I need a bike to go around town. I have no clue about bikes so, can you help me?1) I live in Caracas Venezuela, which means a lot of uphill and downhill biking. Some have told me Buy a mountain bike but there are like eight gazillion different mountain bikes. Suspension, no suspension, 10 speed, 21 speed2) There aren‘t really bikeways here so i need good, safe brake systems. I know some bikes have brakes in the front and others have it in the pedals.what‘s better? What‘s cheaper on the long run?3) I‘m not using it for leisure only, so how can i manage to get some modest amount of cargo space? (say, a laptop)4) What‘s the difference between 20 and 26 inches rin? are they just for different sizes of person or is it something else? I‘m 1,80m tall (5.9 feet)5) Any other pointers you deem importantAll opinions will be thanked!
You are talking about reports written by people who have to try to keep you interested. If they just said every bike was great, you'd stop buying magazines. Journalists are only advertising sales people, just keep you reading long enough to get to the ads.
1) I live in Caracas Venezuela, which means a lot of uphill and downhill biking. Some have told me Buy a mountain bike but there are like eight gazillion different mountain bikes. Suspension, no suspension, 10 speed, 21 speed get a mtb, yes - but put street tires on it or get a hybrid - those have low gears no suspension - robs power go to a bike store, not a cheap dept store 2) There aren't really bikeways here so i need good, safe brake systems. I know some bikes have brakes in the front and others have it in the pedals.what's better? What's cheaper on the long run? any good bike will have front and back brakes controlled by cables and levers on the handle bars --coaster brakes are for kid bikes, and are not safe 3) I'm not using it for leisure only, so how can i manage to get some modest amount of cargo space? (say, a laptop) backpack is easiest 4) What's the difference between 20 and 26 inches rin? are they just for different sizes of person or is it something else? I'm 1,80m tall (5.9 feet) any mtb [mid price] that fits you [go to a bike store] will have 26 tires 20 is kid bike 5) Any other pointers you deem important get one that fits wle.
You are better off going to a bike shop and tell them what you want to do. Ask them about commuter bikes or hybrids. They will steer you in the right direction. They will also fit a bike to you, that is the most important thing. Be sure to test ride several different brands and get the one you like best.
All you need to do to be safe is to be able to stop in the distance you can see. If you ride at excessive speeds, yes, you need top rated brakes. Otherwise they are not needed. I haven't done a panic stop in a couple of decades.
