Hybrid Bicycles - My head is spinning ... newbie help!

Hi everyone. I've never bought a bike before, so I'm pretty excited. I've decided on a hybrid (step 1). I live in NYC, which means I'll be carrying my new bike up 3 flights, so it needs to be relatively light. I know there are hard-core cyclists here, but could someone recommend a women's hybrid for under $300? I was looking at the 2012 Schwinn Voyageur, but any help would be wonderful. Thanks!!

Welcome To Bike Forums, Ltothek!

1) Will you be climbing any hills or going up any inclines on your bike?

2) Do you need a rack for carrying things?

3) Do you need fenders to keep you splash free from puddles and the like?

4) Will this bike be used primarily for commuting the city?

5) Will this bike be used basically for recreational purposes?

6) Will you ride through the wooded trails of parks, etc?

A folding bike will be a lot easier to carry up so many stairs.
hard to get to the $3C price.

though bike friendly builders, [seen in other countries]
have a smooth ramp on the sides of the stairs
so you roll the bike rather than, lift and carry it.

Welcome To Bike Forums, Ltothek!

1) Will you be climbing any hills or going up any inclines on your bike?

2) Do you need a rack for carrying things?

3) Do you need fenders to keep you splash free from puddles and the like?

4) Will this bike be used primarily for commuting the city?

5) Will this bike be used basically for recreational purposes?

6) Will you ride through the wooded trails of parks, etc?


1. No hills, really
2. A rack would be great
3. Fenders, yes
4. Sometimes commuting
5. Mostly recreational & running local errands
6. I wouldn't count on getting to the woods

And, yes, a fold-up bike would be great, especially for storage, but it's totally out of my price range. I don't work on Wall Street! :)

All you need is a quality single speed from Nashbar.

The Nashbar Hounder Single Speed ~ $200

www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339 (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339)

Good Luck! :thumb:

PS.

Do twenty push ups every morning. Get a ten pound dumbell and do 10 reps 5 times for each arm every morning.
After about three weeks, lifting a thirty pound bike won't bother you at all. Especially, after you get use to it. It won't kill you. It will just make you stronger.

For $300 and under, it's very hard to find a decent bike. $400 would be much better to work with. For $300, you can get a used bike of craigslist, purchase online or get a Walmart, Target etc bike. I prefer getting a used bike or find a decent bike online (very slim). But then, you'll have to also have someone tune the bike, if needed. Like a local bike shop or a handy person. If purchasing online. Here is the bike that I would recommend for your budget and riding style etc.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/avenue_fb.htm
The bike is made of aluminum and have narrow tires, so that should make it much lighter to carry.

I don't know if any local bike shop would have a bike within your budget. Maybe I might be wrong.

All you need is a quality single speed from Nashbar.

The Nashbar Hounder Single Speed ~ $200

www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339 (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339)

Good Luck! :thumb:

PS.



+1 A single speed would eliminate any derailleurs etc adjustments.

All you need is a quality single speed from Nashbar.

The Nashbar Hounder Single Speed ~ $200

www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339 (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339)

Good Luck! :thumb:

PS.

Do twenty push ups every morning. Get a ten pound dumbell and do 10 reps 5 times for each arm every morning.
After about three weeks, lifting a thirty pound bike won't bother you at all. Especially, after you get use to it. It won't kill you. It will just make you stronger.

Hey Slim, that bike resembles a Jamis Coda. :)

A folding bike will be a lot easier to carry up so many stairs.
hard to get to the $3C price.

though bike friendly builders, [seen in other countries]
have a smooth ramp on the sides of the stairs
so you roll the bike rather than, lift and carry it.

Probably doubtful that her building has this, though.

SlimRider asks good questions. One thing to keep in mind is the type of frame. Since you say you're going to need to take this up stairs, you may want to avoid the usual women's bike frames. It will be a lot easier to carry a bike with your hand underneath a top tube, I would think, rather than trying to get a traditional woman's frame upstairs. A mixte could work, perhaps.

Probably doubtful that her building has this, though.

SlimRider asks good questions. One thing to keep in mind is the type of frame. Since you say you're going to need to take this up stairs, you may want to avoid the usual women's bike frames. It will be a lot easier to carry a bike with your hand underneath a top tube, I would think, rather than trying to get a traditional woman's frame upstairs. A mixte could work, perhaps.


Oooo, good point, erg79!! I never even thought about that. I was going to get a ladies bike....until now. Thinking...

I do want some gears, by the way. NY isn't totally flat. In fact, there's a bridge near me in Brooklyn with a hefty incline. Plus I hear that cruisers are heavier than hybrids. I am going to try some bikes locally, but thought I'd get some research done beforehand, here.

Oooo, good point, erg79!! I never even thought about that. I was going to get a ladies bike....until now. Thinking...

I do want some gears, by the way. NY isn't totally flat. In fact, there's a bridge near me in Brooklyn with a hefty incline. Plus I hear that cruisers are heavier than hybrids. I am going to try some bikes locally, but thought I'd get some research done beforehand, here.

Alright, then this Motobecane Elite should hit the spot ~ $250:
www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_elite.htm (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_elite.htm)

Alternatively, you should search your local Craigslist for chromoly steel framed bicycles from the 80's era. Make certain that you take someone with you who "knows bikes".

If you can't score from Craigslist, then just go a Giant dealership and get one of these:

The Giant Cypress.St ~ $350
www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/9051/48871/ (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/9051/48871/)

The Giant Sedona.St ~ $350
www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/sedona.st/9025/48885/ (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/sedona.st/9025/48885/)

Good Luck :thumb:

- Slim :)

+1 A single speed would eliminate any derailleurs etc adjustments.

That or an IGH, but IGH for under $300 is another issue.

A 3-speed, internal-hub-gear, shopper-style folding bike is not too expensive. They usually come complete with rack, fenders and sometimes lights.
Dahon make a very nice Eco 3 but you can get cheaper ones.

3 speed are usually quite "gappy" so you have one gear for up hills, one for downhills and one for everything else. I rode an old 3 speed for years in rolling countryside and it copes with a lot of varied terrain.

Hey Slim, that bike resembles a Jamis Coda. :)


Hey there ChowChow!

Yes! It does kinda resemble the Coda! :thumb: