Originally Posted by
Rootman
I was in the same boat as the OP, was years since I last rode and the old steel Schwinn was too heavy, not enough gears and too small for me. I went to a LBS and got what I asked for, a lighter frame, upright position and more gears in the form of a Giant Sedona. I happily rode it for over a year, tooling around on the cities trails, then I started to notice that my abilities started to outstrip this new bike.
That's pretty much the advice that my mother gave me on buying all things. You don't need a better (insert object here) until your abilities outstrip its capabilities. Get an inexpensive bike and ride it until it frustrates you. Then you'll know what you need. Your first bike is to teach you what you want in your second bike.