Need a bike for commuting - Please Help!

First off, welcome to the cycling universe. It's a really big place and you'll meet a whole lot of different people, many of who disagree with each other. It can be a little overwhelming to get started....

Question #1-- have you tried riding you friend's Trek yet? If that bike feels OK to ride, try it for a month or two. I'd say it's worth oh, about a $100, so if you like it, make them an offer. There's no need to spend a lot of money right off-- or ever if you don't feel like it. I've never spent over $500 on a bike in my whole life, don't currently own clip in syle pedals or biking shoes or any other fancy bike gear. And I ride over 5000 miles a year.

Question #2. How far are you going to ride everyday? The shorter the trip, the less the bike matters. For a trip of 1 > 4 miles on flat ground-- some old heavy one speed Shwinn you can pick up at goodwill for 10 bucks will be just fine. For 20 miles with hills, you'll need a better bike with derailers and gears. For most people, hybrid bikes work really well. Of course you'll read tons of negative posts about them here, but this is just dumbass racer types who think that plunking down thousands of dollars in equitment is the only way to enjoy cycling. It isn't true (although racing and club riding are super fun in there own way)

Question #3. How much gumption do you have? It really doesn't matter what kind of bike you have-- do you have the willpower to get out of bed every morning and pedal to work? What if it rains? What if you're tired? Gumption is the most important thing. You can buy a $3000 bike but it still works the same way that a $300 or even a $30 bikes does. You have to petal!

Here's the only web link you need to start out with.

<http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/index.htm>

Everything you want to know is at this site AND believe it because Mr. Kifer isn't trying to sell you anything. Anything you pick at a local bike shop is tainted just a little.

Thank you so much for your input! I will look at the website and do more research. You make valid points and shine the light of reality on the siutation. I have the gumption...that is for sure. I will try the Trek. Best of all.....my friend is givin git to me for free.
Have a terrific weekend!!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by tacomee
First off, welcome to the cycling universe. It's a really big place and you'll meet a whole lot of different people, many of who disagree with each other. It can be a little overwhelming to get started....


Question #1-- have you tried riding you friend's Trek yet? If that bike feels OK to ride, try it for a month or two. I'd say it's worth oh, about a $100, so if you like it, make them an offer. There's no need to spend a lot of money right off-- or ever if you don't feel like it. I've never spent over $500 on a bike in my whole life, don't currently own clip in syle pedals or biking shoes or any other fancy bike gear. And I ride over 5000 miles a year.

Question #2. How far are you going to ride everyday? The shorter the trip, the less the bike matters. For a trip of 1 > 4 miles on flat ground-- some old heavy one speed Shwinn you can pick up at goodwill for 10 bucks will be just fine. For 20 miles with hills, you'll need a better bike with derailers and gears. For most people, hybrid bikes work really well. Of course you'll read tons of negative posts about them here, but this is just dumbass racer types who think that plunking down thousands of dollars in equitment is the only way to enjoy cycling. It isn't true (although racing and club riding are super fun in there own way)

Question #3. How much gumption do you have? It really doesn't matter what kind of bike you have-- do you have the willpower to get out of bed every morning and pedal to work? What if it rains? What if you're tired? Gumption is the most important thing. You can buy a $3000 bike but it still works the same way that a $300 or even a $30 bikes does. You have to petal!

Here's the only web link you need to start out with.

<http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/index.htm>

Everything you want to know is at this site AND believe it because Mr. Kifer isn't trying to sell you anything. Anything you pick at a local bike shop is tainted just a little.

😄