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Now you guys got me looking at bikes. Specialized is making a new bike for 2008 called the Globe Centrum. Three versions are available (single-speed, 3-speed, and an 8-speed). Prices are $550, $770 and $1100. I live on the Canadian prairires and the 3-speed should be fine - no wind, into the wind and against the wind speeds.http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=34072
Form above function, $650 for that? C'mon. You could get a 6000-series Trek for that money with disc brakes, shocks and all, you can't be serious. I'll race you.
PS. Bikes with unnecessary curves bothers me, but to each his own.
Suspension on a city bike is crazy. A fully rigid bike with flat or riser bars makes a lot more sense for city riding.
Also, a blinged out bike with discs or a nicer drivetrain is more apt to get stolen. The original poster needs a commuter bike. He can get that used from Craigslist or elsewhere, else he can get an inexpensive starter bike from a shop. Let him do that and either choose to upgrade the bike, or sell it and buy a nicer one.
If I were in the market for a new bike that I'd use as a commuter I'd get an IRO Rob Roy or a Bianchi San Jose, but I'm a singlespeeder by nature and I think a 2.5 mile ride is just a warm up. I am not the original poster.
Form above function, $650 for that? C'mon. You could get a 6000-series Trek for that money with disc brakes, shocks and all, you can't be serious. I'll race you.
PS. Bikes with unnecessary curves bothers me, but to each his own.
I can give you could give you a bunch of structural engineering BS on the advantages of curved tubes in a rigid matrix, improving the elasticity etc. but I won't, instead I'll just say that I like curves on bikes.
I mean...
ever since my Stingray days.
And besides I don't need the most efficient hi-zoot bike to get a cup-a-joe.
I betcha don't like vacuum tubes either.
For $300, your best bet would be to buy used. Check classifieds for used bikes with straight handlebars. If you ride on asphalt try to get one with slim tires. If you ride off-road then stick with a mountain bike.
Probably a bad idea given how little experience the OP has with bikes. The wheels could be messed up, frame could be cracked, shocks could be non-functional, tires could leak, chainring could be bent, bottom bracket could be stuffed with sand, etc etc. Not everyone has the tools and knowledge and time to fix a bike up if it's broken, and when you don't have warranty from a bike shop to fall back on, what then?
__________________ I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world, and fool enough to think thats what Ill find. The Carpenters
Probably a bad idea given how little experience the OP has with bikes. The wheels could be messed up, frame could be cracked, shocks could be non-functional, tires could leak, chainring could be bent, bottom bracket could be stuffed with sand, etc etc. Not everyone has the tools and knowledge and time to fix a bike up if it's broken, and when you don't have warranty from a bike shop to fall back on, what then?
Google, some allen wrenches, and profuse amounts of profanity.
__________________
5.5G iMod>RAL Dock Cable>P-Vcap Dock>RAL Mini to Mini>Supermicro IV>RAL Re-cabled AH-D2000
Probably a bad idea given how little experience the OP has with bikes. The wheels could be messed up, frame could be cracked, shocks could be non-functional, tires could leak, chainring could be bent, bottom bracket could be stuffed with sand, etc etc. Not everyone has the tools and knowledge and time to fix a bike up if it's broken, and when you don't have warranty from a bike shop to fall back on, what then?
Well, most of those can be checked visually and on the first ride. He could try it out before he buys it and get his friend to come and inspect it with him. Anyway it doesn't sound like he'll be putting the bike through hell.
If he wanted to be on the safe side he could bring it to a bike shop and pay for a tune up. But then if there were any serious problems he would probably be over budget by then.
You're gonna need "mountain bike tires" when it rains. It's no fun hydroplaning down a hill towards a red light, trust me, I'll stay away from skinny tires, what little efficiency you gain from skinny tires is not worth dying over.
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