Just a quick post to try to tap your expertise. I was given an award at work, which gets me my choice of stuff from the awards central site. The only thing on their I might even remotely be interested in is one of the bicycles. This is they one that requires the most points, though it is still under my overall total points to “spend.” I don’t know anything about modern bikes. The last bike I had was a very heavy 10 or 12 speed when I was in high school. Anyone know if this Kent Shogun T1000 is decent? The other option at the top of the points range is this Kent Hawkeye mountain bike.
Any info on these would be greatly appreciated. These would pretty much be the only things I would use. I don’t need more luggage, I don’t camp so don’t need any of that stuff, don’t need any more HD TVs, don’t play video games so I don’t need an XBox, the gift cards are all for places I don’t shop or eat at, etc.
Thanks!
I’ll check back later.
Open thread!
MomSense
Oooh I will be interested in the responses. The one thing that didn’t survive my move was my bicycle. I need to replace it before Spring.
sentient ai from the future
for a commuter bike, front suspension is more of a burden than anything IMO. mountain bikes are a different story.
i am extremely crusty and old school in my bike choices. for commutes, if theres something like that t1000 without front suspension thatd be where i’d start. the hawkeye is not enough of a real mtb to actually mtb. what you most likely want is something that you will occasionally get onto a gravel side road or packed dirt trail and you dont need suspension for that.
les
Well, the 700C is not too girly, so there’s that.
Adam L Silverman
@sentient ai from the future: not for commuting. For exercise purposes.
ARoomWithAMoose
If the rider size range is to be believed (these are one size fits all, as I recall you are tall with long limbs), they are both probably too small for you without messing about with a longer seat post and handlebar stem.
sentient ai from the future
@Adam L Silverman: where is it going to be ridden, mostly? for most people, even if it is for exercise, the lowest barrier-to-usage is paved roads right outside your door, so unless you know you have the discipline to consistently do something else, thats going to be your most effective option, a road-ish bike with slightly fatter tires than a road racer.
sentient ai from the future
@ARoomWithAMoose: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A ONE SIZE FITS ALL BIKE! ALERT! ALERT! BEWARE!
swiftfox
Haven’t shopped for a bike for a long time as I have a 25 yr-old LeMond and a 12-yr-old Trek Verve. Kent is on the low end of the quality spectrum.
ARoomWithAMoose
@sentient ai from the future: That’s what I was getting at.
sentient ai from the future
also: aluminum frame and it’s STILL 31 lbs? hard pass. i’m a bit of a snob, because a bike, to me, is an essential tool and i am of the “buy once, cry once” persuasion when it comes to tools.
Lymie
Those are so inexpensive for modern bikes that they are, unfortunately, pretty crappy for an adult. Might be ok for a young teenager. Anything decent is at least $1k.
Can you take cash, instead? Gift cards for flowers or movies?
Ohio Mom
No advice, just congratulations. On whatever you did.
As long as I am here and you are reading this, never having lived someplace where my government was overthrown by an internal coup, or whatever is happening to us, do you think you could write a post on how to think about what we are undergoing? Did what I asked make sense to you?
Thanks.
Adam L Silverman
@sentient ai from the future: Paved roads where I’m at now.
oldster
These are not high quality bikes, but there is value to be had from low-quality bikes, too.
Many people who own fancy bikes also own a “beater” that they can ride hard and put away wet without feeling bad about it. I used to own a decent summer bike (like $2000) that I took care of, plus a beater winter-bike that I’d get for $50 at the police impoundment sale or on Craig’s list or wherever. Given how they salt the roads up here, no bike can survive two winters with its chain and cables unrusted, so I’d just get a new one about every year and sacrifice it to the gods of upstate snow and salt.
That’s an extreme case, but the point is: not every bike has to be top of the line. You can get a lot of use out of a $350 dollar bike. Part of what you can find out is whether you like cycling enough to drop more money on a fancier rig at a later date.
Adam L Silverman
@Lymie: There’s no cash option. And the gift cards are all for companies I don’t shop with.
