New to biking - HELP

wwest said:

I'm a regular newsgroup reader in another field (professional musicians and music educators), so I
thought I'd drop in for some advice here - thanks in advance for any help you can steer my way. I'm
relatively new to biking, but I enjoy it and am wanting to incorporate biking into a daily exercise
regimen. Lots of greenways and bike paths in my area, which is the majority of biking I see myself
doing. Although there are also a lot of trails, I don't see a lot of that type of riding in the
near future, but possibly in a few months. I want to spend no more than $600 on a good all-around
hybrid comfort bike, which is what I think I need. Having visited a few bike shops, I've looked at
the Giant Sedona Series (I like the LX model), the Specialized Expedition, the Trek Navigator
Series, and the Raleigh SC40. Of these choices (I want to buy locally), which is the best choice?
I'm 42, overweight but losing steadily, and have an hour or so a day to ride. If I sound
inexperienced, it's because I am! Thanks again for your valued opinions.

Hopefully others will have comments on the specific models that you mention. A couple of sites that
might help-

mtbreview.comreviewsOpen ↗

roadbikereview.comreviewscrx.aspxOpen ↗

Sometimes it can be helpful to look at reviews of specific components on bikes, not just the
whole bike.

Rather than shopping for specific models, think about shopping for a

similar. But most bike shops are not. Find the shop that listens, helps you refine your choice, and
seems willing to work with you over the next year or more as you get into biking, maybe change
parts, upgrade, etc. Will you be comfortable walking back in after you have bought a bike at a
particular shop? Do you want to talk to them ever again?

This article might help- it's geared to road bikes, but the general issues and attitude are the same
for hybrids, etc.

chainreactionbicycles.comroadbiketestrides.htmOpen ↗

Oh, if you have no plans for serious dirt riding, make certain to get tires with smooth or minimal
treads. Those mountain bike knobbed tires are energy sinkholes on smooth surfaces.

Two other useful websites:

kenkifer.comindex.htmOpen ↗

sheldonbrown.comharrisOpen ↗

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I'm a regular newsgroup reader in another field (professional musicians and music educators), so I
thought I'd drop in for some advice here - thanks in advance for any help you can steer my way.
I'm relatively new to biking, but I enjoy it and am wanting to incorporate biking into a daily
exercise regimen. Lots of greenways and bike paths in my area, which is the majority of biking I
see myself doing. Although there are also a lot of trails, I don't see a lot of that type of
riding in the near future, but possibly in a few months. I want to spend no more than $600 on a
good all-around hybrid comfort bike, which is what I think I need. Having visited a few bike
shops, I've looked at the Giant Sedona Series (I like the LX model), the Specialized Expedition,
the Trek Navigator Series, and the Raleigh SC40. Of these choices (I want to buy locally), which
is the best choice? I'm 42, overweight but losing steadily, and have an hour or so a day to ride.
If I sound inexperienced, it's because I am! Thanks again for your valued opinions.

All the bikes you listed are good bikes from respected, stable manufacturers, so just pick the one
you like best, which fits best, and which fits your budget.

You will likely find little difference in "quality" measured by any objective standard, so use the
subjective standards: which LBS treats you the best, and which bike fits you best.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

Thanks, Dan. The info you provided was of great interest and the bike shop advice certainly helps in
making a decision! Thanks for taking time to answer.

"Dan Daniel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

wwest said:

I'm a regular newsgroup reader in another field (professional musicians

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

music educators), so I thought I'd drop in for some advice here - thanks

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

advance for any help you can steer my way. I'm relatively new to biking, but I enjoy it and am
wanting to incorporate biking into a daily exercise regimen. Lots of greenways and bike paths in
my area, which is the

majority

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of biking I see myself doing. Although there are also a lot of trails, I don't see a lot of that
type of riding in the near future, but possibly

in a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

few months. I want to spend no more than $600 on a good all-around

hybrid

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

comfort bike, which is what I think I need. Having visited a few bike shops, I've looked at the
Giant Sedona Series (I like the LX model), the Specialized Expedition, the Trek Navigator Series,
and the Raleigh SC40.

Of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

these choices (I want to buy locally), which is the best choice? I'm 42, overweight but losing
steadily, and have an hour or so a day to ride. If

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

sound inexperienced, it's because I am! Thanks again for your valued opinions.

