Hi All:

I intend to get myself a bike soon and I would like to seek some advise. Most likely, I will be getting the GT Avalanche after going through some previous posts. May I know what is the difference between Avalanche 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0? What do I need to look out for when buying a new bike?

In terms of safety, can anyone recommend a helmet (no need top end, decent will do) in terms of brand and cost? I may be "forced" to lock the bike outside my flat, so can anyone recommend a lock as well.

Thank you very much in advance.

no lock can prevent a theft. It will only slow them down.
As for helmet, Met Formula helmet is not bad, light and cooling around 70+ in l&t.
I am using it too and its very value for its price.
As for the avalanche, i think u can do a research on the frames maybe? maybe the weight,geometry,etc.. When u buy a bike, look out for the size/fit. Make sure the bike fits u if not, u can either change the size of the frame,length of seatpost,type of seatpost(setback or straight), length of stem, degree of stem.. i think thats all u can ask for a stock.
Its good if u can purchase a front and rear light to make sure cars can see you at nite.
btw, i saw a avalanche 1 in l&t.. didn't see its price but the parts i think not bad. I think i saw a hydraulic disc brake on it. All in all, make sure the bike fits your style of riding and most important the size.

Avalanche 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0?
The difference is in the weight of the bike, the fork, saddle, brakes, hubs, number of gears etc. The lighter the bike you pay more to own it. Check the website for GT
bikes to kept all the details you want. Go to a more reputable bikeshop who will
give you more sincere and friendly advice. Am sure members here will be glad to
give you hints on the where about these bikeshops are.


What do I need to look out for when buying a new bike?
Make sure the size of the bike fit you. If you are taller than 1.8m you need a bigger
bike than one who is 1.65m. Good bikeshops will give you a fitting and adjust the
seat post to the correct height so that you can ride comfortably. You can test ride
the bike too without obligations.

As for locking the bike outside your flat, this is the surest way to invite potential
thiefs to go into action. These bike gangs works in pairs or threesome using
mobile phones where the informer will look out for bikes and call the cutter to
cut the lock and tour the bike away when nobody is around.

Here is the link for using a better lock for protection:
http://sgcycling.org/index.php?showtopic=2066

For some reason the DIY chain with a shackle lock will make the bicycle thief
think twice. A thick chain going through an old bicycle tire, tied it round
several times on the wheel set or wheel to frame and then lock the end with a
steel shackle lock.

If you really have to lock it outside then cover the bike with a non-translucent
plastic sheet to prevent it from being seen so easy after making all the
precautions locking it securely with good strong quality steel shackle lock.
Have seen other owners covering up all the identifications regarding the model
and the name of the bike to prevent theft.

:cheers: Good questions for a newbie.

Locks that can be use for locking various parts of your bike.

1) the crank area

2) the tire

3) the seatpost

DIY chains can be designed to suit your own needs.

--------------------------------------
Quote of the Day

"How can you speak good, when you
are evil? For out of the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaks".

^^ lock for ur seatpost??

lol so the robber cant raise the seatpost?? hahah

personally i never lock my bike.. i just never let it go farther then 10m from me..
if i really have to lock it i use 2 one on each wheel that also goes thru the frame and fork

for locks, use 5 locks to secure the bike
one for frame to a lamp post or wadeva property that cannot be remove
one for front wheel to frame
one for back wheel to frame
one for front,back wheel and frame together
one for saddle to frame so that ur saddle together with the seatpost cannot be remove without tools.

all these ways is to prevent the bike from getting stolen without tools. With tools, theft is unstoppable.

The above way is wad i use when i cycle to school for some short lesson and i leave it at the bike parking location. As my bike has some quick release at those parts, its easy to steal the part without needing any tools. So i lock at these parts to prevent it from easy stealing without tools.

Hi all. :newbie:

I'm getting a new bike too, but my budget is rather small. I was initially deciding between a Trek 820 ($395) and a Giant BoulderDX ($350). I eventually settled on the Giant because of the Trek's price (including delivery and accessories).

Was that a bad decision? My budget is at about max $500, including everything.

I've also seen bikes bearing the "Hasa" brand, going for pretty low ($290 for their Comp1.0). Are those good / reliable?

Concerning locks, I've seen those that are one thick heavy chain covered with black cloth, can be found at the bike shop at White Sands for $25. Would that be a good main lock?

Thanks!

Looks like an all-around good bike for a beginner. I am pretty sure that you will be happy with your purchase. Is this the bike?

The bike should be a good starting point for beginners.
Learn to take care of it so that it would last you for sometime
to come.

The main lock should be long enough to chain your bike to
a unremovable post. You need other locks for securing the
other quick release parts of the bike.

One sure way not to allow thieves to cut your chain is to
wrap it round one of the wheel without leaving gaps for their
strong cutter to work. Then use a shackle lock to hook the
chain together. There are stainless chain locking system from
Japan that is robust enough to frighten potential bike thieves
away. A poor padlock is also a poor decision, a good quality
chain must have a good strong padlock to go with.

Yup. Looks like that one. The bike shop guy said it's cheaper than the Boulder 'cos it's China-made... didn't have much choice though.

Thanks for the advice on the locks. I'll bear that in mind, and upgrade when I have to leave my bike unattended more often...

Cheers. ^_^

always remember to save some $ to get urself a helmet and glove

Theres no point having a good bike and putting urself at risk.

Haha, thanks thanks.

I already have a helmet, leftover from my old bike. However, are gloves that necessary?

It will be a long story to explain the need to protect the human body
when riding a bicycle, motor bike or anything else that matters.

There are always people who refused to accept safety precautions
and one day, SORRY... it's too late without a cure when you are slightly
or maybe seriously injured.

You can argue that you'll never fall from your bike because you are riding
slow and very careful and so you can even ride your bike without wearing
any shoes.

Have seen people ride their bikes without wearing any shirt or singlet,
just a pair of shorts, no shoes, no helmet, no hand gloves, no bells on
their bikes... totally disobeying what is needed for safety riding.

You can do so and go ahead, as noone will stop you for doing what
you want.

:towelcheer: :clap: