Fifty Plus (50+) - Newbie needs advice

I been wintering in florida and got into bike riding and have discovered i would rather ride a bike for exercise than walk. I'm using an old mart-type bike down here but i want to get a good bike when i get back up north in May. I've been searching the web looking at different companies and styles of bikes and am not sure whether I should be buying a bike with street tires or a hybrid with mountain style tires. I don't know whether I should get straight handlebars or the raised handlebars that we all had as kids. I don't know how many speeds I should get. I live on the Jersey coast so I will be riding on roads that are flat. I will spend up to $600. I am looking at the Jamis Tangier which has the high handlebars. Jamis has the coda sport with the flat handlebars which looks pretty nice. I also like some of the Trek models, 7300,7500 7.3FX, 7.3FX disc. I am also looking at the Fuji Absolute 3.0 and 4.0. Both of these bikes are about 8lbs. less than the other models. I am not sure whether or not that should be a concern.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I just bought my daughter a Specialized Sirrus which is basically a road bike with flat bars. Light and fast. It has a decent component group and is within your price range. If you decide you want a road bike, and I would definately try one seeing as though you will be riding flat roads, you are pretty much stuck with entry level at that price. However, the Trek 1000 and the Specialized Allez are both good entry level road bikes.

If you've got good local bike shops in your area consider asking if they rent bikes. This way you could take the various options out for a day to see how they feel. My experience has been, however, that most people who grow to love riding, quickly find themselves need "something better" in pretty short order. For that reason, I would also recommend that you not buy anything too expensive until your knowledge of what you want is based on more experience.

The flat-bar roadbike style such as Specialized Sirrus/Jamis Coda is a good choice for general purpose riding. They are fast on the road and quite capable on trails if you ride sensibly. The light weight and lack of suspension is a good thing.
A lot of companies make good examples of this style. Pick a bike shop that you like and trust and see what brands they offer.

More rugged styles of bike are suitable if you do a lot of off-road riding or mountain trails.

A little addendum......fatter tires, up to 37 mm for road style bikes, will make for a more versatile, comfortable bike for the style of riding you are seeking at present. Also, more flat resistant. Tires can be changed out on purchase of a new bike. Such a dramatic weight difference (e.g. from WalMart to Spec Sirrus style bike) will make for very noticable riding pleasure improvements: you'll feel more nimble and quick-- better to ride a horse than a hippo.

A little addendum......fatter tires, up to 37 mm for road style bikes, will make for a more versatile, comfortable bike for the style of riding you are seeking at present. sim

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Are you saying get a road bike and put fatter tires on it? Wouldn't that be the same as buying a hybrid? My understanding of a hybrid, correct me if I am wrong, is a bike similar to a road bike but has fatter tires but not as fat as a mountain bike.

The current Trek 7.3fx is very close to my 2003 7500fx, as it offers an 8 speed rear and a crMoly fork to absorb road buzz. It's long wheel base makes it ride really smooth and the upright frame doesn't make my neck cramp so much.

The 48-38-28 front rings combined with the 11-32 rear will let you climb a wall if you want to. Never quite found the need for that, but then I have never had to push it up any hill either. But you said it was flat where you ride.

The tires are 700x32c. They are only a little wider than the 700x25c on the Trek road bikes but really absorb the bumps better and offer better traction. As a reference, I believe the Schwinn 10 speeds that we rode as kids were 27c.

Unless you want to go really fast and light, the hybrids are a solid choice. Hope this helps.

sim

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Are you saying get a road bike and put fatter tires on it? Wouldn't that be the same as buying a hybrid? My understanding of a hybrid, correct me if I am wrong, is a bike similar to a road bike but has fatter tires but not as fat as a mountain bike.

