Buying a bike
 

After having to run around a few times, I realised I need to get a bike.

I need this mostly to make short trips along the river along a gravel track to get from A to B.

I had a look online and saw this catalog which has over 600 pages of bikes and have no idea what I need to look for. Since there are a few bike enthusiasts here maybe you can help.

http://bk.zeg.de/Katalog2011DE/Blaetterkatalog/

A quick browse through the first 10 pages shows a few bikes from 300eur to 600eur.

Is there any reason to get anything other than the cheapest bike? The 600eur one doesn't look any different to the 300eur one to me (page 7 and page 16).

Also, it sounds a bit stupid, but why are there male and female versions? The male version has the bar going straight across apparently so you can get off your bike and crush your nads on it. I guess the female version allows you to get on and off easier wearing a skirt, but they why not have this for men as well? Perhaps, it is not as structurally sound, but really, does it make a difference in normal use?

Some people mentioned a bike borse in zurich which has cheap bikes, but will it be cheaper than 300eur?

Re: Buying a bike
 

Ha! So I need exactly what you need at the same price range. Let me know when you've decided and I'll copy whatever you get. :p

Re: Buying a bike
 

Just thought I'd post the dates for the upcoming secondhand Velomarkts (given that the flyer happens to be sitting right in front of me):

ZURICH only

28th May
Wollishofen, Kilchbergstrasse 27

(also same day)
28th May
Helvetiaplatz (same stop on the Tram 8)

9th July
Helvetiaplatz

13th August
Helvetiaplatz

3rd September
Neumarkt, Winterthur

24th September
Helvetiaplatz

Re: Buying a bike
 

Galileo did a test on bikes a couple of years ago - looking at bikes at different prices and trying to see if the expensive ones are worth it.

They were!

I think they did 200/400/600eur bikes - and on every test the 600eur bike was better. Easier to cycle (less resitance), better components, better put together, lighter etc etc

I bought a new bike when I first came to Switzerland - and perhaps haven't used it as much as I should - especially over the last 12 months. But cycling home last Thursday was brilliant - I'd forgotten how fast the bike could go**




**I know as lot is down to the rider, but the "right" bits and low weight and resistance makes a huge difference

Re: Buying a bike
 

The female bike has lower frame.
I think it's something linked to their intimates- if they slide from the saddle it can be hurtful.
(although you don't want to slide from your saddle and smash your balls into the man's frame).
:o


So you need the man's frame. Then the size. It has to be the right position (google it).

The cheap bikes are usually made with cheap parts, etc...
But even an expensive one needs a lot of maintenance.

You can enjoy the ride with the "cheap bike" if you maintain it. (Lube, etc...).


Also,
don't get a MTB if you plan to ride only city. Try the new versions like the HYBRID BIKES:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/....0/7860/45492/

(you'll be a snail on the road with a MTB).

Also avoid suspension bikes, which will drain your energy.

Re: Buying a bike
 

The cheaper the bike, the cheaper the components.
Especially the gearshift will get killed very fast if it is not durable enough.
At the hourly rates for bike-mechanics here, any perceived savings on the initial purchasing-price will quickly disappear....

There is of course a trade-off point (you don't get much more reliable bikes over 2000 EUR, they are just lighter)

I don't know. The women's bikes also have a slightly different geometry, AFAIK.
You can ride what you want (you can also wear a skirt as a male) - it's a free country. Just ignore the looks other people throw at you. Occasionally, the policy may check you and the bike to see if you are not drunk and the bike is not stolen.
;-)


Most certainly not.

Re: Buying a bike
 

I was about to say....... unless you're a Eunuch, it's going to hurt for both sexes to smash down on the cross bar.

I thought the ladybike was designed to preserve their 'modesty'.
Because chicks in the olden days used to only wear skirts and dresses, being able to 'step through'* the bike prevented them from flashing their knickers


*rather than "throw the leg over" the saddle (a move best reserved for men in the sack).

Re: Buying a bike
 

You want:
- Avoid suspension if it's for "city use". (loss of energy, slow you down, useless). Or front suspension only with the option to "block them" on demand (expensive bikes only).

