ACMESkydiver 0 #1 July 8, 2008 After much consideration, many friendly words of direction and advice, I'm foregoing the motorized bike (electric or gas) for a better form of power. Stubborn redhead power. Scientists are close to declaring it the world's only truly self-renewable resource for unlimited power, and I have a load of it, so might as well use it. I'm looking at the Giant Cypress DX W for a few reasons; Giant is a fairly well thought of bicycle manufacturer, and I got to 'test ride' a Cypress DX yesterday. Holy beautiful smoothness!! ). Apparently the gear set up and bike has a great climb for that monstrous hill I posted about in my motorized bicycle thread. I may actually be able to do this!! Here is the Giant Cypress DX W. Here is a comparable bike called the Giant Tran Send DX W. It has fenders and a rear rack already, and I'd be putting those on if I bought the Cypress DX W...I'm just trying to compare to see if there are any other differences in the two models. If not, I'll check pricing for fenders and a rack and see if it makes sense... Anyone have experience with Giant bikes? Oh...and yeah. They cost a lot compared to what I was wanting to spend: $400 for the Cypress, and I haven't checked my bike shop's pricing on the Tran Send... I'm going to a road race today at Pacific Raceways -the sales guy that was showing me the Giants yesterday is racing there today, and he told me to bring out my oxygen water and the sugar free energy drinks and I'd sell a ton. If I sell 100 cases tonight, I get my bike! Ok and last but not least I kinda like the sporty Tran Sport LX. Yikers on the MSRP though...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #2 July 8, 2008 Get a banana seat and some ape-drape handlebars with tassles and I'll say you have a bike."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #3 July 8, 2008 Quote Get a banana seat and some ape-drape handlebars with tassles and I'll say you have a bike. Naw I had a purple one of those when I was 10 & that doesn't need to be re-visited. -Actually, my little sis had that bike. I just took it from her all the time. I was a mean big-sissy. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #4 July 8, 2008 AWESOME! OUTSTANDING! GREAT JOB!Also, a local bike shop will likely tune your bike for free a couple of times after purchacing and riding it for a while. Every new bike has to be tuned after 20-30 hrs of riding (kinda like breaking in a new car) and the LBS you get it from usually will take care of that for you (btw, big box stores won't). Anyway, I hope you make a good decision and get the bike that BEST suits YOUR needs and is something youll be happy with for years. Oh and, if you think $750 is a lot for a bike, check out the msrp on this one. http://www.singletracks.com/mtbreviews/Ellsworth/Oracle/367.html Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawndiver 0 #5 July 8, 2008 Nice bike Acme! Be sure to ask the bike shop on how to properly break in disk brakes. If not done properly, they can get very noisy, especially when hot!_________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #6 July 8, 2008 I worked for a few years in a bike shop that sold Giants, they're a good brand. At least, they were when I was riding heavy in the late 90's. One thing to consider, your previous discussions mentioned you'd be climbing some big hills. Consider getting a "men's" frame rather than a "women's" model. Anymore, unless you're riding your bike to the gym in a hoop skirt, the low bar is useless. What it DOES do, however, is mess up the frame's geometry, which means it'll flex under you and waste the energy you're trying to move to the pedals. Chances are you may not notice the difference, but it'll be there. Also, the stiffer frame will be better for you when you get bitten by the riding bug and want to start offroading. Plus, I imagine a standard frame would be easier to sell used at a later date when you're ready to upgrade. Elvisio "just a thought" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #7 July 8, 2008 QuoteIt has 24 speeds, 3 deraileures on the front ONE deraileur, with THREE chainrings. The smallest chainring will typically be smaller than the smaller chainring of a double-chainring crankset, giving you lower gears than a double. Nice for climbing steep hills."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GaryRay 0 #8 July 8, 2008 dont get, its not pink :P. i dont understand why boy bicycle's have the bar really high up and girls have it low down, it should be opposite b/c when a guy falls off it hits his balls, when a girl falls off, she's ok!!! stupid bike manufacturer'sJewBag. www.jewbag.wordpress.