Bicycle recommendations?

[AgentZap]

Looking into biking as a new cardio cause I am getting bored of jogging. I am in Florida so mountain biking is out of the question

I need a good general purpose bike with a good seat. I am not sure if it is a rumor or fact, but I've read that most bike seats are a bad for a guy's twig and berries

Thanks

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: AgentZap
Looking into biking as a new cardio cause I am getting bored of jogging. I am in Florida so mountain biking is out of the question

I need a good general purpose bike with a good seat. I am not sure if it is a rumor or fact, but I've read that most bike seats are a bad for a guy's twig and berries

Thanks

I am sure Fausto will have some comment about your twig and berries.

 

[blackdogdeek]

-->waiting for fausto to arrive.

as for the seat, there are kinds that focus pressure only on the sit bones and avoid any of teh evil pressure on the valuables.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Why is mountain biking out of question?

None of these trails are near you? -->Florida's trails

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS

Originally posted by: AgentZap
Looking into biking as a new cardio cause I am getting bored of jogging. I am in Florida so mountain biking is out of the question

I need a good general purpose bike with a good seat. I am not sure if it is a rumor or fact, but I've read that most bike seats are a bad for a guy's twig and berries

Thanks

I am sure Fausto will have some comment about your twig and berries.

Well...I've been riding for about 14 years and I just fathered a kid so twig/berries are doing fine thanks.

Honestly, it's more proper bike fit that's the issue than the saddle. There are some saddles that can help avoid having a numb twig after a ride, but they won't do you any good if the bike's not set up properly. I have a racing saddle that would scare most of you to even look at, but I never have numbness issues unless I'd doing more than 100 miles at a time (which is very, very rarely).

OP: what's your budget like?

 

[AgentZap]

All of them are in North Florida except for the ones in West Palm, but that is even pretty far. South Florida is much too flat

Thank you for the list though.

 

[AgentZap]

Thanks Fasuto, I would say 250 and under.

 

[newbiepcuser]

You can also try here also to read up on bikes --->Road bike review

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: AgentZap
Thanks Fasuto, I would say 250 and under.

Your best bet would be a hybrid then unless you'd like to maybe do some competing or group rides at some point. They come in at a lower price point than an entry-level road bike and are aimed at those who want to ride for general exercise and put a higher premium on comfort over aerodynamics. The upright riding position also takes stress of the twig/berry area.

Is this what you're after or do you want a full-on road bike?

 

[Freejack2]

I personally like the Trek Hybrid myself. Holds up well on the city streets.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Freejack2
I personally like the Trek Hybrid myself. Holds up well on the city streets.

Any of the larger manufacturers like Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc will be fine. You just want to avoid the craptastic bikes in places like Walmart. They may be cheap, but they will fall apart in very short order if you use them much.

 

[AgentZap]

There are no parks near me that are big enough to ride like a trail or something nice like that so most of it would be riding around my neighborhood on sidewalks and roads in a suburb. 95% of the riding would be done on asphault (though sometimes very rough asphault) of some sort so if there is a nicer bike you can get as far as seat ride and what not I guess that would be better. I just need to know what to do so when I go to the bike store I can have something in mind.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: Freejack2
I personally like the Trek Hybrid myself. Holds up well on the city streets.

Any of the larger manufacturers like Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc will be fine. You just want to avoid the craptastic bikes in places like Walmart. They may be cheap, but they will fall apart in very short order if you use them much.

After working 10+yrs in a bike shop, Fausto is dead on in all his points....
Get a hybrid bike... generally speaking for this type of bike "any" make/manufacture found in a retail bike store will be just fine. Most important is you get one that is comfortable FOR YOU. Make sure you take it for a test ride around the block before you buy to make sure everything is how you'd like it.

Feel free to shout with any questions.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: AgentZap
There are no parks near me that are big enough to ride like a trail or something nice like that so most of it would be riding around my neighborhood on sidewalks and roads in a suburb. 95% of the riding would be done on asphault (though sometimes very rough asphault) of some sort so if there is a nicer bike you can get as far as seat ride and what not I guess that would be better. I just need to know what to do so when I go to the bike store I can have something in mind.

A hybrid sounds like the ticket then. They're basically like a mountain bike set up for mostly road riding and maybe some light trails. They have a somewhat more upright seating position for comfort and semi-fat slick tires for relatively good rolling resistance without the harsh ride of race tires (which are at least 100 psi). They are a specific class of bike, so if you go into the shop and say "I'd like to look at hybrid bikes." they'll know exactly what you're talking about.

 

[AgentZap]

Thanks for the help

 

[Brutuskend]

Another thing that should be pointed out.
A lot of people buy road bikes thinking they are going to get into the sport and then after a half dozen rides they hang in the garage collecting dust. Though most decent road bikes are going to set you back $500 or up new, you can find really good deals on used road bikes through the paper or at garage sales. Keep in mind that fit is the most important factor. But finding ANY bike that fits "off the shelf" is extremely rare. However as long as the frame is the right size other factors can be changed to make it fit correctly. Stem length, seat height, saddle position are among the most common and easily fixed items. Crank length is another factor to consider though it's not THAT critical.

In short if your budget it around $250 you will get a MUCH better bike if you shop around for a good used one instead of paying the same amount for a new one!

<--- Both a road and MTB rider for 25+ years and working in bike shops since the 80's.

BTW: Standard stand over clearance for road bike frames. Stand over the top tube and have one inch of clearance.

 

[ed21x]

I personally use a hybrid bike to get in and around the Berkeley area. From my experience, hybrid bikes are basically mountain bikes with slightly reduced frames (in some cases), tires, and more upright positioning.

I personally use a Marin Larkspur hybrid bike. I got it used for around $260, but it would have retailed for around $400, so I recommend you definitely go the used route. Oh by the way, do you have craigslist in your area?

 

[AgentZap]

I am 6'3" so clearance over the bar should not be a problem

I have never heard of craigslist

 

[Blieb]

EPIC OR BUST.

But seriously, you should do what fausto says. You can get a nice little cruiser for $250 ...

Be prepared to spend more on some accessories ...