brennok

I keep debating on picking up a bike to start to ride for fitness and just general enjoyment. I haven't been on a bike since high school. I keep looking hoping something will push me over the edge to actually buy a bike. I figure for my initial bike I don't want to exceed $500.

The only ones I have given a quick test drive on were a Trek 4500, Fischer 2005 Marlin, and a Fischer Wahoo. The Trek was the only one that seemed to fit properly that was also comfortable for the little time I test rode it, but then it was the only one that seemed to be the right size. I also went by three shops that carry Specialized, Schwinn, Giant, GT, and a couple of others, but none of those shops seemed that willing to help or much less even let me test ride. It may just be due to the fact I am still on the edge about even getting a bike. I just don't know if I will ride.

From everything I have read it is best to avoid Target, Walmart and Sports Authority, but I am starting to wonder if it wouldn't be worth dropping 100 bucks or so there to pick up a bike to see if I would even ride. One of my problems besides the fact I don't know if I would ride is what type of riding I would do. Living in Tampa and being out of shape I probably will be sticking to the streets for now but don't know for sure.

So far I have found I prefer the mountain bike style seating but other than that I know nothing. Maybe I am just overthinking everything since this is only an entry level bike, but then again I tend to get buyer's remorse worse than anyone I know so I am trying to eliminate as much of it as I can. I think another issue is the fact I have really only ridden the 4500 since the other shops didn't seem that interested in helping when I went. I can understand though since I feel the same way when people ask me to help them shop for computers but don't know what they want to do with them.

Sorry for the long post, just frustrated and looking for suggestions. If I am just being an idiot and overthinking everything please let me know.

minastirith

I own a 2004 Trek 4500, and its not a bad bike. Although the stock Rockshox Judy TT was too stiff for my weight (I weigh only 130lb), so I've changed it to Rockshox Pilot SL since then. If you are hesistant about getting into biking, I suggest you find and check out some group rides that go to weekend rides to trails or road rides in your community. I got into mountain bike by joining the mountain bike club at my university. At first, I went to trails with my department store beater bike but I've purchased my Trek since I really enjoyed the first few rides. It's a really fun sport to get into.

alanbikehouston

If I had only ONE bike, it would be a mountain bike. A $400 mountain bike is tough, reliable and can handle any sort of riding on any sort of road or trail. With light, slick tires, a mountain bike can be an excellent commuting bike, for use even on good roads. And, you can add a rear rack and saddle bags for week-end tours or for running back and forth to Krogers.

There are three important things about buying a bike: fit...fit...and fit. The Trek 4500 comes in sizes to provide a good fit to any rider between about five feet tall and six and a half feet tall. To make sure you are getting a good fit, you might visit two or three Trek dealers, and have each give you their opinion on which one is the best size.

Buy from a shop that is in your own neighborhood. All new bikes need adjustments. Wheels need to be trued and re-trued. Cables need to be adjusted. Bolts need to be tightened. It is much easier to stop by a shop for adjustments if the shop is within riding distance of where you live.

Try to ride every day, if only for thirty minutes or so. If you ride six or seven days a week, both your physical condition and your riding skills will improve greatly over the next few months. By September, you may be ready for a second bike. A skilled urban rider often enjoys having a road bike, as a road bike is well suited to taking two or three hour rides...mountain bikes don't provide the variety of hand positions that make three hour rides less stressful on your hands, neck and back.

brennok

Unfortunately these are two of the problems. The three bikes I have ridden were the only ones they had in stock that were my size and neither shop had the same bike to compare sizes. I figure I will try to run next weekend since most shops are closed here by the time I get off work and Sundays which also makes it tough to get into biking. I just have a problem with any store that runs hours that is not friendly to those who work 9-5 or 8:30-6 in my case. If I wasn't limited to one day a week to look I may have already bought a bike.

