Beginner bike suggestions

lms2486

So I'm looking to get a bike that I can use to get some exercise in and go for rides in my town. Since I'm just getting started with this I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, somewhere around $100. By rides i don't mean mountain biking or trails or anything like that, moreso on the side of paved roads, etc.

Suggestions would be much appreciated.

55in13

I would hit CraigsList if you live in an area where it's widely used. Do you have a local friend that rides? For $100, you are either going to get a new heavy Huffy or equivalent at the local discount store or a good used bike, but it will require more knowledge to make sure it is in good shape and is likely to stay that way. Other than being inefficient (more effort than they should be to get around), I think the heavy Huffy bikes sold by the big chains are fine for most people, but you will start to wish you could get a little further without so much work. They provide more exercise.

jacksonpt

I agree with looking for something used. You can usually find an entry level trek or specialized for fairly cheap, then just take it to a bike shop for a once over and a tune up. Might end up costing you a little more than $100 after the tune-up, but it'll be worth it in the long run.

Even at Target most adult bikes will be a little more than you are looking to spend (at least they are near me).

In the end the actual bike doesn't matter too much. Make sure it's a reasonable size and that you are reasonably comfortable on it. No need for knobby tires, though I wouldn't avoid them if you are looking used.

fromnebraska

$100 is not a lot of money when it comes to bikes. If you have a local bike shop, I'd try there. Some bike shops have used bikes for sale. Otherwise I'd try Craigslist. I wouldn't recommend buying one at Walmart, Target, Shopko, Kmart, etc. You won't want a bike that is too heavy, too big or too small. It's important that you can test drive the bike and to get a feel for how the bike shifts, brakes, and how you balance on it. Since you're wanting a bike for exercise, I would suggest a mountain bike (hard tail)--don't get a bike that has a shock over the seat, that's overkill for what you'll be doing. Also, don't get a bike that has the motorcycle-style gear shifts, get a bike with regular thumb-controlled gear shifts.

Hope that helps!

savithny

Yeah, try to find a used bike that's a better brand and build rather than going out and buying new for under $100. At that price point, you're getting really heavy steel, and you're probably also going to have quality issues wiht the bike - the cheap one we had for my son to learn on had a crooked frame and uneven forks, so the wheels didn't even spin true. I also remember the guy who rides my bus who went down to Walmart, bought a cheap bike, and tried to ride it home, up our steep hills, only to have it break before he got home.

55in13

Kinda surprised about "breaking" one of those cheap bikes. I have one and I could break stuff with it. The only real drawback with them to me is that they are heavy. I bought a Huffy beach cruiser a while back after I had a trailer accident with my Mongoose (I recommend most Mongoose models, BTW). I figured I would pick up something cheap and it would give me reasonable exercise when I biked with the kids even though I wasn't going very fast or far. It was a good plan, but fast forward to now and the kids are a little bigger and have upgraded bikes. I get a serious major workout trying to ride with them now. As I said in my previous post, I do recommend a good used bike as your best alternative but you will need someone to help you pick it out. I would still consider a discount store model as far better than nothing, though.

jacksonpt

Yeah, try to find a used bike that's a better brand and build rather than going out and buying new for under $100. At that price point, you're getting really heavy steel, and you're probably also going to have quality issues wiht the bike - the cheap one we had for my son to learn on had a crooked frame and uneven forks, so the wheels didn't even spin true. I also remember the guy who rides my bus who went down to Walmart, bought a cheap bike, and tried to ride it home, up our steep hills, only to have it break before he got home.

I doubt the bike actually broke, but more than likely came apart. The issue with those bikes is how well they've been assembled, not how strong they are.

savithny

Yeah, try to find a used bike that's a better brand and build rather than going out and buying new for under $100. At that price point, you're getting really heavy steel, and you're probably also going to have quality issues wiht the bike - the cheap one we had for my son to learn on had a crooked frame and uneven forks, so the wheels didn't even spin true. I also remember the guy who rides my bus who went down to Walmart, bought a cheap bike, and tried to ride it home, up our steep hills, only to have it break before he got home.

I doubt the bike actually broke, but more than likely came apart. The issue with those bikes is how well they've been assembled, not how strong they are.

As he described it, there were plastic components in the gear shift mechanism which simply came apart under the stress of riding up a steep hill.

Though I agree assembly is an issue, parts quality and cheap-*kitten* parts are also an issue once you get below a certain price point. It's like the new Kitchenaid mixers with the plastic gears that are soft enough to strip out if you put any real stress on them. We've hit the point in cheapening down consumer goods where they're cheaping out things that they really shouldn't.

55in13

I did go with a cruiser - no gears, a coaster brake and a chain you could tow a car with - so the cheap parts have not bitten me except that it violates Newtons Law and strongly resists staying in motion. :ohwell: A used lighter bike from a quality maker is on the list, but the cruiser keeps it from being an urgent item.