Originally Posted by
Supernose
I can definitely get the feeling of just being outside. I get that way when riding a motorcycle. There are a plethora of reasons I want to get into biking, and I've got a feeling nothing is going to stop me, except maybe the price of everything. The wife is pregnant, and being in the military, our pay isn't exactly great, so money is tight. Spending 300+ on a bike right now just isn't going to happen. Maybe later down the road, but not right now. I've been told by experienced bikers that I work with to stay away from places like Walmart and Target for bikes, but I know bikes there are cheap, and I'm pretty sure I can upgrade them with things I'll need. Also, this will be my first commuter, so spending a bunch of money when I'm just starting out doesn't seem like a good idea in my mind.
I do appreciate the advice, I'm going through the Newbie Thread right now, and getting some good info.
The "Stay away from Walmart bikes" advice is pretty common and not without some merit but people have budgets that they have to stay within. Craigslist is a great option if you know something about bikes. Another option is to search for used bikes at a bike coop or bike shop. Depending on how popular cycling is your area you may have several places to look. It's worth a shot. At least you'll get a bike that's had a good going over even though it's used.
If you live relatively close to work and don't have to deal with a lot of hills then you have lots of choices for suitable bikes. If you do get a bike from Walmart and have relatively good roads stay away from the ones that have suspensions. They're not necessary for street use and for a Walmart bike especially, just something else that can go wrong.