New Cyclist

With so little information it's hard to make an informed decision. Visit a bike shop.

There are 3 main categories of bikes. Road, Mountain (MTB) and fitness or "hybrid". If you plan to ride over Dirt, Rocks and Roots, then a MTB is the way to go. If you want to go fast and far then a road bike is where you are looking. If you're just looking to hit a bike path or to be put and enjoy the outdoors, then a fitness bike might suit you best.

Again, visit a shop and talk to someone and look at what's out there.

Right now I'm just looking at riding for fitness... bike path or what not. The last time I rode a bike,though, it had a basket and a bell. Needless to say, I have no idea what I'm doing right now, lol. Thank you for the info! I really appreciate it!

What I see a lot is people getting a Hybrid bike, then in a year or two when they know they like it and are more comfortable with riding going ahead and getting an entry level road bike. It's not a bad way to approach it. You can get a decent new Hybrid bike like the Trek FX 7.2 or Cannondale Quick 5 (there are plenty of other manufacturers but those are the two I like the best) for around $550-$600. You don't have to get the shoes or the jerseys or the shorts or anything else. Bike, Cheap Helmet, Floor Pump and you are pretty much done.

If and when you are ready to move up, sell the Hybrid for $200 to $250 and put it towards your road machine.

The only issue I have with that plan is I wonder how many people out there WOULD enjoy cycling a whole lot more if they just bit the bullet and spent the money on a road bike and everything that goes with it. IMHO it's really a more enjoyable way to cycle plus if you go all in - so to speak - you kind of have more incentive to make use of your purchase

Also, The shop I work for, and every shop I know of that has group rides all ban hybrids. There is only one group in the area that allows them, and they create routes and organize rides, but there are no formal groups. So you lose the "group" aspect of cycling.

I'm not judging BTW - I don't hate on anyone who rides a bike. Just a lot of years of experience riding and working in the industry.

ABNPFDR said:

What I see a lot is people getting a Hybrid bike, then in a year or two when they know they like it and are more comfortable with riding going ahead and getting an entry level road bike. It's not a bad way to approach it. You can get a decent new Hybrid bike like the Trek FX 7.2 or Cannondale Quick 5 (there are plenty of other manufacturers but those are the two I like the best) for around $550-$600. You don't have to get the shoes or the jerseys or the shorts or anything else. Bike, Cheap Helmet, Floor Pump and you are pretty much done.

If and when you are ready to move up, sell the Hybrid for $200 to $250 and put it towards your road machine.

The only issue I have with that plan is I wonder how many people out there WOULD enjoy cycling a whole lot more if they just bit the bullet and spent the money on a road bike and everything that goes with it. IMHO it's really a more enjoyable way to cycle plus if you go all in - so to speak - you kind of have more incentive to make use of yaour purchase

Also, The shop I work for, and every shop I know of that has group rides all ban hybrids. There is only one group in the area that allows them, and they create routes and organize rides, but there are no formal groups. So you lose the "group" aspect of cycling.

I'm not judging BTW - I don't hate on anyone who rides a bike. Just a lot of years of experience riding and working in the industry.

I think this might be exactly what will suit my purposes. I don't want to buy a bike and stick with it forever. I want to move up and improve. I may never reach it, but I e a a actually set my long term goal as a triathlon. It's more important for me to have the goal to work towards than anything else.

ABNPFDR said:

What I see a lot is people getting a Hybrid bike, then in a year or two when they know they like it and are more comfortable with riding going ahead and getting an entry level road bike. It's not a bad way to approach it. You can get a decent new Hybrid bike like the Trek FX 7.2 or Cannondale Quick 5 (there are plenty of other manufacturers but those are the two I like the best) for around $550-$600. You don't have to get the shoes or the jerseys or the shorts or anything else. Bike, Cheap Helmet, Floor Pump and you are pretty much done.

If and when you are ready to move up, sell the Hybrid for $200 to $250 and put it towards your road machine.

The only issue I have with that plan is I wonder how many people out there WOULD enjoy cycling a whole lot more if they just bit the bullet and spent the money on a road bike and everything that goes with it. IMHO it's really a more enjoyable way to cycle plus if you go all in - so to speak - you kind of have more incentive to make use of your purchase

Also, The shop I work for, and every shop I know of that has group rides all ban hybrids. There is only one group in the area that allows them, and they create routes and organize rides, but there are no formal groups. So you lose the "group" aspect of cycling.

I'm not judging BTW - I don't hate on anyone who rides a bike. Just a lot of years of experience riding and working in the industry.

That was my original plan when I bought my trek 7.2. Keep it awhile, and trade it in for a road bike down the road.

Now, im changing my mind. I think I'll just save up for the road bike, and put panniers, mudguards, and maybe stronger wheels on the hybrid and use it as a grocery getter and light touring bike.