Also the closest shop is at the end of my street but seemed unwilling to help. They carry Giant, Schwinn and GT if I remember correctly. I am thinking I will probably end up with the 4500 since that shop was the most friendly and they are within riding distance if I leave the bike at my parents which is my thought since it would be easier to ride after work that way. Like I said I think it just bothers me that my choice isn't limited by price as much as it is by selection since that shop only had the 4500 in my size and nothing else.

stapfam

Not a bad decision to stay with a shop that is helpfull. Road use or Offroad? Mountain bikes are a sensible choice and if offroad or trail use- tyres are probably correct but at this price level you will upgrading a few parts quickly for full offroad use. +Mountain seem to be more comfortable for a new rider. If on road only, or paved cycle trails, then suspension is not necessary and slick tyres should be fitted.

Think about what you want and talk to a few other shops to try and find the bike you want. Second visits to shops often works but stay away from wallmart and the like. A local bike shop is more helpfull.

chicbicyclist

You can always try your local craigslist or thriftstores. Cheap bikes, non-walmart types, so you don't have to worry about buyer's remorse. Stick to the brands that you recognize just to be on the safe side. After you bought your bike and you're worried about fit(though you should have tested the bike if it can fit you in the first place) and adjustments, you can bring it into an LBS that you like, for about $25 or so and have them adjust those stuff for you.

rmwun54

And so why are you debating, does that mean you might or might not get into riding. What would stop you from getting out into the great outdoors and moving along on two wheels on your own power. I would say the greatest reason why most people don't get started is because of procrastination of starting. Easy to say hard to do. Funny thing about riding a bike, once you get out there and moving along on your own two feet you stop thinking about the what if. You begin to discover yourself through the ride and you'll find yourself thinking why didn't I do this long time ago. It's an experience only the rider can experience, not thinking about it just doing it. Every time I ride I know I'm doing the best thing I have ever done for myself; getting fit, having some fun, enjoying the sites, the surroundings, and whatever environment I happened to choose to ride, and enjoying those whom I ride with. It was just like yesterday when I first bought my $99 Niko wantabee Nishiki road bike. It was too big, too heavey, and nothing fancy to mention, but I rode that bike everywhere. Now after 10 bikes and alot of fancy wardrobe I'm riding faster, longer, and further than when I started. And I still am having fun doing so to this day. Just a 52 years old cyclist that is still cranking and getting less cranky. So start out slowly, discover yourself through biking, and in time you will find the thrill in it, and that would be a good thing. Need I say more. Heres a picture of three of my bikes.

ken cummings

Absolutely, thrift stores are ideal for the indecisive. Go ahead and blow no more than the price of a good bottle of wine (around here) or a good meal somewhere else. Take a few of those short rides mentioned about and check a bunch of yard sales and flea markets. If you find a better bike just dump the old one and keep going. Then after a couple of weeks roll up to the least offensive bike shop and ask for an estimate on an overhaul. I'll bet they treat you more politely if you ride in even if it is on a beater bike. "Why are you riding this P.O.S.?" "Because I had a hard time getting anyone to take me seriously when I was shopping before." I have a hard time imagining a shop that will not order an out of stock bike if you ask what the deposit would be.

Or find the owner of each bike shop that brushed you off and comment on the way you were treated. Unless the owner was the rude one. Then do no go back. And tell others.

georgiaboy

Bike on close-out. Good price if the bike fits.

Only size 18 left. Standover is 32"


https://www.rei.com/outlet/product/48...SHP_CYCLING_SA

DannoXYZ 

Avoid the X-mart bikes, they don't have anything there that's a good value. For the same $150-250, you can buy a really nice 2-4 year old bike with 8/9-spd Ultegra and have a bike that's 10x better. Then upgrade the parts slowly as they wear out to more modern stuff. Then if you find you don't even like biking, it's not that much of a loss, you can even sell that bike for $100-150 to the next guy to try out.

Portis

Same here. MOuntain bikes can go anywhere. Roadbikes are just for the road. Some will suggest that a cyclocross bike would do both, but I would only suggest this if you mainly rode road and a little off road. Mountain bikes are a good place to start.

I was in the same situation as you a few years back. I bought a Target bike called a Schwinn "Ranger" hence the name. Fortunately Target had a 30 day moneyback guarantee. I rode the Schwinn for a week or so, and quickly figured out I needed more.

