New, What type of bike?

[Aint Doody]

You know, it probably doesn't matter too much what you get because in a year's time you're going to want a better bicycle! I'm speaking from my own experience. I started out with a mountain bike. The next year I got a hybrid. The next year I got a road bike. The next year I got a better road bike! I still have the hybrid for around town & commuting. My road bike is a dream. Oh yeah, I also have a Schwinn I bought in 1973 and painted 57 Chevy green that lives at our business that I use to run to the bank and post office. It's so heavy that I could never get it over even the slightest hill. It has a basket on the front and is adorable. (I digress!)

[CorsairMac]

You know, it probably doesn't matter too much what you get because in a year's time you're going to want a better bicycle! I'm speaking from my own experience. I started out with a mountain bike. The next year I got a hybrid. The next year I got a road bike. The next year I got a better road bike! I still have the hybrid for around town & commuting. My road bike is a dream. Oh yeah, I also have a Schwinn I bought in 1973 and painted 57 Chevy green that lives at our business that I use to run to the bank and post office. It's so heavy that I could never get it over even the slightest hill. It has a basket on the front and is adorable. (I digress!)

OK - I want to see a pix of the Schwinn!! does it have streamers too?? (it should)

[Aint Doody]

OK, Corsair--I'll take a picture of the Schwinn. You'll be disappointed that it doesn't have streamers. Shoot--I was a grown woman when I bought it! It was brown--such a dull color. My ex-husband was a Chevy dealer--that's how I got it that shade of green. It'll take me a few days for the picture because I gotta bring my camera to work........

[bcipam]

What's old? I'm 55....

What's heavy? I'm 5'8" and weigh around 200 give or 10 pounds...

That should not be a criteria for buying a bike - what should be is your resolved and commitment. I personally love to ride a bike. Always have always will. If you have never been athletic and am just trying to find a way to get in shape (and so may posibly lose interest after awhile) then don't spend alot of money on a bike. Check eBay, or bike shops or bike club websites to see if anyone has a used bike for sale.

Where are you riding? Street, bike trails, dirt trails, mountain singletracks? That will help determine what type of bike to purchase. I have always been fo the mind set to get a bike to suit your riding. Hybrid bikes are OK but really don't suit any one style of riding. If you are doing road - think about getting a road bike. Where the weight issue comes into play is materials. Consider a steel v. aluminum, carbon or Ti bike. Steel although alittle (not much) heavier) is a good solid material, has good ride feel and can handle some weight.

Also think about the proper clothing - Terry and Borah both carry nice plus size jerseys and shorts.

Also this is excellent advice: Also, you can ride any road bike using a tad bigger tires like 700x25 or 700x28 instead of the standard 700x23. And also the wheels should have more than 32 spokes (Girls... please correct me if I am wrong!)

I ride on 700 X 25 and use Continental Gatorskins. Not the lightest tires out there but then at 200 pounds, why worry?

Good luck have fun!!!

[Geonz]

Well, you *might* want a new bike six months later... but not everybody goes through that. It was five years before I really had the urge - and only 'cause I could suddenly afford one. I did "upgrade" to thinner tires (from 32 or 35cm, I forget which, to 28), which made me 2 mph faster instantly... but when I was ready for it. And that's 'way cheaper than a new bike ;-) (I ride a lot, btw. The bike fits.)
However, that hybrid was and is a decent, bike shop bike that I shopped for by riding tons of bikes, and talking to the bike shop guys.
I would say get the kind of frame type that feels comfortable - that's going to be what keeps you getting on it :-)
I'd also cruise different bike shops if you can. Look for the ones who listen to *you* and what you want. Here's that first "real bike" with its latest addition, the xtracycle Free Radical:



( http://www.wetmores.net/Xtracycle/Xtracycle.html has more)

Then GET OUT AND RIDE :-) :-) I'll be riding right beside you...

[CR400]

I'd just like to add on thing. If you for some reason end up wanting and getting a road bike the fit will be a little different once you start loosing large amounts of weight. If that is a goal. Note this also depends on where you keep most of your excess size. In my case I have problems in the mid section, still do (I swear that is where those last pesky 20lbs are). When I first got my bike the fit was fine but now that I can get lower and more streched out because all that fat isn't in the way, now it sometimes feel like the reach is to short. I also had to raise the seat quite a bit as I lost weight.

[Brandi]

The first bike I purchased as an adult really sucked, so much I never road. The next bike I bought I was much more sreiouse about it. I got a giant mountain bike. But realized I didn't like the single track 's around here ( I don't like tick's at all and there are a lot around here, I pick them off my husband daily) So I converted my mountain bike into a road bike. I don't get a lot of respect from th road bikers around here cause of it. Now my husband is building me a hybred. It will be great for the road and I can go off road if I want. But I will probably convert back my giant to mountain. You might have to be like me and go through a few. But my suggestion , don't go to cheap you will regret it like I did with my first bike.

[bikerchick68]

just to echo a ton of good advice and input... the first thing to decide is what kind of riding you intend to do! If you plan to ride in the dirt or sand, you'll want a mtn bike... if you plan to strictly ride on pavement, you'll want a commuter or a road bike...

the one thing I tell people is that it's an investment... much like a car... so ride every single bike you can get your hands on before you buy!!! Buy the best FRAME you can afford... the components can always be upgraded when you get more serious! (notice the use of "when" not "if" )

as to desert riding... if you get a road bike you can get tires that are much better in puncture resistance... I ride Continental DuraSkins because I got tired of changing flats... my last set I got 2000 miles out of!!! that's a decent amount of miles for road tires...

fit is very important... try to find some shops near you that have fitters and they will direct you to the size range you will need... it really varies person to person depending on inseam length and upper body length... I'm 5'7" but I ride a 49cm MEN'S bike because I have short legs and a long torso... other women who are 5'7" may ride a 51cm WSD bike! Get whatever fits YOU best! If you end up with a guys bike the shop can WSD the brakes etc for you so your reach won't be an issue...

good luck with it! OH! And your weight has nothing to do with being able to ride! I have seen riders of every size out doing centuries! Mary is a wonderful example and she has shed much weight since taking up this wonderful hobby... my brother also completed his first century at 320lbs... and is now down to 229!

And last but not least.. where are you in SoCal? I'm in San Diego... if you're nearby let me know... would be fun to do a ride sometime!

[Kat2u5h]

thank you every one for all your input. I posted a continuation of this under "bikes" since I now think i'm considering 2 different bikes. Hope to hear some thoughts under that thread.

[Andi]

I also just started riding again 2 years ago. I have a Specialized comfort bike which I really like. Could never ride more than 25 miles though without extreme knee pain. I tested a recumbent and it sure made a difference. The first weekend I was able to ride 25 miles on Saturday and then 38 miles on Sunday without any problems.

Am now awaiting the delivery of my recumbent. Know I will gladly exceed my 600 miles last year in greater comfort.

Regardless of what type of bike you get hope you are able to get out and enjoy it.

[Kat2u5h]

Hi, just saw your post about recumbents, and even though I just purchased a bike, I'm still looking at recumbents and trikes, they have me entriqued!

I'm hoping on Thursday this week to get to some shops to ride a few... I sat on a couple, but was intimidated by the leaning back... any way, what recumbent did you get? also, how are you planning on transporting it? I didn't get that far but they seem wider than a regular type bike.