Sorry Dockside, for being unclear. Hybrids are just that-- somewhere between road and mountain. I usually see them as a slimmed down mountain bike which was introduced because so many people were riding mountain bikes solely on pavement...mostly because they offered a more upright position. So, SUV-like hybrids were introduced and given road wheels, upright bar position, moderate gearing, and tires that can be used best on pavement and smooth trails. 32mm width is blimp-like wide for the high-performance crowd but a good bet for hybrid riding. Depending where you ride, going up to 37mm is still a road tire with a relatively smooth tread-- but is operable at lower pressures and an ideal tire for park trails and especially blasted urban wasteland pavement. If your hybrid comes with 32mm...that's a great place to start, and for most hybrid riders, end.

Sounds like you prefer the hybrid riding position...a to-the-bone dedicated road bike will be a little more aggressive in position, handling, etc. Of course, sport touring and full touring bikes and more unique bikes lie the Rivendell Atlantis or some Surley bikes are out there with moderate drop bar position. Hybrids it seems are a good place to start moving up from a Walmart bike. Go talk to fellow BF'er DigitalGee-- he just acquired a hybrid...with 25mm tires! So many bikes just don't easily fit categories. D*mn, I think I just muddied the waters more.

GrannyGear, thanks for the info. I do prefer a much more upright riding position and since I am just getting into bike riding a hybrid might be a good place to start. I visited a bike shop here in Florida a couple weeks ago and the owner was pushing me towards a Giant Sedona. I almost bought it but decided to wait until i get back to Jersey. I have a real good LBS in town that I would rather give the business to and since I'm in Jersey 8 months a year and in florida only 4 months it makes more sense to buy it in Jersey. What I will probably do is ride several models and see which I like best. Thanks.

If you're looking at bikes like you've listed, you should also try to check out the Kona Dew and the Electra Townie. Both are strong competitors in the type of "hybrid" bike that you're looking at. I've owned both, and can say from experience that both are excellent (both as value-for-the-money and as rides).

The Kona offers the possibility of conversion to a "road" style bike later on if you choose a more forward-leaning riding style. My only problem with the upright position that these bikes offer is that (at least in my case) when I pedaled hard, I was always pulling back on the handlebars. This eventually led to "tennis elbow." When I modified my riding position to a more forward-leaning one, the arms and wrists were then in compression rather than tension and my tennis elbow went away. Your response may vary...

Take your time shopping and ride as many different models as you can. At least try some of those "bent over" position "racing" bikes. You never know - you might like them. Also, don't limit your choices to the ones your favorite shop carries. They'll understand if you prefer a model that they don't carry and will still work on it for you and provide friendly advice. They understand that they can't carry every make in model in the universe and that you may like another better.

ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

Ditto on the renting a bike idea, this will give you a first hand feel for the bike without buying the cow. Road bikes are not for everyone, no telling how many are gathering dust in garages across America because someone thought it was for them....and it wasn't.

Farhorizon, I'm going to try the road style bikes also. Since I have a bulging disc at L-4 L-5 I just think that an upright bike might be more comfortable for my back. Just bending over seems to put stress on my back and bothers me. But actually one of the reasons for getting into bike riding is to become more fit and maybe build up those back muscles. Thanks for the advice.

In your area of New Jersey a mountain bike is almost useless. Once you leave the pavement you're ankle deep in sand. There may be some fire trails to ride, but I can tell you from extensive experience, they get old fast. With sand washes at the bottem of every grade and mud puddles you could float a boat in these roads are not going to make the cover of Bicycling magazine. Wells Mill Park might have a short trail. But the tics make it a challenge.

The advise to try different bikes first is excellent. Next step is to find a good bike shop. I'm not sure of what is available in Manahawkin, however, there are excellent shops in Hammonton, Breille, and Northfield, as well as Woodbury.

If you are willing to take a drive, Guy's Bicycles in Feasterville Pa, just north of Philly, is an excellent shop. If you use them ask for Bob. They are dealers for Trek, Cannondale, Lemond, Specialized, Schwinn, Serotta and a few others. Bob is a co-owner and is exactly what we are all looking for when we buy a bike, a person who wants us to buy the right bike with the right fit. I live less than a mile from D&Q in Cherry Hill, and could have bought my last bike from them. Yet drove 25 miles to deal with Guy's. I'm a very satisfied customer.

