Hoping to start cycling: need bike selection advice

Depends on how much you want to spend, what your real goals are... I've been looking for a road bike with a view to using it in triathlons. The prices are £300 to £10,000.

I am planning to buy as cheaply as possible for as light as possible, you can always change parts over (like forks, wheels and so on to decrease weight) as you progress...

Go to a bike shop and talk to the experts. And BTW... they all screw with your butt, you can't get around it... you gotta get your bike butt, until then, it hurts.

Well fit is probably the most important part of getting a new bike. Getting properly fit will ensure that you are mostly pain free through out your rides. Most bike shops will fit you for about $150 if you don't buy a bike at their shop.

With that being said, most shops will also include a fitting and maintenance with purchase (which is an amazing deal considering how much maintenance can cost) So this will probably save you in the long run, but have you spending more out of the gate.

To me it sounds like you'll be looking into getting a road bike. Road bikes are probably the more expensive out of the types (road/hybrid/mountain) of bikes. Its also definitely worth it to spend the money on a decent bike now, than buy a walmart bike and then wish you hadn' t later as you progress with your cycling.

My first bike I actually got from Walmart, and then returned it about 3 weeks later (thank you Walmart return policy) and upgraded to a Specialized from my local shop. Wow, let me tell you the difference was like night and day. A proper fit and a a few hundred more spent, I now ride 50+ miles straight every Saturday with little to no pain as where I was riding the Walmart bike for about 1/2 an hour and my *kitten* hurt like hell!

Also make sure you test ride. Most shops will let you test ride for a fee to make sure you like the bike and that it is a proper fit for your body. They also apply the test ride fee to your purchase as well, so its a win, win!

****Also when I say most shops at least its most shops in my area do these things. Hopefully you can find one that these things also apply.

I have a mt. Bike I got off of Craigs list for 10.00 because like you I wasn't sure if I would stick with it. Really like it. Etc. I love it...cycling..not the bike. I am glad you have posted this question because I was thinking about upgrading too. I see a lot of Treks around. I know they are a lot faster and everything than my bike and way better suited for the road. I am saving for a new bike though so I can have a good one when I do make a purchase.

Make sure to go to a local bike shop for a proper fitting. When you know your size you can check craigs list, or some local cycle clubs hand down their older bikes to other members as they upgrade.

I'd recommend a plush ,hybrid, or touring bike bike.
Plush - ($700)Road bike with a more relaxed geometry. More upright seat position and longer wheelbase. Good for long comfy miles.
Hybrid - ($500)A mountain bike with road tires basically. (Don't get the huge gel saddles. They cause chaffing.)
Touring - ($800)Longer wheelbase then a mountain bike. Usually steel frame(mendable by welders) with lots of racks for gear. They are geared low so you can spin your way up any hill.

Remember when buying a bike your buying the frame, not the components. Components can always be upgraded later as you wish. The frame is the same forever. I suggest getting a triple crank, more gears give you more options.

You can try this.

http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/a/bike_size_hub.htm

I haven't fully looked through it yet though.

I've also heard good things about Performance Bicycle. You can check them out at performancebike.com