We went through a few walmart bikes then bought two Townies about 3 years ago. great bikes, easy to ride and you don't have to lay on it to ride.
Eddie
03 Fleetwood Pride, 36-5L
04 Ford F-250 Superduty
15K Pullrite Superglide
Old coach 04 Pace Arrow 37C with brakes sometimes.
Owner- The Toy Shop-
Auto Restoration and Customs-28years
We love 56 T-Birds
We have Cruisers. Me a Schwinn Riverside 7 speed, and her a single speed Huffy, because she don't like hand brakes, and gears. It's all she needs. We ride around town, and in the CGs. For me Bike that I have to lay down on to ride Suk. I LOVE being able to sit up and ride the Cruiser. Much more comfortable, easier to get on, and safer than the usual Mountain, or racer bike.
It also handels the front basket, and rear saddle bags better. I can carry a pile of ice, and stuff back from the CG store.
For us. There is no need to pay $400 for a bike. We justy don't use, and abuse them that much.
As for getting them serviced. Should it need it. The locak bike shop will be glad to take your money to fix it. They don't care you didn't buy it there.
We've owned Downtube folding bikes since we bought our 5th wheel. They store in travel bags...and we put them in the bedroom when we're on the road.
We use them when we go camping...and we use them daily for excercise when we're at home.
The 9 speed cassette does a good job of giving you the power you need. The bike comes with fittings to swap to disc brakes, or add an electric motor hub if you want. You could even add a front derailleur if you wanted to for extra gears.
The only thing we've done to ours is add lights for night riding, and more comfortable seats...
I'm in full agreement with St. Augustine. We have found that Specialized is the best brand for hybrids. My son has a Trek mountain bike that's virtually indestructible, but a hybrid is perfect for what you want to do. We put a bike rack on the back of the toad to carry them.
Subscribe to the 3 "L" rule-don't stop livin', lovin' and learnin'
RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road.
Whatever you do, avoid bikes at the discount big box stores. They usually at best are not adjustable, and at worst can be unsafe. They also can't be upgraded should you decide to get a different set of chainrings, or decide to go with a different suspension fork.
This doesn't mean one has to spend four digits at a bike shop. I bought an entry level hardtail in 2006 that was a model year old. I got it for a very good price (almost half off), and so far, has held up excellently.
Were I to buy a bike specifically for the RV, I'd definitely go with a folding bike that can be put in a case and stored in the coach or one of the compartments. That way, I don't have to worry about someone trashing the bikes if the MH rear-ended, or someone stealing them (most bike racks have a cable or padlock for theft deterrence, but a good set of bolt cutters renders that moot.)
lat471 wrote: I had an 18 speed mountaing bike that I litteraly beat the******out of a few years ago. A yearly tune up worked wonders until the bike repair guy said this is about the last year.
Brings an interesting question. What was 'done' about the bike that made it 'done'? I'm not familiar with the industry, but I thought they were pretty much rebuildable. As I am/was, considering a used, 'high end' bike.
Your report is a bit scary, as I've been looking at the used Marin and Jamis, Mountain Bikes with full suspension, in the $500-$1000, range. I remember as a kid, rebuilding the old single and 3speed stuff. The frames were very durable, and everything else was 'wear out'.
P.S. ; What exactly is a bybrid?
* This post was
edited 06/05/12 06:57am by rehoppe *
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT
If you want back comfort while riding, consider a hybrid or comfort bicycle. The handle bar stems are higher, the seat is better padded and you feel like you are sitting up, its alot easier on the back and you get to see what is in front of you verses hunched over and looking at the ground. If you want the bike to last go to a bicycle dealer. They will properly fit you and you get a quality bike that has better shifters, frames, seats, wheels, derailuers, bearings, etc. If you want a throw-a-away bike that is sold on appearance then buy one from the department stores. I have built and repaired bikes for 4 decades and you get what you pay for.
I have the Swagman XTC-2 which is a great rack for fast loading and the side bars fold-up. Tried alot of racks and like this one the best. It has an offset to keep the wheels up when used on the hitch.
Ductape Dave wrote: If you want back comfort while riding, consider a hybrid or comfort bicycle. The handle bar stems are higher, the seat is better padded and you feel like you are sitting up, its alot easier on the back and you get to see what is in front of you verses hunched over and looking at the ground. If you want the bike to last go to a bicycle dealer. They will properly fit you and you get a quality bike that has better shifters, frames, seats, wheels, derailuers, bearings, etc. If you want a throw-a-away bike that is sold on appearance then buy one from the department stores. I have built and repaired bikes for 4 decades and you get what you pay for.
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