Looking to start this summer!

[brkfstatiffanyz]

Hello everyone!

I am new, and looking to start riding for exercise down my streets in my town as well as grab my bike and hit the trails with my boyfriend when we go camping.

The only problem is I have no idea what to look for in a bike. All I have been able to find is that I want a hybrid bike? I think that is what they are called. I am 5'3" and I weigh about 115 lbs so I am not sure what size or where I should even begin to look! I am hoping not to spend more than 250-300 range so if anyone could steer me in the right direction it would be much appreciated!

[Roadtrip]

Welcome to TE! My first suggestion would be to take ones self to the bike shop in your town, you'll want to ride many bikes, hopefully there will be some really cool folks there. They should make you feel at home and not stupid or ashamed to ask any question what so ever. The guys at my shop have been around bikes for so many years they could help you by looking at you ride and start narrowing down the vast options so you won't feel overwhelmed. Sadly, not all of your bike shops are created equal, it took some time and frustrations to find the right shop so good luck to you!!

The bike shop folks (as will we) will ask questions like what type of riding will you be doing? Dirt paths, pavement, gravel? Do you have any goals beyond riding more and fitness? As to bike sizes, there are many major manufactures out there that make bikes for smaller women and 5'3" is not all THAT small for a girl. There are many members here in your size range or even smaller.

Good luck in your search and let us know how things go!

Shannon

[KnottedYet]

Marin and Kona make good, basic bikes that are close to your price range. You may have to raise your range up to around $400 to get a bike you can upgrade in the future and one you can really depend on.

The nice thing about a good hybrid is that even if you branch off into other bikes in the future, you will always have a use for the hybrid! Buy a good one, that you love, and that makes you feel like you are flying!

(I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the Kona Dew. Wonderful basic "bombproof" bike.)

[Roadtrip]

I forgot to mention.. Hybrids are like the gateway drug of bicycles!

You have been warned

[Xrayted]

The other important measurement is your inseam. That will give you an idea of what size range you should be dealing with more than overall height, although that is important too when it comes to reach.

I 2nd Knot's vote. The Kona Dew is a good bike that will take you far with a smaller outlay of $$. It's a quality bike that is equally good on the street and paths. They make many sizes and there are many versions of it. With regular or disc brakes, etc... You can add fenders for rainy days, add racks for panniers to haul groceries or a ton of other things when you are camping, like firewood. Yes, we've done that.

If the price is a bit out of your range, you can check out a Schwinn hybrid. Sold literally everywhere these days. I wouldn't go under the $300 price range for it though. You will be paying in the long run. They still make decent bikes, have many styles to pick from and should be well within your budget. What I did was I went to many LBS's, had them educate me on my size of bike and what kind I needed for my type of riding. Then, armed with that information, I bought what I needed and fit me in a slightly used bike. I did return to those LBS's though for many other things. I had to just tweak a few things but that's expected. Oh, and just so you know, there is no such thing as magically getting the correct seat the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 99th time around. We have soooo many threads here dealing with that very issue. When it comes down to it, just try them out and see which one makes your tush not scream.

At your height, I wouldn't be looking for a 700cc wheel though, maybe a 650cc (i.e. a 26" wheel if that is how they measure it). It gives you more range with the geometry of the frame with the smaller wheels. The larger ones kinda get in the way when steering. Meaning, when you turn, the bigger wheel won't give you any clearance with your foot on the pedal.

I personally don't like twist shifters. I prefer a lever of some sort. I have brifters and thumb shifters on different bikes. I don't like the twist kind because you will have the tendency to twist your hands or move them in and will inadvertently shift into a different gear. Murphy's Law says this will always happen at a bad time.

Don't get something with huge nobbies on the tires. A small nobbie pattern is more than enough for most paths and gravel the average rider will encounter. It will also do well on the road too without vibrating your hands into numbness.

Try to get an aluminum frame if you can. It's durable, won't rust and is much lighter which will encourage you to ride more.

A front fork with or without shocks is totally up to you. Some like the more rigid front, others not so much. It will feel better in bumpier stuff but on flats, you will lose a bit of power because it will give when you push on the pedal, just a bit. It's an individual's own call on that one.

Take a basic bike maintenance class at REI. They are free and well worth it even if they charged.

As always, come on here and bounce some stuff off of us. That's what we are all here for. We all had someone guide us along the line.