Adam L Silverman
@Ohio Mom: Thank you.
It did. Give me a week though. Once I’m done with this project I’ll have the time and the freedom to do so. And remind me next weekend.
zhena gogolia
Congratulations!
Know nothing about bikes.
Ohio Mom
@Adam L Silverman: I will put it on my calendar to remind you.
wombat probability cloud
@sentient ai from the future: Yes, a critical question: How much do you think you’ll ride on pavement versus gravel? And, like sentient, without knowing more I’d lean towards a road-ish bike (like what’s called a “gravel bike”) with 700C wheels and slightly wider tires. Those will give slightly more of a workout on pavement but will be comfortable and stable on gravel/dirt, and much of that depends on treads, for which you have lots of easy replacement options. Unless you want to be on trails most of the time, the mountain bike will be a heavy pig. Is there a public link we could look at for the bikes at the “central awards” site, to get an idea of all of your choices? I’ve been biking for about 66 years now (not implying non-stop!!), and love bike technology, so couldn’t resist weighing in.
Quaker in a Basement
Not one comment about waffle parties?
Catch up, y’all!
CHETAN R MURTHY
@Adam L Silverman: Adam, I don’t know the brand kent, but also I haven’t bought a new bike in 25yr. Craig’s list has done it for me every time, and much cheaper than retail.
And so …. I wonder if these companies for which you could get gift cards, maybe someone would swap with you for cash? Or a used bike?
Baud
Congratulations on the award.
hells littlest angel
These are inexpensive bikes, so I wouldn’t expect high performance from them. Unless you are riding on rough terrain or want to do dangerous stunts like riding down a flight of stairs, a road bike will likely suit you better than a “mountain” bike. Fat, bumpy tires get great traction, but for riding on a paved surface, traction is not what you want.
Adam L Silverman
@wombat probability cloud: There is not a public facing options. These are the two highest bikes at the award level. Which is also the maximum individual award level.
HinTN
I have no advice on the question of bikes, although it seems to be settled that you should take the road bike and figure out what you like about it.
OTOH, congratulations, way to go, woo hoo, etc. Whatever you did you done good!
Chief Oshkosh
Yes, congratulations on whatever it was you that got you the award (Did you abscond with the church funds? Run off with a Senator’s wife? I like to think you killed a man. It’s the Romantic in me.)
Given what you say your needs are, the T1000 will probably suit you best for how you’ve outlined the mission. That said, either will do you fine. The T1000 will be less wear and tear on your shoulders and wrists as you’ll be sitting up. The Hawkeye has trigger shifters, which I prefer over the twist shifters. So, some pluses and minuses either way.
wombat probability cloud
@Adam L Silverman: OK, I wondered if that was the case. Shogun T1000, of these two options. You can change seat posts and/or handlebar stems if you need to add some height, and can always go to Craigslist or local bike stores for alternative saddles. Congrats on your award.
Randal Sexton
For commuting and exercise I would recommend a bit over than that. A bike with aluminum frame carbon forks and disk brakes is what I use. Plus you can get pedals that let you use regular shoes on one side and clip on on the other. If you get serious about exercise on it clip ins work a whole other set of muscles. Disk brakes are nicer and SAFER. I’m suggesting something at about double the price point. A nicer ride is just nicer though. Don’t focus on skinny wheels so much.
debit
Congrats on the award. I would avoid both options. Kent is a big box brand, so expect it to be poorly assembled, have low quality components (they don’t even say what groupset you get, not even the lowest end Shimano), and a short usable life span. When it needs service, which it will, you may have trouble finding a bike shop willing to work on it.
If you decide to go for it anyway, have some basic tools for repairs/adjustments and make sure you have a couple of replacement tubes.
BretH
Ex-bicycle mechanic (many many years ago!)
Both bicycles are not high quality, but should be acceptable for exercise. My opinion is the Shogun will be more comfortable for a new biker, and better for pavement. It is more upright and looks to have a more comfortable seat for general riding. The Hawkeye is closer to a true mountain bike, but since it isn’t going to have quality components it’s not going to do well off-road and won’t last as long.