- Nice saddle for comfort and protect your balls (ouch...)

- Nice pedals (avoid the fancy "pro" ones with the shoes because you'll fall with the bike :D (they have some "self removal mechanism" but it's spooky)

- Decent handles or gloves

- Sunglasses, helmet

- Decent locker, and chain

- Wheels adapted to your environment (less large= road)

- Weight not really relevant although too heavy it's pain to carry.

- Adapted brakes: "normal U brakes" will need pads replacement every months or two (or regularly at best).

-Special clothes for the rain, visibility, safety, etc...

- Place to shower at work after the bike ride (groiin pig)

- Good lights (cheap ones will be rubbish and use batteries lot).

- Some basic tool for the occasional flat tire, etc...

-etc....

Re: Buying a bike
 

http://www.fahrradlagerverkauf.com/z...ome/index.html

Very helpful & not very far

Re: Buying a bike
 

Actually the Ladies bike design born of the need for the Rider to mount the Bicycle in a moral and lady like fashion, rather than slinging a leg over and potentially showing the world her Bloomers in the process :)

and then we invented Lycra, and morals went out the window :msntongue:

Re: Buying a bike
 

You say you need to take it over a gravel track regularly. I would not get a lightweight trekking bike for that. Something with wider tyres would be much more comfortable and easier to handle on gravel. An ATB for instance. Concerning the price, as another poster said: you get what you pay for. I would personally never buy a new bike for less than 300-400 euros. But I use mine a lot and want it to last for 10 years...
However, if you don't use the bike too much, and if you use lubricants on the moving parts every now and then, even the cheap bikes will last you a couple of years.
Beware with the ATB bikes though, do not buy one with rear suspension if you don't want to go down-hill riding a lot with it. A lot of them, specially at the large DYI stores have it. The suspension will cost you a lot more energy to bike. (It is a free work-out, though :msntongue: )

Re: Buying a bike
 

Cheers all for the advice. So main point seems to be: avoid suspension.

Re: wide tyre vs trekking bike. I will probably go for the trekking as I will be on a mix of road and track and the track is small dirt track with small stones rather than gravel (sorry for the mis-information) so I think this will be OK control-wise.

I'll probably go for the basic bike on p16 of the link I sent.

BTW, is it compulsory to wear a helmet when riding a bike in Switzerland? Economisto, if you're after the same, maybe we can call up to see if they'll do reduction when buying 2 ;)

Re: Buying a bike
 

Compulsory or not, get one.
Especially if you're not used to have a bike. You don't think yet of the many nice things: rat crossing, mosquitoes in your eyes, pot holes, cars, passing by going to car road, etc, etc...

And remember all the accessories that will be required for basic confort (not talking being "accessories addict" or look like a pro).

Re: Buying a bike
 

I might have one of these for sale in blue if anyone's interested.

http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/imag...D.jpg&f=Photos

http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...Ph.D&Type=bike

Re: Buying a bike
 

This.

The second half of that story is that the male frame with crossbar is much stiffer than the ladies. Apart from being more appropriate anyway, this also means you loose less energy in frame flex when pedaling.

Re: Buying a bike
 

[nerd mode]
Yes, I remember this from highschool physics.

They used a bicycle frame to demonstrate the strength of a triangle. Triangles are the strongest shape, and so a bike frame is just made up of multiple triangles.

Ladies bikes have little logic to their design other than aesthetics.


The strength associated with a triangluar frame also allows less material, hence the bike is lighter.
[/nerd mode]

Re: Buying a bike
 

flex energy loss makes sense. re: stronger, while the bike frame would be stronger with that geometry, arguably, the lady geometry is 'strong enough'.

Re: Buying a bike
 

:hide:

..

Re: Buying a bike
 

:o
:rofl:

I would suggest you get that rocket bike to avoid the angry lady's reactions:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_nJqgFX_G2nI/Sl...bike_thumb.jpg

Although I think we are safe on the "bike topic". :p

Re: Buying a bike
 

So on the "bike topic"
Is it safe to assume that the strength of a "Ladies Bike" design is directly proportional to the width of the seat?


(now where's that......... :eek: oh no, I deleted the jet bike)