Originally posted by jay santos
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One thing is I probably need new tires. I'm spinning and having a hard time getting traction, going uphill on rocky/gravely roads. I know part of this is technique and just difficult trail to go on. What's a good suggestion on new tires for this bike? It has 26 x 2.1 right now. I think it can go a little fatter.When things are at their darkest, it's a brave man that can kick back and party. --Tuck Pendleton
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Hey guys... Want to get into cycling for exercise. Total newbie and budget is 400 or less (middling earl to me!). I would be doing pretty much all road and maybe a bit off road/gravel. It's actually really hard to find a bike right now during the pandemic and I know some don't love bikesdirect, but what do ya'll think of this bike? I think it could be good...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...lite_trail.htm
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Originally posted by LiveCoug View PostHey guys... Want to get into cycling for exercise. Total newbie and budget is 400 or less (middling earl to me!). I would be doing pretty much all road and maybe a bit off road/gravel. It's actually really hard to find a bike right now during the pandemic and I know some don't love bikesdirect, but what do ya'll think of this bike? I think it could be good...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...lite_trail.htm
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Thanks for the advice.
Last question... I'm pretty much exactly 6'0" on the dot. Which size should I get? Here are the suggested ranges
15.5" - 5'6" to 5'9"
17.5" - 5'9 to 5'11"
19" - 6' to 6'2"
21" - 6'2 to 6'4"
23" - 6'5 to 6'7"
Is it smarter to get the smaller size, or get the size that I am on the low end of the range?
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Originally posted by LiveCoug View PostThanks for the advice.
Last question... I'm pretty much exactly 6'0" on the dot. Which size should I get? Here are the suggested ranges
15.5" - 5'6" to 5'9"
17.5" - 5'9 to 5'11"
19" - 6' to 6'2"
21" - 6'2 to 6'4"
23" - 6'5 to 6'7"
Is it smarter to get the smaller size, or get the size that I am on the low end of the range?
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Originally posted by LiveCoug View PostThanks for the advice.
Last question... I'm pretty much exactly 6'0" on the dot. Which size should I get? Here are the suggested ranges
15.5" - 5'6" to 5'9"
17.5" - 5'9 to 5'11"
19" - 6' to 6'2"
21" - 6'2 to 6'4"
23" - 6'5 to 6'7"
Is it smarter to get the smaller size, or get the size that I am on the low end of the range?PLesa excuse the tpyos.
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Originally posted by BigPiney View PostLet us know how it works out for you. I have always been tempted to buy something for others from there.
Bikes Direct makes money by selling decently spec'd bikes on frames with older geometry that are no longer being sold. The frames themselves are fine. In fact they are made by Kinesis in Taiwan who makes the frames for Commencal, Diamondback Bicycles, Felt Bicycles, GT Bicycles, Haro, Ideal, Jamis, K2, Kona, Kross, Raleigh, Redline Bicycles, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Schwinn, Storck, Sunn, Titus Cycles, Torker, and Trek. Just know they're outdated geometry that are probably more similar to bikes you rode as a missionary than anything on the market right now. Most mountain bikes today are very slack and long. Most of the Bikes Direct bikes have steep head tube, seat stay angles and long chain stays for example. It concerns me that they haven't posted the geometry of the particular bike you're looking at.
My personal recommendation is if $400 is your budget you're better off looking for something used on the reseller market. Try Facebook Marketplace, local bike groups, or Craigslist. If you're set on something new, the Raleigh Talus 4 bike they have for $499 is a better option IMO. It has Tourney TX components which are just below the Altus. But has more modern geometry which will make the bike more worthwhile to upgrade going forward. Also, I am not sure what kind of riding you are looking to do but I don't care for hybrids. They really don't do either thing well IMO. So determine what kind of riding you will be doing and base your bike off that. I'd rather have a mountain bike on the road or around the neighborhood than a hybrid on the trail for example. You mentioned mostly road, I would look at maybe a gravel bike since they're all the rage right now. Bikesonline.com is another option. They're the USA distributor for Polygon who is based in Indonesia. They're fairly big in Australia. They're legit and have a pro team unlike Bikes Direct. You could also build a budget gravel bike pretty easily by buying an older mountain bike and making it into one with a few components. I actually have an old 1994 Kona Custom Hot in my garage that I keep debating what to do with. It's a frankenbike right now that needs a complete overhaul. Somedays I think I should turn it into a single speed commuter. Or do a whole retro restoration. Or do a retro mod and update it with a 1x drivetrain and disc brakes. Or build a gravel bike out of it and throw some drop bars on it. And then other days I just want to sell it as is. But this was a bike I coveted 25 years so I haven't been able to part with it.
