First Bike purchase

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Looking to purchase a bike for the first time. Specs: I am 6'5" tall and 50 years old. Want something comfortable that I can ride to hour to hour an a half in the evenings. At this point, I do not forsee riding for any longer than a couple hours on a weekend. I don't want to sink a huge amount of money, but don't want to waste money on a poor machine either. After looking today at bike shops and department stores, it appears you can spend for $100 to 550.00 on a "comfortable" bike.
1. What considerations should I be thinking about?
2. Recommendations?
Thanks in advance.

Looking to purchase a bike for the first time. Specs: I am 6'5" tall and 50 years old. Want something comfortable that I can ride to hour to hour an a half in the evenings. At this point, I do not forsee riding for any longer than a couple hours on a weekend. I don't want to sink a huge amount of money, but don't want to waste money on a poor machine either. After looking today at bike shops and department stores, it appears you can spend for $100 to 550.00 on a "comfortable" bike.
1. What considerations should I be thinking about?
2. Recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
check this thread: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t33794.html
it's in the Equipment section of this forum...

I was in the same boat about a year ago. I am 52 and I needed an alternative to running. I fell in love with riding and I am doing a 100mile ride in 2 weeks. My gierl friend however was not a bike person and I purchase a fuji newest 3.0. i paid about $350 for a decent equiped bike (sora groupo). She was hard to fit so I am glad I had this done at a local bike shop ( performance ). If you feel like you might be difficult to fit its better to buy locally because that will have a great impact on your comfort. hope that helps.

Glen

Looking to purchase a bike for the first time. Specs: I am 6'5" tall and 50 years old. Want something comfortable that I can ride to hour to hour an a half in the evenings. At this point, I do not forsee riding for any longer than a couple hours on a weekend. I don't want to sink a huge amount of money, but don't want to waste money on a poor machine either. After looking today at bike shops and department stores, it appears you can spend for $100 to 550.00 on a "comfortable" bike.
1. What considerations should I be thinking about?
2. Recommendations?
Thanks in advance.It borders on being a specialty bike, but I think that if I were your size/etc., then I would give some thought to the RALEIGH XXIX single speed w/ solid fork (about $600US ... hopefully, less in a month-or-so, if not already, when the 2008 models come into the shops) ... it's only about $1000 with front suspension fork & gears.

The Raleigh XXIX is a 29er -- BIG wheels (700c) & tires [700x58] ... but, you can put "smaller" tires on it (the rim is rather "normal" looking [i.e., 622-15], but may be 622-17; so, I think a "regular" ROAD tire can be used OR hybrid tires [about 700x38] OR CX tires [700x30/32]).

Very much in vogue ... while it is designed for off-road/MTB riding, it can be used for almost ALL riding conditions ...

I am pretty sure it has a flip-flop hub so you can have two gear ratios ...