Looking for An Adult Bicycle

[chef larry]

Laid off from work and thought this would be a good way to get some exercise. Plenty of bike trails in the area to use. Open for suggestions for what type of bike to get and know there is a shortage out there right now. Would like to be under 500.00 if possible. Thanks for all your information.

 

[johny5]

Do you have a preference between new and used?

 

[chef larry]

Do you have a preference between new and used?

I like used if in good shape.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Are your trails pavement or gravel or dirt?

I know it may sound snobbish, but stay far, far away from walmart bikes. They are not worth the meager price.

Do you know how to service a bike or are willing to learn?

Biking is an AWESOME way to get in better shape, especially for us older folk, but it is way more enjoyable if you learn some stuff about it. Two youtube channels I follow are Global Cycling Network and Global Mountain Bike Network. Tons of great getting started and maintenance videos. Also Seths Bike Hacks. Also check out forums.mtbr.com, they have a lot of beginner info.

Proper fit and fitting a bike is really important. I started out about 15 years ago and it took me a few months to really start to learn what I was doing and now I am addicted putting several thousand mles a year on. It's not quite as bad as guns for me, but I have fallen into the N+1 mode with bikes, just like with guns.

FWIW, I do have an older 2011 Trek Domane road bike I would be willing to let go cheapish ($400) if it fit you. I'm 5'7" with long torso and short legs and it is a hair large for me so would be a good fit for someone a little taller.

 

[Rubix]

I've been through about 4 bikes until I found what I currently have. All of brand name quality ranging from 800-1400. Mountain bikes are cool if it's all off-road trail type riding. They suck on pavement and have a sport-bike riding style if that's your thing. It'll work your wrists. I say this a a disclaimer. Road bikes are the same, except for pavement. I had a "fitness" hybrid and got rid of it thinking I could have the best of both worlds. I opted for a hybrid cruiser. Comfy, speedy and is good for simple rides or more exercise based rides. The model has changed a bit, it is this one. I think I paid $450 for mine.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/cypress

Used bikes are fine, just be aware of what might/will need attention. I do not advise "Walmart" bikes. They are cheaply made, heavier and will not last. All of which will contribute to you fighting it instead of riding it. I guess the real rub is that if you try a Walmart bike and enjoy riding you'll wish you spent that money on a better bike.

 

[chef larry]

Are your trails pavement or gravel or dirt?

I know it may sound snobbish, but stay far, far away from walmart bikes. They are not worth the meager price.

Do you know how to service a bike or are willing to learn?

Biking is an AWESOME way to get in better shape, especially for us older folk, but it is way more enjoyable if you learn some stuff about it. Two youtube channels I follow are Global Cycling Network and Global Mountain Bike Network. Tons of great getting started and maintenance videos. Also Seths Bike Hacks. Also check out forums.mtbr.com, they have a lot of beginner info.

Proper fit and fitting a bike is really important. I started out about 15 years ago and it took me a few months to really start to learn what I was doing and now I am addicted putting several thousand mles a year on.

FWIW, I do have an older 2011 Trek Domane road bike I would be willing to let go cheapish ($400) if it fit you. I'm 5'7" with long torso and short legs and it is a hair large for me so would be a good fit for someone a little taller.

I'm 5'7"ish and it would be for around town and the local bike trails. Willing to learn how to work on the bike. Thanks for the youtube info. Sounds good if you could PM me.

 

[chef larry]

I've been through about 4 bikes until I found what I currently have. All of brand name quality ranging from 800-1400. Mountain bikes are cool if it's all off-road trail type riding. They suck on pavement and have a sport-bike riding style if that's your thing. It'll work your wrists. I say this a a disclaimer. Road bikes are the same, except for pavement. I had a "fitness" hybrid and got rid of it thinking I could have the best of both worlds. I opted for a hybrid cruiser. Comfy, speedy and is good for simple rides or more exercise based rides. The model has changed a bit, it is this one. I think I paid $450 for mine.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/cypress

Used bikes are fine, just be aware of what might/will need attention. I do not advise "Walmart" bikes. They are cheaply made, heavier and will not last. All of which will contribute to you fighting it instead of riding it. I guess the real rub is that if you try a Walmart bike and enjoy riding you'll wish you spent that money on a better bike.

Local bike shop suggested the Giant Cypress DX and Sedona DX.

 

[lovemachine]

Are your trails pavement or gravel or dirt?

I know it may sound snobbish, but stay far, far away from walmart bikes. They are not worth the meager price.

Do you know how to service a bike or are willing to learn?

Biking is an AWESOME way to get in better shape, especially for us older folk, but it is way more enjoyable if you learn some stuff about it. Two youtube channels I follow are Global Cycling Network and Global Mountain Bike Network. Tons of great getting started and maintenance videos. Also Seths Bike Hacks. Also check out forums.mtbr.com, they have a lot of beginner info.

Proper fit and fitting a bike is really important. I started out about 15 years ago and it took me a few months to really start to learn what I was doing and now I am addicted putting several thousand mles a year on. It's not quite as bad as guns for me, but I have fallen into the N+1 mode with bikes, just like with guns.

FWIW, I do have an older 2011 Trek Domane road bike I would be willing to let go cheapish ($400) if it fit you. I'm 5'7" with long torso and short legs and it is a hair large for me so would be a good fit for someone a little taller.

