How do I select the right bike for me?

My last teen is off to college and I'm dying to hit the road again. About 30 years ago I was an avid biker around the streets of Paris. I don't have great strength or balance anymore --but I am flexible thanks to yoga. I don't want a bike that puts strain on my arms and hands and which causes me to strain my neck forward as I lean over the handlebars. I'm thinking that a recumbant might be the best but it's so low in traffic--I don't want to get hit. I would use the bike for riding in the burbs and its fringes--not to commute(at least at this point). I don't want a heavy bike, dirt bike, or expensive bike I'm 5'9" and 158lbs.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Makbike is one of our experts on recumbents.

Trek Pilots have a more upright geometry and may interest you. I was predisposed to buy one (since SilverSon has one that I like), but I went to the LBS with an open mind and let them advise me...I am very pleased with their recommendation.

But, I'd encourage you to call ahead and schedule a time so you'll know they won't be distracted when contemplating your needs

You can always put a bright orange flag on your recumbent to make yourself more visible.

One of the less heavy hybrid bikes would be great for suburban riding and no hunched over posture. Perhaps an aluminum hybrid (do they make them in aluminum?- that's real lightweight). Hybrids are not expensive and if you are not racing and not doing lots of killer hills then weight is not the most important issue. They can go pretty fast too. They are very comfortable posture-wise, unless you are touring for days at a time. Hybrids are easy to find too- most bike stores have lots of them because they are very popular with average bike riders. They also make great errand bikes and generally have slightly wider tires, so they don't get flats much.
As an experienced rider, you might want to avoid anything called a "cruiser" or "comfort bike"- they tend to be for real beginner riders and are very heavy and they will limit you.

The only thought that comes to my mind concerning recumbants in the suburbs is that in the suburbs there are a LOT of blind driveways with cars backing out, bushes, and parked lines of cars- all of which might make it harder than usual for cars to see you coming.

Welcome to TE!! :) :)

Wow- you rode the streets of Paris?....I envy you!

The highracers (like Bacchetta) are not all that low, I am on a par with DF bikes on my Bacchetta Corsa. The highracers are a little more "technical", but if you can do Yoga, you'll pick it up pretty fast.
There are also some long wheel based bikes that lend themselves to being socked - socks are highly visible.
I have a flag on my trike. Sometimes I actually feel safer on the trike, because cars "can't see me" they give me a wide birth.
Where do you live now (not Paris ?), there are lots of recumbent groups around the US and many bent riders love to pontificate and will happily let you try their bike.
I love my bents. Sold my DF a year ago, less than 2 years after buying my first bent. I'm never going back.
Check out BROL
www.bentrideronline.com
the forum there is very active and the main page has lots of information and reviews. Also a for sale board may have a bike for you that won't be quite as expensive as a new one.

You shouldn't need *great* strength for any bike, except to pick it up and carry it. If you know you'll need to do that often, just don't buy a bike you can't pick up. Otherwise, you won't use the bike.

Dutch bikes or city bikes tend to have a very upright posture. A properly set up touring bike also can be quite upright. Hybrids also. An older style mountain bike can be pretty upright, if you look at used bikes. A step through frame tends to be heavier than a "men's" style frame, but is probably easier if your balance is off.

A budget of $500 (in the US) should let you get a useful new upright bike and the basic accessories. Kickstand, lights, maybe a rack or basket, a water bottle cage or two, fenders... If you're lucky enough to live in a city with a bike shop that sells used bikes, you may be able to do better. You'll use your bike more if it's set up to make it easy to ride :).

The big thing is to get to a shop and try bikes. Try lots and lots of bikes, even ones that are "too expensive". Some will be ok, some won't. Then you'll have a much clearer idea of which bike you want.

I had an aluminum Kona Dew hybrid that cost about $400 new and was sturdy and spry and pretty fast. Commuted, rode in the dirt, and did a tri on it. It has road wheels.

We now have a steel Kona Smoke commuter that cost $350 new and came with fenders already. It has mtn wheels. Extraordinarily comfy bike. Not as fast, but I just love it for toodling around. The new 2008 Smoke has 29 inch wheels, so it'll probably be faster.

I'm 5'8" and somewhere around 150 lbs with a 32 inch inseam, and ride a 56 cm Dew and a 20 inch Smoke. (size you need may vary, of course!)

www.konaworld.com

Get out and ride lots, and don't be afraid to try bikes that aren't quite what you were considering: you never know what you might fall in love with! :D

Maybe even this lovely steel Kona Ute for $800: http://www.konaworld.com/08_ute.htm

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Originally Posted by Torrilin

You shouldn't need *great* strength for any bike, except to pick it up and carry it.

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Right! As the Chief says to guys who ask how I can ride my big (not really that big) motorcycle, "She doesn't carry it, she rides it.":D

But seriously, once you've done a little bit of research, you really need to just go to the LBS and start test-riding until you find the one that's right for you. It's smart to arm yourself with a some info up front, so you can shop more wisely, but as Knot said, you never know--you may come face-to-face with a shiny, perfectly-fitted bike that bears no relation to what you thought you wanted. Have fun test-riding!