Bicycle advice please

I'm an old fat guy and I started with a hybrid. If you're going to ride around buildings and traffic, I agree with the others. It is the way to go. However, I live in the country and take my morning rides on quiet country roads. I've had mornings in which I've gone 10 miles before seeing the first car. I switched to a road bike and haven't looked back. The hybrid is stored in the barn. I rarely ride it.

My own road bike is a Bianchi. I don't think the brand really matters. Just buy one that is in your price range and it will be competitive with other brands in your price range. Light is good and an upscale "drivetrain" is good, if it fits your budget. Good luck with the riding. You'll definitely get into better shape doing it. Take care.
 
Speaking of taking care.... This morning on the way to work, at about 6:15 (dawn-just barely), I'm driving down a 40mph roadway on which the actual average speed is closer to 50. There are no shoulders, and no parking lane.

I see a couple of sharpish brake lights up ahead, and then the cause becomes clear; a bicyclist. This guy is pushing his "right to the road" to the nines, and has on a dark (and non-reflective) jersey, and not a light or reflector of any sort on his bike. Zipping along at a lordly 15mph, he's an speed bump in a roadway with 35mph traffic.
Commuting is great, but I'd choose a more bike-friendly route, and use as many attention-grabbers as I could muster.
 
I own a Marin Muirwoods which what Marin calls an "urban" bike as opposed to a hybrid (which they also sell). An urban bike is basically a mountain bike frame with hybrid tires (tread is flat on the bottom with short knobbies on the side). It's got a chrome-moly frame (most bikes use aluminum) and sells for about $400. Their website is http://www.marinbikes.com/ Good luck.

Kref

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I think you got a lot of good advice here already, though I didn't read every single post.

First, go ride a road bike and a hybrid. Chances are you'll know which you want after that. Next concentrate on finding a good fit (most important with a road bike). Then find a reputable LBS (local bike shop) that will not only sell you a bike but be there after the sale to provide service, advice, etc. Then start looking at specific models. Almost all the big brands (Trek, Giant, C-dale, Specialized, etc.) offer a full line of bikes and will probably have something you want.

Personally I prefer a road bike (or my fixed gear) for around town or fitness riding. I keep my mountain bike for going off road.

Like I said, looks like you got great advice already but if you have any specific questions, concerns, etc you can email me if you want. I'm in my 3rd year of working sales at a bike shop here and have previously spent 5 years as a mechanic at another shop. If there is one thing I know pretty well it's bikes.
 
I've been riding the past year or so myself! I have a raleigh heritage international and a jamis nova. The jamis is supposed to be a cross bike. Basically it's a road bike with fatter tires. I really like it, it's a good all purpose bike. I can ride on smooth off road paths with the fatter tires. There are brazons for racks also. You might want to look into something like that.
 
Found the bike I want but its like $700. Its a Specialized Sirrus. The gentleman at the bike shop said it is a "performance hybrid". The base model was like $500. The one I want is a step up from that. I just dont know if I can make myself pay that for a bike. It looks like about %350 is the minimum for a decent entry level bike. I dont want to spend $700 and end up not liking to ride, but I dont want to spend $350. love riding, and regret not getting a nicer one. What's a guy to do? I mean, my car only cost $1000.

Does anyone know of any good online bike dealers? Surely I can save some off the brick and mortar stores.
 
dennis

the specialized sirrus is a well thought of bike

there are many on-line bike dealers...but i don't know of many that do internet/mail order with specialized though..

bikes in that price range do not have "huge" markups and you will seldom see great deals on current year models ... however, the new models are coming out now and you may be able to get a deal on an in-stock one...or if a lbs orders one direct form the company

i am a big believer in the utility of the local bike shop (lbs). a good one will put you on the right size bike set up properly for you. most also do free adjustments...sometimes for a year or more. that is worth the price difference right there. mostt will also give you a deal on accessories when you buy the bike (those are the big profit items for them)

i am a good customer of my lbs...i have a very expensive bike and i like it running perfectly. i pop in today and the guy who built my bike and wheelset stops what he is doing, tunes my bike and trues the front wheel....all for free...he even cleaned it for me!!!

if you do mailorder...understand that shipping a bike is expensive (usually $50) and you will have to pay a shop to finish assemble it (probably at least $50) unless you know what you are doing
 
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