songsoftime

Hey guys, I've been battling depression for 10 plus years now and am constantly tired every day.Recently, I've decided to try biking and,to my surprise, it has made me feel happy,energetic and clear headed in god knows how long.

Now I'm looking to get a real bike as the current bike I'm using is a cheapo second hand bike.My budget is 1000 and am hoping to get the best bang for my buck at bikes direct.I'm totally clueless as to what to look for in a bike,so I came here hoping to get some help with picking.I'm 5'6 btw.

Edit-Alternatively if you guys know any other good bike buying sites,I wouldn't mind either.

Hardrock23

No suggestions other than to add more info - like, what kind of bike do you want? What type of riding are you going to do (road, trails, etc)? Do you know how to put together a bike? As the ones you buy online will need to be put together and probably tuned up (or you can pay a shop to do it i guess). Do you know what size bike you need? If youre adding your height, im assuming you may not...in which case going to a local bike shop might do you well. Im sure others are going to ask even more questions...just wanted to get that part started lol

I just really wanted to say im glad riding has helped your depression. Iv struggled with MDD for nearly 15 years now and riding has worked better than any medicine! Keep it up, and happy bike shopping. Welcome to the forums, also!

songsoftime

Thanks!! Also ya, I forgot to mention,I'm looking for a road bike with the mindset of anything beats the hell out of my current second hand bike. There is so much choices I don't even know where to look. As for the putting together parts,I was hoping to learn as I go with google,youtube, ect...I actually contemplated on going to a local LBS.But, from what I've heard, they tend to be very expensive,and I've had many experience buying things from online(computer parts) and learning along the way.

Edit.The reason I started thinking about a bike in the face place is because the current bike feels very heavy just peddling and the wheels feel 'flat'.I'm hoping for a lighter smoother ride, so I can go longer distances.

AlexCyclistRoch

Not enough info to make any sort of intelligent advise.

songsoftime

Ya I'm sorry Any advice to get started? This is way more confusing then when I was building my first computer. I will definitely check my out my lbs and look around.

Hardrock23

I would start by going into all the lbs's around you and seeing what they have, seeing what size you need, what type of road bike you'd want, etc. If you want it to have eyelets for racks and/or fenders, able to take wider tires, etc. Plus, its coming to the end of the year, and if im not mistaken, there should be some discounts coming out on older models and you may just find something there that you like and can afford. Plus, youll have a shop for tune ups/work, they can fit you to the bike, etc.

You can also go to the brands websites and see what they have out now, and see if any older models are discounted now - buy from them/find a local store that has a specific bike, etc.

You should do alot of research first obviously, which is why im suggesting starting at the LBS's. Do you want to only ride pavement, no gravel/packed dirt? Do you want to be able to add fenders and racks? Just day riding, or touring eventually? Do you want a drop bar or a flat bar? Do you live in a hilly or flatter area? The answers can help you narrow down what type of road bike youll probably end up wanting. Then you can look at everything in those categories.

How about used? Have you checked Craigslist? There are many great deals out there on even newer models, that are like new still or were well maintained. If you know what to look for (damages, the right size, etc), then you can find a great (even new/er/ish) bike at a significantly lower price. Iv never bought new, but id like to one day. Iv gotten all my bikes off of CL so far. I live in the DC metro though so we have a huge cycling community here.

There are a few places to buy bikes online...bikes direct, ebay, nashbar, performance, etc. Im not too familiar with them and their pricing, having only skimmed through them.

songsoftime

Used is def something I'm would considered. I'm actually searching crailist right now and there seems to be some great options.I'll check out the lbs first,do some research and then go from there with craiglist. Only problem I was afraid of with used is being scam because I have so little knowledge on the topic.

Also the path I ride has nice hills that are pretty steep, but with my bike, I would only considering going down them never up

cyclintom

Soon you will be riding up as well.

The normal progression is:

For the first year you're always worried that you can't complete a ride.
For the second, you're worried you can't make the hills
For the third you worry that signing up for organized rides is too much for you
After that you pretty much know your capacity and can do the rides that give you the most satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment.

Welcome to the brotherhood of the wheel.

Maelochs

If you have $1000 to spend ... do you have any bike repair experience? Nothing is less fun than waiting for parts to arrive, or realizing you need a tool or part which you don't have.

If you are confident with your mechanicking skills, and not worried about losing riding time to repair time ... then you can get some amazing used bikes for $1000.

The key to buying used online is patience. Look for bikes only a couple years old ... often people will buy really expensive bikes, thinking they will start riding, and a year or two later sell them for 2/3 off because they never took them out of the garage.

I have some experience with the benefit of regular exercise, and cycling is a great way to get out of the house and exert oneself. I would also suggest tai chi, qigong, or yoga as both a stretching/relaxing practice, to get some activity on non-riding days, and because it helped me when I needed it.

Retro Grouch 

I'd worry less about "Bang for buck" than finding the right size and exact style of bike to match your riding lifestyle.

"Road bike" isn't descriptive enough anymore. There are several different variations on the basic road bike theme. The right size and style of bike will affect your comfort, performance and enjoyment far more than a step or two better components. My advice would be to find a local shop to guide you through those decisions. It might take a few tries to find the right local bike shop to do that for you. You'll know the "right" shop when you finally find it.

It will almost certainly cost you a little more than an equivalent Bikes Direct bike but are you thinking about buying a piece of hardware or are you shopping for a lifetime of enjoyment?

songsoftime

@Cylintom-Thanks For the welcome!!

