Did my wife make the right Bike Choice?

[RGJCPU]

First off I’m a bike noob. My wife bought me a Vilano Diverse 3.0 for Father’s Day, because I had been reminiscing about my cycling youth and that I would like to start riding again. I had been researching like a mad man to see how much bike technology has changed and it boggles my mind. Now, if you were to take the Vilano 3.0 back to 1979 it would have cost a fortune just because of the Aluminum alloy frameset.

Question 1: Did my wife make a wise choice for my new bike? Note: I will be commuting to work (about 2.5 miles RT) and riding on the numerous bike paths in Washington to get back in shape.

Question 2 & 3: If I don’t have a heart attack, what parts on this bike should I upgrade and why? Note: We have a lot of steep hills +7% grade in the local area. Or, should I just leave it alone and save up for an upgrade; providing I keep at it?

 

[steveindenmark]

For a 2.5 mile commute this bike is ideal. As for upgrades. If you dont like the saddle, change it to a Charge Pan saddle. They are cheap and comfortable. I would have a small puncture repair kit and a couple of plastic levers. Smart lights are a good brand if you intend to use it in the Winter.

 

[RGJCPU]

For a 2.5 mile commute this bike is ideal. As for upgrades. If you dont like the saddle, change it to a Charge Pan saddle. They are cheap and comfortable. I would have a small puncture repair kit and a couple of plastic levers. Smart lights are a good brand if you intend to use it in the Winter.

Thanks...looking the items up that you mentioned. I forgot about a light, it gets dark early up here in the winter.

 

[raleighnut]

Just replace things that wear out with better bits but only when they wear out.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

You may wish to put mudguards on if you're going to be an all weather cyclist, particularly if you will be cycling in the same clothes you work in.

Have you got a locker or safe place at work to keep a spare pair of clothes and wash kit, towel etc for inclement days etc. *edit * and hang wet stuff to dry out a bit.

Depends if you carry much to work with you but a rear rack and bag or even panniers will most likely have you less sweaty than a rucksack.

Youtube and Park Tools website are good for how to.... videos to keep everything running smoothly.

See how you go with upgrades find what you don't like or are uncomfortable with first, if nothing then save your money.

Enjoy the ride

 

[RGJCPU]

Just replace things that wear out with better bits but only when they wear out.

TYVM....I will try to restrain myself.....I have an Amazon wish list a mile long...I feel like I'm 17 again

 

[RGJCPU]

You may wish to put mudguards on if you're going to be an all weather cyclist, particularly if you will be cycling in the same clothes you work in.

Have you got a locker or safe place at work to keep a spare pair of clothes and wash kit, towel etc for inclement days etc. *edit * and hang wet stuff to dry out a bit.

Depends if you carry much to work with you but a rear rack and bag or even panniers will most likely have you less sweaty than a rucksack.

Youtube and Park Tools website are good for how to.... videos to keep everything running smoothly.

See how you go with upgrades find what you don't like or are uncomfortable with first, if nothing then save your money.

Enjoy the ride

We have showers, lockers and a bike cage that is monitored by WA State patrol via cameras.... I bought a helmet, it's going to feel a bit weird wearing a helm because my generation didn't wear them, but I keep telling myself, I'm wearing this for my family. I also picked up a Repair Stand and a Spoke Torque Wrench because I read an article that said this is one of the most common things missed by manufactures. My work is only 2 miles away from home and bikers and walkers get paid $2.00 for each day they commute this way.

 

[raleighnut]

First off I’m a bike noob. My wife bought me a Vilano Diverse 3.0 for Father’s Day, because I had been reminiscing about my cycling youth and that I would like to start riding again. I had been researching like a mad man to see how much bike technology has changed and it boggles my mind. Now, if you were to take the Vilano 3.0 back to 1979 it would have cost a fortune just because of the Aluminum alloy frameset.

Question 1: Did my wife make a wise choice for my new bike? Note: I will be commuting to work (about 2.5 miles RT) and riding on the numerous bike paths in Washington to get back in shape.

Question 2 & 3: If I don’t have a heart attack, what parts on this bike should I upgrade and why? Note: We have a lot of steep hills +7% grade in the local area. Or, should I just leave it alone and save up for an upgrade; providing I keep at it?

At the end of the day it is only an Aluminium frame (used these days as robot welders can be programmed to knock em up quickly) now if it was a Steel frame in say Reynolds 853 (Complex to manufacture and much harder to weld correctly and hence very expensive) I'd say go for it.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...frames&usg=AFQjCNFw5VT2rjnGZ4DnHMb5Q0UmSXrw1g

 

[Racing roadkill]

I'd replace the tyres straight away.
These are my preferred tyres for my hybrids.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-plus-smartguard-rigid-road-tyre/

Everything else looks fine, for the rides you described. As things wear out, you may want to upgrade them, but if it was me, I'd certainly wait until the parts in question actually give up the ghost.

 

[Sharky]

Perhaps the question you didn't ask
4) What do I buy her on Mother's Day?
- Has she been reminiscing about that Porche or world cruises?

 

[ufkacbln]

Just replace things that wear out with better bits but only when they wear out.

+1

There is a real danger of over modifying a new bike for the sake of it

This a perfectly competent machine for what you need

Once you get to know the bike, how it handles, any weak points, then is the time to look at modifying or upgrading that part, or as above - simply wait until they wear out, then upgrade

 

[ufkacbln]

On an entirely separate note, I always think that this is a nice idea - but keep it as an idea

The person who is riding the bike needs to have tried it and the alternatives to make sure it is comfortable before purchase.

For our Silver Wedding Anniversary, I bought my wife a bell

Then we equipped the bell by attaching a bike that she chose

 

[Spinney]

We have showers, lockers and a bike cage that is monitored by WA State patrol via cameras.... I bought a helmet, it's going to feel a bit weird wearing a helm because my generation didn't wear them, but I keep telling myself, I'm wearing this for my family. I also picked up a Repair Stand and a Spoke Torque Wrench because I read an article that said this is one of the most common things missed by manufactures. My work is only 2 miles away from home and bikers and walkers get paid $2.00 for each day they commute this way.

Moderator note: due to the amount of argument it causes, all debates about the value or otherwise of wearing helmets is confined to this thread:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-cyclechat-helmet-debate-thread.187059/unread

So if anyone wants to challenge (or support) the statement I have highlighted in the above quote, do it in the helmet thread please, not here.

 

[MichaelW2]

It seems to be a perfectly sound bike equipped with Shimano components. Even low end Shimano perform well. It has no suspension which is a good thing, and disk brakes, which work well in the wet.
You probably want mudguards, full length, bolt-on ones, and possibly a rear luggage rack. A tyre upgrade to Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus would eliminate any late-for-work excuses.
Ride, enjoy.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

We have showers, lockers and a bike cage that is monitored by WA State patrol via cameras.... I bought a helmet, it's going to feel a bit weird wearing a helm because my generation didn't wear them, but I keep telling myself, I'm wearing this for my family. I also picked up a Repair Stand and a Spoke Torque Wrench because I read an article that said this is one of the most common things missed by manufactures. My work is only 2 miles away from home and bikers and walkers get paid $2.00 for each day they commute this way.

Nice one, I'd like to be paid to ride to work and sounds like your employers are thoughtful ones.