What bicycle should I get if I wanna start cycling?

[Greenbelt]

@bristimjet 64838 wrote:

I just graduated college and want to start cycling but don’t know anything about good bikes. Can someone help me out on ideas for new gear that’s good for a beginner cyclist that’s a reasonable cost. If you have any other advice for a newbie please don’t hold back. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum. I will throw in my two cents:

1. Consider the type of riding you’re likely to do (weekend road rides? off-road dirt trails? commuting? urban utility rides? longer tours with lots of gear?).

There are bikes for all of these things, and not all are good at everything. Many commuters ride rugged road bikes or cross bikes that have mounts for a rack and fenders (highly recommended if you’re planning to ride in all weather). Others ride hybrid or touring bikes that are designed for carrying loads. Take a fair bit of time to talk with people at bike shops about their recommendations. In general, a good shop will give honest advice — but if you feel as though you’re being pushed toward a more expensive bike than you need, or if there is an insufficient variety of bikes in the shop for testing, try another shop.

2. Please, please, please test ride a lot of bikes with different styles (drop handlebars, straight handlebars/steel frame, aluminum frame) etc. to see what you really feel comfortable on. The bike you’re going to want to ride everyday is the one that really fits you well (both to your body and to your riding style).

3. Make sure the bike is the right size for you, and is adjusted properly. I see lots of tall people on bikes that are too small and small people on bikes that are too big. Sometimes, small adjustments in saddle height and position, and handlebar reach and position can make you a lot more powerful and comfortable on the bike.

4. Make sure to budget for accessories so that you’ll be comfortable riding in all types of conditions. Good gear can make a big difference in your enjoyment. For basics, I’d consider:
a. A good lock. Can’t stress this enough.
b. A good cycling jersey that wicks away sweat and has back pockets. T shirts tend to suck on hot or cold rides. They get wet and stay wet. A good wicking jersey can go underneath a jacket in cooler weather.
c. Lights, front and rear. Days are getting shorter — please ride with lights, and consider using them on flashy mode even in the daytime.

As you increase your riding, consider:
d. Good padded cycling shorts if you plan on riding long distances (riding in jeans or shorts is fine for short distances in beautiful weather, but can get uncomfortable on long rides)
e. An alternative saddle. Many bikes, including some very good ones, come with mediocre saddles. If your bottom and your saddle aren’t getting along after the first few months, have your shop set you up to test some other styles. (Note, the widest or most padded saddle is not necessarily going to be the most comfortable — all bottoms are different.)
f. A spare tube, tire levers, a portable pump, and a small multi-tool. Flat tires are sort of a rite of passage — the first one or two can be very frustrating! But they’re easy to fix with a little practice, and it’s very badass to be completely self sufficient on the road when you do have a problem.

If you’re looking for a new bike and some basic accessories, I’d budget for at least $500-600. The least expensive 8 speed commuter bike at my wife’s shop is about $440, just as a baseline. I’m biased, of course, but I think virtually all new cyclists are better off spending the extra couple hundred dollars for a good long-lasting bike shop bike than trying to save money on department store bikes (which are often little better than disposable).

Have fun!

[mstone]

@bristimjet 64838 wrote:

I just graduated college and want to start cycling but don’t know anything about good bikes. Can someone help me out on ideas for new gear that’s good for a beginner cyclist that’s a reasonable cost. If you have any other advice for a newbie please don’t hold back. Thanks in advance!

Cycling where? For what purpose?

[mikoglaces]

@bristimjet 64838 wrote:

I just graduated college and want to start cycling but don’t know anything about good bikes. Can someone help me out on ideas for new gear that’s good for a beginner cyclist that’s a reasonable cost. If you have any other advice for a newbie please don’t hold back. Thanks in advance!

Geez, it can get really complicated and time-consuming, and expensive, to choose your first bike. Assuming you’ll be riding on the road, get a road bike. #1 thing is to get the right size. If you buy at a shop, they can fit you. If you buy a used bike, use google to find advice re sizing. As between new and used, I almost always buy used. There are good deals to be made. You can save money, and then resell and move to a nicer bike if/when you want. On the other hand, if you are new to the sport, depending on your budget, a new bike may be preferable because a shop would be sure the bike fits, and would have a range of bikes. Many shops have sales this time of year selling off 2012 models as 2013 models arrive.

[KLizotte]

Check out the major bike manufacturer websites (e.g., Cannondale, Trek, Surly) to see what is available in your price range and the different styles available; this helps a lot before you start visiting individual bike shops.

Test ride many, many bikes of different styles/sizes at different bike shops. Each bike shop has its own personality and carries different brands. You will be visiting your local bike shop (LBS) quite a bit the first year so it’s good to feel comfortable there.

Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions of shop staff. Best to go during the week if possible when they are less busy. It’s better to buy a bike in the fall/winter because of sales and shops are less busy with customers.

You may wish to try out Capital Bikeshare if you are only looking for quick trip transportation. You may want to try renting a bike from Bike and Roll for the day and checking out the area to see what kind of riding you like to do (urban vs suburban, trail vs street).

Avoid buying a department store bike; they are poorly manufacturered, come in very limited sizes, and have been assembled by folks who don’t know anything about bikes. You also get no followup support from a department store. Most LBSs will tweak fit and make any necessary repairs for free for the first year.

I wouldn’t buy a used bike off Craigslist for your first bike; you don’t know what to look for in terms of fit or whether the components are any good/have been well taken care of.

I agree with Greenbelt, you can outfit yourself well with a good all round bike for $600ish if you are on a budget. Make sure you get a small u-lock and learn how to lock it properly (look up the Sheldon lock technique on the web).

You should also get your hands on the bike maps provided by DC, VA and MD. Most of the bike shops in the area (as well as Hudson Trail Outfitters and REI) should have them for free. They will help you see the network of bike friendly streets/trails and how useful they are for where you want to go.

Beware: biking is addictive and will take over your life if you are not careful!

[Terpfan]

Good advice above. My suggestion would be to think of it as a checklist and arguably the top item will be what type of cycling do you plan to do? As a kid, I always had mountain bikes, which was probably good because I had no issue jumping cups and taking random self-created pathes through the woods. These days since I commute, I prefer a hyrbid between mountain and road. Next one will be only road since I want to do some races for fun. Point being, identifying the use will get you started in the right direction. (Also, the gear you must have are really the bike, helmet, and lock in my opinion–everything else is helpul, but you can live without–eg a flat tire sans pump or tube, you would just have to be willing to walk/metro/whatnot from spot you leave it and return later or take it to a shop).

[Rootchopper]

Good advice in abundance. I once heard a local bike shop owner turn down a sale from a customer who lived far away and close to a bike shop with the same kind of inventory. If you are going to take advantage of free adjustments on a new bike, you really want to consider buying that bike close to home.

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