But it is troubling that they seem to have only one size, because as another commenter pointed out, bicycles come in many frame sizes while using the same components. So having one size available only makes no sense and must surely be a way to cut costs by not stocking several sizes. The “recommended inseam” is a rough guide – the extra 2″ claimed for the Hawkeye is almost certainly due to a longer seat post. But raising the seat to its maximum without being able to raise the handlebars (it looks to be the newer design that uses bushings to give the seat post a little more or less height) means you would likely be hunched over.
Bottom line: I would point you cautiously to the Shogun. If it does’t fit you I would simply sell it and get a used bike off Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace – I would be happy to help guide you there, as I am sure would others. You will get far more quality for the same price, and quality components will give better performance and durability, even used.
Melancholy Jaques
@sentient ai from the future:
My BIL who runs a bike store says this all the time.
Hoodie
@Randal Sexton: Since he’s getting it for free and apparently hasn’t been much of a rider up until now, might as well try one to see if he likes riding and then get something better if he does. If you’re just tooling along greenways, a heavier, lower quality bike gives you just as much exercise as a $2000 carbon fiber bike. Granted, once you start doing a lot of miles, you’ll want a better bike just for the ride quality and the smoothness of the power train.
Adam L Silverman
I’ve decided to go with the chest freezer, which will make it easier to store the bodies.//
Thanks for all the help.
dm
Forgive me for simply using an internet search, but I’d never heard of Kent Bikes before (despite their having sold 2.5 million bikes), but I came to this review:
https://www.bikesized.com/is-kent-a-good-bike-brand/
The answer is “yes and no” — “yes” for an occasional cyclist, “no” for a performance cyclist.
Do you meet the 5’4″ to 6’0″ recommended size measurements? I assume you come in under the 275 weight limit.
I’d probably go with the street bike instead of the mountain bike (fewer fiddly bits to go out of whack, and, well, if I’m riding off-road I would want to have more faith in the manufacturer’s choice of components), though, as noted above, disk brakes are safer.
Steve in the ATL
@Adam L Silverman:
Huh. When did you quit shopping at Fredrick’s of Hollywood?
Shalimar
@Adam L Silverman: Can you buy gifts for relatives or friends at the stores you don’t shop at? If that saves you from having to pay for a few good gifts, it is almost like getting cash.
Central Planning
Do they have rowing machines? You generally don’t have to worry about getting hit by a car when you’re using one of them.
Hoodie
@Adam L Silverman: Umm, this is not exactly a secure channel.
The Other Bob
This may be one of the few things I can give advice about…
I am a lifelong cyclist and managed a bike shop in college. I like all bikes: cheap, expensive, slow, or fast.
IF this was an inexpensive but OK bike I would say go for it, but in this case I recommend you DO NOT get either bike and choose another gift. These bike are sold at Walmart and are essentially bike-shaped objects.
As other commenters stated, one-size-fits-all bikes are unlikely to fit anyone. The parts are very low quality and it will not be properly assembled. You will likely need a bike shop to reassemble the bike and get it working safely and properly, for likely $50 to $100. If you are in the market for a bike, go to a local bike shop and get one that will be safely assembled and fit you properly, even if it is entry-level.
I am sorry to discourage this, but very few folks are happy with Walmart bikes.
Adam L Silverman
@Central Planning: No, I’d have jumped on a rower to go with my arc trainer.
Adam L Silverman
@Hoodie: Just went back and added the sarc tags.
mark
My employer offers a bunch of different products, Chrystal wine goblets, leather jackets, etc. I’m an old timer and have all of that stuff. We have an extensive collection of Waterford Chrystal and all of that other stuff too.
I always opt for the Seiko desktop clock, they offer lots of different models . They do keep good time.
I smell tariffs coming on Seiko products
We can not have a desktop clock gap.