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #9 July 8, 2008 Quote Also, a local bike shop will likely tune your bike for free a couple of times after purchacing and riding it for a while. Every new bike has to be tuned after 20-30 hrs of riding (kinda like breaking in a new car) and the LBS you get it from usually will take care of that for you (btw, big box stores won't). That's good to know. The bike shop that I went to is huge, and the guys there seemed to know their stuff -well, the guy I was talking to, anyhoo. He races and he also rides a Giant for leisure stuff, too. I expect that tune ups will likely come with a bike with a $400 price tag...well I hope so anyhoo! Quote Anyway, I hope you make a good decision and get the bike that BEST suits YOUR needs and is something youll be happy with for years. Oh and, if you think $750 is a lot for a bike, check out the msrp on this one. http://www.singletracks.com/mtbreviews/Ellsworth/Oracle/367.html Oh and I'm familiar with sticker shock for new bikes. Holy shnikeys I was seriously thinking I'd find something decent for $150 before I really started looking around...>sigh~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #10 July 8, 2008 the yellow one looks cool, and that's the most important thing. my bike has gears so low that i have the power to climb a verticle wall, but i can peddle my ass off and still not have enough forward speed to keep my bike upright, so super low gears may be useless if you don't have superior balance. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #11 July 8, 2008 Quote Nice bike Acme! Be sure to ask the bike shop on how to properly break in disk brakes. If not done properly, they can get very noisy, especially when hot! Oh, that's good to know, too! Thanky! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #12 July 8, 2008 That comes with skill which comes with time. I can balance on a completely stopped bike. My problem is the ammount of time and riding it took me to get to that point built my legs up to a level of not really needing that balance skill. Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #13 July 8, 2008 Quote Oh and I'm familiar with sticker shock for new bikes. Holy shnikeys I was seriously thinking I'd find something decent for $150 before I really started looking around...>sigh $150 for a bike??? I paid $220 for the last new saddle I bought. When you buy a cheap bike, you get cheap crappy parts that break and/or wear out quickly, and are often difficult to adjust properly. All of that makes riding a lot less enjoyable. For example cheap saddles usually are made with soft padding that compresses down and puts pressure on your tender parts, instead of supporting you on your hip bones like a quality saddle. I haven't bought an off-the-shelf bike since the mid-'90's . At that time, $500 seemed to be the minimum for a bike with good quality. If your budget it limited, check out Craig's List. You are better off with a good used bike, than a cheap new one."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LongWayToFall 0 #14 July 8, 2008 Get a Penny Farthing!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #15 July 8, 2008 Quote One thing to consider, your previous discussions mentioned you'd be climbing some big hills. Consider getting a "men's" frame rather than a "women's" model. Anymore, unless you're riding your bike to the gym in a hoop skirt, the low bar is useless. What it DOES do, however, is mess up the frame's geometry, which means it'll flex under you and waste the energy you're trying to move to the pedals. Chances are you may not notice the difference, but it'll be there. Also, the stiffer frame will be better for you when you get bitten by the riding bug and want to start offroading. Plus, I imagine a standard frame would be easier to sell used at a later date when you're ready to upgrade. Elvisio "just a thought" Rodriguez Good things to consider...however, being such a novice like you said, I prolly won't feel the difference in the 'flex' of the frame yet. And I'm thinking we'll keep this bike in the family even if I outgrow the thing and am looking to blow more $$'s later. We have 5 girls in the house, plus my mom and sissy nearby, and 5 of the 7 of us are between 5' 1" and 5'3 1/2", so this will work for most of us! My older sis-in-law and daughter are both under 5', so it's going to be tall for them, but if they really want to I think we could drop the seat all the way down and they might be able to reach. I've looked everywhere trying to find a used one of these to save some money, but it looks like women that buy them keep them. That's a good sign, too! I do hope that someday I'm in good enough shape and finances to buy better and faster bikes...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #16 July 8, 2008 Quote Quote It has 24 speeds, 3 deraileures on the front ONE deraileur, with THREE chainrings. The smallest chainring will typically be smaller than the smaller chainring of a double-chainring crankset, giving you lower gears than a double. Nice for climbing steep hills. Oh, okie dokie...one deraileur, three chainrings. I'm such a noob! I'm hoping the shop might offer bike maintenance classes or something that I may be able to take. