About twice a month, all summer, someone asks me for help or advice on buying a bike. Now, inspired by the famous Rob Gruhl, here's a talk that covers everything you need to know to buy a practical bicycle.

1. How to Buy a
Practical Bike
Ignite Seattle #10
Noah Iliinsky
@noahi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doublegrande

2. Why bike?
http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect16/Sect16_1.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/frisse82
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffmcneill/

3. Quality
of life
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_ninjamonkey/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdot_photos

4. Key: comfort fit
1. seat height
2. handlebar height
3. handlebar reach
http://www.rei.com

5. Key: practical tires
~1.25–1.75in or 32-45mm
http://www.rei.com

6. Key:
low gears!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennieb

7. Functional accessories:
fenders and rack
http://www.publicbikes.com

8. Bikes: road racing
• light and fast
• aggressive posture
• narrow, high-pressure tires
http://www.rei.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nate_kate

9. Bikes: mountain bike
• heavy suspension
• moderate to aggressive posture
• wide, knobby tires
http://www.rei.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmeurope

10. Bikes: city or hybrid
• practical design
• upright posture
• moderate tires
• room for fenders
• rack mounting points
http://www.rei.com
http://www.toyota.com

11. Safety
http://www.rei.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thorstenator

12. Practicality
http://www.rei.com
http://www.twitter.com/yelahneb

13. Q: Where to buy?
A: Budget
• Under $500, used
bikes offer better value
than new
• Reasonable new bikes
start around $700
http://www.flickr.com/photos/orcmid

14. Used: $200-500 at LBS
Columbia City

15. New: $700+ at LBS
Free
Range
Cycles

16. Other Options:
REI Craig’s List
• decent values
• lots of support
• bike at all price levels
• some deals, some not
• no support

17. Stuff you don't need
(to be)
• lycra
• ironic moustache
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamtraveller
• white male
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iralifack

18. Non-profit
bike shops
support access
Fix-it classes for everyone
14th and Main, near Jackson
for everyone
http://thebikery.org
Repair and riding classes for kids
S. Ferdinand St., Columbia City
http://bikeworks.org

19. Summary
• bars above seat
• low enough gears
• room for fenders
• ~1.25-1.75in or
32-45mm tires
http://www.rei.com

20. • Test ride different bikes
•Support Local Bike Shops
•Have fun!
Questions? Feedback?
@noahi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tzofia