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Looking to get into biking

post #1 of 25
6/2/11 at 9:27pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone here into biking? I'm looking into starting since my knee has been acting up when I run so I thought it would be a nice alternative. I want to get a decent road bike (not fixed gear) that won't bankrupt me. Anyone have any suggestions? Also does anyone here belong to some sort of biking group from the LA area? It would be nice to go on bike runs with others since it seems to be more motivating when you're with other people.
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post #2 of 25
6/3/11 at 12:40pm
Bikesdirect.com has great value choices. Buy one and get a local bike shop to put it together. I don't know about cycling groups in LA but I am sure there are a ton.
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post #3 of 25
6/3/11 at 12:47pm
Colorado Cyclist has some great prices on the Douglas bikes. They are a really good bike for the money.

This is a great bike for the price.
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/kit/DXXAAYX5

Might be more bike then you need but it's something that will keep up with bikes costing twice as much.
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post #4 of 25
6/3/11 at 1:32pm
Also performance bike. They've got a ton of LA locations or their online site. And IIRC they just started their anniversary sale. They are like the Costco of cycling.
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post #5 of 25
6/3/11 at 2:19pm
Craigslist. Find something that fits with 105/Ultregra/Dura-ace components and some decent wheels. Aluminum frame, carbon fork should be doable for $500-750
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post #6 of 25
6/3/11 at 2:48pm
If you are new to the sport I would stay away from online sellers. Go find a good local bike shop (if you need some recommendations find a bike club in your area and ask what shop they like to frequent) and go talk to them. As a bike shop veteran I can tell you that it can definitely pay off to go to a good shop, especially for your first bike. I've seen so many people bring in home assembled bikes that don't fit them and never will but they just sunk hundreds of dollars into them so the suffer through.

Once you've been into it for a while there are some fine options online but a relationship with a good local shop can have some big benefits as well and I think they are worth looking into.

If you run into any specific questions feel free to pm me. I've spent 8 years working in 4 different bike shops and am still in the industry in a different capacity these days, always happy to help someone new get into the sport.
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post #7 of 25
6/3/11 at 5:30pm
^^^Very good advice. I'd go to a local bike shop to test bikes, and get one that is the right size.
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post #8 of 25
6/3/11 at 5:36pm
Around your area, you can check out this bike store on amar/grand. It's right next to the stater bros to be exact. Go there to get a general idea on pricing and models, but that place tends to be a bit expensive and doesn't have much selection. that is the only local place i can think of.
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post #9 of 25
6/3/11 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool The Kid View Post
Bikesdirect.com has great value choices. Buy one and get a local bike shop to put it together. I don't know about cycling groups in LA but I am sure there are a ton.

Bike shops absolutely love it when you buy a deep discount bike somewhere else and then ask them to put it together for you.

In fact they love it so much, that if they will actually do it for you, they will attempt to make the experience cost as much as if you had just gone to performance and picked up a normal bike on sale.
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post #10 of 25
6/3/11 at 7:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by slide13 View Post
If you are new to the sport I would stay away from online sellers. Go find a good local bike shop (if you need some recommendations find a bike club in your area and ask what shop they like to frequent) and go talk to them. As a bike shop veteran I can tell you that it can definitely pay off to go to a good shop, especially for your first bike. I've seen so many people bring in home assembled bikes that don't fit them and never will but they just sunk hundreds of dollars into them so the suffer through.

Once you've been into it for a while there are some fine options online but a relationship with a good local shop can have some big benefits as well and I think they are worth looking into.

If you run into any specific questions feel free to pm me. I've spent 8 years working in 4 different bike shops and am still in the industry in a different capacity these days, always happy to help someone new get into the sport.

Do this. Go prepared with a budget and expectations on how you plan to ride for the next year or so.

If you end up liking cycling you'll be upgrading after a season anyway.
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post #11 of 25
6/3/11 at 8:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by otc View Post
Bike shops absolutely love it when you buy a deep discount bike somewhere else and then ask them to put it together for you.

In fact they love it so much, that if they will actually do it for you, they will attempt to make the experience cost as much as if you had just gone to performance and picked up a normal bike on sale.
Hey man it beats them not getting any business at all Smart bike shops work with these online vendors to split the profit. It's not that serious man.
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post #12 of 25
6/3/11 at 8:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool The Kid View Post
Bikesdirect.com has great value choices. Buy one and get a local bike shop to put it together. I don't know about cycling groups in LA but I am sure there are a ton.
DO NOT DO THIS. Just don't.

Quote:
Originally Posted by turboman808 View Post
Colorado Cyclist has some great prices on the Douglas bikes. They are a really good bike for the money.

