k9power

I have not ridden a bike since I was about 12 except for the stationary ones at the gym.
I have recently been having the urge to take advantage of a large bike trail near my home that goes for several miles.

I was asking people about a decent to get started and I am a little confused.
The first advice I got was get a hybrid because a road bike would be uncomfortable and more difficult to get started using.
Then I was told I should get a road bike because I might want to ride with some people and it would be tough to keep up on a hybrid and not really an option for some of the rides they go on.
I feel sure it would take me a while to get some endurance and strength built up but I am in decent shape and want to try it out.

Any suggestions? I am about 5'11 205 and will probably be looking for a budget priced used bike in the 400.00 - 500.00 range.

neilfein

In short, unless you know just what kind of riding you'll be doing, I suggest sticking with a hybrid or a mountain bike without suspension for now. Don't sweat the details too much. Find a bike shop, tell them your budget, ride a few bikes, then get a bike that's comfortable and that you enjoy riding.

Here's the long version, please feel free to skim:

You can get a pretty decent bike for your budget, particularly a starter bike, and you might be able to afford a new bike. Step one would be to find a good bike shop that you trust. Going on craigslist would probably be more confusing than anything else. They'll steer you to a good bike, and will do their best to keep inside your budget, and one that fits you. Big box stores will sell you a piece of junk assembled by someone who may not know what they're doing, and they certainly won't know how to find you a bike that fits. You can also test-ride several different bikes, and get a better idea of what you're comfortable on.

The first question you need to answer is: Where do you want to ride? If you want to ride fast on the road, get a road bike. If you want to ride off-road, get a mountain bike. You may not yet know where you'll enjoy riding the most. Hybrids have an enormous advantage in that they're flexible, albeit they master no one style of riding. Often, people who are starting to ride don't really know what kind of riding they'll enjoy, and this is only natural.

Your concern about not being able to keep up with other people is unfounded; as a newbie rider, you'd be riding with other beginner riders anyway. Road bikes can be uncomfortable for first time riders, but they are very fast. There are regional forums here if you want to look for a riding partner or rides in your area.

Mountain bikes have the advantage of being comfortable, easy to learn on, and tough. I'd suggest avoiding anything with any kind of suspension, though. It may seem like a good idea at first, but any suspension you could get in that price range won't be worth the money. Suspension also sucks up energy you'd otherwise put into moving the bike forward.

Sooner or later, someone will try to talk you into getting clipless pedals, and I recommend you stick with plain ol' platform pedals. If you're not familiar with this, clipless pedals are a pedal/shoe system that you need special shoes that clip onto the pedals, for increased efficiency. All they'll do is increase the time it takes you to hop on the bike, and you really won't see any benefit to them until you become a strong cyclist.

You'll find a lot of information for new riders scattered throughout the forum. Heavy riders can find specific advice in the Clydesdale/Athena forum. (They were of great help to me when I was getting started.)

Arcanum

^^^ What he said.

I'll expand and say that, contrary to what many advocate, buying a used bike as your first bike is not necessarily the best idea. It places you very much at the mercy of what's available, and what's available may not be what you want or need. If you get lucky and find a nice used bike that's just what you want and is just your size, great, but I wouldn't count on it.

Regarding clipless stuff, even when you do become a better cyclist there are options that are cheaper, easier to get in and out of, and almost as good.

es82

If you think you'll mostly be sticking to that trail, and going for more recreational rides, then I'd say stick with a Hybrid to start.

I was in a similar situation to you two years ago when I got my first 'adult' bike and went with a Hybrid, and I am/was very happy with my choice. It took me to/from work comfortably, held up on longer rides (60km), and if I ventured off of a paved surface it still fared fairly well (although it's no single track MTB, but a bit of dirt or tightly packed gravel was fine).

The position was more upright which made it comfy for cruising around town.

If you decide to join a biking club, many of them have rides for varying levels of experience, and if you're going along the beginner rides - there will probably be a few people in the same situation as you. You might not be able to keep pace with the road-riders who can easily maintain high-speeds -- but chances are even on a fast road bike, if you are really new to it --- you wouldn't be keeping pace with them anyways.

