Newb here looking for the right bike..

[Dogmama]

You need to decide if you want a drop handlebar type bike (road/racing type) or more upright ride (hybrid). Go to your local bike shop and ride lots of bikes. Tell them that you intend to pull a trailer and what your budget is.

I honestly am not current on the different types of bikes. $400 isn't much, but you might run into some year end sales.

[remee]

BleeckerSt_Girl~ Hello! Thanks for the link and the welcome.
I'm sure with a lot more reading and learning, I'll get things figured out.
This place seems pretty cool for that so far!

Dogmama~ Thanks for your reply. Well, I do know I want a drop handlebar and I know you're right about me needing to hit the bike shop. There aren't too many close by me but I'm sure I'll find someone at one who will be able to help me out too. Hopefully I don't look too much like a fool when I walk in there.lol
I know 400.00 isn't much for a bike.. I can probably go a bit higher with 500.00 being max. I wish I could afford something much more expensive of course, but being a military family living in a civilian world just doesn't give me a whole lot of extras.
As long as I got a good fit and can get out there with my toddler in tow, I'll be happy!

[Zen]

I do know I want a drop handlebar

I'm guessing you know this from past experience?

I have two bikes in mind but the bars would have to be switched out.

Where would you be riding? Parks? Streets? Roads? Bike paths? These bike would be fine for any of them.

Allant, msrp $540.00
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...allant/allant/
and
The old stand-by FX 7.2, msrp $490.00
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...th/fx/72fxwsd/

[Dogmama]

BleeckerSt_Girl~ Hopefully I don't look too much like a fool when I walk in there.lol
)

Everybody was a newbie at one time.

[remee]

Everybody was a newbie at one time.

I hope they remember that when they see me walking in through their doors..lol

[ilima]

If you're little this bike might fit the bill:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=27905

[remee]

Hi again~

Zen~ Thanks for the links. As for wanting the drop handlebars, yeah I liked them from past experience. I had them when I was younger before beach cruisers were popular (then of course had to have one of those!lol)
and then the last time I was riding, I'd borrow a friend's bike sometimes even though it didn't fit all that well and she had drop handlebars. I always liked them better than straight handlebars.

Ilima~ I am little!! Unfortunately I don't have all the cash right at this moment for really looking into it. I really like it too!! I just gotta wait til my taxes are done and am using that to help get me my bike. Dang the IRS for making us wait til Jan 15th for turning them in!lol

[Zen]

If you're little this bike might fit the bill:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=27905

Would that be suited for trailer towing?

[remee]

Okay, so with more "looking", my idea of finding a road bike for around 400.00 may have been a bit of an undershot..lol

[PamNY]

Have you considered used bikes? Maybe checking Craigslist? Of course there are pros and cons, but I got a used bike because I wasn't sure I'd like biking enough to justify the expense of a new bike.

Good luck finding your bike! I've recently started riding after a couples decades lapse, and I'm having fun.

Pam

[remee]

Hi Pam~ That's great you are back out there and having fun!

Yeah, I have been thinking about buying used as well.
So far I've called 5 bike shops and only one sells a few used and he's currently got a Giant that he said may be small enough to try out. The rest sell only new and I think only one may have a bike to try out. Since I'm so short, I was told it isn't going to be all that easy.
I looked at Craigslist and so far have found nothing for my area.

I'm not giving up and have a bit before the weather warms up, so I'll try and be patient.