Saturday, September 19, 2009

Getting the right equipment


Tim suggested I bring the old bike in and they would quote on fixing it. Then I could decide whether to do that or buy a new one. He said that by the sounds of it (new tyres, new saddle, look at the gears and the brakes) it would not be anything below $200. Heard that joke about the farmer's axe that has had 10 new heads and 5 new handles?

He showed me three bikes: a Giant (American) for $585 that had big tyres, ergonomic handles and turnoffable suspension; an Avanti (NZ) for $585 that had wide tyres and fixed suspension; and, another Avanti for $399 that had thin tyres and no suspension. The saddles were all the types with the holes (yay!). He did not go much into brakes and gears except to say they were similar to all three and that the main thing for me would be comfort.

2 comments:

Joan Elizabeth said...

When did bikes become so complicated?

Julie said...

My father cycled in an amateur club between 1936 and 1940 and he is astounded, too. Astounded, although fascinated: we constantly stop at bikes and he tells me how they work.

He does the same with motorbikes, too. Yesterday we hopped with a bike from Harris St Ultimo to Whitlam Square and he grinned every time the rider gunned it at a green light (only to be stopped by a red one 100m on1). Dad is near deaf but thrilled to the burble of the engine each time.

Now I have to read what Choice says about bikes and check out what Clarence St Cyclery says about models!

Walking along the canals would be cheaper ... and easier!