Bike recommendation please........(new to cycling)
 

Hello everyone,

I need a bike recommendation. I'm going to be using this for riding on the street and on the beach (not sand but the broad walk). I'm 40 years old and in good physical condition.

I'm guessing I'll be riding about 1-3 times per week ~3-10 miles at a times.

I don't want to spend a fortune because I want to see if I'll like it.

Can anyone recommend me a decent entry level bike? Should I buy new or used? Hybrid or road bike? (a local shop recommended the 2015 Giant Escape)

I appreciate your advice!

Search the forums and you will find hundreds of discussion threads just like yours. Or just follow your LBS advice and buy a Giant Escape, which is a decent starter bike.

If your not sure, buy a used one. Try to get a 1-2 year old one for half price. Goggle the bike you are going to look at for reviews and If all looks ok, buy it.

I would agree with your LBS. The Giant Escape is a great bike, easily priced under the competition.
Buying it new, removes any concerns about a past life and gives you a warranty to boot.
Giant redesigned the Escape for 2015.
Happy trails.

You question is too open. It almost like asking what type of shoes you should buy. Until we know more about you and what style of riding you like to do its impossible to answer correctly. Do some research on the different types of bikes you like. It doesn't have to be that in depth, but you can start by asking a few questions first.

Look around at the people like yourself or the type of riding that you want to do. At least that will give us some way to narrow your choices. They decide on whether you prefer a road, mountain, hybrid, etc. bike. After that, you need to decide on a budget. That alone will get you half way to getting better suggestions and choosing the right bike.

It wasn't long ago that another poster like yourself was looking for a solid bike for around town. This is what they bought.

JAMIS BICYCLES

What is your budget? That goes a long way in finding what you want.

Where do you live? You mentioned being close to the beach - if you are in SoCal there are some really good bike paths, one of my favorites is the one that goes from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach (if memory serves). I have several bikes but I find I prefer my hybrid/fitness/flat bar road bikes for most rides, unless I am riding in a group on road bikes and need to keep up.

I would say look for a used Giant Rapid or Escape, or Trek FX.

These are great all around high quality bikes, and there is no shortage of used ones for sale - if you live in a populated area (like LA), than Craigslist is a great place to look.