First Bike?

OK I have not owned a bike in over 25 years. I have not bought a bike except the 1st ones for my kids at 4 years old. I need to buy myself a bike. and have no idea where to start. I think biking is going to be my friend due to issues I have in my heel that make walking not a very good option.

So I went on line and found a couple of articles to choose a bike but still feel clueless. I want to be able to ride for exercise. I want to be able to ride with my kids. I want to be able to ride on roads mostly and maybe some gravel after I get better. No real off road stuff. I want to be able to sit up and not have a lot of weight on my hands as those seem to go numb on me when I have borrowed a friends bike.  I am going for comfort and exercise not speed. H*ll a bike seems very fast in a slow coast when you have not ridden in 20+ years.

So what should I be looking for and how much to spend. money is tight so recommendations for buying a used bike might also be a good idea. But I am hoping this time of year in New England maybe I can find a sale. Any help would be appreciated.

I feel like an ancient 44 year old.

Hey bud,

I just bought my first bicycle in 20 years.. I bought the trek 7000, it a nice light weight frame. I am riding this 15 miles every day plus going to the gym.. I got the bike for around 300.00.  good luck and if i can help let me know.

Scott

I would wait till the spring before you look for a bike.  The economy will still be bad and gas prices are dropping.  You will be alot smaller...maybe 50-60 pounds lighter.  I wouldn't pay big bucks for a bike unless you will ride it alot.  I am still borrowing my daughter's bike.  Again I would look for a used one in the spring.  I went from sport to sport trying to find one I enjoyed.  When I first got on the bike post WLS I didn't like it.  6 months later I really really enjoyed it.  You may have to find which exercise you enjoy the most.  For some guys it's jogging...for others it's swimming, dancing, walking, weight training, hiking, etc.  You never know what you'll fall into, till you try most of them out.  It really is a trial and error type of thing as you drop the weight.  Happy trails...Brian

I was told to get a Hybrid bike. I've gotten hooked on spinning and now want to take it outdoors. I'm in CT and if I can find a deal, I'll let you know. Who knows maybe we can get a good deal on 2 bikes?

I bought a Gaint bike and a trainer.  A trainer goes on the back wheel to help you condition ourself over the winter.  I have been using it in the morning while watching the news. 

Talk to any bike shop and they will help you out with any questions you have.

go to a real bike shop, look at trek, specilaized and other cruiser types.  get a comfortable seat.

As others said, I wouldn't drop a lot of coin on a new, fancy bike until you figure if cycling will become a passion for you. I rode an old, steel bike for 6 months post-WLS until I knew that cycling was it for me and I was light enough to "invest" in a carbon frame. The steel bike had been hanging out in the garage for 20 years and my first week post-WLS, I spent getting it fixed up (e.g. new tires, seat, cleaned, etc.).

If you don't have one hanging in your garage, a gazillion people do so garage sales are a great source for finding on on the cheap. Once I moved to my carbon bike, I donated my steel bike to the ARC (goodwill) so thrift stores are another great place to buy one.
 
I would suggest going to a bike store and "test drive" a variety of bikes before you buy a used one. Once you find one which "is your size and style", go buy a used one for pennies on the dollar.

Sounds like a "hybrid" is for you which is a multi-speed "townie" bike with sit-up handlebars and a bigger seat. Cruiser bikes are cool too.
 
Boner

Hey Marc,

See the "Big Boner on the road with medium-sized Boner" picture in my profile as I'm riding my nephew's Giant hybrid bike. It's a nice "get-around town" bike and is extremely solid, versatile and low maintenance. I've put a lot a miles on that bike when I've been back to Iowa and it's held up like a champ. I think it was only $300 or so new so $50 or so used I imagine. 

Boner 

Thanks guys. I appreciate your input.

In summery I think I was not crazy after my reading to pike a hybrid. And my best bet is to buy used for now. Excellent bang for the buck if I believe Boners figures. So long as I can adjust it to my size I am OK I have a friends bike in my shed but do not feel comfortable readjusting it so that I feel good riding it. Lastly I think I will wait until the spring yard sales. (Unless this next weekend I see one.) I just found out I will be having surgery on my left Achilles tendon. SO riding will be off limits for a few months and then I will just do a stationary bike in the gym till the roads and weather are again reasonable.

Thanks for helping me slow down and not spend a fortune too soon.