Trek bike

[Kens]

This is a question for all You bike guys. Wife and I are thinking about getting into riding bikes again mind you it's been about 20 some odd years. we were thinking about Schwinn because thats what we grew up with but heard they have cheapened up. Stopped in a bike shop this weekend and were sold on Trek Navigator 50 what do you think? Will mainlly be riding on railroad grade trails some paved some not. Remember we are upper middle age don't need racers just comfort.

[emiller]

Don't know much about bikes anymore but I did the same got back on the bike. We bought ours at Sams club, the Jeep bikes. We chose mountain bikes with full suspension for the comfort. Pretty happy with them. It's nice to have some bikes when camping.

[asianflava]

I don't know if my information is dated but this is what I found out when I was looking for a bike several years ago.

What kind of bike are you looking at, road, mountain, hybrid, liesure? For the most part, all bikes are made offshore (even domestic brands). Not until you get the the really expensive bikes do you find the domestic ones.

There are pretty much only 2 choices when it comes to components, Sun Tour and Shimano but they have varying grades of each product. The thing that drives up the price in bicycles is weight. You have to pay more to get less weight.

[emiller]

You mean those no more Ashtabula stuff for bikes anymore. That was big 30 so years ago.

[Micro469]

This is a question for all You bike guys. Wife and I are thinking about getting into riding bikes again mind you it's been about 20 some odd years. we were thinking about Schwinn because thats what we grew up with but heard they have cheapened up. Stopped in a bike shop this weekend and were sold on Trek Navigator 50 what do you think? Will mainlly be riding on railroad grade trails some paved some not. Remember we are upper middle age don't need racers just comfort.

Training Wheels??

[josephhanson]

I don't know if they make them anymore, but my wife and I both have Murry 3 speed bikes with coaster brakes. They are very simple to maintain and operate. We don't do steep mountain bicking or racing, just casual crusing.

[Rob]

Ken--

I am looking for a new bike, but for work commutes. The bike shop I went to suggested Trek bikes and gave me a catalog. I just happen to have it with me now. I would suggest moving up a bit to a bike with front suspension, such as the Navigator 100. You can also put on a seatpost with suspension. It might smooth out some of the rough surfaces. I don't know where you will be biking, but I am always on country roads with puncture vines so have gone to solid tires. Suspension is even more important then.
Just my $0.02.

[elmo]

This is one I can really answer with some knowledge!

I use to run the local bike shop up here in Green Bay and Trek was our main seller. They changed the numbers around a little because the Navigator 50 use to be the 100. The only thing I would suggest would be going up to the 100 for the front shock. It will make a big difference on the gravel trails as far as the vibration. If you would of said no gravel then the 50 would be fine. Also it depends on how much you are gonna ride. Especially to justify the price difference. Gary Fisher is also made by Trek. The shifting, geometry, and color is usually the only difference in these models.

Ask if they have any last year models. If you are buying 2 I also gave a discount. Make sure they give you at least a year free tune ups. Work in the water bottle/holder and kickstand. They also may have a end a year sale coming up depending on how quick you are looking to buy.

Schwinn used to be a great bike and got bought out by Pacific (if my memory is right) and now the quality went down alot and ended up being a dept store bike.
I refurbished a old cruiser for myself. Probally one of my favorite bikes.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

Also check out the 7000 and the 7100. Both work good on the railroad trails. Taller tires and roll a little faster.

Elmer out

[angib]

I can second the recommendation of a Trek 7100 as a decent bike without a silly price - mine is just coming up to 6,000 miles.

My tip is to search out hybrid tyres - they have quite a lot of plain tread, so they feel safe on a paved surface (pure off-road tyres can get quite wobbly at paved road speeds) but have serious tread at the edges so you don't fall off when riding on wet grass! Here are my latest:



These are 'expedition' tyres intended for very long distance touring and they have a Kevlar puncture-preventing layer - they are pretty much unpuncturable (a word?) and I no longer pay any attention to what I am riding over. Many tyre makers offer this protection, though you have to make sure the Kevlar goes round the sidewall as well as the tread.

Andrew

On edit: Oh, and don't let the bike shop tell you that you have to ride 'nose down, tail up' - it is quicker and it's easy to do if you're twenty or super-fit. But it's hell on older backs and all you can see is the ground unless your neck is much more flexible than mine. You can get extenders that move the handlebars up to a proper 'old fart' height - there are even adjustable ones that allow you to change the height (with tools).

[Guy]

Dear bike masters,

I was riding a suspension (front and rear) bike the other day and I felt as ifall my energy was being eaten by the suspension. What is wrong other than losing 100 #?

[Boodro]

Kens, I would suggest looking & trying a recumbent bike! They are extremely comfy& very easy to ride. There are several styles & makes out there. Most dealers will allow you to try them before purchase. Check them out on the Web also , just a search for recumbents will supply you with a lot of info. I will never ride a wedgie bike again! I have a E-Z1 with regular handle bars & a BIG comfy seat thats 5 inches of foam & WIDE! If comfort is important , look at them , I have 24 gears to choose from & hills are not a major issue , as long as its not real steep. I do a lot of riding around the neihborhood & riding trails around town too & have never had a problem with hills.( I am 51) I used to ride mountain bikes & racers & I now will stay with my recumbent! Good luck in your search!

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

The Trek is a good choice. Might want to also take a look at the Cannondale.
The suspension is a nice added feature to consider.
One nice thing about a mountain bike...
If you guys really get into it and find yorselves riding more than you had anticipated, you can easily change tires and put on a pair of road slicks for less rolling resistance while on paved roads. (Wouldn't have to buy a road bike going that way)

[apratt]

Does anyone have a Giant Suede bicycle. How do you like it and or what is your though is on it?

[angib]

I was riding a suspension (front and rear) bike the other day and I felt as if all my energy was being eaten by the suspension.

That's because it is!

You can either have soft suspension or you can have efficiency, not both - and even 'soft suspension' is not to be confused with auto suspension comfort.

A reasonable compromise is the sort of bikes Elmer recommended which have front suspension (which doesn't absorb too much power), no rear suspension, but a sprung seatpost that takes out the worst shocks. By having a rigid rear end, what you put into the pedals mostly gets to the rear wheel.

Andrew

PS for Boodro - I feel very guilty as I am a great advocate of recumbent motorcycles (called 'Feet Forward' bikes here) and have even built my own, but I ride an upright pedal bike. Go figure.

[David Grason]

For the most part, all bikes are made offshore (even domestic brands).

WHATTAYOUTALKINABOUT?!! My Harley Davidson was made right here in the good ole USA!

No..... Stop...........


My wife just explained it to me.


This thread is about BICYCLES not motorcycles.


















I'm so embarrassed!