I have this obsession to begin cycling. I borrowed a bike from my brother and rode one day and was hooked. I learned a couple of things that afternoon on my own.. the bike was heavy and bulky and apparently too tall for my 5'5 frame and the seat far too skinny for my liking.

i began the next day searching the web for information.. but either i stink at searching the web or i don't know what i am searching for. there was all kinds of information but i can't seem to swim through it and glean what i am needing.

Please answers these questions for me so that i might move forward with this obsession:

I would like to think I might ride every other day 6 to 8 miles. i live in the city and expect to be on concrete. Obviously I am new to this and worry about putting alot of money into a hobby that I may not stick with. So my first and most important question:

Where do i get a "good enough" starter bike for $200 or less?

and from there...

what is a hybrid, a comfort and a cruiser bike?
why are some tires very skinny and some have more traction similiar to mountain bikes?
does the size of the tire make a difference in the ride?
do i want to lean over or sit up straight?

i am 42, in decent shape and normal weight, but gym's bore me.. the thought of riding for exercise seems alot more interesting.. but i want to make the right choices.

please help me so that i will buy the right bike.

I would say a trip to a good bike store is what you need. Actually look at the types of bikes they stock.

A road bike is going to be stiff and efficient, steering is going to feel twitchy, tires are thin to decrease rolling resistance.

A mountain bike is much more relaxed, bigger tires for traction on loose surfaces. Different gearing for climbing, etc.

Hybrid/comfort are mid ground between the road bike and the mountain bike.

A cruiser is similar to the bikes of your childhood. No gears, wide handle bars, balloon tires. Not bad to ride around the neighborhood, but not great if you really want to start riding longer distances.

Again, I would reccomend you visit a local bike shop or shops and put your hands on all three types of bikes. See what they have to offer.

Hybrid sounds right for you. You maybe able to find one used for your price range, not sure about new. Nothing wrong with used other than the fact that you do not know how the previous owner treated it and you could end up with some problems there.

Where do you live in Texas. If in the Dallas area, try Richardson Bike Mart or Plano Cycling and Fitness.

If some where else, tell us and we can point you in the right direction.

Regards,

Jeff

Welcome to BikeForums. Let me take a stab at helping you out here.

With a budget of $200 you're going to be generally looking at used bikes, though there are a few options for new bikes in that price range.

The skinnier the tire the less rolling resistance there is with the road, thus it is easier to make it go faster, and easier to go farther before getting tired. Downside is much reduced stablity, and traction, especially in grass/dirt/uneven pavement.

Hybrid bikes are generally a combination of features of a road bike and a mountain bike. They are pretty good 'around the neighborhood' and short rides that you are looking at. For your needs it would likely be a very good choice. It's not the best for long rides of 20+ miles however. Here is a link to a decently priced hybrid in your price range: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../amsterdam.htm

Thanks Jeff
I am in Euless so Richardson or Plano is doable.
please excuse my stupidity.. but will a bike shop sell used hybrids? or do i need to go somewhere else?

Yes, bike shops will have Hybrids along with many other types of used bikes. RBM has a fairly good selection of used bikes. Craigslist is also a good source of used bikes locally.

I am a RBM customer and I know that they do. At least visit some shops to see what is out there and get a feel for the bikes.

This thread https://www.bikeforums.net/texas/290073-best-dfw-bike-shop.html has lots of shops listed. Each shop will probably have a different policy about used bikes.

I reccomended the shops I did because I know that they are family owned honest businesses that I have traded with for over a decade each and that they both carry used bikes. I am sure that there is a shop just as good closer to you.

thanks so much for the help!!

one more thing..
i've read conflicting opinions about handle bars.. and sitting upright versus leaning forward..
thoughts?

That is why I say go ride the bikes at a bike store. All the bikes you listed are going to have you in a very upright position. This is fine for most riding. Road bikes will have you in a much more agressive aerodynamic postion as if you are on a road bike, you are normally trying to go farther and faster. It can be a bit hard on the neck and back of a 42 year old though, I say this as i am 42 as well.

RBM also rents bikes, if you want to try one out for an afternoon. If you are a little mechanical, also look for garage sales. Every now and then you will find a dusty but very ridable older bike for REALLY cheap. If that happens, then if you discover any problems you're not sure about, go to the bike mechanics thread here.

catheylynn,

I would like to know more about your goals for this new hobbie you will quickly become addicted to. It this leisure, pleasure, fitness or possible competition? I have to disagree with your premise of 6 to 8 miles a day when you also stated you go to the gym. If you pedal at a very moderate speed of 15 miles an hour then 6 to 8 miles is under 30 minutes of a very lightly paced workout. I think you will quickly go beyond that level. If you want to get involved in the more social aspect of cycling like doing charity rides and group rides then the hybrid will not be your best choice. the thing about a hybrid in its attempt to be the one bike for everything it really can't do anything well. Based upon what info I have about you at this point I think you will be best suited with a road bike with wider tires 700 x 25 or 27 with an all weather tread. A comfy saddle but not big and squishy (buy bike shorts). An "upright" position accomplished with a stem with significant rise and a slightly lower than opitium saddle height. I also think you need to raise your spending threshold to $300. In this price range every dollar you spends really makes a BIG difference on what you will get. Remember you are buying a vehicle not just a piece of exercise equ. If you but used for say $200 then use the extra money to make modifications to where the bike suits you (stem and saddle mentioned above) or $300 can get you into a new road bike. Check out these sites to look at the social aspect of cycling:

https://www.planobicycle.org/pba/

https://www.bicycletexas.com/index.htm

https://www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com/

welcome aboard

So I'm really late to this thread.....Cathelynn, while RBM is a great shop you have one just as good in your backyard. Bicycles Inc, is in Bedford at Harwood and Brown trail. Give them a try.

No need to go 30 miles out. Bicycles inc. Bedford is an excellent shop, with great prices. I have not found a better bike shop with better customer service.

Edit: Basically the same thing the man above me stated.

EJ as right. As much as I am in reverence to RBM and PCF (they rock BTW, RBM is a cyclists Mecca), you could check out Bicycles Inc as well as Mad Duck in Grapevine.

BTW, I am Fred, the friendly neighborhood former DFWer now living in NH.

I hang out in here from time to time.