Introductions - Hello from a newbie ! (wants his 1st bike)

Hello - Just googled this message board and it looks very active:

I've been weight lifting for 6 months and have decided that biking is the only way for me to enjoy cardio work - running bores me, swimming takes too long to get to and indoor machinery really gets me down.

I live in a nice suburban area so traffic isnt at all bad - im out with the trees + wild life but a small town is only 10-15 minutes ride away.
I want a bike that helps me along a little but I dont wan't a bike that will hold me back in 6 months time.
I think a racer will require too much work and will be difficult for me up steep hills as I have never cycled properly before - However I've read a mountain bike should be just that - not just for bumpy paths and short dirt shortcuts. I plan to ride 80-90% road - Theres a semi-long dirt track that I wouldnt mind using from time to time too though

So any suggestions or rough target areas would be a great help! I really have no clue where to start - whether my bike should cost $150 or $1000 or what type/brand is best for me. is it a "Hybrid" I should go for? I am relativley healthy - wouldn't say great as most of my health comes from lifting, not my lungs/cardio.

Rik - Manchester England...

Since you are looking at trails as well as road (primarly) a hybrid is something you may want to look at. Some hybrid tires are slick on the center and knobby on the sides. Seems like the best of both worlds.

At the same time you don't want to be held back in 6 months. I don't know that a hybrid won't do that to you. You may look at the trek 7000 series. I understand the 7000 starts at @250 UDS.

I am hoping to get my first bike in 15+ years this weekend. I am getting a hybrid for a cardio workout. I am not yet fit, but will be using it in combination with light weight training to achieve weight loss and health.

Remember that fit and your instinct are important. If you don't get fitted you can't be sure the bike is the right size. You need to follow your instinct. If a 7100 feels better than a 7300, go with the 7100. If it doesn't feel good you won't ride.

Goos luck in finding what is right for you. Your LBS should be able to help you figure out what type of bike is best for the types of riding you will be doing.

Hi-I used to live in Manchester- I think biking is great for cardio-work outs - apart from competitive stuff like Badminton it is the only cardio exercise that I really enjoy. I hate running/indoor machines as well.

I think a racer will actually be easier to get up steep hills because it is lighter than a MTB. A racer will also be better for long distances on good roads.

Of course a racer will not be so good on your dirt track. Just depends on your priorities.The problem is that if you get an MTB now and want to go longer distances later you may feel that it is holding you back in a few months. I have read a few posts here from people who have felt this way. MTBs are fun and I like riding mine but I am not sure that they are an only bike unless you do most of your riding on the dirt.

I have 5 bikes. I mainly use a performance hybrid for commuting (about 8 miles each way). When the weather is bad I tend to use the MTB as I like to have more rubber on the road. From what you have written I would suggest you get a hybrid and see how it goes. If I had to go back to one bike I would keep the performance hybrid. It is a good compromise. These are just my impressions

Or if you have enough money buy both an mtb and roadie!

Okay I think Hybrid seems more appealing - I have a strange phobia of the light weight racers I see - it looks like they are basically extensions of your leg :) rather than a vehicle which helps you along. I'm not too picky - I wont freak out if long distances annoy me on my hybrid - but what I don't want is a racer that I have never experianced (Owned 3 bikes as a child - all mountain bikes).
Thanks for the advice - any chance of a small list of examples of begginers hybrids? I intend to do something similar to commuting - probably around 3 miles per session. *Notes "Trek 7000 series"*
Oh PS - I will spend around $250-400 - however anywhere between $350-400 i'd need a little explanation as to why it would be worth it as a begginer. Don't mean to seem demanding, all suggestions are appreciated, its just $400 is getting a little serious on my income :)

I don´t mean to be rude but 250 to 400 pounds is not a huge budget if you intend to cycle seriously and regularly-with careful shopping around thought you can get something quite good-the best idea would be just to go down to the LBS´s (stay away from supermarket type bikes) and talk to the people and let them know what you want. See what they have got in the performance/sports hybrid line (don´t get one with big wide tyres just cuz they look good, look for one that looks a bit more like a racing bike) in your budget. Maybe you could find last years model going cheap. Go for some test rides. If I were you I would look at second hand bikes also but check them out carefully and find out what they cost new. With bikes like anything you get what you pay for. If you pay more you will generally get a better frame (lighter-stronger-better handling), better wheels (last longer) and better components (mainly better gear shifting and braking and more reliable). Look carefully at the components. Shimano ones are good but look for a proper Shimano group like Alivio or Deore (you can look them up on the Shimano website) on the derailleurs and cogs and not just the cut price Shimano ones that they put on cheap bikes. The components cost a lot to buy later on their own so don´t think that you can just swap the derailleur later.

