# What kind of bicycle do I want? (long, sorry) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 6, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203 "2013-09-06T20:58:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DeptfordX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DeptfordX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeptfordX)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/21 "2013-09-07T18:17:15Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > It has 24 gears, so no problem with hills, and the gear changing is like nothing I recall from the old days. You just click with a finger or thumb to change gears, no guessing or taking your hands off the grips to fiddle with little levers in the middle of the handlebars. > > . Whoah, I just flashed back 25 years. I’d totally forgotten you used to have to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/22 "2013-09-07T20:52:32Z")
> [@austerity](#): > > what types of bike locks do you use and how are you locking up your bikes? > > locks are just a deterrence. the point is to make it too much trouble for the thief. > > Are thieves using a power angle grinder or a jack to break your locks? > > If they are I suggest using multiple heavy duty ulocks and chains. Thieves could still saw through all your locks but it will take them at least 5 minutes or more and that should be enough of a deterrent and make the thieves go onto the next bike. > > It may add 30 lbs to your bike commute, but it is better than losing your bike. I don’t know what the thieves used to break or cut my locks, there were never any pieces lying around. I probably didn’t use great locks, and if I buy another bike, this is one area where I will definitely take advice from several different bike shops, and probably your advice to go double or triple on the locking devices. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/23 "2013-09-07T20:54:39Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > I’m in my 60’s and now ride a 3 wheel recumbent (Catrike). Most comfortable bike I have ever used. Yes, but do you live in a city with narrow, busy streets? I don’t think this would even fit in a regular bike lane. Thanks for the suggestion, though. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/24 "2013-09-07T20:57:14Z")
> [@DeptfordX](#): > > Speaking as a man with a 68 year old and still biking father are you sure you can handle the high cross bar getting on/off a normal bike. He’s moved to a step-through design as he found having to lift and cock his leg to mount a conventional bike difficult. I don’t have any problem so far raising my leg that high and my cock follows right along with it (oh, sorry, that’s not what you said); I’m hoping to do what it takes to maintain my flexibility for quite a while. However, I appreciate the concern. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/25 "2013-09-08T00:31:16Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Yes, but do you live in a city with narrow, busy streets? I don’t think this would even fit in a regular bike lane. > > Thanks for the suggestion, though. > Roddy Of course it fits in bike lanes, and I ride in the streets frequently, it is only a few inches wider than I am. But, you’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/26 "2013-09-08T00:38:42Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Of course it fits in bike lanes, and I ride in the streets frequently, it is only a few inches wider than I am. But, you’re welcome. How do those work out for being so low to the ground? I think I’d have a hell of a time seeing around parked cars and blind corners. I’d be paranoid about others seeing me too. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/27 "2013-09-08T02:15:02Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Yes, but do you live in a city with narrow, busy streets? I don’t think this would even fit in a regular bike lane. I used to ride a recumbent trike in Tokyo. I never came across any bike lane that was too narrow for it. Though riding on a busy street _without_ a bike lane was sometimes frustrating - sometimes there wouldn’t be enough room between the cars and the curb to ride a trike through, but a bike would have managed. > [@Hampshire](#): > > How do those work out for being so low to the ground? I think I’d have a hell of a time seeing around parked cars and blind corners. I’d be paranoid about others seeing me too. Low height isn’t a problem as long as you practice good “vehicular” cycling techniques. If you ride like a bike messenger, then yeah, the low height might be an issue. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/28 "2013-09-08T02:19:24Z")
