Archery_Queen

So I want to ride a bike for fitness as well as commuting, I'm pretty sure ill want two different bikes for these two different activities. I need a cheap starter bike that won't break the bank. What should I start with? What did you start with? Also how to I begin? I'm not very in shape how many miles should I ride a day/ week?

achoo

Why would you need two bikes for that? You can use the same bike.

What's your budget? Your "cheap" bike might be someone else's expensive bike.

It doesn't really matter what someone else started with - what do you want to ride?

"Not very in shape" isn't specific enough for a recommendation for how far you should ride.

FWIW, poke around here for what's available: Save Up To 60% Off Road Bikes, Bicycles, Mountain Bikes and Bicycles with Bikesdirect.com, New with full warranties

I'm not necessarily recommending you buy from there - but that's a great place to see what's available in the cycling world. And to get a good idea of what decent bikes cost. Because if you're going to ride it a lot, you need to get something decent. IMO places like Walmart do not have bikes suitable for everyday uses like commuting.

Cyclosaurus

Seems like you could get something to serve both purposes. You'd be much better off getting one $600 bike than two $300 ones in my opinion. What are the differences between how and where you intend to ride for fitness vs. for commuting?

znomit

A flat bar road bike is a good place to start. Useable as a commuter and general fitness bike even later when/if you get a dedicated road bike. Get something without suspension (its no use at all). Go to the LBS so you get something that fits, and they'll advise on accessories too.

rpenmanparker 

Why buy a flat bar bike when you can use the bar tops of a drop bar bike? Sure you need to reach for the brake levers, but so what?

bahula03

Like achoo said, can we define what cheap is to you, @Archery_Queen ? Also maybe how big the bank we're trying not to break is?

Archery_Queen

$100-$200 range.

znomit

Usually a more upright riding position. Good for newbies and for riding in traffic. Plus flat bar roadies are generally cheaper and will run 32c tyres for commuting.

awfulwaffle 

I, like many others, say CL is your best bet to get something quality, since you're not going to get any kind of good new road bike for $100-$200. Perhaps an OK single speed, if that suits you. I recently picked up a practically brand new 1990 Cannondale that I now use as my commuter for $150. The best advice I can give regarding Craigslist is to ask. I spent 2 months fruitlessly trawling for a nice vintage bike in my size, with everything I saw being either too big or hopelessly overpriced. Within 3 days of posting a Want to Buy ad which described the size I needed and the type of bike I wanted, I had 2 replies that not only were nicer bikes than those I had seen while searching, but cost less. Highly recommend trying it, your ad might just catch the eye of that one person who has a nice old bike they don't ride anymore that they want to go to a good home, just like mine did.

EDIT: Something like this: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...se1_hybrid.htm may work for your needs, though I wouldn't call it "nice". More like functional or sufficient to get you about.

Slackerprince

I'll agree with this approach.
Look at Giant Escape, Cannondale Quick, Specialized Sirrus or Trek FX.
In your price range, you'll be in the used category. Probably something decent on craigslist.
Just make sure it's the right size, which is a whole different thread.
You'll also need a helmet, shoes, etc. to make your experience a good one.
Good luck.

S