toolbaree

Hi bikers,
I am new on this world and I need your advice before I proceed with buying a new bike.
I went to one of the bike stores and found various types and brands of bike; the salesman adviced me to go with Treck. The Treck's price however ranges from $350 to 700. Considering that I am not going to use the bike heavily and I want it mainly for excercise and wight loss, I am really confused as to what model should I go with. The first time I know about the road vs. mountain is here on this forum after I came from the dealer and googling for "treck". I really need your advice I want to buy one.

Regards,

Busta Quad

Bikers ride Harleys.

Pi}{ie

+1 you beat me to it

Kurt Erlenbach

Googling "Treck" will get you nothing, googling "Trek" will.

If you are riding to get exercise and lose weight, you need to ride regularly. Plan to spend $500 - $700 on a new first bike, or $400 - $600 on a used bike.

And remember that bikers wear leather, cyclists wear lycra.

Grasschopper

Don't put beginner in your thread title...the sharks see it like blood in the water.

MichaelW

Trek is just a brand much like any other. In your price range most bike are of the same quality (ie plenty good enough), made in the same factory in Taiwan and equipped with the same components by Shimano. Other major brands in Specialized, cannondale, and a bunch of others. In the bike world, minor brands are just as good and sometimes better value. The real difference is really down to the dealer who checks final assembly and makes any adjustments.
Figure out what style of bike suits you. For general purpose fitness riding on the road, some general purpose style such as the Trek FX series will do the job. You can adapt a bike like this for commuting, grocery shopping, touring holidays, a bit of light trail riding and the occasional long event ride. It has threaded eyelets for taking a rear luggage rack and fenders and enough tyre clearance for some sensible winter/trail tyres.

A "road" bike is better for longer and faster rides but less useful as an all-rounder.

fauxto nick

Trecks are great for losing wight.

Treker

Where to start? You'd like a bike for fitness but you don't see yourself using it often? Regular workouts forms the basis for any successful fitness program. Given that you've decided to use a bicycle as your exercise of choice, you've come to the right place.

Trek makes great bikes so I think your LBS (local bike store) rep is giving you some sound advice. Remember that quality costs and it's no different with bikes. Big box store bikes for $100 generally don't hold up as well and are cumbersome compared to finer bikes like Trek/Giant etc.

Establish your budget. Keep in mind that a $700 bike amortized over 4 or 5 years is a reasonable price for a pleasant riding experience. And remember to include other items like jerseys, shorts, helmet etc. Test ride a couple of bikes. Hybrids and well as road bikes make excellent fitness machines. Find the type that's right for you. Ensure that your lbs rep will give you a proper fitting to maximize comfort.

Finally, read BF, search previous threads, ask questions that you're not sure of, and have fun with whichever bike you eventually purchase.

jsharr

Welcome to the forums. You need to assess your end usage of the bike in question.

Road bikes are built for speed and handling. Your position on the bike will be more aerodynamic, as this is how the bikes are designed. A road bike is light, nimble and stiff, at the sacrifice of comfort in some cases. Expect to spend $500 plus at an LBS minimum for a starter road bike. Bikes in that price range, regardless of maker, will be similarly equipped.

If you just want a bike for light fitness riding, etc. Consider a comfort/ fitness or hybrid bike. This will offer you a more upright riding position and a bit smoother rider. Prices will start a bit lower than road bikes. Will not be as quick, responsive, etc as a road bike, but will be great for casual riding on the street, bike paths, etc. Most will do okay on hard packed trails

Last choice is a mountain bike, big, beefy rugged, geared for off road use. Slower and not as nimble on the road, but no reason you cannot ride on on any surface.

Set a budget, go to the LBS and ride the bikes in your price range in all three categories and then come back here and ask any questions you may have.

Best of luck.

Menel

If you act quickly, many LBS's have 2008 model bikes on clearance.

Hummeth

Actually, both will give you www.trekbikes.com as the first link.

urbanknight

Yah, izn't it grate too liv inn uh wurld were yoo dont need too no how too spell anything?

Pi}{ie

Spelin Wuz Dat?

Wanderer

And, Motorcyclists wear textiles and armor, and ride BMWs and Hondas.........

NRRider

If you have the time, I suggest doing a lot of research (including not only brands and specs, but sizing) on new bikes in the $800-$1500 range and then searching through the local Craigslists, classified, roadbikereview.com classifieds and eBay to see if you can get one in a recent year's vintage used in good condition for around 40-50% of the new price (possibly less). Competitivecyclist.com has a great fit calculator that can help you select the right geometry. Just make sure to take your measurements carefully.
Good luck!

Randochap

Lots of good advice here. I don't have much to add, except ... we're not bikers!