Bikes/Biking

Hey, thanks for asking the question! I was wondering about bikes, too!

A hybrid bike is good for leisure biking and works on road and for light trail riding. That's really your best option for all around biking. You can get them at really good prices too, but make sure you go to an actual bike shop.

I love biking...I have a better bike now, it's a hybrid (part road bike, part mountaine bike) but I started with a Target mountaine bike for $100. I would suggest starting there, you can always upgrade to a nicer one once you decide that you really like it and will get your money's worth (my new bike was $400, but the hardcore cyclists spent upwards of $1000).

I like the gel seats that you can also buy at Target, but when you're not used to riding a bike, there will be some discomfort no matter how nice of a seat you have....unless you get once of those bigger seats.

Definitely give it a shot, sure biking is a great work out, but most of the time I have so much fun it doesn't feel like I'm working out. It's waaaay better than a stationary bike.

Hi. I bicycle on a regular basis. If you plan to make this a regular habit, I recommend you go to a bike shop and tell them exactly what you posted below. They can properly fit you for a bike that will be suitable for the terrain on which you will be riding. You are probably going to want a mountain bike or hybrid. A lot of your enjoyment will depend on how much money you are willing to shell out. If bike shop prices are too steep, you can always ask them for pointers and ask them to size you for a bike, and then go somewhere cheaper. Used bicycles are always an option, as well.

And yes, it is much more fun than a stationary bike! I have a 20-mile paved path near me, and I would ride it every day if I could!

Good luck!

I made the mistake of getting a cheaper bike at a department store. It was a dual suspension mountain bike...DON'T DO THAT!!!
Go to a bike shop, talk to them, tell them what you want and the kind of riding you will be doing. They will fit you to a bike. You can get a very nice hybrid bike fit to you for $300 to $500. Good Luck!!!

I started out on a cheap mountain bike and after deciding that I love to ride (rather than be cooped up in a gym -- *shudder*) I upgraded to a nicer bike, but I started out cheap because I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I wasn't sure I'd consistently do. It's ended up that I ride 4-5 days a week and in the last three months logged 510 miles on my new bike. One thing though, if you plan on riding a lot, I'd recommend getting some padded bike shorts. That was the worst part of beginning to ride for me -- the pain in my backside. You do get used to it after awhile, but the shorts make it much more bearable! Matter of fact, I don't even have any pain in my sit bones anymore on my longer rides (30+ miles) so I definitely recommend them. You can get a decent pair for pretty cheap. I think I got my Canari ones for around $29. They can go up (price-wise) from there but I'd start out cheap at first.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy riding as much as I'm sure the rest of us do. Like I said, sure beats being cooped up indoors. I'd much rather be outside getting my cardio any day of the week.

ETA: I second what everyone above has posted about going to a local bike shop -- they'll be able to help you select a bike based on your needs and you will be properly fitted for the bike, which means it'll be MUCH more comfortable to ride, which means you'll be more motivated to actually put some miles on it. My cheapie bike I mentioned above? It lasted about a month and a half before I decided I really needed to upgrade. It was an off-the-rack bike (on clearance no less) that was not in any way shape or form fitted for me. Lesson learned!

Local bike speciality shop is the way to go! Sounds like you want a hybrid bike.

Questions you want to think about are how much do you want to pay, do you want a suspension (it's not expensive to get a front suspension), and how heavy do you want the bike to be (aluminum or chromoly frame).

For example, we shop here: http://www.tollandbicycle.com. My wife has one of these: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/boulder/7305/44110 (well, an older model).

Things to think about so you are aware of these things before you go chat with the pros.

Cheers,

Sean

Hi. I bicycle on a regular basis. If you plan to make this a regular habit, I recommend you go to a bike shop and tell them exactly what you posted below. They can properly fit you for a bike that will be suitable for the terrain on which you will be riding. You are probably going to want a mountain bike or hybrid. A lot of your enjoyment will depend on how much money you are willing to shell out. If bike shop prices are too steep, you can always ask them for pointers and ask them to size you for a bike, and then go somewhere cheaper. Used bicycles are always an option, as well.

And yes, it is much more fun than a stationary bike! I have a 20-mile paved path near me, and I would ride it every day if I could!

Good luck!

+1

Also, it's okay to visit more than one bike shop. When I decided I wanted a bike, I went to like 4.

The first one only sold road bikes, and the staff kind of stuck their noses up at newbies. I promptly left.
The second sold bikes I was interested in, but the staff vaccuumed the whole time I was there and didn't offer to assist me (it wasn't closing time). I promptly left.
The third had pretty helpful staff, but mostly sold Treks, and I wasn't ready to buy a bike after only trying one brand.
The fourth was like an hour away, but the staff was AMAZING, and I tried like 5 different bikes and instantly fell in love with mine. It's a Schwinn World GS (Women's).. a hybrid, and is awesome on pavement and dirt, but I wouldn't want to ride it on rough gravel for extended periods. I love love love it.



I go to the third store (awesome staff, but just Treks) for maintenance/repair since they're closer than the one I bought my bike at. But I'll never go back to the bike stores where I was treated like crap.

Your local bike shop is the way to go. The next decision you have to make is the type of bike to purchase. This is a real hard part, to go mountain bike, hybrid/comfort or road.

If you are really looking to get a bike for fitness, I would suggest going with a road bike. As an avid cyclist I see so many people starting out and getting a hybrid and outgrowing it within weeks. If you are looking for something to ride around the neighborhood for 20 or 30 min a hybrid will work for you. If you want to do more than that you should look at a road bike. I know it can be intimidating when you start looking at the road bikes and the cost can make your head spin, but you can do so much more on one.

Just be careful bike riding can be more addictive than crack.

I am with you until you recommend a road bike. I would not recommend a road bike for a novice rider. Mountain bike, hybrid, maybe even cyclocross, but not road. It requires too much maintenance, it is not forgiving in terms of body weight/size, it is not good for riding on dirt (which the OP said she wanted to do), etc.

Bottom line: Go to your local bike shop. They will help you.

A mt or hybird will only get you so far. and yes road bike's can be intimidating. What I was try to say is that I have seen so many people buy 200 and 300 dollar bikes and wish a few weeks later that they had spend a bit more for a better bike. I know because I took this route also. I started with a Mt bike, then to a road a month later.

Learning gears will be learning gear on any bike.