Mainly it was the recomendations of people on this forum that got me to go to a LBS. About 17,000 miles and several bikes later, I have to thank them. An X mart bike will not introduce you to everything that cycling involves. Cycling has it's own culture which basically starts at your local bike shop.

You will never fully understand what cycling has to offer unless you start at your LBS. This forum is probably even more valuable.

Finally, if you are going to have a total budget of $500, consider the Trek 4300 or something similar for $370 or so. I have two trek 4300's, one has almost 8,000 miles and the other is around 6,000. So they obviously are good enough. Spend the extra money on a new saddle, a seat pack, water bottle, tubes, tire levers, multi tool etc.

I would give up riding if I didn't have Brooks saddles to sit on. They are SO much more comfortable then those but jabbers that come on stock bikes.

UADave

This mirrors my own situation and after reading these forums since the middle of last summer I now know what bike I'll buy (Trek 4300 or 4500) and where I'll buy it (the only bike store in town). They are very helpful and even when I tell them I'm not buying today they'll let me ride anything that's put together and answer all my questions. Their idea was to get a cheap hardtail, put some semi-slicks on it that will handle a wide pressure range, and if I want to do dirt I can let some of the air out of the tires, or pump them up for the road. Seemed like a plan to me. Now all I need to do is get myself up and go buy the thing. I'm still procrastinating for some reason.

Portis

They're open tomorrow! Get Busy!

UADave

Ranger, I like the way you think. Just do it. I don't know why it's so hard. I don't hesitate to blow 300 bucks for my daughters Ipod, but getting off some cash for a bike is freaking tough. Maybe it's because since I became a dad I've always put the family first. Even throwing hundreds at a video camera could be justified since it was for the family, a couple of grand for a vacation was for the family. Somehow, a bike seems selfish. But regardless, as soon as my strep clears up I'm biting the bullet (currently sick). The weather down south right now is fantastic, spring fever is breaking out everywhere.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack this thread.

Portis

I hear ya. I sweat every dollar as well. That's why i ride entry level bikes. I could afford more, but the rest of the tribe comes first. I know people look down on me from time to time. Sometimes I go to LBS and I can read the owner's mind. He won't sit on a bike that is less than $2,000, then I come in talking about mine like it is real important, guess that is why his enthusiasm about my bikes is quite a bit less than mine.

But still, I do spend a little on bike stuff. Actually over the course of a year, i spend probably what i would call quite a bit. I've got a whole clothing rack, with cycling wear and shoes, shoes, shoes. Plus car rack, receiver hitch, (times 3), way too much other stuff to mention.

But I doubt I'll ever buy a $1000 bike. At least not until the income goes drastically up or the kids are long gone.

UADave

Well, in this part of the country (southeast US) biking is a pretty cheap hobby compared to hunting or fishing. Not sure about golf, but it sounds expensive.

I have friends, who are married and have kids, that have $25,000 trucks pulling $30,000 bass boats. Inside these boats there is several thousand dollars worth of rods, reels, etc. A good rod and reel could cost more than a bike. I quit fishing 20 years ago because it got too expensive, and I'm amazed folks will spend this kind of cash to sit in a boat chasing a fish. And here I sit agonizing about spending $500 on something that will hopefully keep me healthy and happy. Of course, if I were spending $500 on a rod and reel that would be much easier to hide from the wife; bikes aren't that small.

I think, like the OP, I'm afraid after I get a bike that the new will wear off and I won't ride it. I don't think that will happen, I used to love to ride, but you never know. I suppose I need to quit *****footing around and get something. If it winds up in storage I'll just chalk it up to my midlife crisis.

Kyle90

I also live in the Southeast. Our 1975 Ranger which was the top of the line Bass Boat at the time, only cost us $300 when we bought it from the orginal owner and very minor work. The most I've ever spent on a Rod & Reel was $70, and it's the best one I've ever owned next to my Ugly Stik. However, artifical baits are rediculous, Rapplin just came out with a new one that's pretty interesting and it's like, $10 and I usually buy about 5 of each artifical I buy. Therfore, I doubt I will buy this one.

