What constitutes good equipment on a bike?

Question

What is a derailleur? Is all-aluminum OK or should the fork be something else? I see a lot of Shimano shifting mechanisms, even on low-end bikes. Are these good, or is there something else? What's a good material for a saddle? I have also seen gel covers.

Answer 1

J

That's a very loong question.

For one, I'm thinking that you're thinking on a road bike, right? I'm more into mountain biking, but I think that there are some things that extrapolate.

I think that there are aluminium and carbon fiber forks. The carbon fiber will be lighter, and they'll likely absorb part of the vibration from the pavement. They will also be more expensive, though.

The deraileur is the part or component that shifts (moves) the chain on the different cogs in the rear wheel.

There are several brands that makes components for a bike. Shimano is one of the big brands. But it offers several levels of components. It's like say, Audi, in which it has the A3, the A4, A6 and A8. I don't know on road how the levels are, but I think that Dura Ace is the top of the line, most expensive one. And there are some real cheap, so you'll likely see Shimano stuff on bikes costing anywhere between $200 and 10,000 bucks.

Also, Campagnolo offers their own series of components, and I think that very good ones.

For mountain bikes, SRAM also offers several levels of components pretty good, but I think they're only starting on road biking.

About saddles. Some saddles comes with gel, some with lots of gel, and some with just a little. I think that those with little padding are usually better.

Also, saddle width is important. I can tell you wich saddles I feel confortable, but actually it depends on the shape of our bum, so what works for me probably won't work for you. You can go to a bike shop and ask to get your butt measured. Usually don't ask it when the cashier's full of people. There is this cushion where you sit, and your sit bones leave some marking, and they measure that and recomend a saddle based on it.

Whatever saddle you get, you will need some time getting used to.

The gel covers are not a good idea. They might seem, but they're just heavy, and, when you sit on the cover, your, er, bum will push the gel and it will push upwards on, well, er, you know where.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Whoa- seriously, find a good bike shop in your area and ask a lot of questions. They should be more than willing to help, but make it clear that you're a total newbie and would realy appreciate all the information they have time for.

Remember that FIT is more important than anything else on the bike, and a good shop will be able to assess what size frame you will need and help you set it up properly.

Go early in the week as a lot of shops are really heavy with customers & repairs Thursday through Saturday. If the shop guy is especially nice, the standard extra special Thank You is a six pack of good beer like Fat Tire or Singletrack Ale.

Answer 3

Depends on how hard you are going to ride you bike. I suggest going to a local bike shop and talking to one of the people there about your situation and they can set you up with what you need. Dont buy a cheap world bike.

Answer 4

handle bars, saddle, peddles, brakes. And maybe a safety helmet and stabilizers