Adam L Silverman
@The Other Bob: I appreciate the candor.
Central Planning
@Adam L Silverman: Finding the space is always the tricky part. I love my Concept2 (and my crew club) for the great cardio/full body workout.
Spring is almost here, so we’ll be back on the Mighty Genesee River in April (hopefully!)
The Other Bob
@Adam L Silverman:
I just saw this. I am glad you went this route.
Steve in the ATL
@Adam L Silverman: good move—that will totally throw off the cops! But can’t you just drop the bodies in the Everglades? Or at Chez Cracker?
Dan
I don’t know about now, but years ago Kent made garbage bicycles that were sold at Toys “R” Us.
mark
I had a street bike back in the 90’s. Rode the wheels off of it. I’d ride that thing 15 miles or so most days.
Replaced it with a Giant mountain bike. The old street bike was head and shoulders above the moutain bike. Don’t remember the brand name.
Gin & Tonic
@Adam L Silverman:
Don’t you also need a chain saw to cut them into more-storable pieces?
As I am a bike snob too, I see you’ve gotten sound advice. $350 is lower than any bike I’d recommend to anyone I wanted to stay friends with.
oldster
@Adam L Silverman:
“I’ve decided to go with the chest freezer, which will make it easier to store the bodies.//”
Oh, look at Mr. Fancy Pants I’m too good to use a shovel like the rest of you mooks.
Walmart bikes — some years ago my son and I flew out to Missouri and Arkansas to take in some Civil War sites we had not seen (Pea Ridge, Jennings Creek, Wilson’s Ferry, I forgot what now). It was too much hassle and expense to bring our bikes on the plane, so I planned to just buy the cheapest bikes we could find at Walmart and use those on our trip, then leave them with some local friends and hosts after we were done.
One of the two was so badly assembled that after 20 or 30 miles all of the balls fell out of the bearing around the freewheel. It was rideable, barely, but only by keeping constant pressure on the pedal (and the ratchet was a-pawling). We returned that one to the Walmart, and left the functioning one with a host family. I really did not think that even Walmart bikes could be as bad as that one was.
wombat probability cloud
@Adam L Silverman: Just be sure to get at least 17 cu. ft. (at least 72″ width), for convenience.
TBone
Prime Minister of Canada has a message to Americans about tariffs:
https://www.reddit.com/r/interesting/comments/1ig52os/prime_minister_of_canada_has_a_wholehearted/
lowtechcyclist
@Adam L Silverman:
<g>
If you’ve never had a chest freezer before, a year from now you’ll wonder how you ever got by on just the dinky freezer that’s built into your fridge.
Having all that extra freezer capacity is great for frozen veggies, frozen meats, bread, frozen dinners, and all sorts of stuff that now only has to be on your grocery list every once in a while instead of every week or two.
Adam L Silverman
I went and double checked and they offer REI gift cards and I’m a member. So, I’ve got $600 worth of those coming.
Adam L Silverman
Thank you everyone, I appreciate the help.
Adam L Silverman
@lowtechcyclist: I was kidding. I have a full stand up freezer in addition to my fridge/freezer combo.
lowtechcyclist
@Gin & Tonic:
Hell yeah!
I got my present bike for $350, but that was back around 2002, and it was on sale at half price even then. It would definitely be four figures now.
mark
We have a chest freezer in the garage. It had a tendency to overload a circuit and trip it. The little woman never did get it. I finally broke down and hired an electrician to add another circuit to the panel and get our load throughout the house balanced. Spendy, but worth it.
Shane in SLC
In general I’m suspicious of a bike that doesn’t give component specifications. Squinting closely at the photos of the mountain bike, it looks like it has a Shimano drivetrain; Shimano is one of the two big players in that space, but at this price point it’s surely their heaviest, clunkiest, and least reliable model. I don’t recognize the fork maker, which means it’s probably a cheap generic knockoff. It also looks like maybe 80mm of travel, which might soak up a modest pothole but isn’t really a mountain bike fork (not that you’re going to be doing much off-road riding, it sounds like). I don’t see any branding on the city bike, but I would assume it also has entry-level componentry that will start giving you troubles after a couple of months. And you might find that your local bike shop will refuse to service a department-store brand bike.