Once you have your wheels a couple rides to try: Put the bike in the car and drive down to Batsto. Spend all day on the back roads in the area. Feel up to a forty mile ride? Start at Barnegat Light ride the length of LBI and back. Have some ice cream when you're done. Another forty mile ride is from New Gretna to Chatsworth and back. All on bike lanes. Stop at Harrisville Pond and cool off. Once you build up your mileage leave the car at home and ride to these places. Have fun!

Cotter, you know my area well. I plan on riding in my development (Village Harbour) and LBI and take it from there. Got to get back into shape first. Walters Bicycles is located on LBI and he recently opened another shop in Manahawkin. I don't know how good he is or isn't but I am learning from the board the right questions to ask. I may take your advice and go to Feasterville, Pa. not that long a ride. Knowing the area so well where I will be riding, what kind of bike would you recommend, a road bike, a hybrid?. I know I don't want a mountain bike.

Thanks

If you have a good LBS in NJ, they will treat you well and make all the right suggestions. I ended up with two bikes, one hybrib flat bar, and one sport bike. All my options are covered that way. Just over a grand for two bikes.

Hybrids are just that-- somewhere between road and mountain. I usually see them as a slimmed down mountain bike which was introduced because so many people were riding mountain bikes solely on pavement...mostly because they offered a more upright position.
Sounds like you prefer the hybrid riding position...a to-the-bone dedicated road bike will be a little more aggressive in position, handling, etc. Of course, sport touring and full touring bikes and more unique bikes lie the Rivendell Atlantis or some Surley bikes are out there with moderate drop bar position. Hybrids it seems are a good place to start moving up from a Walmart bike. Go talk to fellow BF'er DigitalGee-- he just acquired a hybrid...with 25mm tires! So many bikes just don't easily fit categories. D*mn, I think I just muddied the waters more.

I look as a Hybrid a bit differently- A road bike with a bit more comfort, but due to the comfort and a bit more steering control- they can handle some of the more gentle offroad tracks. There are such a variety of bikes that Granny gear is right- you cannot categorise the types of bikes. A mountain bike comes in forms that can only be used on pavement- can only be used offroad- and can be adapted to do both. Not suggesting you get a mountain bike if you are only on pavement- but a change of tyres and they will work better for smooth surfaces.

We do not only have dedicated road or Mountain bikers on this forum. We will tell you that our riding or style of bike is best- so how about some of the "Newer" riders jumping in- Your Views on type of bike you use and how suitable it is- what you think will be a better bike for you or even the problems you are finding with your current bike- will be more appropriate as an answer to dockside 97 than those of us that are fixed in our ways

Good point Stapfam! If I get any more fixed in my ways I'll be petrified. Be good to hear some newer points of view from newer riders who are really into the issues of what category of bike to choose or have just found a solution for themselves...to be honest, I haven't ridden a hybrid since I did 20 miles on a friend's and found the bars and position a little "awkward". When on the trail on my old first generation shock absorbing upgraded RockHopper (equivalent of a 57 Chevy) I change weight and body position so much I don't feel "frozen in place" with back angle and hand placement as I did when hybriding on the road.

But, taste is personal....a friend and I did a metric with him contentedly on his mtb (with road slicks). He never whined once.

So, yes, let's hear from not just us regulars....we're so d*amned predictable :o :

Cotter, I just looked up Guy's Bicycles and they have a pretty good website. seems like a class bike shop. They have a lot of good info on their site for a newbie like me. A little far from my house but 18. mi. from my daugher's house in New Hope, Pa. I really hate buying something that far away that might need service but it may be worth it just to get fitted out properly.

Dockside97

I just picked up a used 2004 Giant Cypress SX which is basically a road bike with flat bars for $200. I'm already in love with it. Light, nimble, good enough components (105s in the back). With your budget, you might find something used like this, and spend the rest on accessories (computer, shoes, clothes, mirror, bell, etc.).

