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My wife and I are wanting to buy bikes to ride at the most 10 miles each day. Occasional beach riding is possible, but mostly on roads, trails or sidewalks. We are looking to spend less that $300 each for a bike that could withstand salty conditions. We have looked at Schwinns but actually we have no idea of what type to buy. The terrain, Fort Myers, is mostly flat. Any help or comments are appreciated.

My wife and I are wanting to buy bikes to ride at the most 10 miles each day. Occasional beach riding is possible, but mostly on roads, trails or sidewalks. We are looking to spend less that $300 each for a bike that could withstand salty conditions. We have looked at Schwinns but actually we have no idea of what type to buy. The terrain, Fort Myers, is mostly flat. Any help or comments are appreciated.

Print your post - bring it in to your local bike shop - and read it to the salesperson. They will give you several options, explain what your money is buying you, find the perfect size you need to make riding enjoyable and give you long term service. What ever you do don't go to ***Mart and buy their one size fits most bike for eighty bucks - and then, after one ride, have several reasons why you hate cycling.

Try an alloy framed cruiser like a Jamis Taxi or a Hampton Crusier. HC even has four and seven speed models with coaster brakes in your price range. You can use a steel framed bike, but you need keep your maintence up.

Be sure to check out the Trek Navigators. They are extremely comfortable, have big fat mountain bike tires, and are quite affordable.

Trek=Navigator, 820, 7100, Giant=Cypress, Sedona Specialized=Crossroads there are several editions to each of these. Go ask the LBS for printed information on each. Sit down and see how much aluminum is in each. Go with that one. Ride as many as possible. Ask LBS for individuals who has one of these bikes ask owner what he/she would have done different. I have been on all six or so models and will tell you anyone is good. Heck part of the fun is shopping. Get out there and learn. What ever you do.... make sure your helmut fits and get a good one.

Hey, I'm up in Sarasota, and the Schwinn shop is owned by the brother who owns the Schwinn shop up here.

The responses you've gotten so far have been accurate. There are a lot of different manufacturer's of the bikes you've described. They are called "COMFORT BIKES". Trek, Gary Fisher, Giant, Specialized, Jamis,....etc. All make this type of bike. Most prices start just below $300 each so will fit your budget perfectly. Things to look for especially living on the Gulf Coast of FL. Aluminum Rims, and other accessories. A Comfort bike tire. These usually have a smooth section along the centerline of the tire for reduced rolling resistance on paved roads, but knobbies on each side for added traction when the trails turn to soil/grass/sand. Most Comfort bikes will have a big comfy seat and a suspension seatpost, and an adjustable stem to custom fit the height and reach of the handlebars. The shifters will most likely be "Grip Shifts" where you rotate the shifter (ala Motorcycle throttle) to shift gears. These are easy to use and very reliable. Most Comfort bikes have 21 or 24 speeds and the gearing is such that you won't have problems crossing over any bridges. Is this overkill? Yes! However, a 5 speed beach cruiser will cost almost as much and not have near the amount of other features.

If you do ride you bikes along the beach, make sure to rinse them well afterwards with clean water and ask the bike shop for some chain lube specific for bicycles (believe me, there is a difference).

If you have any ?'s, Private Message me, I'd be happy to help in any way I can. Even give you the names and #'s of bike shops in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice area to visit and test ride some bikes.

L8R

You may also be considering a "HYBRID" type bike, but I would recommend the "Comfort" bike over the "Hybrid".

The wide saddles on comfort bikes are not comfortable as they rub against the inside of the thighs. Ask the shop if you can try some different saddles.

The wide saddles on comfort bikes are not comfortable as they rub against the inside of the thighs. Ask the shop if you can try some different saddles.

Those Serfas saddles with lycra covers and split seats are pretty nice. Good gel padding and no rubbing. Wide only where the seat bones rest.