I’ll also add that the bike market is in the gutter right now, with the used market flooded with bikes people picked up during the pandemic and bike stores still glutted with inventory from 2-3 years ago. If you were looking to buy a bike for cash, I’d tell you to save up a little more, as $1000 can get you a lot of bicycle right now.
All that said… free bike? <shrug> Maybe it’ll give you a taste for cycling again, and then you can start thinking about upgrading by the time the shifters on the Kent give up entirely.
ARoomWithAMoose
@Adam L Silverman: Excellent! The REI over on Dale Mabry (I’m assume you’re still a TampaBay local) has a bike shop, so you might be able to find a hybrid or such there the correct size and built out by a real life bike mechanic.
Bike shops will also typically swap out seat posts and handlebar stems for any bike they sell you.
Shane in SLC
@Adam L Silverman: Oh yeah, only read #54 after I wrote my post. Take the REI gift cards and then look at their vastly superior store bikes.
different-church-lady
I don’t know a lot about bikes, but I do know about the Boston area. (And if I’m not mistaken, you’re there too? So if you are…) You’re going to want the ruggedness of the mountain bike on our streets.
brendancalling
I’d be leery of anything made by Kent.
Adam L Silverman
@different-church-lady: That’s Levenson. I appear to have been sentenced to life without parole in Floriduh!
Gin & Tonic
@lowtechcyclist:
Many years back, we had a chest freezer in the basement. At some point the mice chewed through some apparently important wires. I discovered this quite a bit after the fact, at which time I also discovered that cleaning out rotting flesh is man’s work.
The freezer went to the curb the next week. There was no way that stench was ever coming out. We’ve lived without a chest freezer ever since.
Adam L Silverman
@ARoomWithAMoose: I’m a Tampa native. There’s six of us, we’re on four hour shifts. Though I don’t live in Tampa anymore.
Gin & Tonic
@Adam L Silverman:
Outstanding choice.
Another Scott
The Shogun looks similar to the Specialized hybrid I got about 25 years ago, on sale at a shop that was closing. I paid $600 for it and still have it. It’s fine for the riding I do (maybe 15 miles max on paved trails along the river). I got a new seat (much more padding), helmet, pedals (and matching shoes), gloves, bike computer, rack, lights, etc., to go with it over the years.
$350 sounds way, way too cheap, but it depends on what you want it for and your expectations.
The main thing is, you don’t want to hurt yourself on it. If you’re puttering around at 10 mph and something breaks, then that’s usually not a big deal. If you’re going 25 mph downhill and something breaks, well, that can be very serious.
(I remember riding a 10-speed bike home from a summer job in college and getting caught in the rain and being unable to slow down or stop (crappy brakes) when I needed to take a corner. I had to roll it over on its side and slide along the street to keep from heading into traffic and getting run over.)
I hope this helps a little. Good luck! Be safe!
Best wishes,
Scott.
frosty
@oldster: I’m still riding the 1992 Schwinn Cris Cross that I bought from a pawn shop for $140.
Needed a new cassette a few years ago. 7-speeds are obsolete. My local bike shop found one in the back room.
Adam L Silverman
@Another Scott: Thanks.
debit
@frosty: Check out Soma. https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/590911-s-ride-cassette-7sp-11-28t-cs-m200-8691?category=969#attr=
trollhattan
Hi Adam.
Congrats on the award!
Between the two bikes I’d go with the Hawkeye mountain version. 29-inch wheels and fat tires will laugh at shabby pavement, low curbs, rails and the like. Personal preference for trigger type shifters vs. the Shogun twist grip shifters. If the disc brakes are a decent design they will be more powerful than the caliper brakes of the Shogun, and better in the wet.
Shogun’s advantage would be lower rolling resistance and better aerodynamics, so faster with the same amount of effort. Tires probably quieter than the knobby mtn tires.
