Bicycles...what kind do you have?

[Meerkat]

Meercat:
Slow & steady, no hurry.
1/2 gallon of ice tea or water.
One could learn & ride the bike empty, until you build up mass to a full load.

OK good point.

 

[Spikedriver]

Trikes are a good idea too. My ex FIL has a recumbent trike. It's meant for long distances (like 50 miles a day) and pretty spendy (like $2000).

I'm kind of digging this one. It has an electric motor as well, and a 400 pound capacity including the rider.

It only costs three grand...

 

[Weedygarden]

Trikes are a good idea too. My ex FIL has a recumbent trike. It's meant for long distances (like 50 miles a day) and pretty spendy (like $2000).

I'm kind of digging this one. It has an electric motor as well, and a 400 pound capacity including the rider.
View attachment 11365
It only costs three grand...

My grandmother had a tricycle, but nothing as fancy as this one.

I see tricycle motorcycles with two wheels on the front and one on the back. Which is more stable on a tricycle? Two wheels on the front, or two on the back?

 

[Terri9630]

My grandmother had a tricycle, but nothing as fancy as this one.

I see tricycle motorcycles with two wheels on the front and one on the back. Which is more stable on a tricycle? Two wheels on the front, or two on the back?

2 wheels on the front. It's easy to tip one over with a single front wheel.

 

[Weedygarden]

 

[Spikedriver]

Two in the front like the Polaris Slingshot will steer more like a car. More stable than two wheels, less than 4.

As for a pedal powered trike, I'm not sure it really matters.

 

[MoBookworm1957]

3 wheel bike.
Single wheel in front, 2 wheels in back with iron basket between the back wheels.
During World War II it was used as delivery bike for local market.
Bought at auction for $ 5 sold privately before left knee replacement last year for just under $ 2000.
Used the bike to build up leg muscles before surgery.
The Ortho doctor who bought it from me uses it daily.
If car or truck hit that bike the would be damage to the vehicles, not the bike.
Body of that bike was cast iron, big fat tires, 3 speed and brakes on handlebars.

 

[Spikedriver]

I worked in a factory once where the mechanics rode 3 wheeled bikes with big toolboxes on the back. They probably had 300 pounds of tools in there. Worked great, but they didn't have to go more than a quarter mile at a time, and it was a smooth concrete floor.

 

[Meerkat]

What do you prefer in a bike?
What brands have you been satisfied with?
Extras?
Do you participate in races or belong to a biking group that goes on trails, etc?

Tell us about your bicycling.
Especially you, @Spikedriver

whoops.

 

[Meerkat]

I am taking my bike back out of shed to eide a little again. Hubby said tire needs air. I'll still walk but also ride sometimes.

 

[Just Cliff]

I worked in a factory once where the mechanics rode 3 wheeled bikes with big toolboxes on the back. They probably had 300 pounds of tools in there. Worked great, but they didn't have to go more than a quarter mile at a time, and it was a smooth concrete floor.

They were probably Worksman out of Chicago. I worked on several when I was a bicycle mechanic years ago. Very well built with heavy duty wheels. I would love to have one.
http://worksman.com/#

 

[Lodestar]

I have a Surly Moonlander, which is a fat tire snow bike...nearly five inch wide tires. She's a workout...

 

[Spikedriver]

I have a Surly Moonlander, which is a fat tire snow bike...nearly five inch wide tires. She's a workout...

Yeah, I bet it is. My Fuji doesn't even have off road tires, and I still wish they were skinnier sometimes...

 

[dademoss]

Don't laugh, but I have a 10+ year old Merida 500 Electric bike(https://richlew.wordpress.com/total-ev-merida-pc-500-pedelec-electro-magnetic-powered-bicycle/), and a Trek 800 The Merida still runs just fine, of course so does the Trek

Now the capability of the propulsive power is questionable on the Trek

 

[txcatlady]

I bought a wider seat for my bike and was great until dog chewed it up. Tires are no good now. Dirt road ok, slag not so good. Now probably would hurt myself!

