Where do I even start!
08-01-12, 07:43 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 3
Bikes: None.... YET
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Where do I even start!
Hello All,
I'm turning 38 in a couple months and I've noticed that my metabolism isn't what it once was
I ride dirt bikes a lot and back in my teens I rode a mountain bike everwhere. I'm looking to get into the hobby/sport for cardio and exercise.
I don't know where to start at all. I want a bike that will be used on the street. I've seen some bikes that have handlebars that are kinda like a mountain bike with 'secondary' bars out the front. This is the style of bar I want. A friend has a Cannadale bike so I know that name. He mentioned Giant and Specialized as other manufacturers.
Can I get some help zeroing in on what I need...
Please help!!
I'm turning 38 in a couple months and I've noticed that my metabolism isn't what it once was
I ride dirt bikes a lot and back in my teens I rode a mountain bike everwhere. I'm looking to get into the hobby/sport for cardio and exercise.
I don't know where to start at all. I want a bike that will be used on the street. I've seen some bikes that have handlebars that are kinda like a mountain bike with 'secondary' bars out the front. This is the style of bar I want. A friend has a Cannadale bike so I know that name. He mentioned Giant and Specialized as other manufacturers.
Can I get some help zeroing in on what I need...
Please help!!
08-01-12, 07:51 AM
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Hello and Welcome to Bike Forums from a Texas road rider.
Visit bike shops in your area and do some test riding.
Visit bike shops in your area and do some test riding.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
08-01-12, 08:12 AM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 3
Bikes: None.... YET
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-01-12, 09:16 AM
#4
Hogosha Sekai
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,669
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
15 Posts
Sounds like you either want a mtb or hybrid with bar ends on a straight bar, is the primary use road or trails?
08-01-12, 12:51 PM
#5
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Posts: 2
Bikes: Specialized Allez sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hello, BigDaddyKotanks! I just recently got into cycling, and I know less than you! The last time I rode a bike was 1977, and then it was a single gear, coaster brakes, plain-Jane bike. In the past two weeks I have had to learn a new riding position, learn about gears and shifting, and learn to brake from the handlebars. Today I had clipless pedals put on, and, well...one more new thing! But it's not all as hard as I thought it would be.
I wanted to tell you, a few weeks ago, I was in your position, also, not knowing where to start. If you think the bike shops will/may try to sell you on something you won't want, look around online! Google any question you have, and chances are you'll find a bike forum or several, that will have much input from many helpful people! It's amazing! I learned so much just going online! Here are a couple of sites that I just found, that might be helpful to you:
https://www.cyclingforums.com/t/48506...of-bike-to-buy
https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in...p/t-30501.html
Whatever questions come to your mind, type that question into Google, and you'll begin to get answers. Do a lot of reading, which won't be hard, because it's so darn interesting! At least, I think so, and maybe because I'm so new!
You'll begin to get into the cycling language, also. Above all, don't be intimidated...there are a lot of helpful people out there!
I wanted to tell you, a few weeks ago, I was in your position, also, not knowing where to start. If you think the bike shops will/may try to sell you on something you won't want, look around online! Google any question you have, and chances are you'll find a bike forum or several, that will have much input from many helpful people! It's amazing! I learned so much just going online! Here are a couple of sites that I just found, that might be helpful to you:
https://www.cyclingforums.com/t/48506...of-bike-to-buy
https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in...p/t-30501.html
Whatever questions come to your mind, type that question into Google, and you'll begin to get answers. Do a lot of reading, which won't be hard, because it's so darn interesting! At least, I think so, and maybe because I'm so new!
You'll begin to get into the cycling language, also. Above all, don't be intimidated...there are a lot of helpful people out there!
08-01-12, 01:21 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
you may find that what you think you want isn't really after all. test rides will help you figure out style. also you can rent bikes and doing so witll help you build some personal knowledge which can only help you when shopping. always leave the check book and credit cards at home when bike shopping. NEVER get emotional about a bike no matter how pretty it is.
08-01-12, 02:03 PM
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 3
Bikes: None.... YET
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for all the feedback so quickly. I slipped out on my lunch and went to the closest shop. Really nice folks there and like you said rumrunn6 what I think I want might not be the case. The folks there offered to let me take a couple of different models out for a test which was unexpected to be honest! I am a bit of an impulse guy when it comes to something I like.. but I am committed to research as well. I like to know what I'm speaking of and currently I know NOTHING!! LOL..
I definitely don't want an offroad bike. I have my dirtbike for that!! this will be mostly endurance training and excersize in general.
one of the bikes I liked most to day was a 'Rocky Mountain Whistler 30'. Is this brand decent? Are there brands to stay away from?
going to another of the shops in the next day or so.
I definitely don't want an offroad bike. I have my dirtbike for that!! this will be mostly endurance training and excersize in general.
one of the bikes I liked most to day was a 'Rocky Mountain Whistler 30'. Is this brand decent? Are there brands to stay away from?
going to another of the shops in the next day or so.
08-01-12, 05:12 PM
#8
Just Plain Slow
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,026
Bikes: Lynskey R230
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Welcome to Bike Forums.
If the Whistler is what you like, I'd ask your questions in the Hybrid forum.
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ybrid-Bicycles
They'll gladly help you not overspend.
Also, if it were me, I would not get a front suspension if I were only going to ride on streets or MUPs. They absorb energy that could otherwise be turned into forward momentum. My .02.
If the Whistler is what you like, I'd ask your questions in the Hybrid forum.
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ybrid-Bicycles
They'll gladly help you not overspend.
Also, if it were me, I would not get a front suspension if I were only going to ride on streets or MUPs. They absorb energy that could otherwise be turned into forward momentum. My .02.