@Mel- I have zero mech skills,but was hoping to 'learn' as I go.I also use to do P90X as a way to help my mind and it was the best thing I've ever done.But, when your on a tight schedule and end up missing a week or so,it is so hard to get back in the mindset of giving your all as it is very tiring with the depression making it even worse. Biking could be anywhere from relaxing to punishing depending on your mood and that flexibility for me is a godsend.

songsoftime

You sir have really hit the ballpark with that last line. Yes I was thinking more in terms of a piece of hardware which is silly as this wasn't or shouldn't have been my purpose.

When you say a little 'more' as in how much? Some people are saying that the price in lbs could be up to 30 percent plus over bike direct.Although I still plan to check it out, last year on sale model would be perfect for me.

Retro Grouch 

30% would be a lot of "extra" to pay for a piece of hardware. It's peanuts if the difference is a lifetime of enjoyment.

My last bicycle purchase was a Catrike 559. I bought it at a local shop because I needed to try it out and I needed to see how it would fit into my car. I nearly gagged on the price, but it was the exact tool that I needed. That was about a month age and I'm delighted that I made the purchase.

thin_concrete

I'm going to echo many of the others on here and suggest you go to your LBS and get a feel for their prices. While you can get great components on a cheaper frame by buying online, you can get a lot of help and build a relationship with a shop, which in my opinion, is worth it, especially if you're new to this.

Happy riding, and good luck!

Homebrew01

Agreed. On paper, a mail order bike is cheaper, but if you have no experience, then you will need to pay someone for final assembly & adjustment, and likely have to pay for minor adjustments as it "breaks-in" after a few 100 miles of riding. Those minor adjustments are usually included in purchase from a shop.

Also, like shoes and clothing, the risk of buying on-line is getting the wrong size, or something different than what you expected. Returning a mail order bike is not as simple as returning clothing.

Maelochs

Probably best to start at a bike shop no matter where you end up buying ... online, Craigslist, index card on a bulletin board at a local university ... Go to some shops and check out what the bikes are like up close and personal---take a few test rides. Once you have a good idea about what's out there, you can make specific purchasing decisions with some actual and personal info.

RonH

It's called endorphins.
"When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain.
Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as "euphoric." That feeling, known as a "runner's high," can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life." - from WebMD.com

Take your $1000 and visit a few bike shops. Tell the owner/manager your riding plans, how often and how far you ride, where you'll ride, your budget, etc. Test ride every bike that is suggested. Then tell us what bike brought home. Have fun.

canklecat

Cycling is good therapy for what ails ya. Assuming no physical limitations such as a bad back and neck (my limitations), a road bike weighing less than 30 lbs will probably suit you well.

But I'd suggest buying from a local bike shop that will offer the best long term support. Save yourself a lot of hassles so you can enjoy riding rather than getting that sinking "Oh, good grief, what next?" feeling when you look at the bike because something always seems to need adjusting.

After you gain confidence with experience, and your conditioning improves, so will your overall sense of well being. Then you might consider getting into doing your own maintenance and repairs.

For example, my LBS is a Trek dealer and offers very generous long term support for new Treks. And they've done good work on my used bike that wasn't purchased from them, so I'd feel confident in them for new bike support. If it was in my budget I'd definitely consider buying something like a new Trek 1.1, 1.2 or similar bike under $1,000. If my total budget was $1,000, I'd use the rest for the inevitable accessories: helmet, lights if I rode at night (which I do, a lot), lock, rear rack for errands, etc.

Ask the shop specifically what service is included at no additional charge, and for how long. Tuneups? What's included in that? (Usually adjustments to the derailers for smooth shifting, brakes, truing wheels with spoke adjustments, etc.). What about parts repair or replacement within warranty? Broken chain? Cables? How about long term stuff like worn brake pads?

Check Facebook cycling enthusiast groups in your area. You'll often find folks are loyal to one or two particular shops. Find out whether it's for better than average service and support. A couple of shops in my area have a big social media presence and show up for many group rides, but that doesn't mean the other shops aren't as good at customer service and support. My nearest LBS -- walking distance -- has a small social media profile but I like 'em for service and advice with a good attitude.

And I've also encountered a couple of shops where things just felt wrong -- indifferent attitudes, just a bad vibe. So visit around.

songsoftime

No I understand the science behind it, but here's the thing. With P90x,unless I was giving it my all, I would feel like crap and for anyone with depression,you would know why it is so hard to put 100 percent into anything when your depressed. But with biking, I could give 10 percent,5 percent or even 1 percent and I would still feel amazing after.

In a matter fact, during all my rides I have been thinking(not by choice) depressing thoughts that would literally bed bound me on normal days, yet for some reason I still feel very happy.. Its like a little miracle for me, so I never want to give up this thing.

Edit-I wonder if they will fix my sibblings ccm bike that craped out a few weeks after I Got it from CT(yes very taboo) and cost 300.

Maelochs

Partly it is because PX90 is that boot-camp, do-it-'til-you-puke macho bs which is designed to beat you down ... and which works really well if you have the drive to really go all-out all the time. if you are like the 90 percent of active people who don't need to go that far (way beyond health and fitness) then you won't meet the PX90 standard and will feel like you aren't good enough.

Biking gets you outside (always a benefit---you cannot think the same thoughts in the same way in a different environment) and it makes you be aware of the outside world all the time (or you will crash or get hit.) Even if you think the same depressing thoughts, you cannot give them full attention because some parts of your brain are busy keeping you upright and on the road.

And also ... some people just like riding (you might find some of them here.) if you are one of those people ... lucky you.