 

[phideaux]

Don't have pics of my first, and only bike I ever had as a boy, but this is almost exactly what I remember.

Jim

 

[Curmudgeon]

Fuji mountain bike here, larger frame, all aluminum. This thing is so light you can almost pick it up with one finger. I added a gel seat and a carrier behind the seat. Bike is in excellent condition, probably should put new tires on it. I bought it for 75 bucks a few years ago.

I have a DNR maintained trail that runs along the back edge of my property, I can open the gate get on the trail and go about 10 miles S/ SW or I can go N/ NE all the way to Hell, about 20 miles or so. They want to run this trail further south and connect with another trail that will go from Lake Erie all the way across the state to Lake Michigan.

 

[Spikedriver]

Fuji mountain bike here, larger frame, all aluminum. This thing is so light you can almost pick it up with one finger. I added a gel seat and a carrier behind the seat. Bike is in excellent condition, probably should put new tires on it. I bought it for 75 bucks a few years ago.

I have a DNR maintained trail that runs along the back edge of my property, I can open the gate get on the trail and go about 10 miles S/ SW or I can go N/ NE all the way to Hell, about 20 miles or so. They want to run this trail further south and connect with another trail that will go from Lake Erie all the way across the state to Lake Michigan.

A bike trail to Hell...that sounds interesting...

 

[Patchouli]

Now I’m curious about bike racks for the back of my car. I’ve never used one and a bicycle is in my future.
@Spikedriver do you have one?
Anyone else?

 

[Spikedriver]

Now I’m curious about bike racks for the back of my car. I’ve never used one and a bicycle is in my future.
@Spikedriver do you have one?
Anyone else?

I do have one. It is one that goes into a hitch receiver. I recommend that over one of the ones that straps to the trunk. The hitch kind won't scratch your paint and they are way more secure than the strap kind. There are lots of makers for bike racks. Allen makes cheaper ones like you can get at Walmart. That's what I have, and it works fine. But, if you want a really durable one, get Yakima, Thule, or Saris. They are better quality. My Allen has cradles that hold the bike frame and the bike hangs from it. If you really want to go all out, get the kind of rack that has cradles for the tires and holds the frame up above. Those are the best racks. If I wanted to afford it, I'd get a Thule rack...

 

[Patchouli]

I do have one. It is one that goes into a hitch receiver. I recommend that over one of the ones that straps to the trunk. The hitch kind won't scratch your paint and they are way more secure than the strap kind. There are lots of makers for bike racks. Allen makes cheaper ones like you can get at Walmart. That's what I have, and it works fine. But, if you want a really durable one, get Yakima, Thule, or Saris. They are better quality. My Allen has cradles that hold the bike frame and the bike hangs from it. If you really want to go all out, get the kind of rack that has cradles for the tires and holds the frame up above. Those are the best racks. If I wanted to afford it, I'd get a Thule rack...

Thank you! I definitely appreciate your feedback. I can’t afford to buy anything too costly. I haven’t researched much yet. I guess your rack holds at least 2 bikes, @Spikedriver ?
I have put off all this time getting a bike. Need the exercise and to tone up my muscles. There’s a long trail not too far from me, over closer to @Pearl .

 

[sonya123]

I don't have a bike at all. Never got into that. I never learned how to ride a bike until I was older. Weird huh? I had a orange belt in judo before I learned how to ride a bike....are you laughing yet?
Then I went directly to small motorcycle for a while

 

[Pearl]

Thank you! I definitely appreciate your feedback. I can’t afford to buy anything too costly. I haven’t researched much yet. I guess your rack holds at least 2 bikes, @Spikedriver ?
I have put off all this time getting a bike. Need the exercise and to tone up my muscles. There’s a long trail not too far from me, over closer to @Pearl .

We have bikes, but I always walk Bear! Hubby goes once in a while! Nice trails close to me and LONGER nice trails to my south!!

 

[Fireman13]

Now I’m curious about bike racks for the back of my car. I’ve never used one and a bicycle is in my future.
@Spikedriver do you have one?
Anyone else?

