I'm a newbie with injuries

[Tuckervill]

SO i need to get in shape. that is the purpose of getting a bike. i live in the mountains so i'll either be going up a hill or down one. very little flat places to ride. so even if i have to PUSH the bike up the hills in the beginning, that is still exercise.

That is a GREAT attitude, and it's the same one I try to maintain at all times....and as a result I never have to push up hills anymore.

Since I grew up in Chicago, Schwinn bikes are near and dear to my heart. My grandfather used to buy them used on Maxwell Street, fix them up and resell them. My first two bikes were Schwinns. I'm a little chagrined that they are now sold in discount stores, because I've always considered them really good bikes. But they still can't be that bad...and if it's going to get folks out riding, that's good enough for me!

*edited to add: I have tennis elbow from using the touch-pad on my laptop. I use a tennis elbow strap when it gets bad (get one at the drug store). It really helps. I also have had surgery on my back twice and the ONLY thing that keeps it healthy is exercise. So my unexpert opinion is that moderate reasonable exercise is better for a stiff joint than no exercise at all.

No flames from here! Welcome to the forum.

Karen