Biking Advice For Newcomer

malachai_barker
malachai_barker Posts: 5 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a bigger guy looking to get into biking. I've heard it's a great way to exercise that doesn't put stress on the knees. To be honest, I haven't rode a bike since I was in grade school but I want to give it a try. I'm not sure what type of bike I need or the best way to go about getting one. I just don't want to break the bank getting one. I've looked on Craigslist but some of the ads seem sketchy.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
Does a $200 cap sound unreasonable?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    $200 is a bit low even for a used bike of a quality brand. Probably a hybrid is the best bike in your case. Like a used Trek 7100 or somesuch.
  • malachai_barker
    malachai_barker Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks for the reply. The reason I set the cap so low is because i didn't want to spend too much money on my first bike, just in case biking didn't work out for me.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    You can always relist it.

    OH!

    Look in your area for a 'Bike Kitchen'...
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    two words...bike shorts.

    not the old spandexy kind. my biking, and the joy i found in it, drastically improved with my purchase of bike shorts. a bit pricey, but worth their money to not have a sore butt after.

    i think your cap is a little low also. if it is something you are serious about doing, stay away from the big box store bikes. you will buy one for 200, then realize it's not enough bike and go spend double that on a decent bike. and have trouble reselling the 200 one.

    reverse of that, is that you spend 400, don't like biking, and sell it for 350, almost new.

    good luck.
  • jtgilfoy
    jtgilfoy Posts: 25 Member
    Don't sleep on craigslist! There are just a TON of nice older bikes that got ridden a few times and put in people's garage. As a new biker, I'd look for a nice brand name mountain bike from the early 90s. That old and they won't have energy sapping suspension, and really just have the geometry of a touring bike but with the flat handlebars probably most comfortable to you. $100 ought to get a rather nice one, add in another $40 for slick tires if needed and you are good to go. If you post your location and height, I'd be happy to give craigslist a quick look and point out some I think would be good for you. If you prefer not to say where you are, look for some of these:

    Trek 850, 930, 950, 970, or 990
    Specialized RockHopper or Stumpjumper

    There are MANY many others that would serve just as well, but these ones were very common in the early 90s era I'm talking about. Feel free to take me up on the offer to point a few out though.
  • malachai_barker
    malachai_barker Posts: 5 Member
    You can always relist it.

    OH!

    Look in your area for a 'Bike Kitchen'...


    The only Bike Kitchen I've seen is in San Francisco. I'm based in the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield metro Area. I know there are plenty of bike shops in my area but most of them seem like they are more for the professionals.
  • chrisjathompson
    chrisjathompson Posts: 227 Member
    Defiantly a road bike. I have always had monster sized mountain bikes, and just recently bought a road bike. It's so much better of a ride around the city.

    I set my price the same as yours, I bought a bike at walmart for just under 200

    http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/raleigh-sport-700c-mens-bike/10187430?trail=&fromPLP=true&ancestorID=&searchString=&startSearch=&fromSearchBox=&addFacet=2004:Raleigh

    I don't see this bike on the USA site, but I see a lot more options than I have here. If you can't, or do not want to go with used, and can not up your budget, I do not see a reason not to go to a big box store!
  • jtgilfoy
    jtgilfoy Posts: 25 Member
    Do not buy a walmart bike, it's a recipe for hating it and being unable to resell it. Road bike vs mountain bike is not the issue. Toy store crap vs quality made bikes is a much bigger deal. I suggested mountain bikes because there is such a glut of decent ones out there for cheaper than new crap.

    trek, specialized, giant, gary fisher, etc = more likely to be good (though they have made some stinkers)
    Pacific, Magna, Triax, and anything car branded (GMC, Denali, Hummer, Jeep) = toy store crap.
  • chrisjathompson
    chrisjathompson Posts: 227 Member
    Do not buy a walmart bike, it's a recipe for hating it and being unable to resell it. Road bike vs mountain bike is not the issue. Toy store crap vs quality made bikes is a much bigger deal. I suggested mountain bikes because there is such a glut of decent ones out there for cheaper than new crap.

    trek, specialized, giant, gary fisher, etc = more likely to be good (though they have made some stinkers)
    Pacific, Magna, Triax, and anything car branded (GMC, Denali, Hummer, Jeep) = toy store crap.

    I don't know, all of you really think the first bike you get should be as close to top of the line as possible? I think I got a decent deal, the bike will last me a while and it gives me a good workout. I think you should get whatever you can get, and just get out there and start burning those calories and working those muscles.

    The bike's price tag isn't the final price. The bike lock, helmet, water bottle and cage, lights if you are going to bike at night, a good pair of shorts, a pump, patch kit, spare tubes, a bag of some sort, gloves maybe.

    If you like riding and upgrade, you can always keep the bike to pressure your other out of shape friends to go for a ride with you, not having a bike would not be an excuse. Or you could sell it, people don't just by used if it's top of the line name brand blah blah blah.

    Best of luck to you OP, I hope you enjoy biking!
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Do not buy a walmart bike, it's a recipe for hating it and being unable to resell it. Road bike vs mountain bike is not the issue. Toy store crap vs quality made bikes is a much bigger deal. I suggested mountain bikes because there is such a glut of decent ones out there for cheaper than new crap.

    trek, specialized, giant, gary fisher, etc = more likely to be good (though they have made some stinkers)
    Pacific, Magna, Triax, and anything car branded (GMC, Denali, Hummer, Jeep) = toy store crap.

