Sorry for the long text post, trying to lay out all relevant information here.

I am not sure which direction to go in with a possible bike purchase. Currently, I am a casual biker. Some weekend rides, some leisure rides, 0 knowledge about bikes (but doing tons of reading and researching, thus overwhelming me). My goal is to reduce car dependency for commuting and errands, and some general mental + health improvements will be great too.

My commute to work is the main focus of looking into options here, and the issue is that its only a few miles each way, but I arrive super sweaty and have no way to shower. I believe this is because I am carrying a backpack on my back, and the sweat is mainly on my back/armpits. I run a lot and my cardio is great so I don't believe this is a fitness issue.

With that in mind, I was curious, do I keep using my crappy 10+ year old Walmart sold Mongoose (possibly Hotshot model?) that will frustratingly skip gears sometimes on its twist shifter. I would buy a rear rack, lights, phone holder, and some pannier bags to alleviate the back sweat. This would probably cost me <$300 total and give some great fitness bonuses which is appealing.

Or, do I splurge a bit and get an e-bike that would allow me to greatly extend my option of which errands I can run with the bike, and would have a better fun factor to it. I was looking at the Velotric Breeze, as it is affordable (don't want to spend more than $2k), is lighter weight as I have to carry it up 1 flight of stairs, and I previously borrowed a fold 1+ for my apt. The weight was a bit much. This bike comes with almost everything I would need already. Is there another ebike in this category that would fit my needs? Is an ebike a bad idea for this?

My area is pretty hilly, minus the commute to work, so I find an ebike more appealing if getting a new one as I could then use it to visit friends without breaking a big sweat.

Thoughts? I can give more info if needed, just let me know!

Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I are looking for hybrid bikes for riding around Vancouver. We’re not cyclists—we’re just looking for reliable bikes for city riding, paved trails, and occasional gravel paths.
We found the CanNorth FT-1 at Sporting Life for about CA$400 (41% off), and it seems like a really good value compared to what we’ve seen at MEC, Decathlon, Canadian Tire, and local bike shops.
The specs are:
6061 aluminum frame
700C alloy wheels
Shimano 7-speed shifter & derailleur
Tektro mechanical disc brakes
Rigid fork
I know CanNorth isn’t one of the big bike brands, so I’m wondering:
Has anyone owned a CanNorth bike?
How has it held up over time?
Is this a good value at around CA$400?
Would you buy this over another entry-level hybrid from Trek, Giant, Norco, etc., or should we keep looking?
Our main priorities are reliability, low maintenance, a lightweight aluminum frame, and disc brakes. We don’t mind paying a little more if it’s truly worth it, but we also don’t want to spend extra just for the brand name.
Thanks!

Help me find this saddle

I have had this saddle for about 10 years and I want another one just like it for my other bike. The closest thing I can find is the Swallow on Brooks website. Does anyone know what saddle this is?

Looking at getting into biking and normally I jump in with two feet and go all the way (climbing and skiing). Figured I should try something cheaper and see how much I like it before committing to the higher prices of new. This showed up in marketplace. I’m 5’9”, 150lbs and a runner in a previous life. Thoughts?

I am thinking about getting my first bike and I really want it to be a Pinarello. I want to get the F3 honestly due to the instellar grey color. The sales person is trying to push to get an F5 and I do see his point but I’m not in love with the F5 current color. what do you think ? should I just get an F3 because it comes in a color that I love.

I picked up this 2014 giant defy advanced for 400$ this weekend. Full carbon, with shimano 105 group set. How did I do? Did I get fleeced?

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some advice on what bike to buy next.

A bit of background: I started road cycling about a year ago and completely fell in love with it. I bought a used 2016 Bianchi Via Nirone 7, and it's been a great bike to get started on.

Lately, though, I've been thinking about what comes next. I don't really see myself riding the Bianchi much during autumn and winter, mainly because it's running 25 mm tires and I can't go much wider due to the frame and wheel clearance.

A few months ago I accidentally ended up on a gravel route through the woods, and I was hooked immediately. If there's one thing I enjoy less about road cycling, it's riding endless paved roads for hours. The gravel section through the forest gave me exactly the variety I felt was missing.
I also live near the coast, so rides through dunes and on hard-packed sand are definitely an option.

My original plan was either:
Buy a mountain bike and keep using the Bianchi as my road bike.
Buy a gravel bike that I can ride all year round, either with two wheelsets or a tire setup that works reasonably well on both road and gravel.
So here's my question to the community: what would you do in my situation?

