Thinking about a new bike
Jul. 5th, 2007 06:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamsharkAlthough barely 13 years old, my bike has gotten to that state where every time it needs a little repair the bike shop suggests helpful improvements, like a new wheel instead of a new spoke, and so on. Apparently after a certain point the spokes just start breaking spontaneously due to metal fatigue. Who knew? Similar issues with the chain and gearset.
Anyway, replacing the bike one piece at a time is clearly going to be way more expensive than buying a new one, and I'm riding enough that I can't have spokes breaking and gears not shifting right. So, I think when the fall sales kick in at the bike shops, I'll be buying a new 2-wheeler.
Richard and I spent a lazy afternoon biking to nearby bike shops to get things like bike maps and headlights, and I browsed the bikes. As I've noticed before, there seem to be two basic types of bike shops - Trek shops and the other kind. Well, actually, Calhoun Cycle is a third type, but since I don't want a recumbent or folding bike that visit was more for entertainment than anything. I don't want a Trek bike either, so that cuts out Penn Cycle. However, I have noticed a new (to me) brand of bike at a couple of places (including, but not limited to, Alternative Bike and Board at Lynn-Lake): Marin. They make a bike that meets my 4 criteria:
1) Clicky-shift levers (as opposed to the twisty-wristy type of shifter).
2) Jointed handlebar stem, allowing the handlebars to be adjusted upward and backward.
3) A bike topology that is amenable to riding upright (shorter top bar).
4) Price less than $500.
Anybody know anything about Marin bicycles? Or know of another brand of bike that meets the criteria above?
Anyway, replacing the bike one piece at a time is clearly going to be way more expensive than buying a new one, and I'm riding enough that I can't have spokes breaking and gears not shifting right. So, I think when the fall sales kick in at the bike shops, I'll be buying a new 2-wheeler.
Richard and I spent a lazy afternoon biking to nearby bike shops to get things like bike maps and headlights, and I browsed the bikes. As I've noticed before, there seem to be two basic types of bike shops - Trek shops and the other kind. Well, actually, Calhoun Cycle is a third type, but since I don't want a recumbent or folding bike that visit was more for entertainment than anything. I don't want a Trek bike either, so that cuts out Penn Cycle. However, I have noticed a new (to me) brand of bike at a couple of places (including, but not limited to, Alternative Bike and Board at Lynn-Lake): Marin. They make a bike that meets my 4 criteria:
1) Clicky-shift levers (as opposed to the twisty-wristy type of shifter).
2) Jointed handlebar stem, allowing the handlebars to be adjusted upward and backward.
3) A bike topology that is amenable to riding upright (shorter top bar).
4) Price less than $500.
Anybody know anything about Marin bicycles? Or know of another brand of bike that meets the criteria above?