No wrong choice, just the direction I’d tip.
Beware any language similar to “some assembly required.” With that said, Kent does have a service hub and claim parts are available. A good thing.
Miki
@oldster: This. You can also rebuild parts of that cheap bike to make it work better for you until/unless you want/need to upgrade as your riding preferences change.
trollhattan
Added note: Shogun has a more upright riding position vs. the Hawkeye, which has a forward-leaning position. Folks differ on which is preferred, less weight on hands and wrists when sitting upright, more weight on the rear.
Dangerman
@ARoomWithAMoose: Only one bike for tall Dudes. Mark Eaton had one (met him once; one of a few times I’ve felt short). Forget the name. 36er something or vice versa.
ETA: DirtySixer.
wombat probability cloud
@Adam L Silverman: Just seeing this now. Yes, without question, take the REI gift card and then go see them to sort out, and test ride, a bike that will work well for you. The Adv 2.1 looks like a good match for your needs, and would leave lots of options for the future, but less expensive Co-op, Salsa, or Cannondales also would work well.
laura
@Adam L Silverman: see if you can get the chest freezer with the disc brakes
Congratulations on your major award.
Petorado
Do not get. This is the type of bike that bike shops will refuse to work on. It’s the ikea of bikes — it’ll look OK in the pictures but will be disposed of in short order. Any bike that doesn’t mention what components it’s built from will be total junk.
Jager
@different-church-lady: You are right about Boston being mountain bike territory. When I lived in the Back Bay, I rode (for exercise) about 25 miles a day. My road bike was a mess in 6 months, in the early 90s I bought a Giant 770 ATX for 900 bucks. I still ride it, lots of tires, new light rims, brake upgrades, and a shock absorber fork. It will be 33 years old soon. I had it tuned last fall, and the guy at the shop said, “a real classic!” I take good care of it and it loves living in California.
Adam, the trick is to keep your cadence between 85-100 rpm. Riding has been great for my osteoarthritis in my lower back, and shoulders. As I approach the big 8-oh this summer, I’m in decent shape for an “Old Bastid”. Start riding and watch the damn cars!
sab
@Adam L Silverman: Since you live in Florida, am I right in assumimg that climbing hills is not a serious concern?
japa21
Late to the post, but if it isn’t a mattress, I can’t help you.
Ohio Mom
@japa21: What can you tell us about mattresses? It seems that no matter what brand we buy, they only last about, I’m guessing, about seven years before they start sagging in the middle and bowing on the sides (I am not taking good notes). Doesn’t help that those silly pillow tops prevent flipping them to even out the wear.
planetjanet
@Adam L Silverman: good choice
Adam L Silverman
@sab: Correct.
pieceofpeace
Adam – huge cheers for you and the awared you received! Can you elaborate on this?
Congratulations!!
frosty
@Adam L Silverman: Sorry to hear that. Fingers crossed the sentence gets commuted.
Kayla Rudbek
@Adam L Silverman: yes, you can always find something at REI and their bikes are better quality (I think they may even have Brompton folding bikes although those frames might be a bit small for you)
Adam L Silverman
@pieceofpeace: I received the highest level individual performance award that could be awarded at one time. I’ve been the team, technical, and site lead on a project for the past 14 months and my boss put me in for this for my performance as the lead and in my functional/thematic work for the client
And thank you.
The Pale Scot
Go with the road bike, make sure to get good fat (1.75-2.25) hybrid tires with knobs on the side and channels for water in the center. Wider tires give a smoother ride and little less shock. Fat tires need to be properly inflated or you will have punctures on the valve area. Since you are a heavy dude, be gentle with the aluminum frame and wheels.
Randal Sexton
@Hoodie: Yes this is good advice too. But I guess he is going with the chest freezer! We just went thru our chest freezer and sorted out the crab bait from the -not- crab bait. Some of the crab bait looked kinda tasty to me, but my this point I am about 64% crab myself.