New to biking here, need help
 

Hello, im looking to get into some recreational road biking and need some help and suggestions firstly,

My use: will be recreational, and exercise - not competitive or serious. So im guessing maybe 3 days a week and the furthest distance ill prob go is 20miles or so

This will also be my first bike

Me: im 24 years old, 5'10 and 1/2 inches tall with a 83cm (or 32in) inseam

looking to buy the Gravity Liberty 1 bike from bikesdirect in a size "Medium/large" which is 53.5cm

is this a good choice for me? or are there better ones on there? Heres a link to the bike

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../liberty_1.htm

How did you determine your size?

There's a size chart below the specs.

If the sizing chart is accurate you should be in the ball park.

The question I might have for you would be concerning your mechanical ability. Be sure to look at the assembly videos and instructions and make sure you are comfortable finishing the bike. The link is down at the very bottom of the page.

Good Luck. I hope to read how it works out for you. Pictures of the finished product are always enjoyed here.

awesome. I will definitely follow your advice on the videos and such. Mechanically im pretty decent but if i feel uncomfortable once i begin the process I would even take it to a bike shop for them to assemble it for me. But I guess my main concern is whether this bike is a little too much for my needs, or if its a little too little for my needs?

That's hard for anyone but you to say.

It's a starter bike. I don't know how critical $400 bucks is to your cash-flow situation but this is going to be a learning thing for you.

Have you gone to any bike shops and just sort of "felt" them out?

Many retailers in different lines of goods are adapting to competing with the on-line world. Some have embraced the selling channel and have learned to live on the ancillary business of service and accessory sales. Some resent it extremely. Some can convince you that you should just do your business with them. It will cost you nothing but time to walk in their shop and tell them what you want to do.

Most straight forward , patronize a proper bike shop.. service after the sale.

That's it. Buy from the shop, preferably, but if you don't, you're pretty much honor bound to get tubes, tools, a helmet or SOMETHING there. Using their expertise, then ordering online, is cheesy. And someday, when the bike needs something in a hurry, an established customer is likely to get faster service than a guy who rolls in with a mail order bike.

thanks everyone for your helpful responses - once I decide on a bike and it is assembled I will post the product per requested =)

Did you get it? Do you like it? I am in the same boat right now....my use will be the same and I'm 33 yrs old and 5 foot 6. Do you like this model?