I have never regretted spending money to get a good bike. In fact I have only regretted sometimes that I did not spend more. Every time I ride a good quality bike it brings a smile to my face and I think wow this is such a great bike. I don´t know anything else (that you can buy) that does that.

*note I'm never sarcastic/intentionally rude either :)

I'll listen to your points and consider them - but can you explain how a bike for £300 woudln't be suited to what my aim is? - I look at it the same way as most equiptment, If A: I don't know what i'm doing B: I'm a begginer and C: I haven't got tons of funds then go for something thats closer to bottom middle end (rather than middle-top).
I could spend £700 on a bike but what if I give up in 6 months? will I be able to tell the difference between a £300 and a £700 after only riding £120 as a child?

again im only curious - although I am shocked that £300 wouldn't do for me - please don't take it as if im throwing your answer in your face (I come across like that sometimes :) ).

the bike needs to last about 3 years (to any serious extent - of course some parts need replacing), needs to feel decent (in a begginers eyes I doubt thats hard) and basically needs to hold together. I'm not even considering touching any part of the bike with my own parts - Maybe 2nd hand is the way to go. One poster pointed out that trek 7000 series starts at $250 - I looked them up on websites and they sell around £250 new! - i'd be happy to pay that and even more happy to pay £175 for a used one.

I'll try to specify my intention:

Ride for between 1-2 hours 3 times a week - the incline varies but never gets too difficult, on road 90% of the time, if not more (havent ridden the route before).
Things I dont expect i'd be doing are propper dirt trails, rides over 3 hours long, heavy impact or intense inclines - I also do not intend to race on any level. This is why anything over £300 shocks me a little as I wouldnt consider my aims to be on par with a serious cyclist. However I would rely on it as part of my exercise routine (which I do take quite seriously these days)

I would suggest a sport touring bike with 28 or 32 mm wide tires with a triple chainring. This will alllow you to go fast over the roads without too much effort and will have the gears to take you over the hills to the East of Manchester. I am not familiar with bike prices in the UK but I am sure you can find one within your budget - ask the LBS if they have any used ones. Dont forget to allow for spending money on mudguards, rack, helmet, pump and a few tools. Good luck.

the main thing is to get out there on the bike- I don´t want to give the impression that I am some sort of cycling snob- it is just that once you have spent the money and bought a bike then you are commited to some extent. You will probably be riding this bike for some time. I just want you to get the most for your money so that you end up loving cycling as much as I do. Of course you can spend 300 pounds and get something better than you had as a kid. If that is your aim then there is no problem just go and do that. I dont know when you were a kid but the difference between just about ANY 300 pound bike nowadays and the one I had as a kid is incredible.

I am just telling you really what I would do in your position but maybe it is not would YOU would do in your position.

Let me know how the bike hunt goes.

the main thing is to get out there on the bike- I don´t want to give the impression that I am some sort of cycling snob- it is just that once you have spent the money and bought a bike then you are commited to some extent. You will probably be riding this bike for some time. I just want you to get the most for your money so that you end up loving cycling as much as I do. Of course you can spend 300 pounds and get something better than you had as a kid. If that is your aim then there is no problem just go and do that. I dont know when you were a kid but the difference between just about ANY 300 pound bike nowadays and the one I had as a kid is incredible.

I am just telling you really what I would do in your position but maybe it is not would YOU would do in your position.

Let me know how the bike hunt goes.

hehe we both tried to avoid giving each other strong words and I think you the same as me - tell it straight but try not to offend :) so no worries in that respects (Don't think your a snob - I think the extra cash sacrifice just scared me a little or perhaps I didnt explain my goals well enough) - I'll just keep asking questions until I make the sacrifice - now i'll try get some base knowledge from my LBS (look at me using abbreviations already! lol) and my uncle mountain bikes too so... the one thing I do know is i'll put alot of work in, im getting quite obsessed with being healthy now (only recently however) so I put myself above those people who will quit if they find it a little hard.

