Bicycle gurus needed.

[Pikarya]

So I haven't been into bikes since the early 90's when I was a kid. I was into mountain bikes, but primarily road bikes (My dads Bianchi Brava was amazing, loved riding it).

Anyways we have a handicapped dog so I decided to purchase one of these "doggie trailers" to let her get out more since Summer is coming.

(Her wheelchair no longer works for her since she has arthritis in the front legs now)

http://i53.tinypic.com/rszz2u.jpg

This is the doggie trailer we're interested in getting. It can be used as a three-wheel stroller, or it can connect to a bike.

Spoiler: show

http://www.bz2-img.com/images_custom...13963_full.jpg

Anyways when I was younger, Trek was the top dog for lightweight frame applications. I've been looking on ebay, and most composite/aluminum first-generation start around $300.00 dollars or so.

http://bikefordownhill.com/image/tre...e-custom-built

Anyone that can point me in a proper direction? I'm looking for something;

• Lightweight (Not steel or something that weighs like a truck)
• Off-road viable
• & Something that is dependable quality wise

Please note I'd like something for not only "taking the dog out" days. Otherwise I'd just get a Walmart bike lol.

Thanks

[Senji]

Aim for a hardtail, $400 gets you into an AL frame basically. Until you hit a higher amount they will all have the same parts and are all made in taiwan. Its just picking the paint job or bike shop vibe you like the most.

$600/700 would be new price entry point for something to actually go on mtb trails.

I wouldn't recommend touching that old ass trek in the pic, they weren't good, they just didnt have close to anything dialed in as far as suspension performance.

A problem with modern entry level bikes is they are designed for a certain price point, when before when the new race tech bike came out, the previous race tech bikes were still manufactured, but just bumped down in price. From the larger companies you used to be riding the world cup level race frame from 5-8 years ago, just with shitty parts.

If your up for used, post up some craiglist/ebay prospects.

[sephir]

Look into cyclocross bikes. They are basically road style bikes, but intended to be able to go on grass and trails. Not to mention you can start trying out cyclocross, which is the most insane sport I've ever witnessed.


Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Giant are some of the big fish in the cycling world (for what your after) and I would suggest looking into one of those brands.

[miokomioko]

One thing to keep in mind about materials that the frame/fork are made of is that generally the lighter they are, the stiffer they are, and they'll transfer more of the vibrations from the road through to your body. I have a steel Bianchi, but it's honestly nothing I can't bring up a couple of flights of stairs. Steel frames for the type of bike you're looking for aren't the massively heavy piles you would expect from something like a cruiser.

[Zansho]

If you're looking into getting a good price on bikes, I'd go look at this website -

www.nashbar.com

they have deals on all kinds of bikes, accessories, seats, gears, etc etc etc. My suggestion is to go to a reputable bike shop, get fitted and know what you're looking for - hell even ride a few of the bikes that might fit what you want, and then shop online for a good deal. Know what size you are, what kind of tires you want, if you want a hybrid/road/mountain, stuff like that.

By the way, if you get a road bike, i'd stay away from Shimano Sora components - while they're fine for starters, they're definitely not going to be quality stuff that will last you a long time. Spend a bit more for a higher quality set of shifters, derauliers, gear sets. Don't worry too much about weight - anything in the 19-24 lb range won't make that much of a difference, and if you honestly think shaving one or two lbs from your bike is going to make a monumental difference, no. Work on your engine (your legs, endurance) and get those in shape first.

Also, buy the proper clothing lol - I can't tell you how many times I'm glad I purchased an actual pair of bike shorts with the chamois padding - it really does help, despite the gay looking crap. Get some Chamois Butt'r too, and a good set of quality biking gloves - your hands do take a beating while riding a bike.

[Amelya]

I don't know shit about bikes, but they do make 4 wheeled carts for dogs with very limited mobility. Kudos to you for taking such great care of her.

[Odesseiron]

How apt. I was thinking of starting a bike thread just this evening.

Okay, laugh all you want, but... looking for a hand here. I don't know how to ride a bike, and I'm 30 next week. Why? I honestly don't know. The same reason some people can't swim I suppose. I've been swimming since I was 3. I grew up in an apartment building, and we just never really had space for a bike. We have a storage room in the building I could chain it in now. But I honestly don't know where tI should start as far as picking a bike out. Obviously it can't be that hard to ride a bike, and I want to go riding on the parkways during the spring/summer that they are closed. Any suggestions?

[ZarakiKujata]

For learning how to ride a bike? Or picking one out and shit?

[miokomioko]

How to ride a bike: Turn the handlebars in the direction that you are falling. The end.

[ZarakiKujata]

How to ride a bike: Turn the handlebars in the direction that you are falling. The end.

Also do it @ Wal-Mart if you wanna learn for free.

[Cream Soda]

How apt. I was thinking of starting a bike thread just this evening.

Okay, laugh all you want, but... looking for a hand here. I don't know how to ride a bike, and I'm 30 next week. Why? I honestly don't know. The same reason some people can't swim I suppose. I've been swimming since I was 3. I grew up in an apartment building, and we just never really had space for a bike. We have a storage room in the building I could chain it in now. But I honestly don't know where tI should start as far as picking a bike out. Obviously it can't be that hard to ride a bike, and I want to go riding on the parkways during the spring/summer that they are closed. Any suggestions?

For learning, spend like 20-30 bucks on a low tier mountain bike on craigslist (look around, should find something relatively cheap, used). Can be beat up cosmetically, just make sure it rides before you buy and doesn't need any sort of repair.

This way, when you crash and shit, you arne't fucking up a good bike.

Then after you're an established rider, you can get a real bike.

[ZarakiKujata]

Why can't you just take a bike @ Wal-Mart and ride it in the aisles to get the hang of it?

[Cream Soda]

Why can't you just take a bike @ Wal-Mart and ride it in the aisles to get the hang of it?

I guess you could, but that's not really a lot of space to learn.

You fall and break some shit, and its going to be expensive. Hit someone walking in the isle, going to be expensive. Fall and bust the bike, going to be expensive.

Very compact, and not really the necessary room needed to learn. Hell, when I fk around on the bikes at Target, barely enough room to maneuver, and I sure as fk know how to ride a bike, lol.

[miokomioko]

Learning how to ride a bike for a non-special-needs human shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes once they actually get on it and start figuring it out. It's sure not going to involve speeds high enough to break anything or hurt anyone unless they are for some reason doing it on a hill.

Hell, I think a shit little BMX would be the best option as it would be the easiest to catch/stop yourself on without tipping over and getting caught up in it.