New to biking in Austin TX, need help choosing best bike for me!
 

Hi everyone. I am a 34 yr old female, 175 lbs. I am wanting to get started biking for exercise. I think I would prefer a bike that would put me in a more upright posture (wrists hurt too much being dumped on my upper body), and that I can go on-road and some off-road (gravel/dirt). My budget would be very low, like in the hundred or 200 range. Casual/occasional use only, to bike to and from grocery store and to and from horse boarding stable (both within two miles.)

Any recommendations, or types and brands to stay away from? Best sources? Things to check before buying a used bike? Thanks!!

PS I have a thread over in appraisals; trying to sell an old univega road bike! Check it out to tell me what is a fair asking price!

You have a nice bike to ride.

Tilt the handle bars up to level.
Adjust the brake levers and you should be good.

Have everything check at a local bike shop.

Takes one about 500 miles to get in shape.

Would this be an appropriate bike to ride on gravel though? The handlebars seem to be frozen. Even my husband the mechanic could not unjam them. Might have to take that problem to a bike shop. Just not sure if I want to put money into this bike. Those tiny thin tires under my weight make me nervous! Should I just shut up and ride? Thanks!

For your budget of 100-200 you won't get any better bike.

The new ones at target or walmart look good and pretty. But they don't last very long when you ride them.

You may be able to put larger tires on it.
I use 700 X 28's on my road bike.

You have the final choice on any bike.
Keep looking for something you like.

I went to a bike shop today and had them look at the Univega. the front was in need of stem and handlebars and the bearings needed replaced. I said I wasn't really willing to invest in fixing it up. The guy there said he'd buy it from me and do the work himself and give it to his sister. So it got a good home and I got my tire money back! I test rode a Raleigh Venture and I really liked it. Will save up the extra hundred bucks and get a little nicer bike, till then will ride the mountain bike that's sitting in the garage!

Cool....new bikes are fun.

Ok...update! I dug out my husband's old mountain bike from the garage. It's a Bridgestone MB-6, 21 speed. It's a nice lightweight frame and rides smooth and quiet, decent brakes...except only two of the 21 gears work, the seat is uncomfortable, the handlebars are straight/too low...well....it's a mountain bike! LOL. So I took it to the local shop and they are going to put a little bit of a riser handlebar on there, fix the gears, put a more comfy seat on there. Then I should look pretty funny but at least be able to cruise to and from the barn and the grocery store comfortably. Maybe someday I could invest in an actual hybrid...

I don't know much about the Bridgestone MB-6 so maybe someone can tell me if it's a decent bike. Hubby said he paid around $400 for it somewhere around 1994.

Sounds like a good bike to start with.
Reviews:
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/older-catego...732_91crx.aspx

Thanks. I can't wait to pick it up from the shop!! Should be ready by tomorrow, they said.

Your Bridgestone is a good place to start...it's cool to resurrect an old ride but can get expensive to bring it up to date. You should also consider a 'comfort' bike. They have an upright, open riding position and wide tires(similar to mountain bike tires without the knobbies), a wide extra padded seat and some have a 'shock absorber' in the seat post for added comfort. A sports department store like The Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting Goods(I don't know if these are in your area, I am in the Northeast) will have these types of bikes for $350.00 or sometimes below $300.00 on sale. They are a good bike for the price point and have acceptable Shimano components. And with a little TLC and regular tune-ups can last for many years. Enjoy your Bridgestone and good luck choosing your next new bike!