Hopefully others will have comments on the specific models that you mention. A couple of sites
that might help-

mtbreview.comreviewsOpen ↗

roadbikereview.comreviewscrx.aspxOpen ↗

Sometimes it can be helpful to look at reviews of specific components on bikes, not just the
whole bike.

Rather than shopping for specific models, think about shopping for a

Quoted message said:

similar. But most bike shops are not. Find the shop that listens, helps you refine your choice,
and seems willing to work with you over the next year or more as you get into biking, maybe change
parts, upgrade, etc. Will you be comfortable walking back in after you have bought a bike at a
particular shop? Do you want to talk to them ever again?

This article might help- it's geared to road bikes, but the general issues and attitude are the
same for hybrids, etc.

chainreactionbicycles.comroadbiketestrides.htmOpen ↗

Oh, if you have no plans for serious dirt riding, make certain to get tires with smooth or minimal
treads. Those mountain bike knobbed tires are energy sinkholes on smooth surfaces.

Two other useful websites:

kenkifer.comindex.htmOpen ↗

sheldonbrown.comharrisOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

You will likely find little difference in "quality" measured by any objective standard, so use the
subjective standards: which LBS treats you the best, and which bike fits you best.

Quoted message said:

Dave Kerber

There is a reason for Dave saying this. People think that bicycle makers make everything. But
what they make is the frame. Nearly all of them buy the major components from Shimano and at the
same price points, they all pretty much have the same kind of Shimano stuff (shimano makes a
bunch of stuff in varying grades). I don't think Shimano makes handlebars or rims but the same
principle applies - they get those from a manufacturer and there are not that many manufacturers
for most things.

wwest said:

I'm a regular newsgroup reader in another field (professional musicians and music educators), so I
thought I'd drop in for some advice here - thanks in advance for any help you can steer my way.
I'm relatively new to biking, but I enjoy it and am wanting to incorporate biking into a daily
exercise regimen. Lots of greenways and bike paths in my area, which is the majority of biking I
see myself doing. Although there are also a lot of trails, I don't see a lot of that type of
riding in the near future, but possibly in a few months. I want to spend no more than $600 on a
good all-around hybrid comfort bike, which is what I think I need. Having visited a few bike
shops, I've looked at the Giant Sedona Series (I like the LX model), the Specialized Expedition,
the Trek Navigator Series, and the Raleigh SC40. Of these choices (I want to buy locally), which
is the best choice? I'm 42, overweight but losing steadily, and have an hour or so a day to ride.
If I sound inexperienced, it's because I am! Thanks again for your valued opinions.

I just got into biking a couple years ago. I bought a Trek Navigator 300, ($400) and have put 1500
miles on it in two seasons. I haven't regretted buying that bike once. I love the smooth tires with
the knobs on the outside. Gives little rolling resistance on road, but on gravel/limestone trails,
it is very steady. I like the upright riding position. I ride mainly on streets, but there are a
couple recreation trails around here. I try to do 1-1.5 hour rides a couple evenings a week, and a
2-3 hour ride on the weekend. I occasionally bike 6 miles to work. I've also done a 50 mile ride on
the Elroy-Sparta Trail, and 36 miles up Logan Pass in Glacier NP. (my great cycling achievement to
date) The bike is very versatile and rugged, and comfortable.

Others have given good advice on finding a good LBS and buying the bike that fits you right. (Make
sure you test ride!) I agree with all that, but I had to give my Trek a thumbs up. Plus they're
based in Wisconsin, so you can't go wrong. 🙂

It seems as though you're getting into biking at least partially to lose weight/get fit. It has
worked well for me. I dropped about 10 pounds my first summer, and it has allowed me to eat poorly
this summer and still maintain my weight. 😉 The thing I like about biking as exercise is that it
isn't boring. I also love exploring, which you can do well on a bike. I'm working on a goal to ride
on every road in 37 sq. mile New Berlin.

Happy shopping, and enjoy the sport!

Craig Holl - New Berlin, WI midwestroads.comindex.htmlOpen ↗

Thanks to all you guys for taking the time to post your information - newsgroups have again proven
to be a great resource brimming with positive, friendly and helpful feedback from the experienced.