General Cycling Discussion - I need to buy a bicycle... what do I get??

Hello, I'm new here. I wouldn't really say I'm a bike enthusiest (more like motorsports enthusiest), but I'm looking to buy a bike within the next couple weeks for exercise (I've noticed a few extra lbs. in the last few months :o ).

Anyway, I don't want to spend a lot of money... basically all I'll be using the bike for is riding to work and back (about 5 KMs each way) each day, and maybe riding say around 10 KMs on the weekend.

Now what sort of bike should I be looking for? Is a walmart $200 special an OK choice? Or the bikes that you can get at Sportchek??

Also one question I have, is if there's any real advantage to having the split-frame shock that I see on so many new bikes? Does it make it a nicer ride? Or is it only really necessary for mountain-biking?

Like this for example:

wal-mart Mongoose (http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/03/86/75/45/0003867545728_500X500.jpg)

That's only $129 (about $175 for me in Canada).

Any info. is welcome.

Hello, I'm new here. I wouldn't really say I'm a bike enthusiest (more like motorsports enthusiest), but I'm looking to buy a bike within the next couple weeks for exercise (I've noticed a few extra lbs. in the last few months :o ).

Are your rides going to be mainly pavement and/or smooth light trails? If so, for the distances (and anticipated distances - they will go up ;)) you mentioned, I would stay away from suspension as it's uneeded wieght. The type of bike you should get (hybrid, road, MTB, etc) depends on what you feel most comfortable on. Try all types. I would suggest you go to a LBS and have them properly fit you and make suggestions. Make sure you get a salesperson who asks the right questions... mainly ones that will exact responses like the description you gave above. This shows that the salesperson is truly interested in what your needs are and isn't simply trying to push the next bike at the end of the showroom out the door. If you're not looking to spend a lot of money then inquire about closeouts and used bikes.

That's tough to answer. You are not going to find many threads in favor of Walmart bikes here at BF. I suggest buying the cheapest bike you are happy with. One of two things is going to happen. 1) You might find cycling isn't your thing and you bike ends up gathering dust in the garage 2) You fall in love with cycling and you find that you need a better or different type bike (mountain,road or hybrid) . I can say that you will more than likely hate the saddle that comes with a cheap bike.

"Are your rides going to be mainly pavement and/or smooth light trails?"

Actually, the ride to work would be about 3 KM on pavement, and 2 KM on gravel.

But I think I'll take your suggestion, and go to a bike specific shop... probably be the smart thing to do.

Go to a bike shop, talk to the salesperson about what type of riding you do and how much you can spend, then find a bike to fit your needs, fit your bidget, and just fits properly.

Actually, the ride to work would be about 3 KM on pavement, and 2 KM on gravel.

But I think I'll take your suggestion, and go to a bike specific shop... probably be the smart thing to do.

One thing that seldom gets mentioned but I believe it to be true. A bike store bike will hold it's value a lot better that an xmart bike. My advice is that if you are looking around the $200 Walmart range, go look at some $300-$400 bike shop bikes. Even if they are a little more then you want to spend you will get a MUCH better bike that will really let you know if you are going to enjoy riding.

If you enjoy it, great.....you have a nice bike to last you for several years.

If you don't........ you can sell it locally or on ebay and probably recoup 75% of your money. I just watched a used bike exactly like one of mine, a 2004 Trek 4300 , sell on Ebay for $295. I also just saw one in a LBS on clearance for $319 brand new last week. Riding 10 KM per day will be good for you no doubt but don't expect to see pounds fall off overnight. Coupling your ride with diet and gradually increasing your riding distance will make the weight fall off.

Also you need to have reasonable expectations about losing weight. Diet will play as big or bigger roll than anything in that.

Riding 10 KM per day will be good for you no doubt but don't expect to see pounds fall off overnight. Coupling your ride with diet and gradually increasing your riding distance will make the weight fall off.

Also you need to have reasonable expectations about losing weight. Diet will play as big or bigger roll than anything in that.

Oh absolutely, and I realize that as well. But my physical activity right now is basically at 0... I really don't do ANYTHING physical (I work in front of a computer all day long), so even if I didn't lose weight, I think this is necessary for my heart etc.

Oh absolutely, and I realize that as well. But my physical activity right now is basically at 0... I really don't do ANYTHING physical (I work in front of a computer all day long), so even if I didn't lose weight, I think this is necessary for my heart etc.

I find that cycling is the best of both worlds for the lazy and the athletic. On a bike, you can be lazy and coast yet still be moving... then when you catch your breath, you can pour on the power again. And because you're constantly moving, you don't get bored. The scenery is always changing. You said you're looking to do 10KM but I'll bet that within a few months, you'll easily be tripling that distance. It's that addictive. And yes, it will be good for your heart. The biggest mistake you can make at this point is getting a bike of such low-quality that it turns you completely off to cycling. So pick a decent quality bike. It doesn't have to be the most expensive thing out there and it doesn't even have to be new. It just needs to be reliable, pleasant to ride and most importantly of all fits you comfortably. The worlds best made bike with the trickest technology and parts is just floor art unless someone's riding it. Not all bikes fit everyone equally. Get one which you will enjoy riding. Determining what such a bike is requires a lot of tries so visit a lot of shops, test ride a lot of bikes of different types, collect a lot of information and then make your decision.

You can get some good deels on bikes at walmart and target. Lot less than other places.

don't go cheap. i was cheap. tried to stay cheap. but the money you spend really makes a difference. ride some bikes while you're out there shopping you'll see. and don't ignore the web based bike shops in your final decision, you can get really good deals that way.

After grad. school, I purchased a $15 used English racer at a flea market. I rode it for three years, everywhere. I loved it so much that I wanted a greater workout than it was providing, so I purchased a hybrid; six months later, a cyclocross; two months later, a touring bike. I now have four bikes. I love them all because they make me feel so good after a long ride. It's addictive. Dare to tread that dangerous ground.

Urbanmonk

This might thread might help.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=48269

GeeBee