Newbie seeking advice

[Redriders]

Hi all, do to the covid situation my family and I went to our local bike shop and bought some bikes. My wife and little girls got Electra cruisers and I picked the 2020 Haro Double Peak Sport in the dark orange/red color. Honestly I fell in love with the color and 29 inch wheels. I paid just about $650. I realize its an entry level bike and ill mostly be riding it in the streets with my girlsand occasionally take it to a trail.

Its all Shimano part, 2x8 and has the HL Vaxa 28 forks. Does anyone recommend any upgrades especially the forks. I was on Google and bikers had less than desirable reviews about them.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post, all advise is welcome and bummed that it took covid to get a mountain bike because there awesome!

[Inge]

Just start riding it!

Why wanting to upgrade a new bike? You might as well have forked out the dollars to start with for a more expensive bike.

For now just start enjoying it and find out what your wishes are for a maybe future bike - only with experience you gain insight in what you like or dislike.

[Redriders]

Just start riding it!

Why wanting to upgrade a new bike? You might as well have forked out the dollars to start with for a more expensive bike.

For now just start enjoying it and find out what your wishes are for a maybe future bike - only with experience you gain insight in what you like or dislike.

Thanks, what's your experience you gain insight in what you like or dislike?

[John Nelson]

It is very inefficient to buy a bike and then start upgrading it. It is much more cost effective to buy a bike that already has what you want on it.

You need to wear out what you already have to earn something better. If you get that far, you’ll know what you want.

[Inge]

My experience is that I have been cycling for the past 50 years or so - grew up on a bike and moved to a racing bike when I was 16, transformed that into a touring bike and continued from there. The bigger the mileage the more you realize what you like/ dislike. I do dislike eg shimano spd pedals - hurt my feet. Like big fat tyres for comfort etc.. And obviously reading a lot on blogs, forums before buying helps a lot so you learn from other people's experience.
Curently I own 2 bikes - gravelbike 29er (custom built (derailleur), and a heavy duty touring bike (Santos 3+ - Rohloff). Both bikes will last me for the rest of my life.

[Westinghouse]

I am not sure what is meant by entry level. If it fits, is sufficiently light, and can take racks and panniers, it is just fine. About prices? I picked up a $1500.00 Mongoose IBOK in Goodwill for $20.00. I got a nice Giant road bike, which is fine for loaded touring, for $20.00 in Goodwill. Sure, I put on new wheels and tires, but what to hell. I already had chain sets. I ordered two rear panniers from Bike Nashbar. I got two bags for $5.00 each, put in stiffeners and made my own front panniers. It works as well as a Surly any day, and from what I have read, it gets me there as efficiently as any bike touring set up up on the road. I always considered bicycle touring a quest, an adventure, an expression of personal freedom, and not as a platform for showing status. However, for anyone planning a worldwide tour lasting for years, I would recommend something like the Surly bicycles.