suggestions for a bumming around bike?

Question

I have a sweet road bike, with awesome clipless pedals, great computer, high quality light, tires so thin and frictionless that you just cruise up hills and blow everyone away and when I get home I can carry it up the stairs with a pinky.
This is great and all when I'm working on speed or long distances in nice dry weather. I have come to the conclusion I need a bike to bum around on. One I can ride on the road with, yet cross a grass yard and ride over gravel/dirt paths with. One I can ride in the pouring rain, jump some puddles, and throw in the front yard and not have a heart attack if it got stolen. One to take down the street for a quick stop at the grocery store or ride with less experienced friends with. Not necessarily a mountain bike per se, but a hybrid type. I'm too fanatical to get a huffy...but have too expensive a bike to want a another real expensive one just to bum around on. What do you suggest?

Answer 1

Trek has some nice hybrids in their 7000 series. Schwinn and Iron Horse also make some descent hybrid/comfort bikes for @ $300. If that is more than your looking to spend then I would recommend a pawn shop or Walmart/Target type store.

Answer 2

Not sure what your budget is, but here are a few options:

1) find a used bike. Try ebay, used bike shop, classifieds in the paper or craigslist.com. I have picked up a couple of bikes for $100 or less. One is a Bridgestone RB3 circa 1994ish, which I use to commute for many of the same reasons you want another bike. I don't want my good bikes out in the weather or to risk them being stolen. Since you know something about bikes already, this is a good option for you. And the bike will already look somewhat ugly, so less of a target for theives! But still buy a good lock!

2) Cheap bike from a shop. Avoid WalMart type stores. You will be VERY unhappy. Those things weigh like 40 lbs--more than twice your road bike probably. And they are made poorly and put together poorly. But if you go to a bike shop, you could buy a cheap mtb or hybrid for under $500. If you have a shop you visit a lot with your road bike, they probably could help you out and even give you a small discount or let you know when stuff is about to go on sale. Just keep in mind the bike will feel heavy and be heavy compared to what you are used to. But it will have wider tires, you can put on slicks for less rolling resistance but still have better traction on grass. If you get a mountain bike, you could give that a try, though if you get hooked, you will want a better bike eventually.

3) Cyclocross or touring bike. It looks kind of like a road bike, but the frame will take wider tires, and it has cantilever brakes, so it is very versatile. These bikes can be set up for road riding and relatively easy cross-country trail riding, just with a change of the tires. Most have braze-ons for racks as well, so you can use the bike for shopping and such. A true cyclocross bike, since it is a pretty specialized bike and specifically made for racing, will run you minimum $1000. But a touring bike is often very similar, and a little cheaper. Check out a Bianchi Volpe, for example. Also look at a Surly Cross-Check. You can get both of these bikes for about $700. The Surly comes as a frameset and is available through QBP so any shop can get it, so how much it costs you depends on what kind of components you put on it. If you have a lot of parts for a road bike lying around, you could save some cash by using those (like spare handlebars, crankset, wheels--though the spacing might be mtb spacing, not sure, etc.) The only parts that are not interchangable are brakes and tires. It is not a blingy frame at all, so it is a great urban bike.

Answer 3

Check out the local police station. They have auctions from time to time to get rid of previously stolen bikes that they can't locate an owner. It's a good deal. All kinds of bikes.

Answer 4

Play some fantastic non violent song that you delight in. i in my view like something with the help of the Beetles and Led Zeppelin, immediately replaced my mood. possibly meditate, or take a deep breath and count number right down to 10 before you enable it out. Watch a humorous action picture, textual content someone that can make you happier( in a relationship? )

Answer 5

Check out your local WalMart. They sell Schwinn, Mongoose, and a few other brands, not just Huffy. You might also visit Cycle Spectrum if you have one near you.