    I don't know, all of you really think the first bike you get should be as close to top of the line as possible? I think I got a decent deal, the bike will last me a while and it gives me a good workout. I think you should get whatever you can get, and just get out there and start burning those calories and working those muscles.

    The bike's price tag isn't the final price. The bike lock, helmet, water bottle and cage, lights if you are going to bike at night, a good pair of shorts, a pump, patch kit, spare tubes, a bag of some sort, gloves maybe.

    If you like riding and upgrade, you can always keep the bike to pressure your other out of shape friends to go for a ride with you, not having a bike would not be an excuse. Or you could sell it, people don't just by used if it's top of the line name brand blah blah blah.

    Best of luck to you OP, I hope you enjoy biking!

    A used Trek, Cannondale, Specialized / bike store bike is better than a brand new department store bike.

    Also the bike you linked earlier is a hybrid, not a road bike. Though maybe you didn't mean to infer that it was.
  • jtgilfoy
    jtgilfoy Posts: 25 Member
    Not at all! Top of the line is for rich folks :)

    I just think that this: http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/3668355862.html

    is not only a better value than the new $200 bike, it is objectively a better bike irrespective of price.


    EDIT: Though honestly (I looked at your link) that looks better than what I usually see at $200. I'd still go used.
  • GuybrushThreepw00d
    GuybrushThreepw00d Posts: 784 Member
    Am i the only one who read "Biking Advice" as "Bikini Advice"? :laugh:
  • smilingirisheyes
    smilingirisheyes Posts: 149 Member
    A bike was how I first started getting in shape. I'd recommend visiting a bike shop to check out different kinds to see what you are comfortable with - I ended up with a mountain/cruiser hybrid and love it. You can always look for something used, but doing a little tire-kicking can help ensure you like what you end up with.

    I agree about the bike shorts- they really make a difference.
  • okcat4
    okcat4 Posts: 224 Member
    Go to a near by / local bike shop. Tell them what you are doing, etc. THey will ask a bunch of questions, and help you pick the blke best for you. also , you will try it out before you buy it. They will help you se tup the bike for you ( seat, handlebars, etc. Bike shorts a must. IF you can't handle the thought of you in lycra right now, they make some to wear under regular shorts. Life savers. Also, get a helmet! a good one can be had for under 50 backs.

    I suggest a road ID as well, for all riders. Search for Road ID on the web. Never ride with out one! A good entry bike can run you $400- 600, which sounds like a lot, but it cost you more for a $200 bike you do not ride.

    Good luck and enjoy! Happy rides!
  • chrisjathompson
    chrisjathompson Posts: 227 Member
    A used Trek, Cannondale, Specialized / bike store bike is better than a brand new department store bike.
    Also the bike you linked earlier is a hybrid, not a road bike. Though maybe you didn't mean to infer that it was.

    Yes, it's a hybrid, sorry. We are going to be technical now :)

    I went hybrid because of the front suspension, it's slightly more comfortable, and the price. I thought I would maybe destroy a light weight road bike jumping off curbs and such with my weight.

    I did not plan on entering any races, or attempting a marathon on my bike. The suspension riding in the city just made sense to me. I put it in the category of road bike, because the ride is more so than a mountain bike.

    I guess I have no business on a bike if I am not going to go all out hardcore :D
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    In my opinion, there is no reason not to go to Target and get a Schwinn like I did.
    Roads and paths everywhere are horrible and you will only be bending the wheels on anything more expensive.
    Ypu said you were a big guy, o the few pounds different on the bike should not matter.

    Get a bike with a soft seat. Many people need that to avoid pinching a particular vein.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    reasons to get a good quality gently used bike (5-10 years old) vs a department store bike:

    Advantages of used good brand:
    > Bits and pieces are built to specific standards.
    > You can find parts for them, always, in any bike store. See above ^
    > Sturdier, thicker frame.
    > Higher quality components are less likely to fail under stress (very important for us heavy guys.)
    ^ Cheap cranksets will be destroyed. Cheap chains snap. Cheap cogs bend. Cheap handlebars can bend/snap. Cheap brakes SUUUUUUUUUCK. I paid more for *mid-level* brakes than an entire department store bike costs. Think about that for a second. --And they were on sale!
    ^ Cheap stuff is more likely to rust!
    > Bike shops will work on them.
    > They were built by a bike shop, not a Wal*mart employee


    While a bike here and there from a department store might not be a totatlly bad bike (There are a few pretty decent ones. Schwinn stuff, even the department store grade b-stock stuff walmart gets isn't trash) why waste money on a disposable bike shaped object, when the money can go toward a nice, used, quality piece?


    PS -big soft seats are a bad idea. Don't do it. They force you to sit on your tissue, rather than your sit bones.
  • jtgilfoy
    jtgilfoy Posts: 25 Member
    Oh man... the brakes alone! It's just amazing that some of whats out there is even legally allowed to be called "brakes" for all the effect it has on momentum.
  • Davis911
    Davis911 Posts: 15 Member
    I've been off my bike for quite some time till I started back riding in January.

    I'm a large guy as well and my biggest issues have always been wheel strength and lower back pain. I recommend going to a good bike shop that doesnt just want to sell a bike but also offer great customer service and patient with your experience. Also if it is in the budget, consider getting yourself sized for your bike. It help me figure out why my back would start hurting after even what I consider to be short rides.

    Also I recommend bibbed shorts. You don't have to worry about your pants slowly riding down and they make the ride more comfortable.

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