recommend me a good bicycle

[hellokeith]

It's been so long since I had a bicycle, I don't even know where to start.

Is $300-400 a good price range for a versatile street/trail bike? How much do the ones that are light as a feather cost?

Are there some good resources online?

 

[MegaVovaN]

good resource: http://bikeforums.net/

For street/trail I'd get either a mountain bike or hybrid (road/mtn hybrid).
For pure road, nothing beats a road bike IMO.

300-400 can get you a decent bike.

Feather light bikes - carbon ones - can cost a pretty penny. I'd say around $800 for a good, brand new carbon mtn bike (hardtail - meaning no suspension in the back, only front shocks). And maybe 1200-1500 for a carbon road bike.
Aluminum road bike can be had for $500-700 new.

IF you want to buy new, go to your LBS (Local Bike Shop) and have a bike fitted to you - very important to have a comfortable fit - proper frame size, etc.

edit: aluminum or steel hybrids can be had for 200-400.


edit2: Or you can go a cheaper route, estimate your frame size (find instructions online to do that) and buy a used bike on craigslist.org for maybe $100. Make sure it isn't walmart/kmart/Target/Xmart bike.

edit3: Don't forget that you also need to buy a helmet. Walmart $18 helmet will do. And perhaps a small repair kit, rear and front lights, hand pump, water bottle, bike clothes. Just keep in mind that you need to spend more than just the cost of the bike.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Light=expensive with bikes, shaving those extra ounces from this or that component ain't cheap. As MegaVovaN said, a MTB or hybrid would be perfect for a mix of road and trail. If the trails are at all challenging, an MTB is the way to go. Hybrid is good for well groomed, fairly open, hard pack stuff,anything more will beat it and/or you up.

Haro makes great entry level bikes A member here who is a bike guru, used to recommend them a lot. Trek has a good entry level line up too. Plenty of bike to find out if you get the stoke or not. As mentioned above, make certain the bike fits you properly, and make a plan for maintenance and tune-ups. I suggest buying the tools and using the free guides at places like park tools, and doing it yourself. The long term cost is much lower, and if you have any mechanical aptitude, once you get over the initial learning curve, most of it is fairly straight forward.

The gear is definitely the place where the bike budget can get strained. I would start with a good brain bucket, gloves, a cheap hydration backpack, mini-pump, multi-tool, and extra tubes.

One of my great friends hangs out at bikeforums, and the gang there is definitely a great bunch. They do group buy hot deals and stuff too, so again, Mega is on the money.

EDIT: Almost forgot, ride with good tire pressure every ride. If I had a dollar for every tube I've given away to a newb on the trails, because they got a pinch flat from riding under inflated tires, I still be in the hole cost.wise

 

[drbrock]

I would go to your local bike shop and get fitted. Have them pick out 3 bikes in your price range that would fit with your body type and look att he reviews. I bought a nice bike with out getting fitted and that was the worst investment I have mad thus far. Just like running shoes you def need to get fitted. Also prices are always able to be negotiated
Good Luck!