Unsurprisingly, bicycles are way overpriced here. 14 years ago, I bought a great bike in Canada for $200. It was a 24-speed, alloy frame bicycle, and it worked great. Today, looking around Sydney, I could not find a used crappy bicycle for under $200. The cheapest bicycle at a bike shop would cost me $400 and not be a very good bike at all.
I decide to evaluate some other options, like shopping at Kmart or BigW (similar store concept to Walmart). I was able to find a well-equipped bicycle for $200. $120 later (helmet, lights, bike computer, etc.) I was all setup for biking.
As soon as I took my bike for a ride, I realized that bike's gears, even though Shimano-branded, were terrible. The big gears are analog (in a sense that I have to move the gear until the chain is pushed far enough to switch to a different gear). I am still getting used to it and it takes forever to switch to the proper gear. The bike is also an 18-gear bike, as opposed to a 24-gear one. You would think that there is not much difference, but there is.
Whinging (Australian word for complaining) aside, I was finally able to venture out away from Chatswood and discover other parts of Sydney. The scenery is beautiful. I can definitely see myself biking regularly this summer. Exploring the nearby area made me realize that I live on top of a hill. The hill makes it really hard to bike back home.
For some strange reason, the name they use for a bicycle is push bike. Why push it when you can get on it and cycle!
2 comments:
Nice looking bike, Ivan. There are lots of great tips at http://www.bikeforums.net/ -- regarding all aspects of cycling; I think you might enjoy it.
It is great that you are exploring the areas around you. There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing the world from a bicycle.
Bravo!
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When you are rich and famous (along with your hot-shot lawyer wife), you will be able to upgrade your bike. It is always a good idea to buy from a bike shop, as you can 'test drive' it, and get great advice from knowledgeable folks with a passion for biking. That is what I did; the search was long, but the results were amazing.
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