Introductions - Ultra New Rider Saying Hello

Hm, just wanted to say hello I guess.

I literally just started riding a couple of weeks ago on a really bad mountain bike from a big box store. I guess I'm just looking to loose some weight and cycling seems kind of fun.

So far I have only been riding around in the parking lot of my apartment complex. The total comes out to about 3miles in around 20minutes, never can remember to time myself. Oh, and the ride is um...exhilarating. My handlebars have rotated close to 140 degrees towards me. This makes the brakes almost impossible to operate (have to take my hand off the handlebar to even reach them, oh and tightening only works for about a ride or two) and the breaks don't let go any more. Bike is only a year or so old, but I guess that is what I get for leaving it out in the rain. So ya, I need a new bike pretty soon.

Anyways, the main reason for me being here I guess is I'm looking for advice on some new/used road or hybrid bikes (I know this isn't the place, haven't had enough time to search through old posts looking for some answers I need.) Like I said, I am extremely new to cycling as anything other than riding around my childhood neighborhood and am looking to replace. I guess I am just nervous about spending ~$500 for a bike that I might not like at all.

I was going to buy another one of those $150 bikes from a big box store, but after reading some of these reviews I guess I will wait a little, do some research, and try to find a decent bike shop close to here to get some fittings done (no car :mad: ) I'm only 19 so I think I might try to get a pretty decent bike that can last me >5 years and hopefully be used as a commuter around campus or to work some day.

A little about me I guess, I am 19 and currently living in the Orlando area attending college at UCF. Looking to drop some weight (currently around 220-230 and am pretty short for a guy so I think the technical term is "morbidly obese." I love doctors...) and generally improve health. Anyone know of any other cyclers around this area? It seems like it would help to get in contact with some other people to ride with (once I get an acceptable bike and am not totally out of shape. Right now I am almost dead at the end of 3miles)

Hello Mambo, it sounds as if you are in serious need of a new bike before the bike kills you, never mind the weight.

Here's a link to the Orlando Bike Paths:

http://www.metroplanorlando.com/site/upload/documents/bikeguide_web.pdf

For others in your area, try looking at the Southeast regional forum.

For more assistance with bikes for Clydesdales/Athenas, visit the Clydesdales/Athenas forum. There's a really great group of folks over there who are extremely supportive. I lurk over there myself, even though I am not an Athena, just because it's a nice place to be.

Good luck, and we'll be seing some more posts, right?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Welcome.
Visit your local bike shop and take a look at things. Buy a copy of bicycling magazine to learn some jargon and get acquanited to techniques, materials, trends, etc. Trek, Fuji, Schwinn, etc. offer various bikes in sub-$500 or so price ranges.
Make sure the bike fits you and the components are decent.

Good Luck!

Hey Mambo-
Welcome to BF and glad to have another Floridian aboard. Lots of places around where you live to ride. go to the regional Southeast forums and you will find some Lakeland area guys that love helping out and meeting new riders. In Flames is one and FLBandit is another. Check out some web sites for places to ride... besides the parking lot!




try this one
http://www.traillink.com/

Welcome. While has been a couple of months, hope you are bcoming aclamated.

Without a car it is difficult, but the bus system does have bike racks on the front which may expand your capabilities.

If you haven't seen it the Econolohohachee Trail essentially terminates at UCF - by that Walgreens on Alafaya - and goes all the way to the Fashon Sq Mall (less one dangerous incomplete mile between Forsyth and Semoran.) Excellent riding along the water. Also, one bike shop, Bike Works, off the trail at Harrell over to Colonial. They handle Giant, Specialized and Raleigh. Another shop in your area is bikeable, but more difficult to difficult. Head over to Oviedo, catch that trail and where it intersect sith Northern in the Tuscawilla area, Adventure Cycling is about a block over. They are the newest and ONLY shop in Orlando that actually measures bike fit. They handle Fuji, Marin, and Bianchi. Other good bike shops in the area - Orange (Cdale,Specialized, Raleigh), Davids (Trek), Glory (very high end - Colnago, Orbea, Look, DeRosa) are all busable and relatively close together.

Finally, another shop close to you. Very difficult/dangerous to bike is in the Waterford Center. While you may read things on the forum pro and con bikesdirect.com, that shop is the "brick-n-mortar" store generally dropping the name Cycle Spectrum to simple "Bikes". Identical stock and prices to the online version. Just some of the 'advice' I have overheard when shopping in there makes me leery. Anything to make the sale advise. Feel you would get beter at some of the other stores.