Which Bike for my needs ?

[g00se]

Hi. Single speed bikes have no gears but have a free-wheel - so when you stop pedalling, the bike still polls forward. Fixed-wheel bikes have no free-wheel so you have to keep pedalling all the time - unless you're stationary. They're basically track bikes (race on banked velodrome circuits) which also have no brakes. Though the ones on the road usually do have brakes fitted, even if it's just one.

 

[arnuld]

Hi. Single speed bikes have no gears but have a free-wheel - so when you stop pedalling, the bike still polls forward. Fixed-wheel bikes have no free-wheel so you have to keep pedalling all the time ....

Ah... I got it. Those fixed-gears are known as racing cycles in India. No one will understand the word fixed-gear bike here at my place.

 

[andyfromotley]

cycling will make you fit.

cycling a fixed gear (racing cycle) will make you very fit.

good luck!!

 

[arnuld]

well, I'll have a go:-

Atlas - something in the Roadster range looks like it would do the trick. Possibly some of the Fancy bikes range but they do look a bit over-engineered.

.. SNIP..

hey MacB, I got one dealer of Merida here in India, he has some excellent Hard-Tail bikes, can you recommend some before I go and check?

 

[MacB]

Arnuld, the Meridas all seem ok and the frames look pretty similar, I'd be looking closely at the specs on each. For this you need to know what you can easily get hold of in the way of spare parts. Things like brake blocks, brakes disks, tyres, tubes, pedals, chains, chainrings(the cogs by the pedals), cogs/cassettes(the cogs at the back wheel).

I've never used disk brakes so I'd be comfier with rim brakes and it tends to be easier to get spares as well. Disks can be expensive if there's a problem.

Unless there's a physical reason not to you should go for 26" wheels.

Tyres - big knobbly tyres are hard work on tarmac and only really needed if serious offroad. If it's just loose soil and gravel then I'd keep the amount of tread to a minimum.

Bars - add on bar ends or get a trekking bar to allow you to change hand positions.

Chainset(cranks, bottom bracket and front rings) - make sure they're all seperate, ie replaceable individually rather than as a complete unit. for example, if it has 3 rings at the front you'll find you do most of your riding in the middle or outer ring. Much cheaper to just repalce that when it wears out rather than the whole thing.

Your dealer should be able to sort out the little bits above at no extra charge. Make sure he throws in things like a pump, spare tubes, onroad toolkit/saddlepack and a rack if you need one(easiest way to carry stuff). If you don't know how to do the basics(I certainly didn't) like changing tubes, repairing punctures, adjusting brakes and gears then get the dealer, or a local shop, to show you how. Oh yeah, cable/zip ties, get some and carry them, amazing what can be fixed temporarily with these.

 

[Arch]

What about the wheel: 20, 24 or 26 inches.. or that will not make a difference for me ?

and what about the primary concern , the exercise part. I can go by bus from one place to another as their are lots of buses available in Hyderabad but I can't exercise with that kind of traveling. Putting more energy into the bike will make my body fit or I am just having this fantasy here :-

Bigger wheels will roll over potholes better - if you think about it, a small wheel can go down into a big pothole. If the roads are bad, then bigger wheels will probably be better. Small wheels have other advantages - things like the smaller size being good for folding bikes. If you don't need a folding bike though, then bigger wheels will do fine. 26 inch is a very standard size, so you will find it easy to find tyres and so on to fit, whereas smaller tyres might be harder to find.

Exercise - yes, you will get fit, assuming you put effort in. Cycling is a great way to get fit, and at the same time get to places. Even if it seems hard to start with, it'll get easier, and you'll want to go further and further...

At the end of the day, any bike will get you about, as long as it's safe and properly put together. If it's hard work, you'll get stronger - unless it's so hard that you give up and don't use it. I've seen pictures of people using very basic bikes to carry huge loads, or whole families - they just have very strong legs built up over years!

