Hey all! I'm new and a 22 year old soon-to-be-PhD student at Mizzou. I have a car but only live a couple of miles from campus and would prefer to bike when possible. I enjoy biking for exercise and for the environment. It's just hassle free, too. However, I don't have a suitable/reliable bike right now. I used to have a huffy. My sister gave it to a friend in need while I was out of the country in the UK and it was 10 years old to begin with. I would ask for it back, but it really is very heavy and is hard to get onto the back of my car for transport if need-be.

I am looking for something used, lighter (this bike is like lead, my Dad's 40 year old road bike weighs less), and more suited for commuting. Do I need a road bike? A mountain bike?

A little about me. I'm 5' tall with a 29'' inseam. I am a short girl with no wingspan. Certain bikes are really uncomfortable just based on the fact that I cannot properly reach the handlebars. I was told by a bike enthusiast here that my bike's frame (an 18'') was actually too big for me and I needed a 16'' which would put me in the "youth" bike range.

Is it okay to buy a youth bike? Can you find a decent youth bike? As you can tell, I am clueless about bikes and really do hope to learn more. I have a tight budget because I am a poor student, so I am willing to put in the time to "upgrade" my bike. My Mom and Dad used to ride and know how to fix bikes, so I can get help over the summer while I am home, but I need a good frame that will work for me for cheap.