2 wheels, countless choices
So you want to get back into bicycling after all these years. Or, perhaps it's time to upgrade from your old gray mare to something more sleek and sexy.
Shopping for a new bike can seem overwhelming, especially for neophytes.
Two summers ago, when my trustworthy steed was stolen, insurance money in hand I went to Belmont Wheelworks to find a replacement. Did I want a road bike, mountain bike, or hybrid? How much could I spend? I remember my head spinning like a wobbly wheel from the hundreds of bikes and dozens of brands on display.
Fortunately, a wise Wheelworks employee like Michael Simon is on hand to help - and to pose all the right questions.
"What sort of riding are you doing?" the veteran salesman typically asks dazed and confused customers like myself. For fun or fitness or both? Occasional or hardcore commuting, casual cruising, or some specialized sport? Mainly riding on roads or pavement plus dirt paths? For many, the debate is between a road bike and a hybrid or mountain bike - and it often comes down to handlebars. "Usually [clients] have in mind drop handlebars, or they want to be upright," Simon said.
For rides or commutes of 1 1/2 hours or less, Simon suggested a bike with flat handlebars. This puts the cyclist in an upright position with hands set far apart for greater stability and a clearer view of the road. Older bikers or those with poor flexibility often prefer riding upright. A hybrid's longer wheelbase (the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels), compared with a road bike, also means improved steadiness.
"More stability means more confidence," said Simon. "We have a lot of interest in hybrid-style bikes for people who want to ride to work maybe twice a week."
Another consideration: comfort. A hybrid also will typically have wider tires than road bikes, making for a more cushioned ride.
All these factors can make hybrids appealing to less confident riders (though their longer wheelbase can make hybrids slightly slower to respond when maneuvering). Most commuter bikes are in the same category as hybrids, he added; they have thinner tires than mountain bikes but wider ones than road bikes, and some include suspension systems.
The other major group of bike buyers are those getting into weekend races and charity rides. For that, opt for a road bike, with its lighter frame and shorter wheelbase for more responsive handling. The drop handlebars provide more hand positions, a must for long rides.
Fortunately, the sub-categorization of bike models nowadays means riders don't have to just choose road or commuting or mountain biking. "There's an ever-growing middle ground," said Simon. For example, road bikes now come with upright handlebars.
The second major issue boils down to money. For some, spending $300 on an entry-level bike is tops. For others, dropping $1,500 doesn't faze them. I walked around the shop while Simon pointed out a few makes and models at various price points.
If you're looking to get into light riding and commuting, a "fitness-style" hybrid like the Trek 7.3 FX ($519.99 at Belmont Wheelworks) is a good choice, Simon said. A step up from a basic hybrid, the 7.3 FX has quality parts and strong brakes. But the entry-level Trek 7000 ($299.99) is fine for "a person who just wants to ride on the weekends on the Charles."
For commuters, the Specialized Globe ($399.99) is a solid mid-level utilitarian bike; more expensive but very versatile is the Specialized Globe City 6 ($849.99). "It comes straight out of the box with fenders, a bell, rack, and chain guard," Simon said. The Globe City 6's other commuter-friendly features include a light powered off the front wheel hub, and an eight-speed internal hub gear changer (hence, no messy derailleur). Perfect for that daily Somerville- or Cambridge-to-Boston commute, he said.
For bigger bike-to-work spenders, there's the 18-speed Bianchi Valle ($899.99), or the "nearly a road bike" Trek 7.7 FX ($1,599.99) with its carbon-fiber seat post and fork to cushion vibration. "This would be for someone who wants to go on longer rides but likes the way a hybrid feels," Simon said. The Specialized TriCross Comp ($1,849.99) is ideal for heavy-duty commuting. A cyclocross bike is essentially "an overbuilt road bike" with wider tires, drop handlebars, powerful brakes, and the ability to add fenders and saddlebags.
Simon told me a mountain bike can make a great commuter bike, too, especially for college students who might need to cruise overland across campus. Mountain bikes usually have smaller diameter wheels - stronger, yes, but the drawback being you have to pedal harder (every revolution doesn't go as far as a larger wheel).
Big spenders taking on serious rocks and steep climbs can drop a bundle on the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp ($2,099.99) with dual suspension air shocks for 4 inches of "travel" over tough terrain.
A more down-to-earth mountain bike would be the Gary Fisher Marlin ($559.99), with quality parts and decent front suspension. This is my bike, which I use for day-to-day commuting, moderate trail riding, and everything in between.
The category of road bikes quickly gets persnickety, and expensive, because of the premium placed on high performance and shedding weight. A no-frills choice, Simon proposed, is the Trek 1.2 Triple ($719.99), "not the lightest but gets the job done."
"Ultimately, there are good bikes at all price ranges," said Simon.
Boston-based author Sam Tracy has released a new bike repair manual, "Roadside Bicycle Repair: A Pocket Manifesto," which according to the publisher, Fulcrum, "distills his breadth of knowledge into this handy, pocket-sized repair credo, organized by the major bike components." More info at fulcrum-books.com.
The city paved over the last of the unused trolley tracks in Jamaica Plain, on Centre and South streets. Trolley history may be buried, but JP streets will be safer for cyclists, who've complained of tires getting stuck in the tracks.
See you on the streets.
Send comments, bike news and events, and ideas for future columns to shiftinggears@globe.com.
