Hybrid Bicycles - New to biking and needing to purchase a bike! HELP!

Hello!

I have not been on a bike for over 10 years and just signed up for a 25 mile bike ride in October. None the less, I need a bike! I want a hybrid and was looking at this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051GBSPO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1W6FFIBXHB164

I am sure it is not the best of bikes, but it is within my price range. I just want some opinions and feedback on the bike. I am 5'2" so the frame should work for me.

Thanks!

Jessica

Can you rent a bike for the event?

I don't believe so. Plus I need something to train on.

If you want to purchase, you might do better at a Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority. I can't say what, but something about the bike geometry looks funny. It looks like you would be bolt upright on it, which may sound comfee but really isn't. At Dick's or SA you can at least sit on it first, though they won't let you ride. Also, components on that bike are bottom of the Shimano list. Prolly functional, but not alot more.

Recognize that it would arrive unassembled, and you would have to assemble it yourself, pay a bike shop $60-100 to build it, or find someone experienced you know to do it.

Borrow a bike or rent one. If you think you want to continue riding, find something for a little more that you can sit on or ideally ride first. Your options expand greatly in the $300-400 range.

$300 might be do-able. Do you have any recommendations for a particular brand that is decent?

I started with a Diamondback Insight hybrid at Dick's a year ago. It was $350 then, but have seen people comment on BF that they have gotten them for $300 now. There were also models priced lower than that. They have some step thru frame models as well, if I remember correctly.

I recommend going to your local bike shop, start by just looking, asking questions, try test riding some bikes. Good luck to you.

+1 for the local bike shop. Diamondback makes some nice bikes, but the problem is that you can't ride them to see how they fit. The advantage of going to a bike shop is that they will let you ride one and see how it fits you and can also help you find a bike that will fit. Another advantage of a bike shop is that employee turnover is common and the guy selling you the bike may not be all that knowledgeable in responding to your questions. Bike shop employees don't normally make a lot of money, but they are there because they love bikes. You will get better answers and assistance at a bike shop.

That said, don't go in a bike shop and see one that you like, at the price you want, and buy it without riding it first. If you find that it doesn't fit properly after the sale, you may end up with a dust catcher in the garage. You have time to train for the October ride, so don't rush the purchase as it will be the difference between being comfortable on the ride and hurting all over. Good luck with your purchase and your ride.

I totally agree on the LBS. I didn't want to suggest it as I worry I will up her price point, which I feel like I already did once.. lol. $300 is not much at an LBS. But at 5'2", she is looking for a nice small frame that an LBS may have old stock on as it is less of a seller.

At 5'2" you might need an XS or 13.5-14", unless your legs are long relative to your height. A 16" is too large for me and I'm a shade under 5'3". The bike shop can help with this even if you don't buy from them. Good luck with your purchase and your ride!