Really new rider!

[wanzar]

In fact, i've never been on a bike!

I've been floating around this forum for the last few months. I think I want to get into cycling. I've been to a few bike shops but wasn't really satisfied with the answers to my questions, to be honest I don't believe i was begin taken seriously! Bike shops here are few and far between!

I'm still trying to do a couple of things:

1. finalize my budget, not so much what i can afford to spend but what is a smart and responsible amount to spend!

2. Figure out exactly what kind of bike I'm looking for. which is what i need the most help with!

3. Decide which lovely shop I'm going to spend my wages at! Ha! (Can you hear the sarcasm?)

So this is what i need help with.

I want a bike primarily to go back and forth to work on, because lets face it walking sucks! My trek to work is not bad except there is a really steep hill, with a nasty left turn! then its straight and level on a rather busy road! sound like fun yet! Its only 2 or 3 miles.

I want to put a rack and trunk, panniers, or something on the bike because I'm going to use it like a car, i'd like to run errands and get groceries as well but i have a funny feeling that i wouldn't be able to lock her up and "abandon" her! Maybe after i get a few scratches on her!

I like to use it as well to exercise the dog, usually I run but sometimes I don't have a lot of time. I'm always trying to find out new ways to tire out that dog! But i would attempt that until i was confident riding.

And finally I like to have a bike to go up on the highway and see exactly what I'm worth! One thing i learned about myself over the years is I always push myself beyond my limits, and whats over that next hill just can't wait till tomorrow. I do nothing in moderation!

I've been looking at road bikes but some of them seem a little flimsy for what i want. I've been warned that dropped bars are dangerous for commuting because they decrease your field of vision.

Thats probably enough for now. Thanks for any replies.

'Lil Miss Wanzar

[alpinerabbit]

Used light hybrid or flat bar roadie that can take rack/pannier/fenders?

Saves you some money, carries you 2-3 miles commutes/grocery runs, already has scratches, has safer, flat bars, can be light&fast if you take off the attachments (or not) - so you can ride very long.

[Biciclista]

welcome to TE!
literally you've never been on a bike?
I suggest you learn how to ride one first (do you have friends with bikes? a friendly bike shop, perhaps?) and then start worrying later about what to buy!

[alpinerabbit]

yeah but that's a chicken-or-egg dilemma. Well, you could borrow, but you have to start on something.

I guess when you do buy, do anything, whatever you want, but do not buy it too big.

[wackyjacky1]

And finally I like to have a bike to go up on the highway and see exactly what I'm worth!

[zeWoo]

Yep, I think I would learn to ride a bike first, before spending money on the entry level bikes that you find at the LBS --

Maybe, you can take 50 bucks of your budget, get on craigslist or local classifieds, or just ask around, usually someone you know has one collecting dust in a garage...grab a friend that knows how to ride a bike to help you find a bike that is moderately appropriate and doesn't need a ton of repairs-- I would definitely get a cheapie, just so you can practice in a large paved flat area... then when you have decent control, move up to your first good bike from the LBS.

How long on average does it take an adult to learn to ride a bike?

I do believe they make training wheels for adults though, or so I've heard -- they tell me bringing the seat all the way down helps too --

Well, good luck --

[zeWoo]

hehe -- I think that might be a death wish under the best of circumstances

[tulip]

Practice riding on a lawn (NOT on asphalt). That way, when you fall (and you will, controlled, it's fine) you'll only end up with grass stains, not real scrapes.

And DON'T use training wheels--they will only slow your learning process down.

You can look at this site for tips, and if you live in the Boston area, you can go there for lessons: http://www.bicycleridingschool.org/

oh, and wear a helmet.

[Karma007]

Definatley a helmet. And long sleeves and pants untill you get the hang of it. Hot, but less blood when you fall.

[wanzar]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not too worried about learning to ride as long as your pedaling the bike will stay upright, i'll just have to figure out how to pedal and shift at the same time. I wanted to get it early in the season so i didn't look like a fool in the midst of summer.

I've always been cruising the local classifieds but to be honest nothing has been close to my size, and second nothing cheap.

I just assume buy new and get it right the first time. Right now really isn't the time of year here to get a bike, as we speak 8 or more inches of snow is coming down plus freezing rain and gale force winds!

As far as borrowing one I'm new to town and don't know a soul. I do not live in a highly populated area.

I'm more stuck on what type of bike I'm really looking at . I kinda had my heart set on dropped bars. I just figure since i had a wee bit of a crazy personality I'd be better suited to a road bike just in case i wanted to go on a trip, or even head up to my boyfriend's for the weekend, about 150 miles away. I realize that would take a little training. but i got the endurance. Once the weather gets better i'll be back to running. I usually run 12 miles a day.

I was just trying to figure out was a road bike really that unsafe on the road with traffic. I realize a snazzy racing style bike wouldn't be practical. But something sturdy that you could put wider tires on, and had decent brakes.

Thats all for now. Thanks again for your suggestions and help.

[redrhodie]

This is the most fun thread I've read in a while. You go for it, wanzar! I can't wait to read your ride reports!

[Cataboo]

YOu don't have to ride the drops on a road bike - you can ride up on the hoods or hold on to the flat part of the handlebar. I do that most of the time. If you're in traffic,you want your hands near the brakes however - and you can get 2ndary brake levers installed on the straight part of the bars if that'll make you feel safer. You can also convert a drop bar bike into a flat bar bike if you bought one and then changed your mind (this is not cheap though)


If you buy an expensive bike and then learn to ride it. You're gonna crash it a few times and then you're gonna have a pretty bike with some scratches. And... I crash enough on my bike despite having learned to ride a bike when I was 5... that I do think you'll have a couple tumbles. And when you start using clipless pedals, you're gonna have a few more.

Wear gloves, it protects your hands in falls.

Get properly fitted - but not knowing how to ride a bike is going to make it hard for you to really decide what you want in a bike.

Where abouts are you located and around how tall are you?

Lots of highways don't allow cyclists on them - one near me lets you go on for about 15 miles, and while I do get on it or cross it ocassionally, it really isn't pleasant riding with the winds coming off tractor trailers doing 70 mph passing you buffeting you.

[wanzar]

I'm glad you find me so entertaining. Most people seem to think I am. The fact is i just recently came back down to earth. For the last four years I been traveling the country!!

[redrhodie]

Probably some kind of touring bike. I bet steel might be a good choice for you. http://www.fullyloadedtouring.com/ You might enjoy this site. Lots of bikes to check out.

[TrekTheKaty]

YOU NEED GLOVES!

I recommend a hybrid to start. It has a more upright posture and they usually have attachment points for racks, etc. If you are lucky, maybe you can find a used bike on Craig's list or in the paper to get you started.

Luckily, I had a multiple shops to choose from--keep shopping until you find someone helpful--even try a shop at different times of day. Both my DH and I have had completely different experiences at our favorite shops based on the time of day. I almost walked out when another salesman stepped in and introduced me to my baby!

And there is nothing wrong with telling the salesman that you don't know what you need--it's there job to ask questions and let you ride different bikes. Have you test-ridden any bikes? I didn't know what I was looking for until I found it.