Post by cluelessboutbikes on Sept 11, 2017 11:48:22 GMT 8
I've never bought a bike but now I'm commited to getting 2 bikes, one for me 5'6" and my wife 5'3", but just one bike first to make sure I get it right, so I have so many questions that I don't know how to get answered. Hope you guys/girls can help out a clueless but very interested/motivated future bike enthusiast.
We are not expert riders, but we've biked recreationally occasionally on dates (bamboo bike, single speed bikes) so we at least know how to a balance.
I DON'T mind building from scratch, choosing each component, but since I'm a newbie, I have no idea how to get started.
I DO want to take this bike learning seriously and really become an enthusiast who can someday answer my question for others, and help others out, so forgive my over-enthusiasm.
My maximum budget for each bike is around 15K php, possilby 25K php if it will really make a worlds difference
Oh, I can also speak/understand tagalog, so please feel free to share in tagalog. If I need to translate my post to tagalog, let me know, and I will be happy to do it.
QUESTIONS
1. What stores do you guys recommend to buy bike componets, parts, and fully built bikes that offer bang for the buck? Are prices in Quiapo much cheaper than Cartimar?
If I could get the identical component or bike for a lower price even if the store doesn't look classy, I would rather buy it where it is cheaper (as long as item is authentic), though I don't want the sellers to be rude or insulting to me or my family for not knowing anything about bikes. I don't mind going to a nearby province in surrounding Manila if it really is much cheaper to buy from them even with transpo and traffic costs.
The bikes I usually see are the ones being sold
- Toby's and JB Sports where I've see Trinx, which I've read here is a good brand
- Decathlon, where I was orignally planning on buying a bike from, but my friend convinced me that I could get a better bike for the prices Decathlon charges.
- Cartimar
My friend recommends Quiapo, but he is more budget concious than quality concious so I take his advice with a grain of salt, and since I really don't know anything, I don't know if he is right or wrong. I'm sure there are are more places, so I would really like to know what you experts recommend.
2. Is it okay to commute or use mountain bikes for casual paved road biking? Is it uncomfortable for casual paved biking?
I'm just worried the cement or pavement will damage the mountain bike tires (newbieness clearly showing here). I'm also worried my wife will complain that it's too hard to bike, though we have never used a road bike before so we have no comparison on smoothness of the drive.
3. Is this the right forum to be asking about Road Bikes in the Philippines?
I know it's called Pinoy Mountain Biker but I don't know if there is one for Road bikes since I am still learning, I'm not sure 100% sure yet if a mountain bike is what I want to get, though I'm 80% sure I want my first bike to be a mountain bike, though I could change my mind.
4. Should I spend as much as I can on my first bike (after lots of research) or should I get a cheap bike first then change to a better a bike after a year?
I would rather not buy again and again so I'm leaning on getting the best I can, but what do I know
5. What is the estimated maintenance (Not upgrading, just replacing broken parts) cost of a bike in a year for a bike being ridden around 3-4 hours a week? Do lots of parts break constantly?
I mean, the cost for parts that commonly break, oiling, etc etc. I don't know how often bike parts break since I don't know anything.
6. How easy/difficult is it to repair, assemble, maintain a bike on your own? Are most of you the mechanics of your own bikes or do you prefer to have pro bike mechanics fix your bikes?
I would rather be the mechanic of my own bike, knowing every inch of it if possible.
7. Do most shops like the ones in Cartimar/Quiapo offer fitting? Is fitting necessary? Is fitting more than about the size of the frame? Does it also tell you which kind of frame?
I mean, are there more than 10 different frame size variety? Or can I just use those guides that recommend a frame size for my height?
8. If I'm assembling a bike from scratch, which bike component should I spend the most on? What should I focus on when buying this component?
I'm assuming it's the frame, but I don't know anything.
9. Do you suggest building from scatch or buying a built bike for someone who is more focused on learning about bikes?
10. Which brands offer bang for buck built bikes?
I've only seen Trinx in malls and B'Twin from Decathlon.
11. Do built bikes come with warranty?
12. What is the best way for me to learn about bikes? I don't know anyone knowledgeable enough with bikes to teach me, which is why I'm here.
I still have so many questions, but I will probably leave that for another post.
Thank you very much for anyone who can help me out with my questions. Much appreciated.