If after a year or two you decide "You know, I want to join a bike club and wish I had a faster bike" -- then you might want to look into getting a road bike, but still holding onto your Hybrid as your commuter/beater bike/more recreational and leisurely use. I know lots of people who have 3 bikes. Their road bike, their around-town bike, and their off-road bike.

Their MTB bikes are too clunky to be comfortable commuting around town, and their road bikes are too expensive/fragile to leave locked up on the bike-rack while they run errands or go to work.

nymtber

Hybrid. Specialized Sirrus, Trek FX series, Jamis Coda, just to name a few. Rigid frame, 700c wheels, and I would try to get 28c tires if it is a paved path, or 32-35c if it is gravel/dirt. I ride my Sirrus on road only with 28c tires, and Love it. Its almost as fast as the road bike I had, and a bit faster than a mountain bike, and more comfortable than either.

Maybe you would even want a comfort/hybrid, like the Trek 7000 series, Specialized Globe Vienna, or something along those lines. A bit more upright, for just cruising around!

Cycling is fun, and good exercise too. Unless I am on the canal trail, I prefer cycling alone. I feel more relaxed and its just nice to be away from people and enjoying nature...So, a hybrid fits my needs much better than a road bike.

lucille

I think a hybrid is a great bike to get you started. But there are hybrids and there are hybrids. There are some heavy department store clunkers and there are quite a bit more expensive, light and sporty hybrids. I would look for the higher end hybrid, as the components will be better.
I bought a Specialized Sirrus in 2004 and still ride it. I go for weekend rides on roads and rail to trails, tour on it, commute on occasion, took it with me on vacation. It's a great bike. Friend of mine rides one of the Trek FX (can't remember the number) and loves it.

I think you should go to a few stores, test ride different makes and models and talk to sales people. It will help you decide on what's best for you.
Also remember, when you're buying a bike, most stores will let you swap some parts for free or smaller cost than doing it later. If it's hilly where you are, it might be worth upgrading to a better gearing. Good luck, hope you get a bike you love!

I love my clipless pedals, but got them after about a year of riding. It's like having an extra gear, couldn't ride without them anymore.

knobster

I got started in a similar way as you. Hadn't ridden since I was a kid and got into it because of my wife. I ended up buying an entry level road bike. Enjoyed it right from the start. I did end up going with clipless right away. MTB shoes and SPD pedals. Fell once with them and learned quickly to unclip...

cyclist2000

Also entry level road bikes normally cost more than your budget.

Flying Merkel

Lot of good advice here, so I want repeat it. Just wanted to let you know that your budget is realistic and will get you a decent ride.

rumrunn6

rent a bike and go from there ...

neilfein

A good thought - if you can get a good rental bike that also fits reasonably well.

tsl

Don't sweat the details on your first bike. If you take to it, you will want a different bike, no matter what you choose to start with. That's just the way it works.

There's an old saying around here that the purpose of your first bike is to teach you what you want and need in your second bike.

It's like a starter home. Most of us start with something small, affordable and with a postage-stamp lot. Then later, after we've figured out what we really want, we buy a bigger house with a bigger yard in a nicer neighborhood and with a nicer kitchen. Bikes are no different. Except maybe for the kitchen part.

FWIW, I support the advice of a non-suspension hybrid. My first bike after 35 years of not riding was a suspension hybrid in the same price range you're considering. I figured out in the first couple of weeks that the suspension was a sales gimmick and nothing more. I could have gotten a nicer bike without the added expense (or weight) of the suspension.

AndrewP

and the reason for your ninth bike is to find out what you want on your tenth bike. However a hybrid will answer most needs for a bike, and will be a good back-up bike when you get a more specialised mount. Bar ends ($15) pointed straight forward will give a change of hand position and give a more aero posture when facing headwinds. Speed and rough road capability can be adjusted by changing to different width tires at modest cost.

tsl

N+1, dude, N+1!

geo8rge

Consider a folding bike as they are easier to store and transport to where ever you will be riding.