Recommendation for bicycle?

[zcf]

Anyone cycle here? Too poor to take Public Transport nowaday
Looking to cycling as exercise during the weekend, but know nothing much about brand or technology in bicycle.
Budgeted around $400~500. IS it possible to get a light weight road bicycle at that price? What is the in thing now? Aluminium, alloy? Can't afford Carbon fire.
Are those suspension really useful or not, it seem to add quite some weight to the bicycle.

Any good place to get? Carrefour? Or buy second handed bike like camera ;p

 

[advrider]

if on a budget, get aleoca but the quality sucks. crappy deuraillers and brakes. scared for u.

if you have some more $$, get something from first track or get something from the uncle shops. much better than aleoca bikes.

aluminium is in.. but get a good lock and learn how to properly lock the bike.

carbon figure is too fragile. crack and gone. not worth. alum still can do some welding.

sus is up to you. hardtail still best for singapore roads. front sus is ok. but get good ones....depends on your $$ again...

 

[zcf]

if on a budget, get aleoca but the quality sucks. crappy deuraillers and brakes. scared for u.

if you have some more $$, get something from first track or get something from the uncle shops. much better than aleoca bikes.

aluminium is in.. but get a good lock and learn how to properly lock the bike.

carbon figure is too fragile. crack and gone. not worth. alum still can do some welding.

sus is up to you. hardtail still best for singapore roads. front sus is ok. but get good ones....depends on your $$ again...

So what is a reasonable price range to get a reasonable quality bike? $600~800? Not really into highend one like over $1000 though.:sweat:

 

[zac08]

Anyone cycle here? Too poor to take Public Transport nowaday
Looking to cycling as exercise during the weekend, but know nothing much about brand or technology in bicycle.
Budgeted around $400~500. IS it possible to get a light weight road bicycle at that price? What is the in thing now? Aluminium, alloy? Can't afford Carbon fire.
Are those suspension really useful or not, it seem to add quite some weight to the bicycle.

Any good place to get? Carrefour? Or buy second handed bike like camera ;p

Go for a good steel bike, these will last you well. Aluminium frames have a lifespan and will deteriorate over the years. Next up is the Cro-moly, or other alloy frames.

As for suspension, it's meant to eat up the shocks when you're travelling off road, if you dun do so, then it's not required.

Look around in some of the bike shops, you may get a good steal occasionally.

 

[mohgui]

if you have the passion to cycle and want to cycle long term, i'd suggest you get a good bike. the money spent is well worth it. go for quality and reliability. prices of such bikes start from $700 and above.

don't buy something cheap and regret later.

 

[mohgui]

if you are into mountain biking, you may not require rear suspension. the front hydraulic shocks should suffice. try to get both front and rear disc brakes. i personally feel they have better stopping capabilities.

 

[zcf]

Go for a good steel bike, these will last you well. Aluminium frames have a lifespan and will deteriorate over the years. Next up is the Cro-moly, or other alloy frames.

As for suspension, it's meant to eat up the shocks when you're travelling off road, if you dun do so, then it's not required.

Look around in some of the bike shops, you may get a good steal occasionally.

I find steel one rather heavy and eat up a lot more energy while cycling. Use to enjoy cycling road bike more than steel mountain bike. Don't think I will cycle through really rough area.
I don't even know what are the regular price, how to get a good steal? Not to get conned will be good enough :sweat:

 

[zcf]

if you have the passion to cycle and want to cycle long term, i'd suggest you get a good bike. the money spent is well worth it. go for quality and reliability. prices of such bikes start from $700 and above.

don't buy something cheap and regret later.

if you are into mountain biking, you may not require rear suspension. the front hydraulic shocks should suffice. try to get both front and rear disc brakes. i personally feel they have better stopping capabilities.

The cycling track in Jurong East area seem to be improved and more park connector now, so thinking of cycling around. I hardly see any disc brake in most bicycle shops, giant or carrefour. Is it an expensive feature? $700 still within my consideration, just don't know where to look for and buy.

 

[advrider]

for $700 you get a very good bike. if you know how. assemble it yourself. get good parts, frame, shimano stuff, good pedals. etc etc.

all my bikes i assemble myself. ;p

 

[mohgui]

The cycling track in Jurong East area seem to be improved and more park connector now, so thinking of cycling around. I hardly see any disc brake in most bicycle shops, giant or carrefour. Is it an expensive feature? $700 still within my consideration, just don't know where to look for and buy.

sure you can get front and rear disc brakes bicycle at that price. i got my Kona Fire Mountain 2005 (i think) for $660 and a bicycle shop in Tampines. you can even customize your ride to suit your budget.

 

[asterixsg]

I bought a mountain bike last year from a shop called Chapter 2, in Ang Mo Kio. Its run by a fantastic chap called Ben. The brand of the bike I bought is "Giant" and the good thing about this bike is that you can change the tyres to slim ones, which gives you a 30% increase in speed (compared to regular mountain bike tyres). I've used this bike in the Oakley duathlon and a few triathlons. Its pretty decent (of course, can't compare it to those Trek roadbikes lah) and I think I paid around 500-600 bucks.

I usually go biking on Mandai road on weekends. If you wanna meetup and want to take a look at the bike, let me know.

You can PM me if you need more details.

Cheers.

 

[zcf]

customize and self assemble :sweat:
Though I am a bit DIY stuff, but still not reach the standard to do that yet. Will need to do more reading.... :sweat:

But generally speaking, is those neighbourhood bicycle shop cheaper than carrefour alike? Or better to get stuff from higher end shops? Remember there's a bicycle shop around Tanglin mall area, will wide selection of bicycle, but some prices are a bit prohibiting :bigeyes:

 

[peapilot]

My suggestions -

- Get an alu frame. Why? It's the cheapest and for the kind of riding you do (commuting) it'll probably outlast you. Steel is good, but with your budget don't even bother because good steel frames don't come cheap. Also, steel in our climate is more vulnerable to rust so alu is your best bet for a low maintainence bike.

