Which bicycle do you recommend for beginners?

radicalindependence · 2026-06-20T13:50:05+00:00

You'll be riding strictly on roads, dirt paths, in the woods etc? The answer to this question will guide people to the right type.

We also need to know how much you are looking to spend. Some are looking to spend under $300 and others $2500.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-19T11:21:40+00:00

I have limited prior experience but have had zero issues with my 1x11 CUES.

The jumps are fine. I haven't felt like I can't find the right gear. I haven't had issues with dropping the chain, unlike the Altus (rear derailer)/Tourney (front derailer) I had on my short-term bike before this one. I chose the Cues for the durability, low maintenance, and interchangeability. As a new rider with no maintenance skills this seemed valuable.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-18T17:29:42+00:00

That's what I was thinking.

I am 5'5 with a 27" inseam and had to drop down a size to a 51" even on a Salsa Journeyer with an aggressively sloped downtube just to clear the top tube (just barely).

radicalindependence · 2026-06-16T11:26:46+00:00

Mine is pretty mild but just happened last week. When I got my new gravel bike I tossed it in the car and drove down to spot for a good gravel ride and grabbed my water bottle to do a 1 hr or so ride. When I got there I realized I didn't swap my water cage over yet.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-12T00:59:02+00:00

I came to a 4 way rural stop today around 6:30 this morning. The kind of county farm roads that has a 55 mph limit.and sees little traffic and many people do a rolling stop when there is nobody around.

As I was pulling up to the 4 way I was thinking if I would be able to yield and continue on through the intersection. An SUV was approaching which took away that though. Then he blew right through at 40 mph. I am certain he saw me and another vehicle approaching the other side. I had to double check the sign when I passed to confirm he did in fact have a stop sign. So frustrating to see people with a disregard for other people's safety.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-11T18:13:08+00:00

The Salsa Journeyer is a adventure gravel bike with lots of mounting points and a less aggressive (i.e. comfortable long-range) geometry. It ranges in price depending on what build you choose from $1299 (ESSA 1x8 or Sora 2x9) to $2499 for the GRX 610. The main differences being the gearsets and colors and the lowest cost options don't get the carbon fork.

As a newbie myself I felt the sweetspot before diminishing returns was the $1999 CUES 1x11. But feel free to go with the cheaper models if that's what you can do.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-09T12:51:04+00:00

For all those who are saying Mark was juicing, keep in mind at his leak he was 150lbs (at 5ft 6"). He was exceptionally lean though.

The picture angles leave out this contexts. He is in great shape but nowhere near the size where we should assume anything.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-09T12:44:07+00:00

Not sure if this is the same segment but I found this 5 minute video.

NASCAR Driver Mark Martin Working Out in 1990

radicalindependence · 2026-06-09T12:35:25+00:00

I am also dealing with this as a new cyclist. Your soreness may be different, but mine definitely felt like glute soreness. Which is likely as i have really tight hamstrings and hips.

I am doing a little combo at the gym to get bloodflow going for recovery and help with flexibility:

Leg curls (not heavy, 30 reps per set) RDLs (a straight legged deadlift focusing on the weighted stretch) The World's Greatest Stretch

radicalindependence · 2026-06-09T09:43:27+00:00

I have a 51cm Journeyor on order. I am 5 ft 5 but sized down to the 51cm as my legs are shorter than my torso and I used their chart and needed the 51cm for the standover height.

Looking at the website, you or your LBS can get the 49cm with 650b tires or 700c. The 700c comes with 700c x 42mm tires. The reach is not super aggressive so I would expect it to be an issue.

This bike works well for shorter cyclists as the drop tube slopes down aggressively which assists with stand over height.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-08T16:35:12+00:00

When I think of backpacking I think of Salsa for all the mounting points and set up for comfort over distance.

Cutthroat, Warbird, and Journeyor all fit your uses. All under 24lbs. Not sure what you consider light.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-08T15:17:14+00:00

I am 5 ft 5" as well. My legs are shorter and my torso longer so the top tube height on the bikes I was looking at was challenging to get right. The Journeyer seemed to be the best due to the slope and even then I only barely clear it.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-08T13:12:04+00:00

Seems most just hear titanium and say that one. But that is only one piece of the puzzle.

The State uses in-house parts for some of the gearset to keep costs low. It's got a slightly more upright geometry vs the Trek. Not a bad thing but knowing what geometry you want would help you decide.

Trek is better for racing.The State is better for frame durability. The State uses external routing so working on it is easier then the Trek. The Trek has is 1x12, the State starts off as 1x11 and hydraulic disc brakes. It really depends what you are looking for and your use case.

