Good bike for a beginner

[lhrocker]

Well my wife and kids are going overseas for the summer and I'm stuck at home because of work. I think I'm going to learn how to ride a bike, because everyone else in the family knows how to ride.

What is a good bike to get? I need nothing fancy, as long as it stops when I want it to stop. I'd prefer not to spend too much, as if it doesn't work out, I won't lose too much.

Anyhow, what do people recommend? Budget - under $200 (realistic???)

[Jason1212]

Bicycle? Where are you? If in the US go to Target. You can get a Schwinn there pretty cheap.

[markD]

i was gonna go with schwinn also. can't beat the classics!!!

[GinSonic]

I'd stay away from department store type bicycles. Support from these stores aren't strong because they're just that; Department stores with department store workers, not bike enthusiasts.

For something $200 or under, you can get a decent used brand name bike. Look in your local printed classifieds, your local online Craiglist and such.

Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher, Trek, Kona, Specialized, Giant, Norco, Jamis, KHS, GT, are some of the brands you should look at. An older model, say 10 years +, of any of these brands lower end choices are far and away better than department store bikes.

Bicycle shops, though they will work/repair department store bikes, are more apt to working with you on keeping a brand name bike going. If it's a department store bike, you'll get recommendations to either scrap it, or replace components of a higher quality on it, which isn't worth it on a cheap ass frame to begin with.

I sold my buddy a 1995 Gary Fisher Tassajara 10 years back and though he's replaced some drivetrain components on it from basic wear 'n tear of daily use, It's still going on strong. He claims it's the best cheap (inexpensive) bike he's ever owned! Hell, I got a 1992 Kona Explosif, a $1200cdn bike brand new, for $350cdn in '99. That Kona was the top end of mountain bikes back in the day. quality stuff, which is normal and less expensive nowadays.

Those were made in the time of hardtails and solid forks. However, you can easily find an butted steel or aluminum framed front shocked hardtail out there for your price point!

Do some surfin' on the web for info. Look for double butted steel frames or tig welded aluminum ones. On the components side of things, look for Shimano Alivio (Deore, LT,XT and XTR.) or better on mountain bikes, and RSX (105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace.) or better on road bikes.

[Spivonious]

Oh, we're talking bicycles? In that case, what are you going to be doing with it? For riding around town, I don't see the point in spending a lot. Just find one that's comfortable. I got my bike used for $40.

[DonP]

You can get bikes (full sized mountain) in WalMart as cheap as $49. I used to build my bike from parts in the early 90s but there's no way you can compete with that.

I need a new tire and it's hard not to just chuck the bike and by a new one for the price and hassle of getting a flat fixed. Shit just buying the new bike for parts and you are still ahead of the game.

[Shawn Lutz]

For the beginner

[lhrocker]

Oh, we're talking bicycles? In that case, what are you going to be doing with it? For riding around town, I don't see the point in spending a lot. Just find one that's comfortable. I got my bike used for $40.

Just going to be riding park trails with the kids - no off road and no competition. If I like it and get good, that's another story.

So, would you tell a person who never played guitar who wants to learn to buy a First Act or a USA Jackson. Same scenario, except it's for a beginner cyclist.

[SEEGERMANY]

I'm riding a GIANT ATX 760 that I acquired "used." Added new rims and tires, lubed up all cables, replaced the straight handlebar with a slight bend (about 1.5 inches) and it's been the ultimate beginner/intermediate bike. My best advice, go to a bike shop and tell them you are a beginning cyclist. They get "trade ins" all the time.

Determine how much you want to spend prior to the visit, then tell them a number about $50 bucks less. That will give you some bargaining room. Oh, be sure and tell them that when you upgrade, your next purchase will be from them!

[Rsmacker]

Ooooh, I just read SG's post, saw the words "used, rims, lubed up, straight handlebar with a slight bend, and 1.5 inches" and came in my pants.

What was the question again?

[butrus]

Buy a helmet,
borrow some aditional money for a good one:ROTF:

[Carbuff]

I would make sure to get a good seat. Those bigger ones may look uncool but your ass will thank you after a 1 hour ride.

[SEEGERMANY]

I would make sure to get a good seat. Those bigger ones may look uncool but your ass will thank you after a 1 hour ride.

Excellent advice! If the seat is too small, you'll never have to worry about shaving your nut sack.

[Grandturk]

I bought a Gary Fisher Cobia (29er hardtail) last year to get back into riding - at a G-note, its probably a little pricey for a beginner, but I grew into it.

What I would say is you need figure out how much you want to spend first - set a price point - 400, 600, 800, etc.

As others said - buying a good brand at a lower price point (last year's model) is better than buying a cheaper Walmart POS - same as I'd say buy a used Jackson DK2 rather than a Brownsville blah blah blah.

[lhrocker]

OK - so I don't know how to ride a bike and I want to learn. Is that a better statement? Assume there is no one to let me "borrow" a bike to learn on. How would I proceed? Suppose money is no object, but why spend more if something happens and you won't ride more than a few times a year. This is more to spend time with family then anything else.