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i have a '13 cross rip elite and like it a lot. i liked the bigger tires and have since put on 35 mm knobbies since has become more of my riding / towing the kids bike. i have about 2500 miles on it with no issues and has been a good bike.

negatives - the mechanical disc brakes aren't the best but good and its a heavy bike.

that said i have since moved to KC and there are not many trails around me. i got a '14 CAAD10 on clearance and is much more fun to ride on my hilly routes.
 
twocoach said:
Agreed. A new $400 bike is pretty low end and will probably leave you with pretty regular maintenance bills.
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Not necessarily.
I bought a brand new 2013 GT mountain bike for $350ish. Have put about 2,000 miles on it and has never needed a repair. The back tire is worn and probably needs replaced sometime soon, but that's it.

I also just bought a gently used State Bicycle fixie ($450 brand new) on CL a few weeks ago, so we'll see how that holds up.
 
ISUCHIEF said:
Bumping this thread... I currently ride a 2008 Trek 7.5 FX. It has been a great bike but is time to put some cash into it (needs new cassette, crankset, chain, tires, brakes... was also thinking of going to clipless pedals). I am trying to decide whether to fix it up and keep riding it or if i should go all out and upgrade to newer, better bike. I mostly ride trails and country roads (some gravel), but am starting to enjoy some longer and challenging biking events.

After spending a few hours today out looking around at various bike shops around town, these are the bikes that were recommended. I didn't have any worthwhile test rides because I am 6'3" and they all would need to order the right size bike in for me. Looking for some unbiased CF opinions :jimlad:

-Trek Crossrip Elite
-Felt F65x
-Jamis Nova Sport / Race / Pro (only had the sport in stock, limited number of the other 2 left)
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I have a Felt road bike and love it. Rides like a dream, and is a kind of cool off-kilter brand that's just as good as the more recognized brand names but has I think a smaller and more devout following.
 
Gonzo said:
I have a Felt road bike and love it. Rides like a dream, and is a kind of cool off-kilter brand that's just as good as the more recognized brand names but has I think a smaller and more devout following.
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I agree on Felt, had a z85 for about 5 years, never a problem. Sold it this past spring and upgraded to a Salsa.
 
cyismydog said:
I will be moving to the Bay Area (Menlo Park) at the end of the month, and I'm not going to have a car because it's so expensive. Where I'm living is about a mile (via a bike path and a little road riding) from where work, and I'm planning on getting a bike in the $300-$400 range. What recommendations do you have?
Also, I'm 6'6" so it has to be able to fit me.

Thanks!
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you may be able to get a low-end Cannondale hybrid. (or look on Craigslist out there)

If you go to a shop for a new one, make sure you get an EXPERIENCED salesperson to measure you and fit you with the correct model. Well worth the time and hassle
 
Gonzo said:
I have a Felt road bike and love it. Rides like a dream, and is a kind of cool off-kilter brand that's just as good as the more recognized brand names but has I think a smaller and more devout following.
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I searched for like 2 years before we finally pulled the trigger on new bikes after going to every store imaginable several times. The shop we really liked only sold Felt and Norcal bikes (along with some really high end road bike company whose name escapes me). I really liked the Felt's I road but ended up with a really nice more entry level Norcal that I absolutely love so far.
 
I would go the craigslist route with your budget and I would try and get it bought her in the midwest before you head out to the Bay area where people can be a lot less trustworthy and you not being familiar with the area won't help.

I had mountain bikes for a long time until the wife got into road bike riding and I was ready to make the change but didn't want to pay the amounts they wanted for new bikes. I paid $200 for a Specialized Sequoia that fit me the way it should and the app(see below) said in good condition it was worth $500+. It had a busted front derailer so I bought that and a new chain. Thing runs like a champ and I don't have $300 into the project.

I would also suggest learning up on the bikes. I have an android phone and installed Bicycle Blue Book on my phone that gives you fair market values for whatever bikes are out there. they don't give you values for added equipment but they really helped me have an idea what a bike was worth before I went to check it out. If you have an apple phone I am sure there are the same apps for them as well. First thing to do is figure out the size of bike you need and you can narrow your searches down pretty quickly. Good Luck
 
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Thanks to all for the feedback. I will definitely check out the salsa bikes. I decided to put the work into my 7.5 fx and ride it the rest of this summer and start budgeting to upgrade next spring.

On another note, was talking to a few friends and I'm also thinking there should be a fanatic day on the HTT this summer. I would come up from CB for that.
 
cyclonedave25 said:
Not necessarily.
I bought a brand new 2013 GT mountain bike for $350ish. Have put about 2,000 miles on it and has never needed a repair. The back tire is worn and probably needs replaced sometime soon, but that's it.

I also just bought a gently used State Bicycle fixie ($450 brand new) on CL a few weeks ago, so we'll see how that holds up.
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State Bicycle! End thread.
 
[video=youtube;CDafMzo4HO8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDafMzo4HO8[/video]

Make sure you get one of these aftermarket accessories.
 
A little OT, but any good recs for places to ride single track in Iowa? I haven't lived there in 5 years and haven't taken my bike home for visits but will be taking it this fall (cross-country move). Looking anywhere in central IA or eastern IA. I've heard 7 Oaks has decent trails and there might be a couple places near Indianola? Anything in CR/IC area?
 
BikeSkiClone said:
A little OT, but any good recs for places to ride single track in Iowa? I haven't lived there in 5 years and haven't taken my bike home for visits but will be taking it this fall (cross-country move). Looking anywhere in central IA or eastern IA. I've heard 7 Oaks has decent trails and there might be a couple places near Indianola? Anything in CR/IC area?
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The QC has a number of trails, here is the website to the group that maintains them.

http://www.qcforc.org/content.php
 
BikeSkiClone said:
A little OT, but any good recs for places to ride single track in Iowa? I haven't lived there in 5 years and haven't taken my bike home for visits but will be taking it this fall (cross-country move). Looking anywhere in central IA or eastern IA. I've heard 7 Oaks has decent trails and there might be a couple places near Indianola? Anything in CR/IC area?
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I don't know what type of course it is, but I've heard that Whiterock Conservatory in Coon Rapids has done a ton of work to their trail.
 
Lots of good advice in here. Unless you plan on going fast paying more is not going to make any difference. Fit will though. So make sure you get one that fits, but the more you spend the faster it gets stolen too.
 
I'd recommend a decent mirror & bell and a rear rack to hold a truck bag & panniers. Outdoor Tech Buckshot is a nice smaller bluetooth speaker that will play for 14 hrs. Its not really loud but direct the sound decently. The bell will warn others (walker & other rider) you are near/passing. The busier the trails the more you need to watch out for others. Remember to treat the walkers like you want the cars to treat you...
 
cyismydog said:
I will be moving to the Bay Area (Menlo Park) at the end of the month, and I'm not going to have a car because it's so expensive. Where I'm living is about a mile (via a bike path and a little road riding) from where work, and I'm planning on getting a bike in the $300-$400 range. What recommendations do you have?
Also, I'm 6'6" so it has to be able to fit me.

Thanks!
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Craig's List. After you see a listing, txt for the mfg frame size, then check with mfg web site for size chart. You will need the largest frame they make, and then maybe some tweaks to the headset. IF you find one that half way fits, offer them half what they are asking. Depending upon your road surface (cracks/trash), importatnt to outfit with tire widths accordingly. Plan on it being stolen if you pay more than $300 used.
 
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