Onto the topic, I'd never spend alot of money on a bike. There's honestly no real sense in spending over $500 on a bike. Granted, a $1,000 bike may outlast a $500 bike, but with a $500 bike you wouldn't die at the thought of buying a new one as much as you would with a $1,000. I also don't understand how they can charge $5,000 for a bike that probably only cost the company a few hundred to make. It's as such with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, it costs $11 to make but they charge $50 for it. Robbery I say.

I say get the bike that you're the most comfortable with, you don't want one you can't get used to real fast. You also don't want to burn a hole in your pocket and that's entirely understandable. I've never ridden a Trek, but I can say that the Specialized Hardrock despite what others say is a pretty decent bike. You should try it.

Good luck.

chicbicyclist

Ranger, if that same owner treats me with my very entry level Raleigh(which I don't consider as any level at all, its a utility bike for Pete's sake), I would have been outta there before they can say "Can I help you?".

Fortunately, I don't feel like the owners at my two favourite bike shop treat me like that, one onwer even gave me a $15 discount on a new $50 headlight, and even he had it installed on my walmart-type bike over a year ago. Now I do most of my business there.

brennok

I just need to go again it just sucks the hours they keep. It seems like my best bet is the shop that carries the Trek 4500, but I just wish they carried a larger selection to compare. I know I liked the 4500 but I don't know if I liked it because it was the only bike out of 4 I rode that fit well.

I truly don't know why I am so hesitant, then again I think it is because I can't shop for them but one day so the rest of the week I spend debating.

brennok

Well I was pleasantly surprised somewhat. I ran up to Publix to grab dinner and the LBS with the 4500 was open. Apparently they are open till 8. I looked at the 4500 again which they want $479.99 for, but they are supposed to be getting in a 4900 also for $599.99. I don't know if it is worth the upgrade but I figure it will be worth it to look. They said they might be getting in a Fischer Piranha also to look at. I am almost to the point where I just say screw it, buy the 4500 and be done with it. lol


EDIT: One thing I forgot to mention. I am a clydesdale pushing 300lbs. I would assume I would have no issues since they recommended this bike to me but if you think I might please let me know.

UADave

brennok, keep us updated. I'd like to know what you wind up doing.

I did some quick figuring and I've been researching bikes for over seven months. I've finally decided enough is enough and I'm going for the final bike shopping trip Saturday, good lord willing. I'll probably stick with Trek, same model you're looking at or a notch lower, but I might drive an hour to ride some other brands at different stores.

ReptilesBlade 

I highly recommend you buy this book. I consider it my Cycling Bible.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...Fencoding=UTF8

Also check out my intro topic, I go into some detail about what bikes I bought to get to where I am as a cyclist today.

huhenio

I am partial to fixed gears, and I would go for a Fuji in a heartbeat

bbattle

The 4900 comes with upgraded wheels, disc brakes and an upgraded rear derailleur. Disc brakes aren't really necessary; you can ask the LBS what the differences are in the wheels. The bike should handle your weight just fine.

Gary Fisher bikes are owned by Trek; they have a slightly different geometry that some prefer. The Piranha has a nicer front fork with greater travel and different tires. It's a good bike.

I'd wait for the Piranha so you can compare.

brennok

Well the LBS called and left me a message. It looks like they won't be getting in the 4900 or the piranha anytime soon. They did say they do have the Fischer Tassajara and they could cut the price by about 10% which would bring it close to the $649.99 Piranha if not cheaper. Looking at the Fischer website I am assuming it is the basic Tassajara and not the DSC or DSC Gs models based off the MSRP. Still more than I really want to spend but I figure I will go and give it a ride at least.

Any thoughts on this model?

EDIT: I stopped at the LBS and it was the regular Tassajara. I plan on going for several test rides tomorrow. I noticed they also carry Kona so I will see what I can ride in my size tomorrow since I didn't think to bring shorts and tennis shoes today.