biker799

I've decide to get into riding bikes. Not sure where to begin. Plan to ride 2 to 3 days a week on the road. Need some inputs and recommendations on type of bike and gear. Thank u.

cb400bill

Welcome to Bike Forums.

Have you a budget?

Daniel4

If you can ride 3 days a week, why not four? Heck, only one more day and it's 5 days a week. Go for it.

RunForTheHills

You should get a bike that fits you properly and carry tools to repair a flat tire. Beyond that, you need to give us a little more information. Your budget, flat or hills, how far you will ride, commuting to work or school, what kind of weather you will ride in, etc.

gilpi

This is a question you need to ask a good bike shop. Knowing the type of riding you want to do is already a good thing and they can fit you into the bike of your choice.

Maelochs

Once you fix a budget, go online and look at everything around that price point. Know what's out there so when a salesman starts his pitch, you will know what he is talking about, and what he is exaggerating.

Figure out how far you might plan to ride and on what kind of terrain. If you live in San Francisco you will want a very different bike than if you live in San Diego, or San Antonio, TX. Do you plan to commute? Ride to school? Ride on the road for pleasure? Ride on trails for pleasure?

Also figure no matter what you will need a bottle and cage, and a seat bag with a multi-tool, mini-pump, a spare tube, and tire levers. It's all cheap but it is all important, too.

Consider going here : https://www.competitivecyclist.com/S...ulatorBike.jsp. This is just an estimated fit, but it helps to have a clue.

Some bike shop employees will try their best to fit you on a bike that really meets your needs. Some will drop you on whatever bike will either earn them the most commission or they need to get off the showroom floor, whether it fits or not.

Every bike is a little different. One make's 56 will be another make's 58 and so on. But if you get a general idea of what fits, you have a better chance of liking the bike after you get it home.

Once you are Mostly decided, start riding bikes at bike shops. See what you think. Visit four or five shops. Each one will tell you "Buy Right Now and you will get all these awesome deals ... " but the fact is they will always give that deal. They just don't want to seeing what competition sells at the store next door.

Visit All the shops. Ask about last year's leftovers and even used bikes. Take Notes.

Then, go home and look stuff up online. See what other people charge for the same bikes, see what the customers say ...

Or just go and buy the first bike you see and ride the snot of of it. Not everyone thinks like I do, and maybe that will work for you.

Retro Grouch 

Much depends on where and how you use your bike. There are a lot of subtle variations in road or trail surface and usage.

Whatever you choose, your first bike probably won't be your last. Just acquire a bike - any bike. Ride it around for a while. Try to keep it fun by not riding the same route over and over. Make a mental list every time that you ride of what you like about your bike and of the things that you hate. That will prepare you to pick out your next bike.

ad18

Find a reputable bike shop, give them exactly what you want to do as stated above, and let them help you decide. Hands on beats all the web surfing you can do. And equally important buy as good a helmet as you can afford.

biker799

Thank u all for ur inputs. Mostly I'll ride on flat surface. I want to start doing this to get some excercise in my weekly life. I live in Omak, WA. I've budgeted $1,000 to start and go from there. Don't want to be too conservative and get a bike that will need upgrade in few months. I'll find some stores in Wenatchee and see what they have. Thank u.