Hybrid Bicycles

my spelling is atrocious

bicycles.... i got some knowledge

most bicycle will comfortably support up to 280 lbs.

Hybrids generaly are going to function as mountainbikes but you sit in a more upright comfortable position.

most true hybrids have 700 cc tires. larger than standard MTB but wider (which is good) than road bikes.

be leary of any bike baught from a big box department store. yes the price is way better than a Local Bike store but the
bikes are much heavier......which is fine but the main problem lies in assembly, A 19 year old kid making minnimum wage who hs no experience will most likely be the mechanic. Always check after you bring it home that every thing is put together well.

other advice on hybrids........ Stay away from wal-mart. Target sells a schwinn Hybrid that is a nice starter bike. they have mens and ladies versions. also pay close attention to the sizes..
people often dont realize but bikes are not one size fits all. at the store just under the seats you will find a size. hybrids are usualy S M L or XL. you should be able to stand over top of the bicycle with both feet flat on the ground. your crotch should just touch the flat bar take or give an inch.

lots of info if you need more let me know.

I'm an avid cyclist, and will tell you that based on my experience, bikes from Walmart and Target aren't the greatest quality if you're going to be riding often. (I commute to work on mine, roughly 3 miles each way, and to get around town or just ride through the park, usually not more than 50-60 miles per week). I learned the hard way that my weight + poor bike quality + poor road quality = lot of repairs, especially to the wheel and tires, and even though I learned to fix flats myself, the expense adds up!!

I'm currently in the market for a hybrid bike (to replace my Target bought bike), because hybrids are the most versatile. It'll allow you to go faster than a mountain bike would, but have thicker tires than a road/racing bike. Should you ever opt to commute or do errands, it'll be there. Additionally, it'll be good on paths that are paved and packed earth. It really combines the best features of road/racing and mountain bikes, and allows you a great deal of versatility.

If you think you're going to do a lot of riding, I'd invest in a bike from a bike shop, although I know budgetary concerns can sometimes be a hurdle. But they'll often work with you on price, showing you options that fit in your budget range. Or, after doing some research, scope out your area Craigslist and yard sales for a used bike. You can bring it to your bike shop for a tune up, or take a bike maintenance course (which I recommend regardless of where you bought your bike), and get it up and going. But finding a credible, reliable bike shop can be the greatest resource for a new rider. Another alternative is if your town/city has a bike rescue, where they retrofit, and repair old bikes that are donated. There you'll find a community of other cyclists who can help you, and also they're a resource where you can purchase a "new" used bike, that has been repaired and restored. They're also a place where you can learn how to maintain a new bike, as I've found bike rescues hold workshops.

And just as infosynth said, fit is important. Not only do you want a comfortable saddle, but your bike has to be adjusted to the right height or you'll risk injuring yourself. I speak from experience on this point, having really injured my knee when I started riding regularly.

Good luck! Cycling is a great way to stay/get in shape, as well as get around town, or just have a pleasant afternoon going through the park!

I have a hybrid -- it's fine, and is probably a good choice for a casual weekend biker, or if you're going to be dealing with any kind of traffic, even in the neighborhood (stop and go). Sitting position's more comfortable, tires a little more sturdy for potholes etc, you don't have to deal with toe clips which are especially hard if you have a lot of stop lights. etc. But I agree that the most important thing is comfort. Getting the right seat and the right height for the seat is critical.

You might also want to consider how much you're going to be hauling the bike physically (whether you've got to get it on a roof rack etc), as there's a lot of variation. Heavier bikes are more stable on the road, but I chose a lighter frame because I had to haul it up several flights of stairs.

I'm not sure if I personally would buy a bike at Walmart. I find that for bikes it's nice to have someone at a local shop who knows them well and can make good recommendations, help you adjust the bike, and probably (ask) give you some free ongoing support in the early weeks in case you're having any problems with chains slipping etc. It will cost more of course -- to me it was worth it.

My bike is a flat bar road bike which is kind of like a hybrid between a hybrid and a road bike. I got it on ebay for $100. It is light and great on the pavement yet tough enough to handle mild off road stuff. I just put bigger tougher tires on it so I would get fewer flats. But I love it. Mine is a Marin Fairfax, and I try to commute to work a few times a week (28 miles round trip). There are lots of other brands that are good.

The most important thing is to find out what size bike fits you best. A good local bike shop can help with that. Then if you are not going to buy new from them (a decent new hybrid probably starts at around $400), check the craigslist and ebay ads and sales. This is probably the hardest time of year to find a good used bike, but they are out there. Then once you get the bike, bring it in to the shop that was nice enough to help you find your size and have them give it a tune up so it will ride like new. The tune-up will cost you $50-75 but it is worth it.

Dave

Hello
I have a Trek hybrid and I love it. I went to my local bike shop and paid about 500.00. It was well worth it. I have taken it on several long (25 mile) rides and it worked great. I just picked it up from the bike shop yesterday, it needed its yearly tune up. Now its road ready. I would not buy a bike at Target or Walmart. In the end it will not last you.

Have fun!