I fully believe that if I maintain this bike well, I can easily sell it next year for the same price and move up into a better bike, if I'm so inclined.

Cotter, you know my area well. I plan on riding in my development (Village Harbour) and LBI and take it from there. Got to get back into shape first. Walters Bicycles is located on LBI and he recently opened another shop in Manahawkin. I don't know how good he is or isn't but I am learning from the board the right questions to ask. I may take your advice and go to Feasterville, Pa. not that long a ride. Knowing the area so well where I will be riding, what kind of bike would you recommend, a road bike, a hybrid?. I know I don't want a mountain bike.

Thanks

The type of bike you ride is a personal choice. Road bikes with their thinner tires work well on the flat terrain in our area. Once you're in shape you'll appreciate the lower rolling resistance of a road bike. Yet, if you choose a road bike you don't have to go with racing tires. Road bikes are available with 28c to 35c tires that will give you a good ride. Still, try some different types of bikes and pick what you like. If you use Guy's, Bob will advise you as to the pro and con of each option. The same advise should be available at your local shop. In the end, the choice is yours. Buy what feels best to you. A road bike does you no good if you can't get comfortable on it. A friend of mine bought a Trek 7200 hybrid and loves the bike.

I have five bikes. Three are Trek 520 touring bikes. The Trek 520, for about $1000, is a great road bike for general fitness riding. Take it around the block or across the country. It has a long wheel base and what's called relaxed geometry. The geometry makes the bike easy to ride. I bought my first one in 1988 and the newest one in 2004. The other two bikes are a Trek 950 mountain bike and a Lemond Zurich road bike. Even though all five bikes are road ready only the Zurich and 04 520 see regular duty.

Lastly, when taking rides in your area, you surely don't have to pile on 30, 40 or more miles. Plenty of places to ride a few miles or more. South Jesrsey is a great place to ride bicycles. Most of the roads have shoulders and there are roads in the pine barrens with designated bike lanes that go on for miles. It doesn't hurt that the area is relatively flat.

There are some good bicycle clubs in the area as well.

My over 50 experience had me starting with the Giant Sedona DX. While I did use it on some desert fire trails, I eventually found myself almost exclusively on the pavement. So I graduated to an OCR 1, also by Giant. I am now on a Specialized Roubaix and happy with it except for one thing. It isn't new any more and I want to upgrade again. :D

Dockside - try a few bikes is a good idea. Personally I ahve a trek 4500 mtb - I have been riding roads and trails of varying description and even do a few mtb races each year. Last year I did a century for the first time with the trek - all 32 lbs of it - in just over 6 hours. I ahve purchased a used Fuji cross for road riding and some moderate trails - a cross is like a hybrid but more in line with a road bike ie less upright.
To each his own but as you will notice on this forum your first bike may not be your last not matter how old you are!

Thanks for all your posts. I get the feeling if I really get into this like some of you guys I will be buying more than one bike.

Yes Dockside....it will probably happen. Then you'll be like DEEGEE...the humans squeezed out of his apartment by the bikes. This is an on-going theme here and a source of playfully rueful humor. Wives generally don't laught about it as frequently as we do. Can tell you are already a true BF'er at heart. (Also, perhaps, a potential polygamist.)

...Since I have a bulging disc at L-4 L-5 I just think that an upright bike might be more comfortable for my back...

Hi Dockside97!

If "upright" is what you want, you might also consider recumbent bikes. They are "easier" on both the bum and the back than even hybrids. Don't knock one till you've tried one!

Cotter, I just looked up Guy's Bicycles and they have a pretty good website. seems like a class bike shop. They have a lot of good info on their site for a newbie like me. A little far from my house but 18. mi. from my daugher's house in New Hope, Pa. I really hate buying something that far away that might need service but it may be worth it just to get fitted out properly.

Dockside97

Try a shop closer to your home. See how they treat you and take it from there. As much as I like Guy's, they're an hour and a half from your home. I agree that it would be better for you to find a good shop closer to your home. Take your time and ride lots of bikes. Good luck!