This is a great bike for the price.
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/kit/DXXAAYX5

Might be more bike then you need but it's something that will keep up with bikes costing twice as much.
Do not do this, either, unless you know your size, etc. very well. (But CC, Excel, etc. are much better than BD.)
However, there is really no such thing as a bike "that will keep up with bikes costing twice as much.", certainly not for a beginning rider. By this I mean: a bike which costs 2x what you pay will not necessarily be a better bike for you, esp. at this point. This is why Craigslist can be a good source, in fact. People buy a $$$ bike, decide they're not into it, sell for cheap.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rjmaiorano View Post
Also performance bike. They've got a ton of LA locations or their online site. And IIRC they just started their anniversary sale. They are like the Costco of cycling.
Maybe this, but the advice/product at Performance can very greatly. Better than Costco, more like REI.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jefe View Post
Craigslist. Find something that fits with 105/Ultregra/Dura-ace components and some decent wheels. Aluminum frame, carbon fork should be doable for $500-750
Craigslist can be good, esp. in big markets, but only if the buyer has the time/experience to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Quote:
Originally Posted by slide13 View Post
If you are new to the sport I would stay away from online sellers. Go find a good local bike shop (if you need some recommendations find a bike club in your area and ask what shop they like to frequent) and go talk to them. As a bike shop veteran I can tell you that it can definitely pay off to go to a good shop, especially for your first bike. I've seen so many people bring in home assembled bikes that don't fit them and never will but they just sunk hundreds of dollars into them so the suffer through.

Once you've been into it for a while there are some fine options online but a relationship with a good local shop can have some big benefits as well and I think they are worth looking into.

If you run into any specific questions feel free to pm me. I've spent 8 years working in 4 different bike shops and am still in the industry in a different capacity these days, always happy to help someone new get into the sport.
DO THIS. Best advice yet.

I'm not familiar with Diamond Bar. I looked and didn't find shops I recognize (that doesn't mean there aren't good ones in your area). I think there is a good one in Claremont (Bud's?) and maybe in Riverside. Otherwise, in the Valley, Bicycle John's and Sundance Cyclery are good. In LA Helen's/I. Martin can be good, but also spotty. Veloworx in Venice is good, but small. Same with King's in Long Beach.

slide13, you're only an hour or so from the factory...hook the OP up with a Waterford or Gunnar!
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post #13 of 25
6/3/11 at 11:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the responses! Tons of info on here for me. I thought of buying online or on craigslist (huge selection here in LA) to save money but since I know absolutely nothing about about cycling and the fact that the right size for me might be hard to find (I'm pretty short) I think I'm gonna have to just save up a little more and go to a shop to get a professional opinion. Do you guys think I'm gonna need shorts? Or would basketball shorts work? Also what about shoes? Cycling is just something I plan to do to get me into shape so I don't really want to invest too heavily into it. I'll probably cycle no more than 2 or 3x times a week and probably won't be joining any competitions or marathons. Thanks!
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post #14 of 25
6/3/11 at 11:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EMY View Post
Around your area, you can check out this bike store on amar/grand. It's right next to the stater bros to be exact. Go there to get a general idea on pricing and models, but that place tends to be a bit expensive and doesn't have much selection. that is the only local place i can think of.

LOL I live so close to here that can literally jog to Amar/Grand from my house. I'll definitely check it out next week. Thanks
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post #15 of 25
6/3/11 at 11:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s2kev View Post
Thanks for all the responses! Tons of info on here for me. I thought of buying online or on craigslist (huge selection here in LA) to save money but since I know absolutely nothing about about cycling and the fact that the right size for me might be hard to find (I'm pretty short) I think I'm gonna have to just save up a little more and go to a shop to get a professional opinion.
A good fitting should cost around $40, and will provide you with your own body dimensions, plus recommended frame size and other settings (saddle height, bar width, stem length/height, perhaps crankset length. Definitely worth it. Find a good fitter, though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by s2kev View Post
Do you guys think I'm gonna need shorts? Or would basketball shorts work? Also what about shoes?
I would definitely recommend shorts and shoes. If you don't like the roadie "lycra look" there are mtb shorts which are padded. Pearl Izumi, etc.

Quote:
Originally Posted by s2kev View Post
Cycling is just something I plan to do to get me into shape so I don't really want to invest too heavily into it. I'll probably cycle no more than 2 or 3x times a week and probably won't be joining any competitions or marathons.

Thanks!
Then try to narrow down your size, and at that point perhaps look for used/decent. You can always ask for advice here on specific prospects once you narrow your criteria.
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