Tarheel Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Lady friend wants me to bike ride with her and my 1972 10 speed may not be up to the task. We will ride a few times a week, leisurely, and not over ten miles at a stretch. I just stopped by a bike shop and they have them from $150 to $5500. I saw a gray Giant brand cycle with aluminum frame and straight black handlebars that caught my eye ($379). Too wet to ride today but I'll be going back on Monday. Any thoughts on the Giant brand? Not really interested in speed but comfort and light weight sounds good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Giant, Specialized, Trek.. all good brands. Go with what fits you physically and in budget, don't get hung up on brand name. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Lady friend wants me to bike ride with her and my 1972 10 speed may not be up to the task. We will ride a few times a week, leisurely, and not over ten miles at a stretch. I just stopped by a bike shop and they have them from $150 to $5500. I saw a gray Giant brand cycle with aluminum frame and straight black handlebars that caught my eye ($379). Too wet to ride today but I'll be going back on Monday. Any thoughts on the Giant brand? Not really interested in speed but comfort and light weight sounds good. They are good quality brand - GIANT - 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 I guess I should add we will be riding on road, that I'm 6'2" and old as dirt (66) if any of that matters. I know I'll need a large frame, just not sure if I want to lean over like on the 10 speed type handlebars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) I'm with TS on what fits you. I have not been a bike rider in general. But in the past friends have put me on one of theirs. Often the fit is not right. A good shop can take a look at your frame and the bike frame, and more. You probably don't want full road racing bike, where you'd be bent over and spending most time looking at the front tire, and probably don't want a full mountain bike. I believe it is like shoes. The brand does not count quite as much as what fits you and what fits the application. WMcD Edited March 14, 2015 by William F. Gil McDermott 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerolW Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Cruiser with longhorn handlebars, so you can ride somewhat upright. I'm 64 and it works for me. jerol Edited March 14, 2015 by JerolW 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I ride a Sun Spider beach cruiser http://www.bethanybikes.com/?p=210 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I've had an aluminum frame Giant comfort bike for 5 years now, got it new during a January sale for $300. It's been a great bike and I would not hesitate to recommend the brand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) I saw one of those sand riders at the shop Mike.....huge tires. I wonder if you can ride those on pavement? That sounds like what I'm looking at Don! Thanks guys! Edited March 14, 2015 by Tarheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffr Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 That's a good starting budget for a decent bike. Tell the staff at the shop what you will use it for and they will advise, especially regarding fit. As long as the tires are not knobbies they'll be fine on the road, regardless of width. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I saw one of those sand riders at the shop Mike.....huge tires. I wonder if you can ride those on pavement? Yes, that's all I ride now. Two speed enclosed rear gears. One hint I learned the first time I rode it on the beach; ride into the wind first and come back with the wind at your back. The other way sux. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet_Hollow Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Trek Navigator X600 here. A real commuter. Probably outside of the proposed budget, but it's the kind of bike that one could trust to easily log a 75-100 mile trip on. Only thing better IMO would be a Tout Terrain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydog Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Here: http://www.bikesdirect.com I know two people who bought bikes from the site and i was very impressed by the quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Your '72 10 speed might be worth spending a few hundred dollars to get it "up to the task." My 74 Legano (Campagnolo, Reynolds 531, 23 lbs., etc.) is as good today as it was when I purchased it new 41 years ago. That said, were I buying a bike today, something like the $379 Giant would make more sense. The most important thing is that it fit you. MOST people ride around with the seats too low on a bike that doesn't fit them, or they don't fit the bike. I'm 6'1" and also 66. When I ride my bike, I use only a few of the 10 speeds and rarely bend over to hold the handle bars at the lowest point. Please wear a helmet and watch out for cars, they aren't watching out for you. Edited March 14, 2015 by DizRotus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Looks almost new Diz! Edited March 14, 2015 by Tarheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Looks almost new Diz! Thanks, Somewhat like Geo. Washington's axe. Other than tires, rims, spokes, chain, chain wheel (sprocket), brake pads, brake levers, handle bar tape and cables, it's all original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Your '72 10 speed might be worth spending a few hundred dollars to get it "up to the task." My 74 Legano (Campagnolo, Reynolds 531, 23 lbs., etc.) is as good today as it was when I purchased it new 41 years ago. Finally, someone who agrees with me! I'm a guy, which by definition automatically means, I like stuff, and I like to buy, stuff. No doubt, getting a new bike would be fun. That being said, if you have a decent 10-speed like is shown in the pic ^^^ which means skinny street tires, no suspension, road race bars, then I would seriously continue to use that. Install new tubes and tires due to rubber rot over the years, put some grease in the ball bearings in the wheels and fork race, tighten spokes, add a new chain, brake pads, have someone lube and adjust the derailer, maybe get a new gel seat, and I think you're good to go. Edited March 14, 2015 by wvu80 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Bum Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Your '72 10 speed might be worth spending a few hundred dollars to get it "up to the task." My 74 Legano (Campagnolo, Reynolds 531, 23 lbs., etc.) is as good today as it was when I purchased it new 41 years ago. Similar case here, only problem is that my frame has deteriorated over the decades. But I love just looking at the thing, she's a beauty (Ritchey Road Logic low serial # hand made by Tom himself, gaudy but patriotic red-white-blue fade, set up long, low, and racy). Lightweight, hardtail 29-er with more comfy geometry and 'good enough' components should be right in the OP's budget and perfect for his needs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paducah Home Theater Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) For a hardtail, fit, setup, and components is more important than the brand of the frame. Best rider I ever rode with used a Toys R Us bike frame, we're talking about a guy who would jump off of 10' cliffs in the middle of the woods onto a sketchy rocky landing. Nowadays the welds coming out of Taiwan is so good it just don't matter much. Really the only important difference is the design and longevity of nicer full suspension bikes. Edited March 14, 2015 by MetropolisLakeOutfitters 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I can see Chuck now................................... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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