Viciouscycle said:

That was my original plan when I bought my trek 7.2. Keep it awhile, and trade it in for a road bike down the road.

Now, im changing my mind. I think I'll just save up for the road bike, and put panniers, mudguards, and maybe stronger wheels on the hybrid and use it as a grocery getter and light touring bike.

Another excellent option.

ABNPFDR said:

What I see a lot is people getting a Hybrid bike, then in a year or two when they know they like it and are more comfortable with riding going ahead and getting an entry level road bike. It's not a bad way to approach it. You can get a decent new Hybrid bike like the Trek FX 7.2 or Cannondale Quick 5 (there are plenty of other manufacturers but those are the two I like the best) for around $550-$600. You don't have to get the shoes or the jerseys or the shorts or anything else. Bike, Cheap Helmet, Floor Pump and you are pretty much done.

If and when you are ready to move up, sell the Hybrid for $200 to $250 and put it towards your road machine.

The only issue I have with that plan is I wonder how many people out there WOULD enjoy cycling a whole lot more if they just bit the bullet and spent the money on a road bike and everything that goes with it. IMHO it's really a more enjoyable way to cycle plus if you go all in - so to speak - you kind of have more incentive to make use of your purchase

Also, The shop I work for, and every shop I know of that has group rides all ban hybrids. There is only one group in the area that allows them, and they create routes and organize rides, but there are no formal groups. So you lose the "group" aspect of cycling.

I'm not judging BTW - I don't hate on anyone who rides a bike. Just a lot of years of experience riding and working in the industry.

This is exactly what I did. I went with the 7.3 FX Hybrid in May 2012. Now I am buying my road bike. I didnt know when I bought the hybrid how much I would love cycling. I did Gran Fondos, NYC 5 Boro Bike tour, lots of charity rides, lake rides, group rides, rides to the local taco place and to the dairy queen with the Hybrid.

I didn't want to go with the road bike until I was sure after a couple winters that I would emerge in Spring raring to get back on the bike. When March hit this year and I was counting the days for the snow to melt to get on my bike- I knew it was time to plunk down the coin and get a road bike. This year I want to go for a century ride.

I think the Hybrid first is a wise decision because you don't know right now how you will take to cycling. The road bike is a huge adjustment from your bike with "bells and a basket" and may not be for you. Its a way to dip your toe in without spending a fortune. A road bike thats gonna last you will probably run you between 1500-2500 on the lower end.. .and that may be a bridge too far for someone who doesn't know how much they will be riding especially in a more hunched over position required on the road bilke.

A really good hybrid can be had for $500-700. I prefer the style of the Specialized Sirrus, but they had way too much chain rub- I didn't like the sound.

The Trek FX was perfect...again if I had known how much i was gonna be riding it, I would have popped for the 7.4 with the carbon fork.

Welcome to the world of Cycling! If I were you, I would probably head over to a bike shop and learn more about different array of bikes that are offered around. Maybe try your local bike shop first? You also need to decided if you want to get into mountain biking or road cycling, or even both! They are very different so spend time exploring both areas!

I'd agree with starting out on a Hybrid bike. You can't go wrong there. If you're going for fitness, then you'll want to ride as often as possible at a decent speed to push your body. Chances are high that you'll want a mountain or road bike, depending on your needs, later on. Everyone's right in saying that's what usually happens to people that start with a Hybrid bike.

kana_marie said:

Hello! I am new to cycling. I desperately need to get into shape! I have no idea what bike I should begin with. Do any of you have any advice? I greatly appreciate any input y'all may be able to give me!

Unless you want to cycle in the dirt, whatever bike you get you will eventually discover that a road bike is the way to go.

But even if you do want to ride in the dirt, there are "cyclocross" bikes, which are essentially road bikes with wider clearances for fatter tires.

You can easily convert these bikes to be more "racy", with narrower tires etc.

some are also available with disk brakes.

Aluminium and Steel cyclocross bikes are oftenly available with rack and fender mounts because alot of people also use them for touring and commuting.

They are fantastic for working out and weigh much less then a 15kg hybrid with suspension that is practically useless on road.

Good luck! 🙂

Bike shops tend to be really friendly. Go set off some Saturday or something to head down and try them all out. Most of them will let you go roam the nearby streets. (while holding to your drivers licence or something so that you'll come back). Then you'll find a model that you would like.

My first bike was a MTB. I guess because I liked cruising on all terrains.MTB is good because you can use it on the road still. But price factors also gets one to consider as I suggest a MTB.

