Bike question for Robyn or anyone who is willing to read it :)

[katygirl]

I'm super excited that we have a 15 mile bike trail being built practically in my back yard! It is going to be a mostly flat paved trail that extends across a number of towns. Anyway, I need a bike! I know I need to pop into my town bike shop and try a bunch out, but I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions regarding type, brand and all that. I'm really new at this, so I know pretty close to NOTHING.

Here is what I want...

Not to spend a TON of money.
I don't want to be BENT OVER (this sounds dirty :eek:) as much as I was on my old mountain bike. I really want a COMFORTABLE ride.


Any help would be appreciated!

:) Katy

[Gumbeaux]

Not to spend a TON of money.
I don't want to be BENT OVER (this sounds dirty :eek:) as much as I was on my old mountain bike. I really want a COMFORTABLE ride.



You probably want a cruiser. Schwinn (http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Cruisers/Sport-Cruiser/) makes a bunch of them. You're probably looking in the $200.00 - $400.00 price range.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41T1BFJMSNL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

[Robyn1007]

A cruiser may work but I'd actually recommend a hybrid instead. Each brand is going to have different geometry which will help with your comfort level. Getting a good fit at your bike shop can make or break your happiness on a bike. A hybrid will have skinnier tires than a cruiser and is there for easier to propel. Trek and Specialized are both great brands but are very rarely sold in the same stores as they are competitors so you may need to visit more than one shop. Some shops offer 30 day exchange programs as well so you can buy a bike, try it for up to 30 days and exchange if you don't like it. Additionally a good bike shop will also provide at least an adjustment after a certain number of miles/days ridden and some even will do annual tune ups. Here are a few from Trek:

http://www.trekbikes.com/images/bikes/2009/large/allantwsd_olive.jpg
http://www.trekbikes.com/images/bikes/2009/large/72fxwsd_navyblue.jpg

[katygirl]

Thanks both of you! You've both given me a starting point. Robyn, thanks for the tip that SOME places do offer a 30-day exchange peirod. The mountain bike I have I SWEAR never fit me correctly and I remember at one point calling and they said more or less tough....

[cchhbb]

I have a hybrid and its great. I got DH one too. That's what we use when we ride the bike path.