- Skip the suspension, all that moving parts just mean more weight and maintainence and higher cost. You don't need it on the road. If you want a smoother ride just get larger volume tires and drop the tire pressure.

- Get skinnies. The rolling resistance will be reduced and you will go much faster. When riding, most of your energy is expended on rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag, when you get a skinny/slick tire you ride more efficiently. Don't be led into thinking knobby tires will get you more grip on the road, because the opposite is actually true.

- Geometry. Geometry of the bike will affect how it feels and how comfortable your ride is. For a speedy commuter bike, you might want to get a roadbike frame, but set the handlebar a little bit higher. Most decent bike shops should be able to help you out with fitting. Always remember - the bike should fit you, not the other way round.

If you want value for money, you can also look for millen at fusion cycles. He operates out of his home and can be found on http://www.fusioncycle.com/

For true low maintainence commuting, you might want to go the singlespeed route. It might not be cheaper, but singlespeed fans swear by it. You can look up lynten at the bike boutique for help.

Feel free to pm me if you need anymore help.

 

[zac08]

customize and self assemble
Though I am a bit DIY stuff, but still not reach the standard to do that yet. Will need to do more reading.... :sweat:

But generally speaking, is those neighbourhood bicycle shop cheaper than carrefour alike? Or better to get stuff from higher end shops? Remember there's a bicycle shop around Tanglin mall area, will wide selection of bicycle, but some prices are a bit prohibiting :bigeyes:

Try not to go to specialised shops and not all neighbourhood shops are cheap...

You gotta look around and read up some first. I remember a forum called togoparts, I think... it caters to the bikers... As for steel frames, actually with a good set of hubs and wheels, it ain't tat heavy to move, only the carrying part is murder... :sweat::bsmilie:

Getting a average frame, about $100 - 200, good gears another $200 - 300, wheels about another $100 or so, then a good seat and brakes, should be within your budget. Look around.

 

[zcf]

I bought a mountain bike last year from a shop called Chapter 2, in Ang Mo Kio. Its run by a fantastic chap called Ben. The brand of the bike I bought is "Giant" and the good thing about this bike is that you can change the tyres to slim ones, which gives you a 30% increase in speed (compared to regular mountain bike tyres). I've used this bike in the Oakley duathlon and a few triathlons. Its pretty decent (of course, can't compare it to those Trek roadbikes lah) and I think I paid around 500-600 bucks.

I usually go biking on Mandai road on weekends. If you wanna meetup and want to take a look at the bike, let me know.

You can PM me if you need more details.

Cheers.

Thanks, but Mandai a bit too far for me. yup, I personally prefer those slim tyre.

 

[zcf]

My suggestions -

- Get an alu frame. Why? It's the cheapest and for the kind of riding you do (commuting) it'll probably outlast you. Steel is good, but with your budget don't even bother because good steel frames don't come cheap. Also, steel in our climate is more vulnerable to rust so alu is your best bet for a low maintainence bike.

- Skip the suspension, all that moving parts just mean more weight and maintainence and higher cost. You don't need it on the road. If you want a smoother ride just get larger volume tires and drop the tire pressure.

- Get skinnies. The rolling resistance will be reduced and you will go much faster. When riding, most of your energy is expended on rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag, when you get a skinny/slick tire you ride more efficiently. Don't be led into thinking knobby tires will get you more grip on the road, because the opposite is actually true.

- Geometry. Geometry of the bike will affect how it feels and how comfortable your ride is. For a speedy commuter bike, you might want to get a roadbike frame, but set the handlebar a little bit higher. Most decent bike shops should be able to help you out with fitting. Always remember - the bike should fit you, not the other way round.

If you want value for money, you can also look for millen at fusion cycles. He operates out of his home and can be found on http://www.fusioncycle.com/

For true low maintainence commuting, you might want to go the singlespeed route. It might not be cheaper, but singlespeed fans swear by it. You can look up lynten at the bike boutique for help.

Feel free to pm me if you need anymore help.

Thanks for the info and opinion, that does get me some where to start. But the bike in the website seem to be over my budget :sweat:

 

[zcf]

Try not to go to specialised shops and not all neighbourhood shops are cheap...

You gotta look around and read up some first. I remember a forum called togoparts, I think... it caters to the bikers... As for steel frames, actually with a good set of hubs and wheels, it ain't tat heavy to move, only the carrying part is murder... :sweat::bsmilie:

Getting a average frame, about $100 - 200, good gears another $200 - 300, wheels about another $100 or so, then a good seat and brakes, should be within your budget. Look around.

yup seem that forum, but need long timing to read up. Think I need more read up before I can do the purchase :sweat:.

 

[mohgui]

carrefour only carries Aleoca. i don't find this brand interesting.

you'd be surprised at the range some neighbourhood shops carry. since there's a wide range of models, price also ranges from cheap to expensive.

the shop at Tanglin carries mostly expensive brands.

you can try the shop at Bukit Timah too... not sure if it's called Tan Cycles. check them out... they have a lot of stuff there.

 

[mohgui]

btw, you don't have to build your ride from scratch. can always buy a complete set and then change the parts (at your fancy) for better ones. this will save you time and headache.

 

[peapilot]

Thanks for the info and opinion, that does get me some where to start. But the bike in the website seem to be over my budget :sweat:

Give the shop owner a call, he'll be able to help you out. That bike on the front page wasn't what I was recommending.