No Idea What to Look for in a Bike
 

I am new here, and need a bike for transportation. I figure this would be a good place to try to get advice. I apologize if this is the wrong thread to post this.

I live in downtown Springfield, Missouri. I am a female between sixty-two and sixty-three inches tall- when barefoot. On another site, I have been told to look for the following in a bike:

Fenders
Suspension seat posts
Fork suspensions
A taller rear wheel gear (to ride uphill better)
Five-speed transmission
A "crank forward" upright riding position (like a suede gx)
Wheel protection against glass, sharp rocks, etc.
All-internal hubs, as opposed to derailleurs

I am also looking to buy the following:

Biking gloves
Knee and elbow pads (I'm clumsy)
Solid bar lock
Reflective tape
Shield helmet or pair of goggles
Pedal straps
At least one mirror
A kickstand
At least one basket

Any advice would be appreciated.

I like this one.
http://springfield.craigslist.org/bik/2873357941.html

I am way too paranoid about buying online, and know better than to go to Wal-Mart or Target. Thus I will be going to an expensive-as-hell bike shop.

Post in here for much help.


http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ing-Discussion

Get rid of you're going to crash mentality right now, it will not help you. this bike might be your speed.. Fits everything you mentioned. check the other bikes too. good luck :)

In third grade, I ogot hit by a car while riding my bike across the street. In twelfth grade, I tried to slow down on a hill, and flew off my bike. This is why I prefer to wear pads. That and I don't know how much longer I'll have health insurance. I also mentioned shields/goggles because I'm prone to getting things in my eye.

Probably good to take a litle time and resist the temptation that you need to spend a lot of money to get into the game. Sounds like you're gravitating toward a comfort bike. Check out your bike shops. Ride a few. Look in to used bikes at the shops and Craig's List. Ask at the shops or knowlegeable riders about your bike size. A lot of the things on your list you can buy over time. I've been riding for years and never use gloves but that's just me. A lot of folks that depend on their bikes for transportation don't have fancy bikes. They just have what they need.

Are you planning on riding off road? If not, I'd lose the suspension fork requirement. That'll save you some money and make the bike lighter and easier to ride.