Incoming! Another new girl....

[drplasma64]

Welcome!

I also just returned to biking, at 5'2" and 165 lbs, age 40. I bought a Trek 7200FX for $330. I'm pretty happy with it, but I know I will want a road bike down the line and this will become my "tow the kids"/ride in nasty weather bike.

Trek has 3 lines of hybrids (Navigator, 7x00 and 7x00FX). The Navigator and 7x00 series both have 2 models for less than $300, I think. Giant makes the Sedona and Cypress series, which also have 1 or 2 models less than $300. Giant also makes some cruisers, which I think only have gears in back (8 speed?) and I think are designed so that you can put your feet down while still in the saddle. Depending on your terrain, that might be enough gear range.

If you get a really big, padded seat, you may not need bike shorts (depending on how far you ride). Remember that your LBS can switch out the seat at the time of purchase and you *should* get credit for the old seat which they keep. Although my stupid LBS was only going to give me $10 for mine, so I decided to keep it, and it has worked out fine.

HTH, have fun shopping! Don't forget a helmet!