Also, if you're tight on budget, check out bikeisland.com. It's Bikes Direct's scratch and dent. Careful, to be sure to check the fine print. Some are missing components, etc. Each deal is unique and their interface is worse than Bike's Direct Geocities web page. Another option is eBay. Seller sprtymama is Bikes Direct's eBay account. They usually have a couple bikes on their each week. Check out completed auctions for what you can expect as far as what folks are paying on the auction market."Nobody listens to Turtle."-Turtlesigpic
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Originally posted by LiveCoug View PostInseam 33 inches. Looks like the standover height for the 19 inch frame will work. Thanks fellas."Nobody listens to Turtle."-Turtlesigpic
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Originally posted by Surfah View PostSo I bought two bikes off of Bikes Direct. However, neither were one of the house brands like Motobecane. They were both Raleighs that I imagine they got on overstock like the Talus 4 they still sell on the front page. They ship from Florida for bikes they have in stock. The first bike I ordered on a Thursday and arrived that Sunday morning. The other bike arrived in 3 day's time as well.
Bikes Direct makes money by selling decently spec'd bikes on frames with older geometry that are no longer being sold. The frames themselves are fine. In fact they are made by Kinesis in Taiwan who makes the frames for Commencal, Diamondback Bicycles, Felt Bicycles, GT Bicycles, Haro, Ideal, Jamis, K2, Kona, Kross, Raleigh, Redline Bicycles, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Schwinn, Storck, Sunn, Titus Cycles, Torker, and Trek. Just know they're outdated geometry that are probably more similar to bikes you rode as a missionary than anything on the market right now. Most mountain bikes today are very slack and long. Most of the Bikes Direct bikes have steep head tube, seat stay angles and long chain stays for example. It concerns me that they haven't posted the geometry of the particular bike you're looking at.
My personal recommendation is if $400 is your budget you're better off looking for something used on the reseller market. Try Facebook Marketplace, local bike groups, or Craigslist. If you're set on something new, the Raleigh Talus 4 bike they have for $499 is a better option IMO. It has Tourney TX components which are just below the Altus. But has more modern geometry which will make the bike more worthwhile to upgrade going forward. Also, I am not sure what kind of riding you are looking to do but I don't care for hybrids. They really don't do either thing well IMO. So determine what kind of riding you will be doing and base your bike off that. I'd rather have a mountain bike on the road or around the neighborhood than a hybrid on the trail for example. You mentioned mostly road, I would look at maybe a gravel bike since they're all the rage right now. Bikesonline.com is another option. They're the USA distributor for Polygon who is based in Indonesia. They're fairly big in Australia. They're legit and have a pro team unlike Bikes Direct. You could also build a budget gravel bike pretty easily by buying an older mountain bike and making it into one with a few components. I actually have an old 1994 Kona Custom Hot in my garage that I keep debating what to do with. It's a frankenbike right now that needs a complete overhaul. Somedays I think I should turn it into a single speed commuter. Or do a whole retro restoration. Or do a retro mod and update it with a 1x drivetrain and disc brakes. Or build a gravel bike out of it and throw some drop bars on it. And then other days I just want to sell it as is. But this was a bike I coveted 25 years so I haven't been able to part with it.
Also, if you're tight on budget, check out bikeisland.com. It's Bikes Direct's scratch and dent. Careful, to be sure to check the fine print. Some are missing components, etc. Each deal is unique and their interface is worse than Bike's Direct Geocities web page. Another option is eBay. Seller sprtymama is Bikes Direct's eBay account. They usually have a couple bikes on their each week. Check out completed auctions for what you can expect as far as what folks are paying on the auction market.
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Good advice surfah. I've checked around for used bikes, but it's a tough market right now. Not a lot in my range and it seems to be a coronavirus upcharge right now. Obviously a bunch of other people have had the same idea I had of getting a bike. Even all the targets, Walmarts and sporting goods stores are out of stock. We'll see how it goes with bikesdirect. I can tell the frames are a bit dated,but don't care much right now. Just want to get started with some exercise rides and see where it takes me.
Thanks guys!
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Originally posted by LiveCoug View PostGood advice surfah. I've checked around for used bikes, but it's a tough market right now. Not a lot in my range and it seems to be a coronavirus upcharge right now. Obviously a bunch of other people have had the same idea I had of getting a bike. Even all the targets, Walmarts and sporting goods stores are out of stock. We'll see how it goes with bikesdirect. I can tell the frames are a bit dated,but don't care much right now. Just want to get started with some exercise rides and see where it takes me.
Thanks guys!PLesa excuse the tpyos.
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Originally posted by LiveCoug View PostGood advice surfah. I've checked around for used bikes, but it's a tough market right now. Not a lot in my range and it seems to be a coronavirus upcharge right now. Obviously a bunch of other people have had the same idea I had of getting a bike. Even all the targets, Walmarts and sporting goods stores are out of stock. We'll see how it goes with bikesdirect. I can tell the frames are a bit dated,but don't care much right now. Just want to get started with some exercise rides and see where it takes me.
Thanks guys!
You are right about the prices in the resale market. They're not as insane as exercise equipment but close. Still I have seen some deals out there. But it is hard to be patient when you just want to ride."Nobody listens to Turtle."-Turtlesigpic
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