I love my [Specialized Crosstrail](http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/userfiles/crosstrail01.jpg) Tires that roll easily on pavement but with tread on the sides to handle grass, gravel, broken pavement. Has suspension in front to smooth things out. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/29 "2013-09-08T03:52:18Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Of course it fits in bike lanes, and I ride in the streets frequently, it is only a few inches wider than I am. But, you’re welcome. I looked up Catrike online, and I don’t know which model you have, but the first one I pulled up says it is 31" across. So yes, it will fit in a bike lane (typical urban bike lane width is apparently supposed to be 60 inches when next to a parking lane), as long as I’m not trying to pass another bike or another bike is not trying to pass me, or people aren’t opening car doors. Perhaps my response seemed dismissive, but I didn’t mean it that way; I have considered those kinds of bikes before and I just don’t think I would be comfortable in that position and with that much width, in the places I am likely to be riding. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/30 "2013-09-08T04:38:30Z")
This [sweet ride](http://spotbrand.com/bikes/product-page/ajax/) is clean, quiet, and easy to maintain; a perfect urban machine at a reasonable price.\* Gates Carbon Drive (no sloppy bike chain) with internally geared 8-speed hub means you won’t have to lube or replace stretched out chains and chewed up cassettes. The dropouts are designed to accept standard chains though I don’t know why you’d ever go back. BB5 mechanical disc brakes\*\* are going to be safer and more reliable in inclement weather and on hills than caliper brakes and they don’t wear out your rims. Braziers provided for attaching racks and fenders. Heads up geometry and flat bar for better visibility and comfort. 700x32c tires, suitable for urban environment, are wider than road (racing) tires, but have much less rolling resistance than fatter cruiser-type tires. You could bump up to 35c if you wanted a slightly wider tire. Not a whole lot of difference there, really, and you probably wouldn’t need it. This may be more money than you’d had in mind, but you are getting a quality bike with quality components that you are likely to be very happy with for a very long time and will resell for a decent price down the road. But you will definitely want to consider your security strategy and invest in some decent locks like a heavy duty Kryptonite U-Lock and a cable. As was already said, locks are deterrence. You want to make it as much of a pain in the ass for the thief as you can, so they move on to easier prey. Also, put some Egg Beaters on that thing and see how easy they ride off on those. 😃 - I don’t work for this company, but I admire their craftsmanship. \*\* I’d probably swap out for Shimano hydraulic myself for even less maintenance and more reliability. I should point out that their next bike up (the Acme) has hydraulic brakes and an 11-speed hub for $500 more. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/31 "2013-09-08T06:43:33Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > \*\* I’d probably swap out for Shimano hydraulic myself for even less maintenance and more reliability. [Here you go](http://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes/details/beltway-8-us). $130 less, with hydraulic brakes, plus fenders, a rack, and lights. Oh, and a bell. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/32 "2013-09-08T07:17:26Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > [Here you go](http://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes/details/beltway-8-us). $130 less, with hydraulic brakes, plus fenders, a rack, and lights. > > Oh, and a bell. Nice. [Bicycling Magazine](http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/bikes-and-gear-features/best-urban-bike-breezer-beltway-infinity) liked it last year. It’s heavy at 34 lbs. and I’m sure the carbon-forked Spot is lighter even after racks and fenders. But honestly what it ultimately comes down to – the thing you just can’t upgrade – is the geometry. The Spot is dead sexy. Yeah, you’ll spend more on it to gear it up, but that frame is a work of art. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/33 "2013-09-08T07:22:05Z")
Oops! Double post. Oh, and I realized that I had a typo. Don’t go to a bike shop and inquire about “braziers.” You put fire in braziers. You attach racks and fenders and bottle cages with “braze-ons.” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/34 "2013-09-08T09:10:13Z")
SF? Stanyan near the park used to be bicycle ghetto - several within a couple of blocks of Haight. Have you tried them? I looked years ago and always found someone in each to be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203/35 "2013-09-09T02:23:02Z")
Light weight good brand hybrid is a great choice for what you have stated in your OP. I would also have a look at a 29" wheeled mountain bike. I just got one for my son and the larger wheels were great and you get the benefits of fat tyres, well also the drawback of higher rolling resistance but my next bike will be a 29" MTB. You can run narrow tyres on them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bicycle-do-i-want-long-sorry/668203.md?page=1)