I sold you that Trek. It’s an outstanding bicycle.

 

[BugI02]

A decent used mountain bike, two 1.5 inch high pressure gumwall tires (something like this https://www.performancebike.com/forte-metro-st-road-tire-26-x-1.50-50-3477-026-15/p1202493?v=928783)with appropriately sized innertubes to match and a couple tire levers and you can have a good city bike that can handle light trail duty. Changing out the tires has the added benefit of learning an essential bicycling skill comfortably at home under no pressure

IMO stick with 26 inch wheels, the more exotic larger diameters just make it tougher to find parts. I would avoid any type of suspension as unneeded complexity starting out

I would have recommended a used specialized stumpjumper but I see they have gotten a bit pricey, so perhaps a decent midline Jamis

 

[blackenedman]

I know it may sound snobbish, but stay far, far away from walmart bikes. They are not worth the meager price.

Do you know how to service a bike or are willing to learn?

Proper fit and fitting a bike is really important.

Mountain bikes are cool if it's all off-road trail type riding. They suck on pavement and have a sport-bike riding style if that's your thing. It'll work your wrists. I say this a a disclaimer. Road bikes are the same, except for pavement. I had a "fitness" hybrid and got rid of it thinking I could have the best of both worlds. I opted for a hybrid cruiser. Comfy, speedy and is good for simple rides or more exercise based rides. The model has changed a bit, it is this one. I think I paid $450 for mine.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/cypress

Used bikes are fine, just be aware of what might/will need attention. I do not advise "Walmart" bikes. They are cheaply made, heavier and will not last. All of which will contribute to you fighting it instead of riding it. I guess the real rub is that if you try a Walmart bike and enjoy riding you'll wish you spent that money on a better bike.

Local bike shop suggested the Giant Cypress DX and Sedona DX.

This is all great advice. I'm unsure of your location, but Indy Cycle Specialist is a great local shop, owned by a great guy from the neighborhood. They don't really deal in used bikes, but their service, and customer service is excellent. They are a Giant dealer, and I've purchased many Giant bikes from them over the years. Highly recommend them.

 

[Rubix]

Local bike shop suggested the Giant Cypress DX and Sedona DX.

In the end I wanted something with a comfortable riding position that I could "push" harder for exercise and also cruise with. I have a friend with a similar style bike and he put ape-hangers on it. That's a fun one too, but more towards cruiser/transportation. A bike rack over the real wheel makes for great light cargo transport.

 

[lovemachine]

Also be aware of the bicycle shortage.

 

[shibumiseeker]

I sold you that Trek. It’s an outstanding bicycle.

Indeed it is! I went down a couple of cm on my frame size on my latest road bike and it fits a lot better so the Trek has sorta languished.

 

[shibumiseeker]

This is all great advice. I'm unsure of your location, but Indy Cycle Specialist is a great local shop, owned by a great guy from the neighborhood. They don't really deal in used bikes, but their service, and customer service is excellent. They are a Giant dealer, and I've purchased many Giant bikes from them over the years. Highly recommend them.

We got my GFs bike there. Good folks.

I also deal with Clarksville Schwinn (they sell way more than Schwinn) a lot and have bought my last two Cannondale there. I know it's not close to Hobart, but honestly, I'll travel pretty far for a good bike shop.

 

[lovemachine]

I used to be an avid road bicyclist. Then moved on to mountain biking. Got so much into it, I bought a 2nd mtn bike, a fat bike.

Now, I ride primarily on a Surly Bridge Club. I absolutely love it.

FYI, my all time favorite bike shop is the Psychic Derailleur. Best bike service ever. And the owner is very knowledgeable.

 

[blackenedman]

We got my GFs bike there. Good folks.

I'll travel pretty far for a good bike shop.

Agreed. I've been buying Giant bikes from them since 1998. Scott is a great guy, incredible advocate for cycling. He started that shop in his mothers home here in Irvington, when he was a teenager. I definitely feel his shop is a "destination location" for cyclists. The support you receive is unmatched. Very large inventory, very knowledgeable and passionate staff.

 

[cbhausen]

I went kinda crazy when I bought my current ride, a Cannondale Bad Boy 1. Nearly two grand but offers a lot with 8-speed internally geared hub, Gates Carbon Belt Drive, hydraulic disc brakes, lefty fork (makes front tire work a no-brainier), and integrated “be seen” lighting on fork leg and seatpost.

Nine miles each way to/from work through Eagle Creek Park is very pleasant on this machine. Built like a tank and practically zero maintenance (and no greasy chain).

 

[Snapdragon]

The pool place on 6 in Portage (Waterway maybe?) used to sell Schwinns (not sure if they still do). They are a better grade than the Schwinns sold at Walmart, etc. They got me into a nice one for around $300-350 a few years ago.

 

[chef larry]

This is all great advice. I'm unsure of your location, but Indy Cycle Specialist is a great local shop, owned by a great guy from the neighborhood. They don't really deal in used bikes, but their service, and customer service is excellent. They are a Giant dealer, and I've purchased many Giant bikes from them over the years. Highly recommend them.

North end of the state in Lake County by RT 65 and RT 80/94.

 

[chef larry]

Also be aware of the bicycle shortage.

I heard about the bike shortage and know the price of bikes are like ammo and firearms. Law of supply and demand sucks.