Recommendations for a bike, part, or accessory recommendation. Be detailed! Ask how to select the right thing.
20
votes
5answers
2k views
What bike+equipment for a long daily urban commute?
In the (distant) past I commuted 6 km (more than half an hour) each way, on a cheap bike with big knobbly tyres.
Soon I'll have a new commute: 18 km each way, daily. That's much further than I've ...
17
votes
11answers
4k views
SPD shoes that look like normal shoes
We all know that SPD shoes can be worn off the bike (that is why they were designed), however there are not many SPD shoes that you would want to wear off-bike. There are even fewer (if any) SPD shoes ...
24
votes
15answers
8k views
Toddler bike seat vs. bike trailer?
Our 2.2 year old toddler seems very interested in a random, abandoned bike seat we found, so we're considering some method of letting him ride with us. But I am not sure whether to get ...
A bike ...
26
votes
12answers
4k views
What type of tires can prevent goatheads?
We have a lot of goatheads1 in our area, and they have a tendency to do something like this to bike tires:
Unfortunately, I ride a road bike (specifically a Kona Dew), so I have much smaller, ...
20
votes
5answers
1k views
Recommendation for panniers used off the bike a lot
I'm looking for panniers. I mostly just potter around town, and am not planning any cycle touring so my main criteria is that the panniers should be easy to carry around off the bike. Built in ...
14
votes
7answers
5k views
What is the biggest component difference between a cheap road bike and an expensive road bike?
I am shopping around for road bikes now, and I wanted to know what components to look for. I am not talking about the frame, carbon or otherwise, I mean types of shifters, brakes, cranks, rims, etc.
14
votes
15answers
3k views
iPhone 4 bike mount recommendations
Can anyone recommend a good bike mount for the iPhone 4?
There seem to be a lot of reviews for the old models.
Update: I'm mounting this on a Trek 1.5 Triple with Bontrager SSR VR bars.
Update: ...
25
votes
7answers
3k views
What clothing is best for wet weather/cycling in the rain?
I tried wearing a raincoat to keep out the rain, but find I get hot and sweaty inside. So my question is, what clothing do you find works best for you when cycling in wet weather?
Thanks.
20
votes
5answers
2k views
what makes a good entry level road bike?
I've been riding a mountain bike for years, but I prefer to go longer distances on paved ground, so I think a road bike would be better. When I ask what is a good bike, I don't need brands/models - ...
9
votes
10answers
707 views
Recommended budget waterproof jacket
I'm a bit baffled by the large choice of cycling waterproof jackets. Could someone recommend me a good budget waterproof jacket?
A bit more information:
I mostly ride off road
About £70 (approx 112 ...
18
votes
7answers
934 views
What are some alternatives to fruitlessly ringing my bell at a motorist?
I doubt that motor-vehicle drivers can hear the "ding" sound that a bicycle bell makes. What are some better alternatives?
9
votes
3answers
337 views
What should I look for in a “trailer bike”/“tag-along” bike for a child?
My daughter is growing fast, and will soon be too big for the child seat that is on the back of my bike. She is not yet ready to ride on the road, so I am thinking of purchasing a "tag-along" bike. ...
6
votes
5answers
360 views
Headlight recommendation
What is a good headlight for my bike?
Requirements:
Swappable between bikes
Good for bumpy roads/situations such as gravel or dirt
Long lasting battery
Far reaching range of light
LED of course! ...
2
votes
1answer
887 views
Shimano 105 early- to mid-1990s SLR groupset on eBay worth it for 70s SuperCycle rebuild?
Is the below groupset a good value for this frame?
I picked up a vintage SuperCycle Medalist frame (I'm guessing 1970s) and am looking to make a comfortable but capable bike for commuting and ...
14
votes
2answers
323 views
What to look for in a Beginner Unicycle
Motivation: I'm a casual cyclist (I ride around 4 miles per day, to school and work and back) but I wanted to get into unicycling to casually cycle through parks and the like; nothing too extreme, but ...
13
votes
2answers
199 views
Unicycle recommendation
I know that this is a 'bi'cycle forum, but I'm going to chance it and ask for unicycle buying advice.
What should I look for when buying a unicycle? I probably will do some leisure riding with it, ...
10
votes
7answers
4k views
What is the best bicycle lock on the market?
What is the best bicycle lock on the market, defined by:
Best security
Easiest usability when securing your bike
Easiest method of transport
Lightest without other compromises
Edit:
In addition, ...
12
votes
5answers
457 views
Luggage rack attachments for laptops?
So, while out riding my bike, I really dislike having a backpack on. I have a trek luggage rack on my bicycle and would love to find something that could attach to it, capable of holding a 17" ...
7
votes
6answers
976 views
Recommendations for inconspicuous helmet-mounted video camera
I'm looking for recommendations for a good, water-proof (or at least weather-resistant) video camera that meets the needs of recording general commuting rides. Some desirable attributes are:
Several ...
21
votes
10answers
3k views
For a long (25mile each way) commute, what kind of bike should I look at?
I'd really like to be able to commute to work. It's a long way though - 25 miles away. Too far for every day, but maybe I can cycle it once or twice a week.
