The best bike?

Question

mountain and road.

Answer 1

GIANT

Answer 2

First, decide exactly what you want to spend. Be honest, and you will save a lot of time. (If you go looking at $2500 bikes, and then buy a $250 bike, you are just wasting time. Be honest with yourself from the very start, and shop intelligently).

Second, decide the exact purpose of the bike. If you are compelled to shop for high-end road bikes, but you are actually going to cruise or tour, then you are buying the wrong bike. If you buy a cheap cruiser, but really want to do technical trails, then you need to spend some cash for a proper mountain bike. Again, be very honest with yourself.

Next, go to the hardware store and buy a small hand-held fish scale (0-30 lbs.)

Now, go to a few local new or used bike shops, and find a few bikes that truly fit you (you will need to do some research on how to get the right fitting bike, if you do not already know this...) and also are the right price and purpose.

Oh, and make notes about which features you might like, style, color, and other subjective glitz that might influence you.

Once you have narrowed your search down to a bunch of bikes, you now do the final and most important test.

Weight them all.

Now, buy the lightest bike.

The lightest bike will be much easier to pedal, and will be of higher quality (provided you are comparing the same kinds of bikes, of course).

Oh, and if you can, ride the bike. Each bike has a very different feel. Better find out if you like it before you take it home. You see, the bike really chooses you. You will understand this fully if you have a chance to ride and try out the bikes.

The last bike I bought was actually quite old and only cost me $100. It was beat up. I bought it from a used bike shop at the same time I was looking at some very expensive newer road bikes. I was looking for a nice training bike.

I happened to weigh this neglected one, and it was lighter than all the new bikes I was looking at..... It also felt perfect on the road and climbed hills much better.  When I mentioned this to the sales reps, they told me that the newer bikes have more equipment and that I must have been mistaken on the weight.

But, following my own weight rule, I bought it anyway.

It turned out to be an old hand made Italian racing bike (it is a Rossi), and is now my favorite ride for training and for touring. Afterwards, I cleaned it up I brought it into the sales shops to show the staff.

Two people offered to buy it from me once they saw what it was. I then was very sure I had the best bike (for me).

So, remember the fish scale, and go find that "best bike"!

Good luck!

Answer 3

There is no best bike.

Answer 4

"Which is a better bike, a Trek or a Specialized?

Or Cannondale or Orbea or Scott or Schwinn or Cervelo. We're asked "Which brand is better?" almost daily. While each brand has its diehard fans, we can't answer the question. It's not because of any political reason, but because it's not the right question to ask--you're buying a bicycle, not a brand. .."

Bike Buying Tips: Buyer Be Wise;...Here we answer 10 of the most common queries to help you find the right bike.

By Bicycling Staff

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,...

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