A Bike for Every Rider, Part One

• Posted on 25 April 2022
• By KW
• 0

We get a lot of bike questions here at the shop, much to no one's surprise.  Our favorite ones are the ones that deal with "what kind of bike should I buy?"  There are plenty of answers to this question!  Hopefully the next several paragraphs will help you out as you think about what kind of a bike you should buy.

Our first reply to the question, when asked, is "what kind of riding do you like to do?" or "where do you want to ride this bike?"  That helps us to get started.  Want to go bombing down the singletrack?  Cruising around the beach?  Hang with the grandkids?  Or maybe you're having some balance or mobility issues and need something that will help with those.  Let's go over some of the answers that YOU give to OUR questions, and see where that gets us.

"I want to ride with my young kids, maybe even pull a kid or two in a trailer, but I'm not that excited about the adult upright leisure bike."  Cool.  Let's have a look at a hybrid.  There are several options here, like the Jamis DXT and the Norco XFR and the Scott SubCross.  These bikes are what we might call hybrid or fitness bikes.  They offer a body-forward position, similar to a mountain bike, and have flat bars, again similar to an MTB.  The tires are a little more narrow than a mountain bike, but not as narrow as a road bike, and they also have some knobs/tread for some grip in gravel or sand.  Many offer a front suspension, but they're not mountain bikes; the suspension is more for comfort and shock absorption, not bouncing over roots and rocks.  They will easily pull a Burley trailer, too!

"I am more of a leisure rider, and I don't like leaning forward at all when I ride.  Speed isn't a factor; I ride for fun."  Guess what?  Plenty to choose from in this area as well!  Our best-selling bike is the Jamis Citizen 2; it's one of several in the Citizen family.  These bikes offer an upright riding position and several speeds.  They have soft seats and higher handlebars to allow you to sit comfortably.  There is also the Jamis Hudson, which comes in a couple different trim levels (one includes disc brakes!).  The Hudson offers wider tires than the Citizen, giving it a high level of comfort as well.  The final entrant in this category is the Jamis Explorer.  The Explorer can give you the best of a few different worlds - a nice, relaxed upright riding position, some tires that will take on a few different surfaces, and the ability to get some great outdoor exercise.  And guess what?  All of these bikes will tow a Burley trailer!

"I like riding on the road, and want the drop bar frame, but I don't want to ride in traffic.  Maybe I'd like to try the gravel roads in the country."  Sounds like a plan.  You should check out the Jamis Renegade series.  These frames are specifically designed for traversing the gravel roads in the sticks, with wide tires, disc brakes, and plenty of places to add bags, bottles, and gear.  The Renegade comes in alloy (aluminum), steel (cro-moly), and carbon frames.  Will it pull a Burley for your kids?  Yes, but it does require some adaptation occasionally.

"I've always been a roadie, but would like to try this mountain bike thing.  What do you have?"  We have several great options for the beginning mountain biker.  From the Jamis Trail X and Helix to the Scott Aspect 950 to the Norco Storm 5, we can get you rolling in the trails.  These bikes come with varying levels of components, and all have a spring-loaded front suspension.  These are great choices for an adult who wants to ride some local trails but doesn't want to spend a ton of money, or for teens/young adults who are just getting into the sport and need an entry-level ride.  The Trail X, Helix, and the smaller frames of the Storm 5 come with 27.5" tires/wheels; the Aspect is a 29'er.  We will be glad to tell you why each has its advantages!

"My child is still growing, but needs a full-size bike.  Help!"  Right over here you'll find our Jamis Trail XR.  These bikes are popular with parents from a budget standpoint, but they also stand up to the rigors of tween and teen treatment.  A rigid steel frame that takes a beating on 26" wheels, the Trail XR will grow with your kid.  We can usually fit you with a bike that will last for several summers.

That concludes the first part of our lecture.  We will be back in a day or two with Part Two!