Bicycle Advice

Jed, the size frame you need depends on your body type. At 5'11, probably a 19 or 21. I'm 5'8", but I have short legs, so I ride a 17.

The quick and dirty rule, especially for a newer cyclist, is to stand up with your feet on the ground straddling the frame. You want about an inch of clearance between the cross bar and your crotch. The reasons for this should be obvious. Road bike frames tend to be taller.

Other than that, while road bikes are better for long commutes, if you are planning to ride that thing on anything other than a well-paved asphalt, (ie sidewalks, brick-paved roads, etc.) get a mountain bike or hybrid. If you get a mountain bike, spring for slick tires. Don't try to scoot around town on a pair of knobbies. And always wear a helmet- mine has saved my shit more times than I can count.

Also, always buy a bike used.

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Originally Posted by MarkRyan

I personally like my bikes small, so I have something like a 19" mountain bike frame

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19" is pretty big.

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Originally Posted by Pineapple

I'd say a mountain bike is probobly the best bet because it'll get you where you need to go, have gears, and most new ones have shocks which are nice.

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Road bikes have shocks, too. Using a mountain bike for road use equates to a lot of needless energey exertion. The weight of the bike, bulk and grip of the tires, and the forced leaning position make it a miserable experience. And you look funny.

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Originally Posted by Mr-K

My bike is awesome because it looks like Pee Wee's bike.

It looks sort of like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/...37d7a4a80e.jpg

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That is amazing.

I have an hour long bike commute each way to work, in a hilly town with rough, patched up roads (not smooth). I have a ~$300 mountain bike, and old dudes with their slick road bikes pass me all the time. Climbing hills is torture, and the upright sitting position is terrible for aerodynamics. I also have to carry a 30lb backpack, where again the upright sitting position is a detriment (I should just get a bike rack but they don't mesh very well with my model of bike).

Road bikes you sit further forward and there's less pressure on your butt, give you better pedaling angle, coast better, climb better, are less likely to get a flat, and are much lighter. I've always had mountain bikes growing up, so that's just what I bought, but if I'd totally go with a "10-speed" or hybrid design now.

I'm still looking, so far Craigslist has been a bust. Some douche flagged my bike wanted ad because I didn't want to buy his busted ass West Coast Chopper bike.

Bikes are lame. Riding horses is better.

Just thought I'd throw that in there. You city folk can continue talking about your training wheels now.

Bikes don't leave trails of shit everywhere and always want to stop to graze. Unless you're riding them at full gallop constantly, horses are much slower than bikes, and harder to control.

I've ridden horses twice, and played through the game "GUN", so I know my shit.

Horses are sinister creatures. Some manage to overcome their diabolical nature through great internal struggle, but they are not to be trusted.

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Originally Posted by Anne Bonny

Bikes are lame. Riding horses is better.

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If AND ONLY IF you can pull this move off, I will agree with you.

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1211522279

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Originally Posted by Vasteel

Horses are sinister creatures. Some manage to overcome their diabolical nature through great internal struggle, but they are not to be trusted.

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Walking is always an option.