TL;DR
Have had a knee injury for just over a year. Gained quite a bit of weight, 250lbs and 6ft 1 inches. Now think I’m in a place where I could and would benefit from buying a bike. However I’m overwhelmed with the whole process of trying to decide between $2k CAD vs $3k CAD, Steel vs Aluminium, 1 by vs 2 by, etc. Then layer on trying to find local availability!? The whole process and the knee injury has resulted in me feeling considerable down (probably a massive understatement). Why even buy a bike if my knee currently doesn’t work properly?!
History
Just over one year ago I was running on a treadmill, and injured my knee, potentially something to do with my meniscus. Finally having an MRI scan next month.
Have always had an interest in bikes, at the start of covid bought an old Cannondale M400 mountain bike for $150, it served its purpose but I’ve never felt it was a great option or fit. Have since been looking at bikes, but only now do I feel in a place I could consider buying one. Been looking for a few years now. Have looked at various online marketplaces, which results in them either being stolen, overpriced, the wrong size, or a silly distance away. So it has now been ruled out.
I feel I’m in a total state of paralysis through analysis, and struggling to decide what to buy if anything at all.
Requirements
In my 40’s, have a kid who has just turned one. Looking to become more active and also hopefully recover from the knee injury. Currently walking for more than 10-20 minutes, or smoothly is an issue. Thought cycling might be a better avenue. I’m just South of Edmonton in Canada, where it’s very flat, however the mountains are a few hours away. Also, in 2-3 years will be moving back to Scotland where it’s not flat. Edmonton also has a long winter so a side thought is a bike with a potential winter use might be advantageous but not a total requirement. As would the capability to pull the kids trailer, which I’d imagine all bikes will be fine with. Would like to build up distances and consistency, with the view of once my knee is fixed aiming to complete a 100km cycle. I’m basically looking for a do it all bike, not really into mountain biking so would be forest trails, a little single track, and quite a bit of gravel roads (or range roads as they call them here) to build up distance/stamina.
Steel vs Aluminium
Steel would be better for my weight? More comfortable? Aluminium maybe a bit cheaper.
1 by vs 2 by
I like the idea of 1 by but concerned I’ll spend a lot on a bike, then could potentially regret the choice I make. Would the size of jump between gears be annoying or would it be liberating not having to think about changing the front and back. I’m not trying to become a professional cyclist, I do like going fast, but my fast is maybe slow for most. If I’m going over 40kmph I probably shouldn’t be.
$2k CAD versus $3k CAD
The bikes I’ve looked at seem to range from 2k CAD to around $3k CAD. Do I go for the bike I first liked that is around $3k CAD, or do I go for a slightly lesser spec at around $2k CAD but would also then allow me less guilt when buying all the other stuff that goes along with biking. Or since it’s my first real bike purchase for about 20 years what does the extra $1k even matter?! Another aspect is I can foresee the N+1 temptation for whatever 1by or 2by I don’t buy still being on the radar.
650b vs 700c
Seems 700c is better for road cycling, and 650b is maybe better for off road is my understanding. Not sure I should care too much about the wheel size.
Local Availability
It seems when I see a bike I like, it never seems to be available in my size, or I’m too slow to react when there is a sale, or too indecisive, or struggling to justify whether I actually deserve a nice bike.
I would rather avoid a mail order Canyon type option. Most stores are a 30-40 min drive away. So would rather know what I’m targeting before I head out with my wallet as the round trips to the bike stores are quite time consuming.
Locally these bikes appear to be what is available and have made my short list: 99 Spokes Bike Comparison – Kona vs Trek
There is also a couple of Marin options.
$1,850 – Kona Rove DL
Pros: Currently on sale (from $2,350), the 1 by Rival seems like a good option, lower maintenance with 1 by and not full hydraulic brakes, bike probably ticks enough of my boxes.
Cons: I might have just missed the opportunity to get it in my size, not sure I like the size of the mechanical pull/hydraulic brakes, has a steel fork, unsure of the colour but can live with that.
$2,500 – Trek Checkpoint ALR 5
Pros: Also on sale (from $3,100), 2 by GRX, and a carbon fork. Good value. Is it a step up from the Kona DL?
Cons: There seems to be more availability in white, I don’t like the colour, especially with the gold logo (I could search for the alternate darker colour version which I like more), more aggressive position so less comfortable than the Kona options?
$3,000 – Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Driftless
Pros: 1 by version of the Trek, so same as the above but $500 more for 1 by, a basic dropper post, and a small frame bag.
Cons: Is the 1 by, dropper, and frame bag worth the extra $500? Looks like a nice bike. Would the Kona options be more comfortable/better options?
$3,000 – Kona Rove Ltd
Pros: Bike I initially liked, like the colour as well, steel frame, 2 by GRX, and carbon fork. (Looks like it’s available but it’s a 2.5-3hr drive each way to Calgary).
Cons: Would 1 by be a better easier option? Is the extra cost worth it over the other Kona DL or Trek Checkpoint ALR 5?
It seems I’m really trying to decide between $2k and $3k, and 1by vs 2by, and steel vs aluminium. As a result of this I’ve just ended up overwhelmed.
Sidenote: Why do steel bikes never have the attachment points for a small bag on the top tube and aluminum bikes seem to?
Sorry for such a long post, I’m not sure what the purpose of it is, maybe I just had to get my thoughts out and look for some advice to help me potentially make a decision.
Thanks to anyone that took the time to read this rabble.
by stujack