help this big chicken buy a bike.

[girlwithaspirin]

Hey all. I've been poring over the threads here for a couple weeks now. I was all set to buy a hybrid, and now I'm confused.

Here are the details:

*I live in Chicago.
*I'm in horrible shape.
*Until I get into reasonable shape, my riding will be limited to city streets.
*Traffic scares the crap out of me.
*I feel weirdly vulnerable on your typical road bike. Maybe it's the skinny tires? The riding position? Or maybe I'm just not used to them.

For all those reasons, I'm drawn to the upright nature of the hybrid. BUT... how heavy are they? I have a Trek 820 that seems to weigh 200 pounds. Please tell me it's not considered light.

I need some reward early on, or it'll be tough for me to turn cycling into a passion. I'd rather get excited about it, and if I have to buy another bike in a year or two, so be it. So what's my best choice? A road bike? A cyclocross? Oh, and what's an urban bike? I have a great LBS near me, but I want to go in with some knowledge.

Thanks so much!

Kathleen

[Denise223]

Hi Kathleen!

Welcome to the forum!!

I was at my lbs today, and saw a 2006 version of my Gary Fisher Nirvana.
http://www.fisherbikes.com/ (I have a 2003).

Up until this year I really hadn't ridden my bike at all. But, I am really enjoying my bike A LOT!! It's a hybrid.

Like you, I was petrified of traffic!! I have done more riding since June 5th of this year, than I had between 2003-2005 in total!! In fact, I spent those few years riding around in parking lots ONLY, because I was scared to death of riding on the road.
We tried out a bikeway path (near our home), and stayed there a few weeks, until just recently hitting the road..... not in the city where we live, but, a few miles west of here, where it's MUCH more country-like !

I'm happy that you found your way here. There are lots of wonderful women here that can give you lots of great advice!

Denise

[plantluvver]

If you live on the North side of the city, I sggest the paved bike path that runs through the Cook County Forest Preserve it runs through Niles or Skokie. It is flat (well yeah, everything is isn't it? Unless there is a highway overpass ) It ends near the Chicago Botanic Garden. It is shaded, for most of the journey, and the pavement was in good condition when I last rode it (12-15 years ago ). I used to park at a lot just North of Dempster Ave. I have also biked on the bridle path along the DesPlaines River, but it was too rough for my 80's vintage Schwinn, especially after a rain. And the mosquitos could be bad. ( I lived at Golf and Dee Road, about a mile west of Golf Mill Mall.)

My one complaint at the time was that if you went too late in the day, families would be picnicing nearby, and somehow they did not recognise that it was a path . A family, or even a coulple would stand on the path and manage to block both lanes, and JUST STAND THERE. I never could figure it out, you could be in a clearing, surrounded by grass, and they would just stand on the path. Was standing on grass too scary for them, were they that urbanized? It isn't as if they would walk on the path and stop momentarily to look at something. They would just stand there and have conversations. Things seemed especially bad on Sunday afternoons. But early in the day is better, since it may be a little cooler . I don't miss those hot muggy days and stifling nights.

Portland gets 10 momths of rain, but at least it's dry in the summer. The one week it snows, they just shut the schools, and wait a few days. Personnally, I would stick with my old bike and figure out what I don't like about it, before buying a new bike. Unless, of course, you are really despising her, or she is just totally the wrong size. But then again, I tend to be thrifty. I really do wish I would learn to enjoy spending money more.
Isn't Trek a good brand?

Hope you start riding soon,
Mary

[brok]

Sounds like you are a candidate for a hybrid. At one time, In addition to my road bike, I have a Trek 7.3FX - the tires are 700C and skinnier with less tread than your 820. They also come in more expensive version up to the very cashie 7.7. Check them out at trekbikes.com . They will be considerably lighter than the mountain bike you are currently riding. Also, find the bike paths, I hate traffic also. Should be some great paths in the Chicago area.