I started with a trunk rack back in college. Worked okay for transporting my bike but as Spikedriver mentioned, it will scratch your car's paint, especially if you put two bikes on it. At least it did for me. After meeting my wife (girlfriend at the time), we started biking a lot and I upgraded to a roof rack. Much better for transporting multiple bikes but it's not for everyone as it is more work lifting them up and securing them. When I bought a pickup, I didn't need a rack until I got a truck cap. Since I already owned frame and fork mount racks the roof rack made perfect sense when I towed the camper. When I'm not towing a trailer though, my go to rack is a hitch rack. I have a four bike Allen hitch rack that has served me well for over ten years.

This website (etrailer) would be a good starting place to look at all the various styles of racks that will fit your car. They also have lots of videos of how to mount the racks and adjust them. I've purchased items from this site before but they do tend to have higher prices than other online sellers so you may want to purchase elsewhere.

Good luck in your exercise endeavors, I'm trying to get back onto the bike more as well.

 

[Patchouli]

Thank you @Fireman13 !! I will check it out. Rooftop rack probably out of the question for me. I’m not tall. I greatly appreciate the suggestions.
One of my adult sons and his family bike fairly often too. I want an in-between bike, not a street bike, not a mountain bike. Nothing expensive.
What about helmets? Any particular style or brand you do and don’t recommend? Anyone?
My LH had ridden a bike for a few years and it toned him up so well he never really lost it.

 

[Spikedriver]

Thank you @Fireman13 !! I will check it out. Rooftop rack probably out of the question for me. I’m not tall. I greatly appreciate the suggestions.
One of my adult sons and his family bike fairly often too. I want an in-between bike, not a street bike, not a mountain bike. Nothing expensive.
What about helmets? Any particular style or brand you do and don’t recommend? Anyone?
My LH had ridden a bike for a few years and it toned him up so well he never really lost it.

This is just my opinion - take it with a grain of salt. Go to Walmart and get whichever bike helmet that suits you. I've got one - I think it's made by Bell - but I hardly ever wear it. Bike helmets are much different than motorcycle helmets. Bike helmets "crush" on impact. They have a hard shell, but they are just meant to cushion a blow, like if you wreck your bike and your head hits the pavement. They aren't really going to protect much if you have a big wreck at a higher speed, like if you were riding a motorcycle. Maybe the expensive, high end helmets protect much better. I think mine was about $25 when I got it 3 years ago...

 

[Spikedriver]

@Patchouli If I were you, I would take a trip to a bike store. Stay away from Walmart bikes. Go to the bike store and ask to look at used bikes. Companies like Fuji, Cannondale, Specialized, and SixThreeZero make pretty good bikes that were more expensive than Walmart bikes when new, but you can get them for about the same cost as a new Walmart bike if you buy them used. Everything on them will be better quality than a Walmart bike. If you are just riding with family, I think most any style of bike will be OK as long as it fits you. You want wider tires like a mountain bike if you're riding on dirt or gravel because skinny tires kind of dig into the soft dirt. But if you're just out on paved bike trails for an hour or two with your kids and grandkids, it won't matter much if it's a mountain bike or a road bike.

 

[Patchouli]

@Spikedriver thanks!! Mostly I’ll be riding alone unless I find a group. I do hope to ride with my family too but that will take a lot of planning.
Just getting started I’ll probably outgrow my trails in my community pretty quickly. I don’t want to ride on the roads. Too many crazy people.
This helps and I appreciate your advice.

 

[Bacpacker]

If you are sticking to trails a mountain bike or hybrid type would probably be better. Taking a road bike off road will be causing many flats for you to fix.

 

[Tirediron]

If you already have a "low buck" bike and plan on distance riding much sure yo don't have a plastic frame de railer on the rear wheel, these tend to break at the most in opportune time, a decent metal frame de railer is pretty cheap and easy to replace it with, if you catch it before it destroys you chain or worse your rear wheel.