PatBiker Posted May 21, 2014 Share #1 Posted May 21, 2014 Howdy, I have been stalking for a while and finally decided to take the plunge and ask a question. I've been an off and on (mostly off) runner for the past maybe 3 years. But I just cant seem to stay motivated with it, and to be honest, I really don't enjoy running. However I want to stay active with cardio, especially as I begin to enter my mid-forties. I've always wanted to get involved with cycling and I'm now ready to take the plunge and try it. Of course my first question is: What kind of bike should I start with? I'm interested in the mountain bike style. I'll probably stick to roads / country roads, and dirt trails, however I wouldn't mind going off trail once in a while. I don't want to brake the bank on something I may not take to, so I'm looking to spend around $400. I appreciate any advice or suggestions. Thanks Pat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtermite Posted May 21, 2014 Share #2 Posted May 21, 2014 Sounds almost exactly where I was when I started biking (although a bit younger...I'm about same age as you now). I had similar idea...I wanted to ride on road/trail, but was intimidated by the 'bent over' position of road bikes. I was also looking for a lower price level to enter at (rather than a $3000 carbon road bike). I think your best compromise is a hybrid or 'comfort' style bike. Most bike makers have some bikes in that category. Here is what I ended up starting with. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2006/archive/trek/navigator300/#/us/en/archive-model/details?url=us/en/bikes/2006/archive/trek/navigator300 Also popular, similar are hybrid bikes, like this one that I almost went with (if I had it to do over again, I probably would). http://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/# Like I said, just about every bike maker has bikes in this category....don't feel that you have to go with Trek. Try them out. If you go to a bike shop, they are generally happy to let you test ride one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted May 21, 2014 The Trek 7.2 is what I was looking at last night. I haven't had any test rides yet, but will this weekend. Thanks Pat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtermite Posted May 21, 2014 Share #4 Posted May 21, 2014 Sounds like you are already on the right track then. Hopefully you have some good bike shops to look at other brands too...just in case you don't find the Trek to feel right. Sometimes you don't know that one bike doesn't fit right (without experience) until you try another bike that does (or vica versa). Where do you live? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted May 21, 2014 In the sticks. Close to Faribault, MN. Hopefully not much longer as I am hoping to relocate to warmer climate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtermite Posted May 21, 2014 Share #6 Posted May 21, 2014 In the sticks. Close to Faribault, MN. Hopefully not much longer as I am hoping to relocate to warmer climate. Cool. Where? Fairly slim pickings in Fairbault, MN. http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=bikes&find_loc=Faribault%2C+MN&ns=1&ls=97def4ab260bff3d At quick glance, Milltown and Mike's are you best bets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted May 21, 2014 Share #7 Posted May 21, 2014 I'd say a hybrid sure fits what you are looking for. I am thinking of picking up one myself so I will have something to ride on easy trails and cinder bike paths, but will also be ok on the roads to get there. I have had nothing but road bikes for the last 40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted May 22, 2014 I travel for my job, so not sure where I will land. I was in Milltown Cycles a few weeks back and in a few bike shops while traveling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted May 22, 2014 Share #9 Posted May 22, 2014 The Trek 7.2 is what I was looking at last night. I haven't had any test rides yet, but will this weekend. Thanks Pat! I was just going to say that I Would look at something like the trek fx series. They are lighter than a typical hybrid. Not quite as agressive as a road bike. I know a lot of people that ride them and love them. You could really do some serious miles on one of those if you worked up to it. I like them bikes a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted May 22, 2014 Share #10 Posted May 22, 2014 Sounds like a good plan to go with an entry level bike for your first. I'm a noob too. Three years ago I bought a pretty nice Cannondale hybrid. I rode it for a little more than a year and then moved to a Specialized Roubaix. During that time I started clipping in and riding with "proper" cycling attire. If you're not sure if it's something you are going to stick with, you don't want to drop $5,000 on a nice road bike to have it turn into a garage ornament. There are lots of used bikes for sale, take a look at one of those. Don't buy from Walmart or another chain store. If you can, go to a bike shop and get fit properly for a bike. You'll feel miserable if it doesn't fit you correctly and you'll assume it's you and not the bike. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtermite Posted May 22, 2014 Share #11 Posted May 22, 2014 There are lots of used bikes for sale, take a look at one of those. Don't buy from Walmart or another chain store. If you can, go to a bike shop and get fit properly for a bike. You'll feel miserable if it doesn't fit you correctly and you'll assume it's you and not the bike. Enjoy! Great points!! Another thing I hate about Chain store bikes....they scour the earth to find the worst no name components (gears, derailleurs, brakes, etc...) and it's the components that make a bike as much or more than the frame. People think Walmart bikes are the same aren't paying attention to the noname components. I remember my Sears Huffy 14 speed that I bought in college. It lasted less than a year before gears started seizing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted May 22, 2014 What about Novara at REI? I was traveling and stopped into and REI and saw this. http://www.rei.com/product/832566/novara-big-buzz-bike-2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtermite Posted May 22, 2014 Share #13 Posted May 22, 2014 What about Novara at REI? I was traveling and stopped into and REI and saw this. http://www.rei.com/product/832566/novara-big-buzz-bike-2014 I'm not super familiar with them, specifically, but REI should be a good place for bike shopping. I know many bike peeps who love their Novara bikes. Out here where I am, REI is a local shop, so to speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted May 28, 2014 Share #14 Posted May 28, 2014 What about Novara at REI? I was traveling and stopped into and REI and saw this. http://www.rei.com/product/832566/novara-big-buzz-bike-2014 Doesn't look to bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted June 9, 2014 What do you think? 2013 model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtermite Posted June 9, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 9, 2014 What do you think? 2013 model. Looks great. I think you need to pull that trigger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted June 9, 2014 Share #17 Posted June 9, 2014 My oldest son rides a Trek 7.2FX that was given to him by an awesome member at that other forum that is full of love. Great bike. perfect for roads, cycle paths and light offroad stuff. You could easily put a bit more aggressive cyclocross tire on it if you wanted but the stock tires are okay for this . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted June 9, 2014 Looks great. I think you need to pull that trigger! I did. $800. Used, but barely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtermite Posted June 9, 2014 Share #19 Posted June 9, 2014 I did. $800. Used, but barely. Nothing wrong with slightly used. Nothing at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in MN Posted June 10, 2014 Share #20 Posted June 10, 2014 In the sticks. Close to Faribault, MN. Hopefully not much longer as I am hoping to relocate to warmer climate. Hey, I represent that remark. Lots of decent riding around there up to Northfield and Cannon Falls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #21 Posted June 10, 2014 Hey, I represent that remark. Lots of decent riding around there up to Northfield and Cannon Falls. But its cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted June 10, 2014 Share #22 Posted June 10, 2014 It is warm in Texas and we have lots of bike paths. You could ride your 7.2 with my 12 year old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share #23 Posted June 11, 2014 It is warm in Texas and we have lots of bike paths. You could ride your 7.2 with my 12 year old. Is he mean like his old man? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted June 11, 2014 Share #24 Posted June 11, 2014 Is he mean like his old man? Meaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatBiker Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share #25 Posted June 11, 2014 Meaner. So I should buy him some better Scotch and Beef Jerky made from Kobe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted June 11, 2014 Share #26 Posted June 11, 2014 So I should buy him some better Scotch and Beef Jerky made from Kobe? He likes root beer and nutter butters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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