And welcome to the forum by the way!

 

[arnuld]

I tried going out on some fly overs on my friend's bike and I was scared to death because it seemed like every four-wheeler is trying to crush the little cyclist, they don't even care to look. I will never go up a flyover in Hyderabad again, may be with a motorbike or 4-wheeler but never with a cycle.

 

[arnuld]

Arnuld, the Meridas all seem ok and the frames look pretty similar, I'd be looking closely at the specs on each. For this you need to know what you can easily get hold of in the way of spare parts. Things like brake blocks, brakes disks, tyres, tubes, pedals, chains, chainrings(the cogs by the pedals), cogs/cassettes(the cogs at the back wheel).

.. SNIP...

MacB thanks a lot

There is one reason I wanted to buy an FS MTB. Finally I will tell it to the folks here. for people in countries like Europe, UK or USA biking is a lifestyle, here in India, its just a vehicle of poor people. I wanted my bike to look good, attractive, fancy and different than all the bikes on road. In India bike (cycle, as we call it) is a status symbol It may look strange but if you are driving a cycle (especially SS) you may not be allowed to enter into shopping malls or branded stores (Benetton, Levi's, Adidas, NIKE etc.) Anyone having a cycle is considered as some sort of a menial worker. 2nd you will not get a girl-friend because no Indian girl wants to date a servant or a street-sweeper. Any girl ? But I don't care, I fell in love with MTBs as soon as I saw them

There is one MTB SS I have selected for myself, the only MTB SS. Its quite strange that FS and All-Terrain bikes of firefox have same prices and its more strange that MTB SS I have selected have same price as an FS :

 

[Randochap]

There is one reason I wanted to buy an FS MTB. Finally I will tell it to the folks here. for people in countries like Europe, UK or USA biking is a lifestyle, here in India, its just a vehicle of poor people. I wanted my bike to look good, attractive, fancy and different than all the bikes on road. In India bike (cycle, as we call it) is a status symbol It may look strange but if you are driving a cycle (especially SS) you may not be allowed to enter into shopping malls or branded stores (Benetton, Levi's, Adidas, NIKE etc.) Anyone having a cycle is considered as some sort of a menial worker. 2nd you will not get a girl-friend because no Indian girl wants to date a servant or a street-sweeper. Any girl ?

Not much different anywhere, arnuld. Fancy stores and shallow women prefer men in suits and fancy cars.

Who cares? Unless one wants to attract that kind of companion or shop in those bizarre bazars. All countries have their own kind of "caste system" and, unfortunately, cyclists still rank low in most.

Fly your freak flag.

 

[arnuld]

.. SNIP...

Unless there's a physical reason not to you should go for 26" wheels.

...SNIP...

My height is 5.7 feet. Will 26" wheels will be ok if I want to stand and keep the feet on ground comfortably, when I will not be driving (e.g. waiting for a green light)

 

[PpPete]

My height is 5.7 feet. Will 26" wheels will be ok if I want to stand and keep the feet on ground comfortably, when I will not be driving (e.g. waiting for a green light)

Yes - no problem there.
I think you will find that most adult size cycles in India are 26" wheel.

 

[arnuld]

..SNIP...

But even the terrain models seem to all have front suspension and be more in the shceme of BSO's (bike shaped objects) rather than a sturdy bike built to last.

Hey MacB,

Great news, there are more companies like cannondale, bianchi and schwinn, that are launching their bikes in India. Check this page for models going to be launched, I guess I can buy my dream hard-tail now

Personally I'd be looking elsewhere, maybe getting a frame and forks only then sourcing parts locally. At least that way you know that replacement parts will be easy to come by.

Yeah, thats what I have been thinking from last 2 days. I can wait for a while till those brands become easier to available (not to mention they are expansive, except schwinn bikes). Till then, I can use my locally assembled bike.

EDIT: you can check this web-site where all the prices/specs is available.