RFD Cycling Thread [OFFICIAL]

[suge]

hi all,

So im looking to get back into mountain biking and buying a bike in the next few months. My questions to you guys is would I be better off waiting till the toronto bike show in march or do local retailers have decent prices comparable to the show.

Im looking to spend anywhere between 500-700 on a good decent beginners bike.

Any suggestions?

[djmr2]

anyone recommend a good online retailer for bike tires? I need to get me some nice slicks for this summer!

[Stock R]

hi all,

So im looking to get back into mountain biking and buying a bike in the next few months. My questions to you guys is would I be better off waiting till the toronto bike show in march or do local retailers have decent prices comparable to the show.

Im looking to spend anywhere between 500-700 on a good decent beginners bike.

Any suggestions?

Go to the show. I think you'll have better luck there. For your budget, aluminum hardtail for sure. Mark downs won't be as heavy for your price range since there's less money to be made. Go early. Lots of people are working with a similar budget and once it's gone, it's gone!

anyone recommend a good online retailer for bike tires? I need to get me some nice slicks for this summer!

Pro Bike Kit.

[Renton]

anyone recommend a good online retailer for bike tires? I need to get me some nice slicks for this summer!

For tires I had better luck with Ribble (or was it Wiggle? one of the two); two Conti 4000S, shipped for $70.
Didn't pay tax or duty.

[pseudo]

hi all,

So im looking to get back into mountain biking and buying a bike in the next few months. My questions to you guys is would I be better off waiting till the toronto bike show in march or do local retailers have decent prices comparable to the show.

Im looking to spend anywhere between 500-700 on a good decent beginners bike.

Any suggestions?

try evolution cycles in richmond hill.. talk to mike.. he might be able to give you an equal or better deal than bikeshow

[O1IN85]

anyone recommend a good online retailer for bike tires? I need to get me some nice slicks for this summer!

If you want to buy now: Ribble

If you want to wait for that "magical" coupon code: ProBikeKit

You try Wiggle, but again, like PBK, they're only competitive once they have that magical coupon code.

I ordered from Ribble and got it on the 9th business day. Their processing time is very slow but I'm not really in a rush. Their prices are already competitive VS EBAY/American online retailers.

[mikeymike1]

anyone recommend a good online retailer for bike tires? I need to get me some nice slicks for this summer!

For me its Chain Reaction
Time after time their tub prices always seem to be better

[sarnya]

I apologize if this has been posted before, but this thread is pretty long. I don't know how to search within a thread or if that's even possible.

Does anyone have any experience with cycling clubs in Toronto?

I've found Toronto Bicycling Network, Beaches Cycling Club, High Park Cycling Club, Lap Dogs and Midweek. I purchased my first road bike recently and I'm looking to join a club that rides on weekend mornings. I'm not inexperienced but I've never done a group ride before. I've heard there's a lot of big egos in cycling clubs and it's intimidating showing up alone when everybody already knows each other at these rides.

I live really close to High Park but I noticed the cycling club doesn't always meet there. I noticed the Beaches club meets at the same spot every week, which I like the idea of.

My new bike is a BMC SR02. I've been riding my Trek 7.1FX back and forth to work for over 2 years. I commute nearly everyday of the week on my bike... the longest ride I've ever done is 45km. I think I'm ready to join one of these groups and get off the Martin Goodman trail this summer. Thanks for any insight!

[cyclocommuter]

I apologize if this has been posted before, but this thread is pretty long. I don't know how to search within a thread or if that's even possible.

Does anyone have any experience with cycling clubs in Toronto?

I've found Toronto Bicycling Network, Beaches Cycling Club, High Park Cycling Club, Lap Dogs and Midweek. I purchased my first road bike recently and I'm looking to join a club that rides on weekend mornings. I'm not inexperienced but I've never done a group ride before. I've heard there's a lot of big egos in cycling clubs and it's intimidating showing up alone when everybody already knows each other at these rides.

I live really close to High Park but I noticed the cycling club doesn't always meet there. I noticed the Beaches club meets at the same spot every week, which I like the idea of.

My new bike is a BMC SR02. I've been riding my Trek 7.1FX back and forth to work for over 2 years. I commute nearly everyday of the week on my bike... the longest ride I've ever done is 45km. I think I'm ready to join one of these groups and get off the Martin Goodman trail this summer. Thanks for any insight!

You could try riding with the Toronto Donut Ride. This is an informal group that rides every Saturday and Sunday mornings and on holidays. No need to know anyone or pay any membership fee. There is a level of risk associated with riding in a group this size at high speeds though.

[wushudrew]

I go on the TBN Sunday rides that start from Finch station and the riders are good, friendly people. The rides also split by speed with the idea that youll always be with people around your level. The TBN runs some rides out of High Park. Their 2012 schedule isnt up yet, but you can see their scheduled rides from 2011 to get an idea of where they start from.

The Donut is high-paced and can be fairly unforgiving if you cant keep up. The main group doesnt wait for anyone and the ride is in the 60-70+km range depending on where you join the ride along the route. If you havent done group rides before, try starting with a cycling club like the TBN or a local bicycle shop group ride which will probably be more accessible.

[gringotts]

anyone recommend a good online retailer for bike tires? I need to get me some nice slicks for this summer!

i've had luck scouring through nashbar for most of my gear.

and i second PBK suggestion if you catch a good deal or coupon

[sarnya]

Thanks wushudrew and cyclocommuter.

I've read about the Donut Ride and I don't think I'm interested. It sounds like a big ego-fest with a lot of unfriendly people. Probably not the best choice for a beginner.

Thanks for pointing out the Sunday TBN rides. They seem to have a lot of options... urban trails, rides around Campbellville , north GTA... looks pretty cool. I guess I've got another couple months decide.

[pseudo]

Thanks wushudrew and cyclocommuter.

I've read about the Donut Ride and I don't think I'm interested. It sounds like a big ego-fest with a lot of unfriendly people. Probably not the best choice for a beginner.

Thanks for pointing out the Sunday TBN rides. They seem to have a lot of options... urban trails, rides around Campbellville , north GTA... looks pretty cool. I guess I've got another couple months decide.

Re tbn, membership is discounted during bikeshow. And they do meet up at the grenadier cafe, ( I think this is the saturday morning ride group.)

Re donut ride, I really dont suggest for beginners. You can try but I suggest to stay behind until you get comfortable and experienced riding in groups.

I agreee with wushu, tbn would be your best bet.

[wushudrew]

Thanks wushudrew and cyclocommuter.

I've read about the Donut Ride and I don't think I'm interested. It sounds like a big ego-fest with a lot of unfriendly people. Probably not the best choice for a beginner.

Thanks for pointing out the Sunday TBN rides. They seem to have a lot of options... urban trails, rides around Campbellville , north GTA... looks pretty cool. I guess I've got another couple months decide.

Ive been doing the Donut for some time and most riders arent egotistical or unfriendly - theres just a certain sort of 'etiquette' that experienced road riders have when theyre on the bike and sometimes it rubs off the wrong way. Youll learn a fair bit of it on any group ride after some time, and hopefully there will be people around to explain stuff and make it easier.

From a social point of view, Ive enjoyed my time with the TBN far more. The rides are more friendly and better-paced and the people are much more relaxed. Almost all of the routes they take have maps given out at the start and there are almost always stops along the way. Its hard to beat the Donut for a good, hard group ride though!

[IMWHFMPC]

make the rfd group for ride for heart again pleaseee