Recommend me a bicycle

[Wudemaya]

I'm a beginner to bike riding and like to ride around town on the city streets. At times like to go to trails as well. So I assume a hybrid is what I need? Any brand in particular? I've heard of Giant and Trek...that's about all I know. My price range is $200-250, and I don't think a thousand dollar bike is what I need from the start. Any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

In that price range, for that purpose, I'd lean towards a used bike-shop-quality mountain bike (meaning, not something from a big-box store), rather than a hybrid. The mountain bike will be more durable and more surefooted on the trails, and they still do acceptably well on city streets, actually.

If you need something specific to look around for, Specialized Rockhopper and Hardrock variants are fairly common. I recommend getting any prospective purchase eyeballed by a legit bicycle mechanic for its condition, and most importantly of all, for whether the frame size actually fits you. Fit trumps everything else. Period.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Good advice from mechBgon. I would also add the recommendation of looking at used bikes at the bike shop. Don't feel like you only get one shot at finding the 'perfect' bike.

 

[theeedude]

Go test ride some bikes at a shop and if you don't buy, at least remember what size they put you on, then hit craigslist. I had a Hardrock for the longest time that I commuted and rode trails on.

 

[Wudemaya]

Great thanks guys! I think my price range is too cheap perhaps I should go with something in the $400 range?

 

[Tiamat]

Great thanks guys! I think my price range is too cheap perhaps I should go with something in the $400 range?

400 will definitely help. Rei has a sweet sale now through labor day, check them out. Cannondale, Scott make good bikes, also Rei's house brands aren't too bad either.

 

[Farang]

1) Find out your correct size, best way of doing this is to go to the bike shop and act interested.

2) Go to Craigslist with $400 and you can find a really nice bike. For example, I found mine, during the height of riding season, for $500. It was a 3 year-old Trek with 300 miles on it that retailed for $1,200. Practically speaking it was a brand new bike.

A bike that tries to do everything does nothing well. Road bikes are a hell of a lot better on road. Same for mountain bikes on dirt. If you don't plan on doing any road riding aside from "around town" (<10 miles), mountain bike is probably your best bet. Unless you plan on doing anything too technical, a hardtail should work well for both uses.

You get a huge step up in quality when you hit the $400-$600 range in used bikes. At $200-$250 you're looking at garage sale material, stuff if you got lucky might be sitting in someone's yard for $50.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Check this out:

http://www.globebikes.com/zz/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10VNA1

 

[Dirigible]

1) Find out your correct size, best way of doing this is to go to the bike shop and act interested.

2) Go to Craigslist with $400 and you can find a really nice bike. For example, I found mine, during the height of riding season, for $500. It was a 3 year-old Trek with 300 miles on it that retailed for $1,200. Practically speaking it was a brand new bike.

A bike that tries to do everything does nothing well. Road bikes are a hell of a lot better on road. Same for mountain bikes on dirt. If you don't plan on doing any road riding aside from "around town" (<10 miles), mountain bike is probably your best bet. Unless you plan on doing anything too technical, a hardtail should work well for both uses.

You get a huge step up in quality when you hit the $400-$600 range in used bikes. At $200-$250 you're looking at garage sale material, stuff if you got lucky might be sitting in someone's yard for $50.

Good advice. A hybrid is unlikely to serve you well if you're thinking of going on trails. A mountain bike with only front suspension will work for mountain biking and for noodling around town a few miles at a time.