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #17 July 8, 2008 Quote dont get, its not pink :P. i dont understand why boy bicycle's have the bar really high up and girls have it low down, it should be opposite b/c when a guy falls off it hits his balls, when a girl falls off, she's ok!!! stupid bike manufacturer's That's EXACLTY what I was wondering when I first started looking at bikes!!! I think it has something to do with the frame flexing as mentioned above...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #18 July 8, 2008 Stubborn redhead power Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #19 July 8, 2008 QuoteI'm hoping the shop might offer bike maintenance classes or something that I may be able to take. I've seen these recommended (one for road, one for mountain): http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Road-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1931382697/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215549941&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/193138259X/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215549941&sr=8-2 The single best reference of bike maintenance online is: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #20 July 8, 2008 Quote Quote Oh and I'm familiar with sticker shock for new bikes. Holy shnikeys I was seriously thinking I'd find something decent for $150 before I really started looking around...>sigh $150 for a bike??? I paid $220 for the last new saddle I bought. When you buy a cheap bike, you get cheap crappy parts that break and/or wear out quickly, and are often difficult to adjust properly. All of that makes riding a lot less enjoyable. For example cheap saddles usually are made with soft padding that compresses down and puts pressure on your tender parts, instead of supporting you on your hip bones like a quality saddle. I haven't bought an off-the-shelf bike since the mid-'90's . At that time, $500 seemed to be the minimum for a bike with good quality. If your budget it limited, check out Craig's List. You are better off with a good used bike, than a cheap new one. I've never bought a bike as an adult...so I had no idea. And us kids road cheap banana bikes. The only 'good' bike we had was a BMX frame dad bought at an auction and built for my brother (that bike was so cool!!! Black and yellow and the envy of everyone ). The next bike I bought was a lime green 10-speed bought for $10 at a garage sale and I rode that until I left for college. -And remember I was just shopping at WalMart when I saw pretty bicycles hanging up and starting thinking 'What if...?' Now after a few weeks of doing some homework, I'm going to spend the $400 to get something more substantial. I'll have to wait until I can get the money together, but it will be a good thing. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #21 July 8, 2008 mtbr.com More geared towards mt bikes, but still a ton of usefull info for everyone. Think of it as the dropzone.com of the biking world.Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #22 July 8, 2008 QuoteQuoteI'm hoping the shop might offer bike maintenance classes or something that I may be able to take. I've seen these recommended (one for road, one for mountain): http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Road-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1931382697/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215549941&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/193138259X/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215549941&sr=8-2 The single best reference of bike maintenance online is: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/ I have the second book (checked it out from the library last week). I didn't see the first one there, but when I buy a bike, I'll add both to our permanent library here at the house. I've already learned a bunch from readin ghere and there through the repair manuals.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #23 July 8, 2008 Quotemtbr.com More geared towards mt bikes, but still a ton of usefull info for everyone. Think of it as the dropzone.com of the biking world. Thanks, I'll bookmark that one, too.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #24 July 8, 2008 Giant is a good manufacture. Personally I prefer Specialized, but that's my personal preference. My wife rides a Giant road bike, she loves it. All in all when you go with a major (quality) manufacture it mainly comes down to fit and price for your component groups. All the bikes are built well, the geometry is different and some manufactures may fit *you* better.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #25 July 8, 2008 Quote Get a Penny Farthing!! Wait a minute...isn't that like saying a peso-quarter? ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
