Hi everyone!
Aside from having a mountain bike as a kid, I am new to cycling and new to this subreddit. I just bought my first road bike from a family friend. It’s a Trek 2300, paid $400. Freshly serviced with new tires. I realize this is an older bike, but felt it was a good entry point for me, not knowing how far this new hobby may take me! The price seemed in line with what I was able to find online and for the shape it’s in I feel I did well! The frame looks solid – a concern with these models from what I have read.
My friend included an aero bar, road pedals, a helmet and water bottle 😁
How did I make out? Any advice for a noob?
by Remote_Ad_4220
4 Comments
First rule of bike photographing is to take photos from the right side, but as you are new to biking you probably didn’t know. Down tube shifters are pre 90s and I would upgrade if it was my bike and if I should used it a lot. (I have a vintage Colnago with down tube shifters and I keep it like that for the authenticity and because I have many bikes) Could be a problem to change if it’s 7 speed though. The components looks like Shimano 600 Ultegra (6400) to me and they work nicely. I got two bikes with those series (8 speed STI) and I’m happy with them. The stem seems high and the seat post low! 400$ for a “vintage” bike like that in good condition is kinda ok.
Edit: As a European I would remove the dork disc immediately.
This is clean af and treks can be solid starters, which this looks to be.
Tips:
-You’re best off if/when you don’t expect anyone around you to see you
-Try to give the right away but especially so when you’re the one in danger, no need to challenge a car/truck
-Yielding as much road as reasonably possible to motorized vehicles (fuck e-bikes but them too) will reduce your chances of getting smashed
-Look back every so often, it helps you know when someone’s coming and when someone make eye contact, they’re less likely to wantonly put* in you danger, doesn’t mean it that risk is eliminated though. Also, as morbid as it sounds, it might help in identifying a hit and run suspect if the last image was of the car that hit ya
-Looking behind while riding, without deviating your direction is a learned skill
-Rear red light is more important than front imo, so keeping a spare one of those, if ya had to choose between the two, isn’t a bad idea
-Frame/seat/handlebar caddies are amazing
-Invest in a lock that’s at least 10-20% the cost of your bike, if not more
-Quality saddle will save your ass (Selle Italia is for whatever reason, the brand I’m loyal to)
-A speaker can be a great way to allow others to hear you approach (I don’t like having to raise my voice or the lil bells lol)
-If possible, find a local bike shop/space where they can lend a hand for free/donation as well as tools to borrow on site, s/o to the Bike Church in Santa Cruz…
* Flat repair kit is a must get imo *
Lastly, a good ride to me is one where I don’t piss anyone off and I don’t fall or get a flat
Kudos to any of ya who made it all the way through this lol
I had a 2300 in the early nineties. At first the aluminum fork front end felt squishy after riding steel bikes for the previous forty years, but I got used to it. Thirty year old aluminum makes me uneasy.
I had a 2300 in the early nineties. At first the aluminum fork front end felt squishy after riding steel bikes for the previous forty years, but I got used to it.
Thirty year old aluminum makes me uneasy.