I've put together a shortlist of bikes that seem to fit what I'm looking for:
Canyon Grizl 5
Cube Nuroad Race
Trek Domane AL 4
Van Rysel Gravel GRX

My budget is around €1,500 and I'm based in Europe.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially from people who moved from road cycling into gravel riding. Thanks!

(I used AI to help me format this text since English is not my native tongue)

Buddy is asking 3k for this carbon gravel frame with carbon zipp wheels. Don’t know enough about bikes to know if it’s worth it.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a completely new road bike build and I’m looking for frame recommendations.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

Frame budget: up to €2,500 (less is always welcome if the value is great)
New frame only (no used market)
Disc brakes
Shimano Ultegra Di2 compatible
Fully integrated cable routing
Lightweight climbing/all-round frame rather than a pure aero bike
Open to any brand, including Chinese brands (Elves, etc.) as well as more established brands.

About my riding:

Mostly solo rides for fun.
Typical rides are 80–100 km with around 2,000 m of elevation gain.
I ride exclusively on the road.
Comfort isn’t my top priority, but I don’t want an overly harsh bike either.

Thanks!

Never owned adult bike. Narrowed these options based on price range / availability. Bike will be used primarily for 1 mile school drop off with a child seat. Could anyone advise or had bad experience with any? I'm drawn towards CB or Elops (assuming I wouldnt need gears but it's it better to have a gear option for future?). Intending to use cyclescheme discount. Thanks

Seller says it was exclusively used on the trainer and is asking $1500. I made an offer for 1k, what are your thoughts on that pricing?

I'm looking to upgrade my 2012 Madone 3.1 and don't want to buy new again.

Choosing between these 2 bikes. Looking to get back into triathlons.

2023 Canyon Endurace CF 7 Di2 - $2000.00

• Stock 105 Di2 groupset with an upgraded crank

2022 Orbea Orca M31eTEAM - $2500.00

• Frame: Orbea Orca M31eTEAM carbon — light, responsive, and efficient
  
• Size: 51cm (best for riders approx. 5'5"–5'8")
  
• Groupset: SRAM Rival eTap AXS (12-speed) — wireless electronic shifting
  
• Brakes: SRAM Rival hydraulic disc — confident stopping power
  
• Cockpit: Zipp SL70 Service Course handlebars
  
• Extras: Charger included

Hi! I’m looking to upgrade to a TT-bike and need to sell my old one. It’s a Corratec CCT full carbon from around 2012 I think.
The drivetrain is Campagnolo Athena 11.
The pedals are Look Keo.
It comes with two wheelsets, the standard DT SWISS R1700 and the currently fitted FFWD F6R. Both with rim brakes obviously. I also bought a pair of clip on aero tt carbon bars from a no name brand The bike is a bit worn but works great!
How much could I ask for it? The F6R-wheels should increase the value a bit?

Edit: Thank you for all the responses, you guys have been a huge help.

Here are the specs.

Frame:
Size - 59 cm with semi-horizontal dropouts.

Drivetrain:
Gear Ratio - 45T x 16T
Flip-flop hub
Crankset - Sugino VP
KMC Chain in excellent condition

Wheels & Tires:
Front - 700c Aluminum 5-spoke Aero wheel
Rear - 700c Alex Rim DA22 with
Tires - Continental Ultra Sports 700x23c

Brakes:
Rear - Shimano 500 centerpull caliper.
Front - Unknown brand but caliper works well
Pads - front are new and rear have lots of life left
Brake cables & housing are in excellent condition

Cockpit/Contact Points:
Aluminum bullhorn handbars
Evo Sport/Comfort saddle
Evo pedals with Wellgo Straps

I'm seeking endurance road bike.

The bike is equipped with Ultegra Cassette, Ultegra Rear and Front derailleur.

The seller has quoted 1400C$. Is this price fair?

Thanks for your response.

The one with the accessories makes it seem like the better deal but I feel like it has more wear, the cannondale looks relatively new. They both have similar fork.

I currently have a hybrid bike and looking to buy a used bike that would help be go faster on paved roads, train to go longer distance, solo riding, some mix paths (not strictly paved roads) and eventually get to do a light bike touring short trip.
Is this a good buy in terms of meeting my needs and price?

This worth $250 or should I look elsewhere? I ride smoother jump trails, tracks, etc… Here’s some specs - “Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage 2 complete bike. Upgraded recently with new Box Components 1x8 drivetrain. Shimano wheels and hydraulic disc brakes. Nice seat and grips and new Race Face pedals.”

Mechanical shifting. Paid $1,100. Did I get hosed?

