s all I’ve got so far. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? (Also let me just remind you again — I haven’t had the chance to ride any of these yet, so I could be basically making things up at this point.)
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My Specialized mountain bike has lasted me about 15 years…so they are durable. (if that helps)
A (Boston based) friend of mine writes a blog that might give you help and advice. It’s at chiccyclist.blogspot.com
I have a three-speed Raleigh called “The Bobby Bike,” because it’s the one the British police ride. It looks like an English racer, but has a sturdier frame for urban riding. Interestingly enough, though (mostly) made for men it has the bar configuration usually designated for women. I’m not sure they still offer this model, but overall I’ve been very happy with the quality of Raleigh bikes. And no purple. Mine is black.
I have a Trek Hybrid, and it is my most favorite thing in the entire world. I do the Cape Code rail trail, and the bike path down in providence quite a bit, and it’s perfect. I also randomly ride from Dorchester to Lexington, do the lexington run, and come back, which is like 60+ miles. The bike hasn’t let me down yet. Mine is purple with subtle white flowers, girly, but not to girly. I think mine was around 400-450 ish… very similar to this:
http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/bikes/bike_path/72fxwsd/
except mine was the 2 years ago version.
Good Luck and Happy Biking!
Just this note – if you buy a quality bike from a good manufacturer it would take a lot of falling and crashing into things a high speed for you to really mess it up. They are sturdy things. If at all possible, try to buy a bike with a steel frame, which is the sturdiest and most resilient kind of frame. Even if you crash the hell out of it, as long as you are still capable of turning the pedals, you can ride it home. All steel does is bend. Carbon can split and do strange things if you ever get it in a wreck.
Good luck!