[rjn5656]

Just bought in TV. Want to buy a set of bikes to keep there. Any recommendations, road vs hybrid. Haven't ridden in a long time.

[cybermuda]

There are two cycle groups here - Sumter and Santiago - who go out most days of the week

Big mix of bikes in the rides, but mainly racing so if you want to join a group ride (other than the slowest group) a racing bike may suit you best - however, does not need to be top-end

[GMONEY]

Best bet is to go to one of the Bike Shops and look and test ride the different bikes. You have the Village Cycles in Spanish Springs. Then Santos Bike Shop used to be on Cr-466. They are now located in Belleview just off 441. There are so many different price ranges to choose from and bike levels. Prices from 400.00 up to 8,000.00. Talk to the people at the shop, tell them how you plan on riding. what level you are looking at and price point. They will get you were you need. That is the best way to do it. There are alot of group rides in The Villages area. Just depends on your riding level as to what you do. Have Fun..

[BlueHeronFan]

or you can do what I did and go to Dick's Sporting Goods in Ocala. Nice selection, and no $8000 bikes.

[Taj44]

I rode last year with the Sumter club in the "C" group. I have a Raleigh M-60 which is a hybrid type bike. I actually found the C group just a little to slow for me, could have done well in a C+ or B- group. When I don't ride with a group, I ride my bike on the recreational trails around the Villages. You don't need an expensive racing bike to ride either with the clubs or on the rec trails. I recently decided to upgrade my bike to a racing bike because I'm going to try doing triathlons, so my Raleigh will be for sale. I'll probably ask $125, it was $450 new. Excellent shape. You can PM me if interested. Good luck with the cycling.

[another Linda]

My husband and I aren't part of the spandex riding groups and just bought el-cheapo bikes from WalMart that we leave there. TV is a wonderful place to ride, safe and easy, so even these suit us just fine. My guess is that you will be able to find whatever level you are looking for whether it be snail or spandex.

[eremite06]

I prefer a recumbent. The back and neck can't handle a two wheeler. Have a Catrike Road. Cost about $2000.

[chuckinca]

Close by bike trails:


Withlacoochee River Trail
http://www.railstotrailsonline.com/

Santos - Belleview
http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/santos.html

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by eremite06

I prefer a recumbent. The back and neck can't handle a two wheeler. Have a Catrike Road. Cost about $2000.

We like our recumbents too, both two and three wheels.
as far as department store bikes go....
if you're planning on using a bike for a few years or more, the difference between a '
get by' el cheapo and a 'should have' quality bike that's safe and more fun, is usually pennies a week, or maybe one mon th's ameinties, or two tanks of gas, or dinner for four with cheap wine at Bonefish.

You'll use the better bike more, it will need less work, and the cost per ride is less overall.

and if you dec ide to bail, yoiu'll lose even less. A real bike will have re sale value, the Wally world or dick's bike might go at a yard sale

Sure, there are exceptions, but good bikes are not cheap and cheap bikes are generally not good.

Go by price, do it twice

Or as Ben Franklin would have said

"the bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

Oh, and we're a bit frustrated at what we heard- TV is thinking of lengthening gates so bikes have to go around every time

Not a good idea = bikes cut down on car traffic, road maintenance, pollution...
The Iron Gate at Harmeswood gate is bad enough - we can finish a short story waiting for it, and it's just 5 inches too wide to pass on a bike.

Do cars want to wait for the new heavier, extended gates that wilkl require a change in lift mechanisms, to let each bike pass, or would cars rather see the bikes get the heck out of their way

L and L

[ohiogolf]

Here is the link to the web page for the Sumter Landing Group. Used bikes are sometimes listed for sale.

http://www.slbikeclub.org/

[Pturner]

Hi rjn,

You didn't mention how you would use your bicycles. We keep a set of bikes in TV for occasional leisurely riding. We got inexpensive hybrids. Each cost under $200.

The advantage of buying at a bike store is that they adjust and service them for you. But the bikes are way more expensive than what you would pay at a Target or Walmart.

[k2at]

What type of bike to buy is dependent upon what type of riding u r going to do. If one goes off the road biking, then a trail bike is best. If one rides only the roads than a touring bike would fit the bill. If one goes touring then a touring bike is the way to go. The only type of bike I would not recommend is the hybrid bikes. Figure out what u will do with the bike and get the one manufactured for that purpose.

Gud Luk

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by k2at

What type of bike to buy is dependent upon what type of riding u r going to do. If one goes off the road biking, then a trail bike is best. If one rides only the roads than a touring bike would fit the bill. If one goes touring then a touring bike is the way to go. The only type of bike I would not recommend is the hybrid bikes. Figure out what u will do with the bike and get the one manufactured for that purpose.

Gud Luk

k2at, you make an excellent point for any serious riding. I used to be a long distance rider and had a rather expensive touring bike.

The hybrids generally combine features of a touring bike with features of a "comfort" bike. They differ from touring bikes in:

• Having somewhat wider tires. Good touring and racing bikes have the razor-thin tires. While these are great for distance and speed, they are unnecessary and not as comfortable for any ride under 50 miles or so, in my opinion.
• Having a comfortable seat. Again, good touring and racing bikes have very skinny seats that contribute little to no drag but "are a drag," comfort-wise. To me, not important for leisure speed rides under 50 miles or so.
• Having straight or upright handlebars instead of the down-turned ones. Again, the down-turned handlebars definitely help you go the distance and/or speed by minimizing drag but "are a drag" comfort wise and unnecessary in my book for any ride under 35 miles or so.
• Not as light-weight as expensive touring and racing bikes, but light enough-- unlike "comfort" bikes-- for leisure rides under 50 miles or so.

The hybrids differ from "comfort" bikes in that they have better performance tires, usually more gears and usually lighter weight. A "comfort" bike is not a good choice to me for rides greater than 10 or so miles.

For off-road riding, a mountain bike is better.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by k2at

What type of bike to buy is dependent upon what type of riding u r going to do. If one goes off the road biking, then a trail bike is best. If one rides only the roads than a touring bike would fit the bill. If one goes touring then a touring bike is the way to go. The only type of bike I would not recommend is the hybrid bikes. Figure out what u will do with the bike and get the one manufactured for that purpose.

Gud Luk

We went on a bike tour in Italy a couple years ago. In our group of 30 (45 - 65 YO's) there were 28 Hybrids and 2 road bikes.


.

[GMONEY]

Like posted before, your best bet is to go to a bike shop, test ride the different bikes, look at prices, decide how you will ride and what type of plans you have for riding down the road.. The bike shop for the most part will be able to fit you to the bike. I have read all this about skinny tires, small seats and on. the most important part of cycling is making sure the bike fits you!! It can be a top of the line $10,000 Tour bike. If it does not fit you and your riding style, it will be very uncomfortable..

With that said, am I telling you to buy that expensive bike, or you have to buy at a bike shop? NO!! But you can go there and get an idea of what you need, how the bike should fit you and all. Most shops will help you there. I have a very expensive road bike. It is as comfortable on a 20 mile ride as it is a 110 mile ride. Qaulity of the components is important if you plan on riding alot. As I originally stated. It depends on how YOU want to ride the bike and how often and far you will go as to what type of bike you will need.. Opinions are like finger prints, all will be different. If you are satisfied with the 100.00 bike from wal-mart that is great. It is all about exercise and keeping the mind and body fit!!! If you think you might take it more serious, take and hour or 2 out of your day and check some bike shops and see how the different bikes will work for you.

By the way. Rail to the Trail ride coming up in October, hope to see some Century riders out there from The Villages. Good Luck and keep grinding the pavement!!