My bike, questions, and concerns

[xxKai]

Hey guys, I have a few things to talk about, sorry if this gets a little too long lol

I've had a bike for a few years now, I haven't used it too much in the past, It might even have been a 'wal-mart' bike, and now that I've decided to use it it's a bit too late. The back brakes are almost used up, the front wheel makes a squeak sound when going slow (As in I'm walking with the bike at my side), and I believe it used to have gears but I had to take them off because they wouldn't work.

Here are some pictures:

So lately, because my area has sooo much hills, I use my sister's bike. She doesn't even use it lol my Aunt gave it to her a year or two ago.

I love using it, the gears make things so much easier. But alas I can't use it forever, so I've been looking to get a new bike. Well, not new new, I was thinking of getting a used bike, but one that I won't need repairs on. I was thinking of maybe looking for a few on craigslist, but before I do I need your experts' opinion.

Ultimately, I'd say my goal would be to cycle from home to work and back. I believe that would total around 40 miles, which is beyond anything I can do, the most I've done is halfway to work so that's 10 miles.
Map of my ultimate journey, not exactly my house to work, but they're in the general area. And like I've mentioned, there are a lot of hills.

Now, other than the bike, I need to know about nutrition, diet, habits. This is where it gets a little complicated, and I don't want to overwhelm you with details, let's just say I work out and I use biking as my aerobic exercise every morning. Let's get it clear that I'm not preparing for some marathon, nor am I looking to be the buffest person in the world, I just think it's nice to have exercise, and that biking in my opinion is one of the best aerobics out there.

Finally here's the question: What, and when do you guys eat, and why do you guys eat that specific food.

Lastly (About time Kai), is there anything that you guys do to make sure you're being as safe as possible? I used to not wear a helmet, though I biked on the sidewalks that time, now I'm wearing one and biking on the road. Just recently though, I cramped up going up the insanely huge hill (30-40 degree incline) and it hurt like heck. I realized I don't stretch, like, at all, and I don't warm up my muscles. What do you guys do?

**TL;DR** What bike do you guys suggest, what do you eat, and what do you do to prepare yourself

I knew it would get a little long dang it... All suggestions are appreciated! thanks!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

20 miles isn't a great distance, I could manage 20 miles from about my 2nd ride, nutrition for 20 miles just make sure your not hungry, porridge is have something with you like flapjacks, jelly babes, fig rolls ect..
Do you have anywhere selling Carrea bikes if so the subway is a good starting point from the reviews it gets, currently £200 so say about $350 (without looking up exchange rate) though if you do have a source for them, they may well be cheaper.
The hills well the only thing is to do them and keep doing them.
This one on ebay, I did just do a search and couldn't find anything over there.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/carrera-subway-2013-/221285048911

 

[MikeW-71]

Hi

Firstly, if you're after a new bike and you will be riding on the road, don't get anything with suspension. It's not necessary and is just extra weight to drag around that isn't doing anything to help you. For city commuting, a decent Hybrid bike is ideal (the Subway mentioned above is one of these). If you're buying new, avoid buying from the supermarkets, see what the local bike shops have. You never regret buying quality, and it will last many, many years.

20 miles is not bad, you can do it, you just haven't done it yet When I started riding again last year, I was stopping every mile to get my breath. Pretty soon I was doing the 5 miles to work non-stop... Then I was doing it faster and doing longer rides on days off, the hills were getting easier. 10 miles, then 15, then 20, then 25... you get the idea.. Cycling is fantastic aerobic exercise.

For diet, I just eat real food, avoid junk food and heavily processed stuff. Pasta and rice are excellent for carbs, put them with chicken or beef for protein. I always cook myself, it's just better... curries, spaghetti bolognese, pasta bakes, (pizza now and again). Before a morning ride I'll have breakfast, a few slices of toast or a bowl of cereal, about a couple of hours before setting off. If I'm going to be riding more than 2 hours, I'll take some home-made flapjack bars with me and a gel for emergencies and eat something about every hour, along with taking water. If you cramped up, you might need to drink more water. For the first 2-3 miles I just take it easier to let myself warm up.

Best thing you can do to be safe on the road is to make yourself visible. If you aren't in the space where drivers are looking, they won't even notice you're there and that's when it gets scary. If you'll be cycling at night, get some lights on the bike and wear something bright. I always cringe when I see the "ninja cyclist" riding in the dark, wearing black with no lights how they survive I will never know.

 

[RWright]

I checked out craigslist Seattle, they have a lot of listings. My understanding is Seattle has a lot of days that it rains. If I were commuting every day I would probably lean toward disc brakes and fenders on a road bike or touring bike. Not knowing your budget it is hard to get much more specific. 40 miles a day is no minor commute. It can be easily done but you will take a little while to build up the to point you are comfortable with it. You will need clothes, tools, lights, inner tubes ect. The list of things you will want will grow as you advance. Racks, panniers, work stand and so on. Keep that in mind. A good road bike with fenders will probably work fine in your climate as well but regular brakes do not work as well as disc in the rain, they will work but you have to be more conscious of what you are doing. .

