Introductions - buying a new bike

Hello!

I'm from Jersey City, NJ, and I'm buying my first bike as an adult. I'm really looking forard to iding for fitness and to explore towns in NJ and NY.

Hi Serena18.

What bike are you going to get??

Welcome to Bikeforums :)

Snowy

Hello serena, what kind of riding are you going to do?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Hi! Reading around, this seems like such a friendly forum! I've never been a poster anywhere before, but the friendliness around here gave me the push I needed. Also, I felt I needed some guidance on buying my first ride :-)

I'm planning on riding 2/3X a week for fitness. There's a park nearby with long paths and some little hills. I also want to go ride around the state, exploring towns and rural areas. Those paths seem to be part paved part dirt roads.

As for which bike I'm getting, I'm still undecided about what I should do. This is what I posted on the general cycling forum, if you odn't mind reading the whole thing! :o :

I wonder why the Montclair guy told me to get a more expensive bike whereas the Metrobicycle guy didn't. Was he just looking for more profit? Or, Would there really be that much difference between the Trek 7000 and the Trek 7.2 FX? One thing, the Trek 7.2 is classified as a fitness bike, whereas the 7000 is a hybrid. But it looks like the fitness bike is also a hybrid?! Another bike I've been thinking of is the Schwinn Sierra GS, which came out as the best comfort bike according to Condumer Reports, and they have it at $330 in Metrobicycles.

Also, I wonder if spending 150-200 for a used bike might get me something better. I'm going to Recycle a bicycle in Brooklyn to check out what they have.

Another question, reading the posts in the site, I see thats ome people say that hybrids aren't good for fitness riding. How so?

Sorry for the long post. I'll apprecciate any help anyone can give me, thanks so much!!!

I used to ride road bikes, then was talked into switching to a hybrid 13 yrs ago. I enjoyed riding hybrids but missed the ability to change hand and body positions on long rides. Headwinds were also harder work in the upright position. 18 months ago I converted my hybrid to drop bars. It would have been more cost effective to buy a cyclocross or tourer un the first place, but I am very happy with my bike now.

I'm planning on riding 2/3X a week for fitness. There's a park nearby with long paths and some little hills. I also want to go ride around the state, exploring towns and rural areas. Those paths seem to be part paved part dirt roads.
I'd have to recommend a touring bike.
Ask the folks in the Touring forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=47) for help.