@kana_marie, for a while I had my bike in storage -- a little more than a year -- but I still needed exercise. So I walked about everywhere in my area. I know lots of streets and paths from the walking, walking, walking. I'd walk 5 miles to work -- and meet deer. I would walk 3 miles to the grocery store, do my shopping, and walk 3 miles home -- with the groceries. Once I went further and walked to my home improvement store and came home with an 8 foot copper grounding rod -- riding on my shoulder. Once I walked for groceries and I think a fox must have rushed past me, but it was really just a blur of reddish fur, it was moving so fast. I often see many different and interesting birds if I keep my eyes open and scan the area ahead carefully. So if deciding on a bike is hard for you, you can do this same walking about for yourself. I am sure you will still get a bike. (I'm anxiously waiting for mine to be repaired.) Meanwhile, a couple miles of walking every day will make you feel better. If you have a smart phone, it probably has an app on it that will count the number of steps you walk each day. Seeing the numbers go up can be very encouraging.

Doing a Triathlon is a huge goal, I hope you succeed.

Walking advice is good advice, once you put in some walking time you then can start your cycling routine.

I don't know anything about how to train for a triathlon, but there are places I can point you to for cycling training, one such place is this: kintera.orghtmlcontent.aspOpen ↗ This site is designed to get you doing a 100 mile ride in 8 weeks but is designed for someone who cycles currently everyday but wants to add more. If you haven't been on the bike much then I would suggest you add 6 weeks to the beginning and simply subtract 10% off of each week from the first week. If you decide to follow this program make sure you follow it to the letter even if you feel you can do more miles on any particular day, it's designed so you don't hurt yourself. Read about what the easy, pace, and brisk means but since you're not going to be racing I would just concentrate on doing a comfortable speed and get some miles under your belt before doing the easy, pace, brisk routine, and by the time you get to that point you'll want to add in interval training anyways which you can post later when your ready for that and we can help you. Also you don't have to the 100 thing if you don't want to, you could set your goal as 50 for example and stop when you get there and then start over at the first week (not the first of the added 6 weeks) and add intervals to increase your speed.

I'd advise buying the least heavy bike you can afford. Getting a hybrid would also be a safe bet. My advice to new cyclists has always been to spend as much money as you can, cheap bikes will cost you more in the long run.

A hybrid bike is definitely the way to go for a beginner or casual cyclist. Try purchase one with a light frame with quality components that will be durable and safe. It doesn't have to be the most expensive bike in the store, a mid-range hybrid should suffice. Personally I would go for the Vilano Performance Hybrid, good bang for the buck.

I like the idea of the hybrid as well. Just don't over/underspend on it.

ABNPFDR said:

What I see a lot is people getting a Hybrid bike, then in a year or two when they know they like it and are more comfortable with riding going ahead and getting an entry level road bike. It's not a bad way to approach it. You can get a decent new Hybrid bike like the Trek FX 7.2 or Cannondale Quick 5 (there are plenty of other manufacturers but those are the two I like the best) for around $550-$600. You don't have to get the shoes or the jerseys or the shorts or anything else. Bike, Cheap Helmet, Floor Pump and you are pretty much done.

If and when you are ready to move up, sell the Hybrid for $200 to $250 and put it towards your road machine.

The only issue I have with that plan is I wonder how many people out there WOULD enjoy cycling a whole lot more if they just bit the bullet and spent the money on a road bike and everything that goes with it. IMHO it's really a more enjoyable way to cycle plus if you go all in - so to speak - you kind of have more incentive to make use of your purchase

Also, The shop I work for, and every shop I know of that has group rides all ban hybrids. There is only one group in the area that allows them, and they create routes and organize rides, but there are no formal groups. So you lose the "group" aspect of cycling.

I'm not judging BTW - I don't hate on anyone who rides a bike. Just a lot of years of experience riding and working in the industry.

THIS RIGHT HERE.
I see in so many sports people will go out and buy top notch equipment. Then abandon the sport and that is $$ down the drain.
Get a "cheaper" (not CHEAP as that is not the same) middle of the road type rig and find what it is about a bike that you really like.
Hey you may not even like it, you might find our running is more your thing. But never ever start out with professional level equipment.

kana_marie said:

Hello! I am new to cycling. I desperately need to get into shape! I have no idea what bike I should begin with. Do any of you have any advice? I greatly appreciate any input y'all may be able to give me!

Buy the cheapest bike you can find, meaning don't spend more than $500 for the bike including accessories. Why you scream? Because most people (78%) that start a new fitness sport like cycling (or other exercise equipment) get all excited only to find the excitement wears very thin after about 3 to 6 months and the bike (or exercise equipment) becomes expensive garage art. So start out with a low cost bike, then if after 3 years you're still going strong in the sport and are loving it then consider buying a better bike.

You can find a lot of quality used bikes (depending on where you live) on Craigslist for under $350 which would be better than a new $400 bike, but you do have to know your bikes to make sure you're getting a good deal and a good bike, if not then take someone who does know bikes or post here.