LocalLoser

i would just be riding around on street with a friend i haven't touched a bike in years so if anyone need more info just ask

greatscott

First off you don't need an expensive bike obviously. I would find a used bike on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, and don't spend more than $300. If you know someone who knows bikes have them help you find one so you can get a good bike for the money and not some Walmart brand type of bike.

Yelbom15

If you’re only, and only, using it to ride around town with a friend, then a hybrid is all you need. Any bike shop should have some(Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, Trek) and are usually 300-600 for something with rim brake.

They’ll of course show you the nice one with carbon fork and hydraulic brake but just snag that 600 dollar one. And if that’s too much, go to Dick’s Sporting Goods. I believe they still carry GT bikes and I personally believe they’re an underrated brand. Decent bikes for a decent price.

And yes, for the love of God, do not get Walmart or Target bikes. I’m honestly surprised there’s not a lawsuit against them for selling those things to the public.

Rolla

Fairdale makes good-riding, well-designed, basic knock-around bikes. The Lookfar has everything you need and nothing you don't. If it's flat where you live, you might take a look at the single-speed Express.

tempocyclist

If you and your friend are riding around on the street together, it's officially a race. You'll need a Pinarello Boldie with full Dura Ace.



Anything less and you'll be doing yourself a disservice...

Yelbom15

Don’t forget a Garmin 530 that auto stops at 10 mph. Strava average means everything.

Lombard

Another good place for you to look is REI:

https://www.rei.com/c/hybrid-bikes

They are one of the better "big box" sports stores. They sell Cannondale as well as their own brand, Co-op Cycles, f.k.a. Novara, which are quite decent. And yes, a hybrid would probably be the best type of bike for you.

veganbikes

What are you looking for, what are you planning on doing...? You want help but you give us nothing.

I wouldn't recommend going to places that aren't bike shops and focus on sporting goods or worse just general stuff. REI is fine if that is all you have and for some they actually have a decent shop but having known a bunch of mechanics in various areas who have worked at REI they have not given great stories and having had worked in outdoor retail with a bike shop attached I can say we had some great mechanics but to the owners of the little chain bikes were not much of a priority and we frequently got the wrong stuff or overbought in stuff we didn't need and the person doing the buying for the bike shop was not a cyclist at all.

The less you spend initially the more you tend to spend in the long term because of poor quality parts and the less comfortable the bike generally as they are trying to keep costs down so cheap aluminum frames paired with cheap aluminum forks or maybe if lucky you get some cheap gas pipe steel for the fork. However if you are really truly only riding once and a while and not regularly and not planning on riding regularly a initially cheap bike is AN option. Maybe not great but if from an actual bike shop at least better than Wally-Mart or Dicks or Billionaire Jeff Bezos' Amazon...and you get warranty and support from that shop as well as hopefully at least one free tune up.

However nobody knows you or what you might need. If you aren't wanting to hang out here (which is sad this is a fun place) then your local bike shop can get you well sorted and allow you to test ride a bunch of bikes which will really help you decide.

One final note used bikes can be great but if you don't know what you are doing or looking at you can easily overpay or get something that requires either a lot of work or is inoperable. I have seen someone bring in a bike that was cracked that they just bought because the tire was flat which did get disclosed but the crack was not and I don't know if the person ever got his money back but the bike wasn't rideable and the parts on it weren't worth much.

Iride01 

Unless you know that you are going to be riding for fitness in a very serious way or in a hurry everywhere you go, then stay away from the sexy looking road bikes and hybrids or other flat bar bikes and get a good cruiser or cargo style bike. You can get a decent one with 7 to 8 speeds on the rear for a inexpensive price.

Many here will swear they have no issue on a road bike in city traffic, but I doubt they've ever ridden a good fitting cruiser bike where you can put your feet down on the ground from the saddle. Cruisers aren't for fast riding either. So if you want to ride fast, they aren't for you.

Schweinhund

I was thinking that a cruiser would be perfect.

PeteHski

What's your budget for this? Given the total lack of info I would head to your local bike shop and talk to the guys there.

Lombard

Probably the best idea.

TiHabanero

My wife, a former touring cyclist, only rides around the neighborhood now, and rides a 5 speed cruiser from the 90's. Works perfect for her needs and it is easy to maintain. I clean the bike once a year, lube the chain twice a season, and repack the hubs about every 5 years just for the practice. Probably only sees about 300 miles a year.

Has a big seat, sits totally upright and is easy on her wrists, hands, neck, shoulders, and everything else. I converted a 90's era Miyata mountain bike into a cruiser for her. You should be able to find an older Schwinn 5 speed cruiser on craigslist or marketplace. One pops up on craigslist where I live a few times every summer.

FWIW, I ride my 5 speed cruiser along side her whenever she rides. It is totally chill, and very pleasant to just putt around the hood. Happens to be very social for us as well as everyone knows us by sight at least, many even know our names, and some let us crash their parties! When the weather is good, people are out and friendly.