Just be careful using Craigslist if you decide to go that route. You need to know a little about sizing to buy like that. I have bought four bikes using it and have been happy with my purchases. Get names and phone numbers if you are really serious about a particular bike. Talk to the people a little while and try to get a feel for what is going on and don't be carrying around a wad of cash to meet someone at some remote location or anything weird. Oh yeah, they all say " I have somebody else that wants it but they can't come until day after tomorrow ", or some silly BS like that. Handle that by saying Oh Ok, I wouldn't want to buy anything out from under anyone. That usually gets me the response of "but it is first come first serve". Then you can start negotiating price if you like, or you can wait until you see the bike. There are too many ways to play the negotiation game for me get into that but I have had a lot of experience in that area from both sides. Being nice has its advantages a lot of the time.

 

[RWright]

No disc brakes but this might do the trick. Assuming it is the right size.

Price might be a little high but you never know, he might take less for it.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4076529900.html

found something else I like better but it is a little big for me.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4075942130.html

I wish I had not started looking at the Seattle listings. I have seen two I would have been calling about already. I would probably buy the Jake the Snake if it was in good shape and he would work on the price a little. I also found a very fresh looking Trek 6500 Mountain bike for a reasonable price too. I think I am a bikoholic.

 

[clid61]

WUM

 

[Crackle]

I was going to mention RWright's excellent finds on Craiglist but he's beaten me to it.

For a commuter bike you don't need suspension, a hybrid type bike, flat bars, thinner wheels, fenders, is probably the kind of thing you need to look for.

On the commute, if you can split it, that works well. Say cycle in one morning, use another method to get home and back the next day and cycle back the next evening. Depends on having somewhere secure for your bike where you can leave it and on that note, keep funds aside for a good D-lock.

The other option for splitting your journey is to take the bike part way on public transport (if possible) or even in the car and cycle the rest of the way, slowly extending the distance over a few weeks and at first, don't push hard, if you feel yourself pushing hard, just take some pressure off the pedals, after a week or two, especially at your age, you'll be into a rhythm.

Nutrition, a good breakfast, oats are good ,release energy slower, hence flapjacks are good snacks and then maybe slightly more of what you normally eat. At first you''ll feel hungry but your body adapts.

Good luck

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

@xxKai. Having to change your Pacific Reflex is no loss. It looks very similar to my old Apollo Excel:

which was quite horrible. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they both came out of the same factory. I'm glad mine only cost £60 brand new. (I only got it because the previous cheap bike needed at least £80 worth of spares to fix - seemed like a good idea at the time.)

The bikes suggested by @RWright look good and would allow you to do 20 miles much quicker than on a suspension bike.

With regard to the legs cramping up, the thing that immediately catches my eye is how low the saddle is set on both of the bikes you've shown us. Getting the saddle height right makes a huge difference to how easy the bike is to ride and is higher than a lot of people expect.
As a rough guide, set it so that your leg is dead straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke with your heel on the pedal. The leg should then have roughly the right amount of bend when pedalling with the ball of the foot, and the height can be fine tuned to suit you from there (it may have to go very slightly higher still).

I hope the bike search goes well.

 

[HLaB]

A new bike will make things a lot easier but in the meantime you may consider slicker tryes and as above getting the saddle height correct. A urban (town) (or somethimes called a hybrid bike) will probably be your best bet. FWIW Hybrid cover a large spectrum of bikes from heavier mountainbike type bikes to light flat bar road bike, test riding see what suits you before you part with your cash is pretty imprortant. Also as said get a bike without suspension unless you are planning on spending big buck and serious off road riding. I prefer a dropped bar roadbike myself there more nimble and faster IMO but you may or may not get on with them (again a test ride is vital).
As to nutrition I wouldn't go for anything special, jus regular eating (unless thats Big Macs, etc for you ). Initially carry fluid and maybe some light snacks (bananas/ cereal bars/ jelly babies (great glucose boost)) but when you are fit and you'll get there you'll be looking to do the one way trip in about an hour (depending on traffic) and will probably just carry water.
As to safety I'm not sure if you have any adult cycle schemes but the big essesnce of them is to ride like a small car (be assertive at times).
Good Luck

 

[Gravity Aided]

I'd keep an eye on your local craigslist, you see some great stuff there. Many older Giants and Treks would be nice, especially touring bikes, considering the distance you are covering each day. Jamis Satellite over in Lynwood looks nice, for $250.00. Looks like that bike shop has a lot of nice bikes over there.(Tims'). There is also a free Peugeot over in Beacon Hill. Seattle looks like a Bicycle Flipper's Mecca. Prices are high, but the selection cannot be beat. Except, of course, in Chicago or NYC.

 

[xxKai]

Thanks guys for all your very helpful suggestions =] I'm going to think about this tell hard and I'll update here when I've made a decision, or about to buy a bike. I'm looking for hybrid in Craig's and also at the bikes you linked me to, my budget would be closer towards 300-400 because it's my first bike, but who knows lol, again thanks

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