I tried it on my old mountain bike a ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
Recommendations for clipless pedals that can be used with regular shoes
Does anybody have recommendations for clipless pedals that can be used with regular shoes? I only have 1 bike, but I use it enough that I think clipless pedals would offer a nice advantage. However, ...
8
votes
6answers
472 views
Prescription eye glasses and shoulder checks
I've never had prescription glasses but might like some.
My left eye doesn't focus easily (I ride on the right side of the road, in Canada). If I look over my left shoulder, I can see behind me only ...
5
votes
6answers
389 views
What brands of repair stands are sturdy?
I'm considering getting a repair stand, used if I can find one. Aside from the obvious (Park Tool stands), which ones are well-made? I'd like to try and snag a good one on an eBay auction if I can for ...
4
votes
3answers
391 views
Setting up a bicycle for someone with restricted knee articulation
My father, now in his 70's, had a left knee replacement several years ago. He has limited movement in that knee - probably about 85 degrees on a good day. His knee can extend fully, but cannot bend as ...
4
votes
3answers
662 views
Dia Compe Brakes for 1991 Bridgestone RB-T
I have a 1991 Bridgestone RB-T. This bike has passed through many hands so much of the stock parts are gone. The original Dia Compe XCE brake arms have been replaced by Dimension canti arms.
My ...
4
votes
7answers
1k views
Do mudguards/fenders help? If so, what are the best for a fixie commuter?
I ride an SE Lager fixed. I'm riding on sealed paths and roads pretty much all of my commute.
On wet days my bike picks up a lot of water and also a lot of sandy/silty residue. It coats the frame and ...
10
votes
6answers
547 views
Sunglasses for commuting?
I've recently started commuting via bike to work (6.5mi each way), and am looking for advice on gear... specifically sunglasses (which I find useful to prevent dust in eyes and to help block the ample ...
10
votes
5answers
432 views
Secure Storage for Running Errands
I use my bike to run errands on the weekends - stopping for soap and shampoo at the drug-store, a loaf a bread at the grocery store, stopping for lunch, etc. The issue is I have to haul my previous ...
7
votes
4answers
816 views
What is the best floor pump?
I'm looking for a pump at home to use with my high pressure (100-120 psi) road bike tires. My bike has presta valves, but I would like to be able to use it on Scharder valves, should I get a bike ...
6
votes
3answers
415 views
Day-trip bike for hefty 40-year-old woman?
I have an Electra Townie 7d, and I'm quite fond of her (sorry, I do anthropomorphize my bike) as a commuter and farmer's-market hauler, but I'd like a more efficient bike for afternoon-trips (say, 50 ...
6
votes
7answers
1k views
How to prevent my chain from breaking?
After my chain has broken what should I know about buying and maintaining a new chain (apart from lubing it and replacing when it 'stretches')? Do you keep a spare chain, or a spare link?
I have a ...
6
votes
3answers
528 views
Looking for orange tyres
I'm looking for a pair of folding, orange training tires, size should be 700x23C.
I'd like to have only an orange stripe, not the whole tire.
Can you recommend some model?
6
votes
2answers
287 views
Looking for recommendations for a folding tricycle [closed]
A friend of mine is considering purchasing a folding tricycle. (She has balance issues, so a regular bike isn't an option.) This would be for exercise and fun riding, not for commuting or hauling ...
4
votes
2answers
158 views
What should I consider when buying a saddle?
My current saddle is starting to show its age and isn't as comfortable as I'd like on longer rides. I am considering buying a new one.
Obviously saddles differ in price and weight, but what other ...
3
votes
2answers
139 views
Things to consider when choosing a recumbent
Google's Sergey Brin asked for recommendations on buying a recumbent. What factors should he consider when evaluating alternatives?
I'm thinking of getting a recumbent road bike even though ...
3
votes
2answers
595 views
purchasing a bike
I live in Queens, NYC. I am thinking of buying a bike for casual ride probably during weekends and sometime for commuting to the city.
Can anyone recommend which and what type of bike should I buy ...
2
votes
4answers
892 views
Light-weight ladies bike
What about ladies bikes?
I tried to buy one recently, like mine but with a smaller frame. It came with 700 wheels. Is that sensible? Shouldn't there be a smaller wheel for a smaller frame? Does North ...
2
votes
4answers
281 views
Affordable GPS with maps?
I have my eye on the Garmin 800. It looks fantastic, but alas I can't afford it right now.
I would like a gps / cycle computer that would work well in Europe with maps.
What are my options? I want ...
2
votes
6answers
840 views
Bike Polish for Carbon Frames
I'm looking for a recommendation for a good bike polish for carbon clear coat frames. Something the fills in minor hair line surface scratches and leaves a nice shine.
1
vote
1answer
724 views
Best Bike Rack for Honda Pilot?
I own a Honda Pilot and looking for the best bike rack that will allow me to hang the bike on the back of the pilot but possibly still open the door. 99.9% of the time we haul the bikes on my pickup ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Choosing a foldable 20" bike: Schwinn S2280 vs. Citizen Bike Miami
At the moment, I'm in the market for a foldable 20" bike, for commuting purposes. I've done my research, and have found two appealing models:
Schwinn S2280
Citizen Bike MIAMI
Which of them would ...
