Ruth HufbauerFeb 25, 2023
Scott

As the "bike friend" in my friend group, I frequently get asked "what kind of bike should I buy?" - so much so that I have compiled my thoughts into a google doc. I figure I should share it with you all; I bet some of you get asked the same question! #BikeTooter #Cycling #BikeCommuter

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p9_0LTXbunAwFZcMOddlEZwtzX_8-4o00We8tdOqn1c/edit?usp=sharing

Scott's Bike Buying Guide

Scott’s Bike Buying Guide For first-time (or first-time-in-a-long-time) bike buyers Who this is for I’ve had numerous friends ask me for advice on buying a bike for general riding or commuting to work. I figured this would be a good way to provide more information (hopefully with illustrations!) ...

Google Docs
Feb 24, 2023 at 2:06pmWeb
Show threadMary PustejovskyFeb 24, 2023
@scottsthoughts Nice! My oldest got a Cannondale Treadwell last year and it’s a super solid bike for commuting to school . Definitely a good option for a person looking for a hybrid bike
Show threadadamriceFeb 24, 2023
@scottsthoughts A couple comments on that:
- I do think there was one bike manufacturer that sized its bikes by top-tube length, but most size them by “virtual” seat-tube length, ie, how long the seat tube would be if the top tube were horizontal. Or they just use XS/S/M/L/XL without any quantifiable dimension.
- Rim brakes can lock up your wheels under good conditions. It’s under bad conditions that disc brakes are a real advantage. Discs also generally give you better modulation. Bad disc brakes (on cheap bikes) may be *worse* than bad rim brakes.
Show threadSzeFeb 24, 2023
@scottsthoughts I like this guide a lot, I think it makes a lot of sense. What are your thoughts on REI's house brands?
Show threadScottFeb 24, 2023
@szeis4cookie I don’t have direct experience with REI’s coop brand bikes, but they do seem to use name brand components and seem well constructed, so I would absolutely consider them!
Show threadJonDThompsonFeb 24, 2023
@scottsthoughts I might suggest a gravel bike would be a better commuter than a hybrid, which is really the worst between a road and mountain bike.
Show threadScottFeb 24, 2023
@JonDThompson I would agree that gravel bikes are great, but they’re generally outside of the entry-level price point which is why I didn’t include them. Although if there’s a good $500-$800 gravel bike on the market I don’t know about, I’d happily stand corrected!
Show threadTobinHFeb 25, 2023
@scottsthoughts I just ask: how much would you like to spend? how much would you like to carry? what kind of surface would you like to ride on? how far would you like to ride? those answers usually result in a pretty short list.
Show threadzeusdogmaFeb 25, 2023
@scottsthoughts This is an amazing, well written article on bikes! Thanks!