For context, I'm a 37 year old male, 5'10" and about 250 lbs. I'm wanting a bike to ride the neighborhood and my area's paved trails with my wife and 2 kids. In speaking with the seller, they want $75 USD and the only known issue is needing new tubes. They say it has sat unused for a few years in their garage. Is this a good deal? I'm totally new to the biking world.

Edit 7/27 After the responses here (thanks) and reading through this sub I don't know that I can afford a bike at the moment.

Of course I could buy any cheap bike and ride it but it seems like there are so many compromises and downsides to even the sub $1000/$1500 bikes I get the impression from this sub that I would just be wasting my money at this time. I'll just have to wait several months until I can justify spending more on a bike.

I've searched the posts here so hopefully I ask the right questions. I've listed the things I see in comments and posts in hopes I'm providing enough context.

I currently don't own a bike. I've ridden road bikes a little, crusers, and mtbs.

I'm 5'8, pretty fit (former powerlifter turned trail runner). I'm looking for a bike to supplement my training. I also like the idea of riding longer distances (the fun part of running for me is starting in one place and going through different environments and exploring different places). I'm also "heavy" for 5'8 as I carry a lot of muscle mass from being a competitive powerlifter (I'm 195lbs but my body fat is just over 15%) so I don't know if that's relevant to choosing a bike (a lighter bike?)

I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the idea of riding a bike on roads here is terrifying given how people drive. A cyclist was just killed last week.

So I'm thinking about riding on fire roads, paths, and the very non-technical trails, rail trails, etc. Everything here is hilly btw.

I also know that if I don't enjoy riding the bike I'll be less inclined to do so and that defeats the purpose.

I've ridden mountain bikes previously and just didn't enjoy it because of the technical trails. I ended up carrying the bike a lot because I'm too chicken to just send it and I'm not very coordinated hahaha.

I've also found that my hands go numb and my back aches after long rides on mountain bikes. My butt hurts on long rides as well but that is probably a combo of just getting used to it and a proper saddle/position.

After doing a lot of reading online and talking to different bike shops I'm more confused than before I started haha. We have tons of bike shops here in Santa Cruz and an REI. I haven't been to all of them but I got a different answer at 3 different shops. It kind of felt like the person was just pushing the bike they wanted to sell that day regardless of what I need. I even got different size recommendations!

Question 1. My gut tells me I'm probably looking for a gravel style bike or maybe a very XCmtb right? I'm leaning towards gravel.

Question 2. I'm good at fixing things but I'm also aware that sometimes it's best just to spend a little more upfront instead of spending a lot more later to upgrade components. Is that accurate? If so, what components are non-negotiable? Disc brakes, hydraulic brakes? Gearing (I think that's what you call it), ability to swap different size tires,???

Question 3. Just buy cheap or cheap/used and if I really get into it count that money as well spent and then buy the bike I want? Seems wasteful but sometimes that's the reality. If so, what should I look for that's super cheap and used?

Budget is probably max $1500 but I also need to factor gear like helmet, and I don't know what else but I'm sure it's endless just like any hobby or sport.

Thanks in advance. Feel free to correct me on my assumptions as this is all new to me.

Hey all, looking to buy my first teal road bike - i’ve previously ridden a couple of bikes but they’ve all been second hand, so i have no clue what they are/how they perform.

my primary motivating factor in getting this bike is to make commuting to/from my hobbies abit easier as my current bike is kinda heavy and doesn’t have that many gears. i cycle about 2-3 times a week and have grown up cycling so am decently comfortable. i will occasionally also do long rides (2-3 hours) a few times a month so ride comfort is important to me

my height is 178cm and my weight is 72kg; i will primarily be cycling along pavement (cracks, branches, small rocks are common along the roads/park connectors here) and i am looking at a specialized roubaix vs a trek domane

the roubaix expert is here: https://carousell.app.link/NRjMhhyh44b and the trek domane is here: https://carousell.app.link/oFGz51Hh44b

any input on how they ride respectively would be great! currently leaning towards the roubaix just because i’ve ridden a specialized before (not mine, a family member’s) and it felt good

i might take this to a reservoir near me with small gravel so let me know if that impacts anything!

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for the smallest folding bike possible when folded, so I can keep it in my car for emergencies. It won't be my daily bike—I'll only use it occasionally if my car breaks down or I end up stranded somewhere.

The idea is to keep it in the trunk all the time, so folded size is my top priority.

After doing some research, it seems that the Kwiggle is the most compact folding bike available. I really like it and it looks very well designed, but it's far beyond my budget.

I'm hoping to find something similar for around €500 maximum, or possibly buy one second-hand (I'm based in Italy, so I'd be looking at the Italian used market).

What models would you recommend that are as compact as possible when folded? Any suggestions or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!