New and excited!

[cranfordrd]

So, me and my 10 yr old Sears $99 bike have been having great fun! After years of casual family riding and occasional periods of "I have to get in shape" 3-4 mile rides I have started riding in earnest. I am only doing 7-8 miles at a time but hoping to work my way up. I know my bike is an issue, those hills are killing me! I ride in the street and when I can find a partner (not too often, any LI'ers want to ride trails with me? One by my house runs from Cold Spring Harbor to Merrick Rd, Massapequa). So I just got shorts and jersey real cheap at Sierra (on sale, with coupon etc) and LOVE THEM! Riding is much nicer with bike shorts (thanks to this forum I got good shorts and which not only avoids irritation but is a lot cooler) . The jersey has net underarms which is also cooler (Sheebest) and I "look the part now". Anyway, I had to share cause I am excited !

I want to hit a couple of bike shops this weekend to search for a hybrid that will do roads and trails for around $500, any ideas?

[Jiffer]

So, you got the cycling bug. Yay for you! I'm fairly new myself. Dh has ridden for years, but convinced me to get a road tandem last Fall and I just got my own single road bike in June. I'm doing my first century next Saturday.

Sorry, I have no suggestion on buying a new hybrid, except I would say to put your $500 toward a used one. You can probably find a nicer quality used one for the money than you'd find brand new. My husband got a killer deal buying a barely used really nice mountain bike on ebay. But you have to know what to look for, of course. I'm sure you'll get some good advice here. If you don't on this thread, start a new one specifically about that.

Sounds like you're doing great. Just add to your distance a little at a time. You'll get stronger and be able to go farther and faster in no time. It's fun to see yourself progress, even in small ways.

Happy cycling!!! And welcome to the board.

[Starfish]

Hey, I don't have any hints regarding the bike you're looking for, except you know if you've been on these boards that fit is everything.

But, the main thing is...you love cycling!! YAY!!!! Welcome!

[Jo-n-NY]

Welcome to the TE Forum C. It is nice to see someone that lives near.

If you are looking for a good bike shop, I am partial & have a personal interest in Sunrise Cyclery on Sunrise Hwy in Massapequa Pk. You will not be steered wrong on what type of bike to get for the riding you want to do. The sales person you would want to talk to is Tony or Bob.

I went from a Hybrid, but now ride a road bike. I love this forum. It is the best group of people here and I have gotten such a wealth of information over the couple of years that I have been here.

~ JoAnn

[maryellen]

Try a Trek 7.5 fx or higher at a bike shop. It's a hybrid that is lighter and w thinner, slicker tires than most hybrids. I have an older model of the Trek 7.5FX and I've done centuries and a week-long AIDS ride on it.

You might be able to get a break on the price at this time of year. Or it would give you a good sense of what to look for in a used bike.

Who knows, you may be upgrading to a road bike before you know it!

[Jo-n-NY]

Try a Trek 7.5 fx or higher at a bike shop. It's a hybrid that is lighter and w thinner, slicker tires than most hybrids. I have an older model of the Trek 7.5FX and I've done centuries and a week-long AIDS ride on it.

You might be able to get a break on the price at this time of year. Or it would give you a good sense of what to look for in a used bike.

Who knows, you may be upgrading to a road bike before you know it!

Actually between the hybrid and roadbike, I had a Specialized Sirrus, which sounds very similar to the Trek Maryellen mentioned. The Sirrus has a straight handlebar, however, I am not sure about the Trek 7.5FX. However, either one of these bikes is worth trying since you are looking around.

~ JoAnn

[maryellen]

The Specialized Sirrus and the Trek 7.5FX are very similar. Both w straight bars.

So either one of these would be great bikes for you to try. I think pretty much all bike shops would have one or the other, Specialized or Trek.

Test ride as many bikes as you can. Don't be shy! And let the bike shop staff suggests some bikes for you to try. Don't hesitate if the bike they suggest is way out of your price range. You will be surprised at what you learn by trying different bikes.

Good luck.