General Cycling Discussion - Bike Help

So, A lot of my friends have been biking and losing weight, and I know want to get into biking, but know nothing about it and came here for help on what kind of bike would be the best for me.

I'm pretty short 5'2, and well not in the best shape, reason I want to bike is to lose weight. Well my question is, what would be the best bike to get and what should be the frame size? I would love all the help, thanks.

Why not ask your friends?

I'm a newbie to biking too, and my advice is to look around for local bike shops and try some bikes. If you aren't sure where the shops are, then go to www.trekbikes.com or www.specialized.com or www.cannondale.com or www.giant-bicycles.com and look up local dealers.

You can tell them your budget and how you intend to ride and they'll be able to steer you towards some bikes. Most will let you take them for a spin around the parking lot to see if you're comfortable (don't buy unless you can try!). Maybe find a model or two that is comfortable then come research it.

This question is asked a dozen times a day on BF. You can search the different forums for info already posted or you can visit a few bike shops in your area (Chicago?) and test ride all the bikes you like that are in your price range.

Best bet is local bike shops. Local bicycle clubs.

You need a small frame size, maybe a size 14. Fit is the most important thing in a bike so go to a good bike shop... although I've had bad experiences even at good shops, but oh well, at least they try.

When you're starting out, you need the least intimidating bike you can find LOL. I would go to a good bike shop and ask for a fast, light bike... one that will get you up hills and won't wear you out after a few miles. if you make the mistake of buying a cheaper mountain bike and you live in a hilly area... you won't ride much. Also if you find gears intimidating, then look for something with 7 or 8 gears and master that, then move to a bike with more.

I've made a lot of mistakes in buying bikes... One Trek 7.2 FX was a little too big so I never enjoyed it and gave it away... the next bike I bought was a Trek Lime and supposedly it was a starter bike for people who were out of shape, etc. but it wore me out after a few miles and with only 3 speeds, of course I couldn't get up the hills... Then I moved to a Jamis Commuter 3 thinking that an internal hub with 8 gears was the ticket... and it sort of was because I don't have to lube the chain every few rides, but yikes, it can be sluggish on hills... so now I'm back to a brand spanking new Trek 7.2 FX and wow, it's sized right for me and I love it.

So... do the research here based on what you want and then go to the bike shop and talk a lot before you buy. You'll still make mistakes, but the more you google, the better off you'll be.

I heard a specialized bike might be my best fit, is that true?

So, A lot of my friends have been biking and losing weight.

You'll probably be happiest buying a bike that's similar to the ones that your friends ride.

Hi i am just starting down the road biking road ,i have not cycled for many years i smoke and i am trying to get fit at 52 my advice is go for a light fast road bike good make and spec but second hand .I have just bought a Pinarello anglui for £300 it is a 2005 bike and unmarked.Hope this helps you

Fit - Fit - Fit. I am a newbie too. I have purchased a bike that had good reviews, but am having trouble finding the bike comfortable to ride.

I would not get too hasty - I'd try several with test rides. Although it made me nervous - raising my seat higher than my comfort level actually increased my ability to ride. This was against my grain as a person that had not been on a bike for a couple decades. I wanted to be closer to the ground when riding, but it really helped.

Pay attention to your ability to steer when seat is set that high. That's the big negative for me, I end up putting more weight on the handle bars as I have to lean forward more and it hampers my ability to steer. Maybe this is more a problem with my fitness than the dynamics of the bike.

What I'm really saying is don't buy the first bike you like - shop around and buy one that you can ride.

Good Luck!

I heard a specialized bike might be my best fit, is that true?
What is true is that you need to start out by looking at bikes at a bike shop.

Specialized makes all sorts of many different kinds of bicycles.

I would suggest that a bicycle with a triple (or double) chainring in front and about 9 gears in back is really what you should consider. Many people avoid these kinds of bikes because they seem "too complicated" but those gears make the bike usable on hills and the flats.

if you know very little about cycling you should not buy a bike via the internet. also your 1,000,000 friends on BF have their own (albiet wrong *giggle*) opinions. there are just too many variables and you get overloaded with info. try your friends bike and go to a bike shop and test ride a few.