Thanks again - I'll keep posting (p.s im 20 years old - so i was a kid about 6 years ago - depending on you look at it of course ;) ) (p.p.s thanks andrew every comment with technical info goes straight into a notepad - so hopefully I can ask for specifics at the LBS)

I should get a commision from TREK. I just love my TREK 7200 and highly recommend it.

I would say, get a decent quality used mountain bike, and get a second set of front/rear wheesl (cassette included) to put a set of city slicks on. That way, all you have to do is switch wheels over when you want to do some off-road. It also saves you from having to change out the tires themselves, which is quite a pain for someone who doesn't do it very often.

I've been looking for a new bike that I can use for routine transportation around town, commuting to work, and riding on road. I don't like the drop handlebars on most road bikes and I think what I'll end up with is what's sometimes called a flat-bar road bike.

The Specialized Sirrus is one such. Sirrus models go for between $500 and $1000 US. I really enjoyed the one I rode today. Tha Jamis Coda is advertized as a street bike and Coda models are in the same price range. The Giant Cypress line is billed as a comfort cross bike and goes for between $200 and $850. LeMond makes the Wayzata, which looks like a really nice bike and sells for about $1100. Cannondale makes the Road Warrior line. Trek makes the 7000 series of what they call city and bike path bikes. And there are many others.

All such bikes that I've looked at have triple ring cranks of racing or near racing size and can accept wider tires.

Good luck in your search.

Just another quicky - can you do a small list of why a road bike is better than a mountain bike in terms of cardio workout? my friend keeps insulting me for spending more than £150 if all I intend to do is 1.5-2hrs on a road 3 times a week. I ofcourse side with you guys because he has no cycling experiance. Id just like to throw some nice facts his way to shut him up :) (I already pointed out 90%+ of my ride will be road)

a mountain bike would actually be more effective in terms of a cardio work out as it is more inefficient (wider tyres= more rolling resistance and more upright seating position)-riding round with your brakes on would be even more effective but not much fun if you see what I mean

Your point is the only reason I should get a hybrid or racer is to go faster? because if speed is what your considering then perhaps a MTB would be okay? gah now im confused...

faster = more efficient.

It's up to you, if you want a fast, light maschine that is suitable for distance travel, go for a roadbike.

If you have no clue where your going to take your bike next, want a harder workout, or are a bit weary of using a roadbike for whatever reason, go with a comfort or MTB model.

Comfort models are middle of the pack, MTBs are slow, but they are very tough and versatile, and roadbikes are the speed demons of the pack. Cost goes up as you go from MTB to comfort to roadie though.

blower- look if all you want is a cardio work out then you could just get a stationary indoor bike trainer- I get the impression though that you (like me) would find this too boring. So if all you want a cardio work out with a bit of change of scenery then get an MTB. As previous posters have said they are nice and solid and you can whack up kerbs and ignore potholes. An MTB is a good start for a beginner.

The only disadvantage with an MTB is that as I said before if you get serious you may feel a bit held back eventually- an MTB will be more tiring over longer distances and you may get fed up of being passed by all the roadies. From what you are writing at the moment though I get the impression that you do not really want to turn into Lance Armstrong overnight so you can always sell the MTB if you feel like this and get a hybrid/roadie.

If you want to hedge your bets (and are not sure what to do) then compromise and get a hybrid or tourer.

You know your own requirements better than us and only you can make the decision. The main thing is to get out there on ANY bike.

You will soon notice a big difference in your fitness if you keep at it. Try and replace some of your car/public transport journeys by bike journeys and work cycling in with your life rather then trying to work it is as an extra activity. This works best for me.

Good luck. It is good that you are thinking very carefully about what bike to get but now you need to take the plunge.

get whatever kind of bike you want it's the getting out their and doing it that counts :D

K i take your point - time for a mountain bike :) I decided I dont wanna spend more than £200 so I'll goto my LBS and get fitted for a half decent one.
Thanks for time peeps

Ok no probs-maybe you could look at Harry Halls they have a Trek 04 3500 that goes for 199.90 pounds- you would even have 10 pence left over.

http://www.harryhallcycles.co.uk/directory.asp