Buying a bike for a new rider

[Melodylynn]

I have a Trek 1000 WSD and love it BUT I went to another LBS where DH bought his new bike and I fell in love with a Felt. Much smaller and faster then my trek. Also it runs about $500 more then the trek. But for now it is my dream bike! I am 5'1 and weigh 160. Short legs and long body. I feel your pain!

[Dogmama]

Double ditto on staying away from e-bay. You need the support of an LBS. Sometimes it is hard to make them understand that our money is just a green as the male-2%-body-fat crowd, but be persistent!

You say "trails & road." So, you're looking at a hybrid. My advice would be to stay reasonable in terms of price. You may decide that you love the road & want a serious road bike, or ditto the trails. Your hybrid might become your "around the town" bike that you'd outfit with a rack, baskets, etc. (maybe a horn, streamers...OK...just kidding.)

When I was looking seriously (11 years ago, carbon fiber was just being introduced!) I found NO bikes that fit & ended up with custom road bike. I absolutely love it - but before I spent the $$$, I made sure that cycling WAS my passion.

[deb922]

You say "trails & road." So, you're looking at a hybrid. My advice would be to stay reasonable in terms of price. You may decide that you love the road & want a serious road bike, or ditto the trails. Your hybrid might become your "around the town" bike that you'd outfit with a rack, baskets, etc. (maybe a horn, streamers...OK...just kidding.)

Yea, love the idea of the basket and streamers! LOL!

To clarify, when I said trails and roads, I meant paved trails, rail trails. I have a mountain bike, I can use that. I think that I want a road bike, I'm scared that I won't like skinny tires but I really want something lighter.

Thanks for all the good ideas. I think that I'm not getting any respect from the bike shops. They just want to put me in a nice little comfort bike, it's so much easier for them than to try to fit someone my size.

I think that I am going to wait for awhile. Wait for the 2006's to come out and see if I can find any bikes to test drive. I think that I liked the Sirrus because it is the only bike that is close to what I want. I don't know much about the different gears, but I agree that I need to buy the best bike I can afford.

[BIKEAWAY]

I have a Raleigh c500 and that is a great bike for both trail and road for begining...I bought it this spring and now need a better road bike but since I do both every week I will have a specific trail and a roadie. Also for going around town I like it..
I dont know about your height as I am 5'10" but I know there are 3 or 4 sizes and I have the tallest. It really is a great duel bike for the begining and the tires are halfway- not big but not the thinnest so you get use to the preasurized tires...

[ladyjai]

I've been riding around on a hybrid, and just picked up my first road bike. It took a little getting used to, but now I'm in love (and i still have more to learn, but that is part of cycling!). i feel like I'm gliding, even when I'm not going full speed. It's beautiful... just beautiful.

[bikerHen]

My daughter bought a Giant FCR 2 this spring. She wanted a lighter bike without the drop handle bars that was not as pricey as my road bike. She likes it and has found it to be a good bike. It does have the narrow tires so it needs to stay on the pavement. It's been great for everything from organized rides to weekend family rides. In fact DH has also been riding it some and likes it better than the heavier comfort bike he usually rides. I like the Giant compact frame. I'm around 5'6" but being fat, seems to shorten my reach. Too much belly? The Giant was the only road bike I didn't feel stretch out on. We all have MTB/Comfort for dirt trails as well, it seems having a road and dirt bike is the way to go! BikerHen

[Dogmama]

I use Continental grand prix 4 season tires. They grip the road really well and give a comfortable ride. They are a little more expensive than some, but seem to get less punctures - fair trade in my book! Skinny tires come in different widths, believe it or not. Try to stay away from really skinny tires with little or no tread.

Is there another LBS in another town that you can get to easily? I hate being dissed by snooty little boys in bike shops. They lose my business really fast.

[RebeccaAnn]

Deb--
Are the wheels on the MTB you're riding 26" wheels or are they smaller? If they're 26" you might want to get a smoother set of tires to use while you're waiting on your new bike. Losing those knobs will help your speed.

I'm not sure what area you're in, but it might be worth your time to check on some bike shops farther from home. Call first to see what they have in your size so you don't waste a trip. My mother-in-law went as far as Wisconsin (from St. Louis, MO) to test ride recumbents when she was in the market.