Rock31

Good evening all, hoping you can offer me some guidance since I have zero knowledge of the subject.

I am looking to buy a friend their first bike since their pre-teen days, they have expressed a ton of interest in riding again to lose some weight and be outdoors more. They are 200+ and they will be riding 100% on a bike path with no hills, no off-road, completely paved. Think of this as learning to ride and become comfortable all over again.

My local B&M deals in mostly Trek and Specialized but they do have some Jamis. I was just hoping to get some suggestions so I have a bit of information before I go in later this week.

I would love for the budget to stay under $500 for just the bike.

TrojanHorse

Here's a thread from somebody who went through the same thing recently

https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...-add-list.html

dagray

If your budget is $500.00 or less go look at the used market for a road bike with platform pedals that you can put toe clips on. Models from 2013 or older can be had for under $500.00 that need little to no work. The other option would be to see what your local store has for used bikes.

Good luck.

Rock31

Thank you, my search skills must be rusty since I have not been active online in quite a bit.

Rock31

Thanks for the reply, budget not concrete at $500 but for this a used bike is out of the question.

I just saw and the local shop has last years Trek 7.3 on clearance for 499.99 and I will get 10% off of that since I bought my bike there.

Any more recommendations are appreciate but I did get quite a bit out of the other thread.

Thanks all.

mcmoose

If your LBS has a 2014 Trek 7.3 for $500 that fits your friend, that would be a wonderful option (assuming she feels comfortable on it).

Many of us that returned to biking after a long hiatus were drawn to fitness hybrids, even if we later wanted a road bike as well. And the hybrid is great to keep as a commuter / around-town bike.

Your friend may feel that so many gears is overkill for flat riding, but she may not always be riding on flat terrain.

Hope she joins us here soon!

dr_lha

Jamis Coda Sport. $30 over your budget, but a great bike. My wife has one.

TrojanHorse

No worries! I don't think we have any hard core search-engine-nazis here.

Loads of people toot around on Trek 7.x bikes - see if you can get your friend to go give it a test ride.

Rock31

Went for a test ride on the Trek 7.2FX today, deposit put down and bike will be ready by the weekend!

2015 model in white.

Beachgrad05

Congrats! I have a 7.2FX I bought in 2011 and it is a great bike. I eventually got myself a road bike but w/o the FX I would likely not have gotten to the point of being ready for a road bike. I still have my FX. It is my knock around the hood bike.

ColaJacket

Congratulation to your friend on getting back into biking. Is it possible for her to join this forum, so we can encourage her?

GH

bgraham111

My wife has a Trek FX7.2 - it's a great bike to get back into biking with. Excellent choice!

Willbird

I'm not trying to be a smart aleck here, but paved urban multi use trails are what I consider some of the most dangerous riding I have ever done.

For a variety of reasons, but it comes down to "other people"....and "they generally cross roads with vehicle traffic every few miles anyway".

Just my .02 :-).

Bill

Rock31

Bumping this one more time, beautiful day out by the water yesterday, so much more fun riding with someone.