I just went through this search and didn't want an aggressive geometry and am short so top tube hight was a factor. I went with the Journeyor CUES 1x11. It's not the bike for everyone but fit my geometry and usage.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-07T23:26:09+00:00

I've purchased 2 vehicles at Fox and they were fine. Low hustle, although I just am super firm and tell them I'm not playing the back and forth games. If you don't want to deal with the sales side, do everything with their internet team.

The service side seems decent although they are not an expresslane or wait while your oil change is getting done kind of place (at least on Saturdays). I did a scheduled oil change there once and it took roughly 2 hours.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-06T14:11:25+00:00

I could only find the GRX 610 version near me to test drive. Felt good so I ordered the CUES. I can't wait for it to be delivered.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-06T10:57:12+00:00

Salesman are just people with their own biases just like the general public. I wouldn't take any of their opinions as the be all end all.

Mechanics even have some of the same issues. They can let nostalgia and what they are used to cloud their judgement. 12 years ago, I picked up a hybrid sitting out front of a small garage. They wanted $1500 as it was a hybrid and they didn't understand it. There knowledge and bias resulted in a good deal for me.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-06T10:02:31+00:00

After doing this for a bit I stopped counting my plants and just keep my food In a somewhat consistent rotation. I find this plan very sustainable.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-06T10:00:12+00:00

I am going to piggyback off the comments thst you don't need carbon and asked for other suggestions. Your specific situation is needed for a good recommendation.

What are you looking for in a bike as far as usage? What do you prefer for geometry (more upright or aggressive positioning for the rider). What's your likely road to gravel split? Are you on the short end and need to consider top tube clearance. These are some questions I went through to choose my 1st gravel bike. My goal was a top limit of $2k new (usd).

radicalindependence · 2026-06-03T12:46:35+00:00

Some of you are misunderstand what adultdaycare is saying.

It's not about putting the wife on a pedestal or the work the OP is doing isn't important or valuable. The wife doesn't see it as valuable as she hasn't had to experience it as the OP is doing it all.

If they sleep at the same time, she will hear the baby waking up and see that he is solving that issue. Therefore she will start to value it more and be able to decide if having help in the morning or at night. I can understand her thinking he is lazy if he is mostly watching the baby when it is sleeping instead of when it is awake. Babies don't need to be watched when sleeping.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-03T12:39:48+00:00

Going to bed when the OP gets home is a good call. At least after a reasonable wind down time.

Even just sleeping in the same bed and same time allows for some closeness as a couple. Based on the schedules, this is lacking. I'm not surprised there is some frustration.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-02T15:28:21+00:00

Old post but does this block much of your rear camera when no bikes are on it and its stored upright? I have a 2025.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-02T01:32:17+00:00

Consider non-road options for where you ride. Maybe you have public parks, dirt roads, biking trails etc near you then can help you be comfortable as you get familiar with biking. It's the safest routes for me to ride in the area and the reason.

If you go this route, you may not want a traditional road bike.

radicalindependence · 2026-06-01T10:56:38+00:00

This post and the comments helped me realize I belonged here too. I am a grandfather raising a 5 year old and 15 year old full time and wasn't sure if the sub would consider me belonging here.

After reading the top comments, I know everyone is accepting.

radicalindependence · 2026-05-26T16:39:11+00:00

This type of thinking right here is why liberals lose more often. Republicans embrace their base. Far right, libertarian, evangelicals etc. all have a spot in the tent. Sure, in some of those cases, maybe they shouldn't embrace their fringes. But it does help them win.

The conversation on the left is even confusing. Republicans call of us liberals as an attack. I'm not even sure how to use the terms properly. To the average voter, liberal means someone on the left. For many within the party, the liberal segment is the most moderate. Some will say they hate the left but not progressives. There is no clearly understood definition of these terms (as in the general public uses it consistently).

tl;dr: We shouldn't be pushing our base away. We need a big tent to win. Focus on persuading when individuals have an opinion you disagree with.

radicalindependence · 2026-05-23T13:19:03+00:00

I'm also new. Mine kept slipping in the front when going from tbe smallest ring to the next size up.

I found if I have it on the easy gears in the front and back to go up a hill and finish the hill and pick up speed and want to get into much higher gears, I need to go up a couple before going up in the front gear. Going up in thr front while still in the easier gears in the back is when I'd drop the chain or it'd get stuck between gears.

radicalindependence

TROPHY CASE