Need some advice on bikes...

[Altephor]

Yes, I'm just talking bicycles here, as much as I would love a motorcycle.

Need to get out of my apartment more and get some activity. Thought I might get a bicycle and start riding around town on weekend afternoons. There is a nice lake nearby with paths around it and whatnot that would make for some nice riding.

Haven't had a bicycle in probably 10 years or so, so I know nothing about them really (what brands are good, what type, which models, etc). Most of my riding will probably be on the road or pavement, but I would like to be able to do some trail riding as well. When I was a kid I always had a mountain bike, was never really interested in road bikes (since mountain bikes can go on the road, but road bikes can't do trails).

Any suggestions?

[Alex.V]

Well, just to start out... if you're planning on being remotely serious with using it for exercise, you will NOT want a mountain bike for a road- they're slow, inefficient, and not meant for cruising- get a road bike. However, if you're going to just tool around it in but plan on hitting the occasional real dirt track, that's another story.

What kind of trail riding were you thinking?

[Altephor]

Simple trails.. you know, the marked kind in parks and whatnot. Plan to just use it to ride around town. After some research probably going to get a hybrid. A Specialized Crosstrail or Giant Roam, for example.

[borracho]

- they're slow, inefficient, and not meant for cruising- get a road bike.

That just means more work : better workout


FWIW my mountain bike weighs ~27lbs with the stock wheels/tires and add another 1lb for the beefier wheelset/tire combo.

OP-Enjoy the new bike! Hope to see some posts soon saying the bike bug bit you and you're looking for a mountain bike!

[Alex.V]

That just means more work : better workout


FWIW my mountain bike weighs ~27lbs with the stock wheels/tires and add another 1lb for the beefier wheelset/tire combo.

OP-Enjoy the new bike! Hope to see some posts soon saying the bike bug bit you and you're looking for a mountain bike!

Rolling resistance of knobby tires, non-aero frame, lousy gearing for speed... etc. etc.

[Altephor]

That just means more work : better workout


FWIW my mountain bike weighs ~27lbs with the stock wheels/tires and add another 1lb for the beefier wheelset/tire combo.

OP-Enjoy the new bike! Hope to see some posts soon saying the bike bug bit you and you're looking for a mountain bike!

Haven't gotten anything yet. I will be dropping by a local bike shop this weekend to sort of test the waters. Don't want to drop that much money without really researching it first.

And Alex, I understand what you're saying (I have two friends who are road bike enthusiasts who say the same), and I am actually not remotely serious about using it for exercise. It's more to get out of the house on weekends, get some sun, and get some leg endurance and cardio in as a bonus.

[chevelle2291]

Even if you're not serious about using the bike for exercise, test ride both a mountain bike and a road bike. The difference in speed will shock you.

[Altephor]

Even if you're not serious about using the bike for exercise, test ride both a mountain bike and a road bike. The difference in speed will shock you.

I know the road bike is obviously mush faster. The thing is.. I know I would probably be happy with a road bike for a while, and then one day I would ride past a nice wooded area with trails, look down, and go 'Damn..'.

[Alex.V]

True, though there's always those days you're using your mountain bike to commute, chugging along barely keeping pace with the morning joggers, then a road bike blazes by at 20 miles per hour with the rider barely breaking a sweat and you go.... damn.

So, given that we've been NO help so far...

[Altephor]

No it won't be used to commute, just for some quick jaunts around town. But I see what you're saying.

Still haven't been out to look at anything, it's been raining here and I've been lazy.

[f.gonzalez]

Hi, It actually all depends on how much money you want to spend on it. You definitely should go for a "cross-country" bike, also called XC bike.
A really good brand, which is also not too expensive, is GIANT,
you should try to get a GIANT XTC, as new as possible, that should be good enought to ride on- and off-road
Not having rear suspension helps you a lot when going uphill
Regards!

[Rileigh]

I bike on a mountain bike, probably similar to what you're describing, easy well groomed trails for the most part and a little road biking. Also do some more intense off-road action from time to time.

I can tell you that if you get into the frame of mind where you're trying to beat times, increase distance etc - you're going to regret having a mountain bike (I do, I know my times/speeds/distances will be so much better with a road bike). If that's not you, then a mountain bike, or hybrid will do you just fine.

I get the impression that you're not 100% sure whether this is something you are going to enjoy and stick with. Maybe look at second hand bikes. Take what you can get (road/mountain) and see what you think. If you like it and are sticking with it, but you really feel like you'd like a better quality bike, then invest some cash into a new bike. By this point you'll know for sure what type of bike you'd prefer and that you'll get something back from your investment.

[Rileigh]

oh, and if you have a smart phone with GPS I really recommend a app called endomondo (http://www.endomondo.com). It's great for keeping a history of your rides. I log all my biking/running and even weight training workouts in there.