beginner here, looking for advice



cgibson87

New Member
May 6, 2014
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Hello all, this is my first post! Let me start off by saying I know NOTHING about bikes. Please be nice :big-smile: I recently changed jobs and I now live 5 miles away from where I'll be working. I used to drive 16 miles to work, 32 miles a day. So I'm very excited about being closer and saving money on gas. Well, I have been looking at mountain bikes lately because I feel buying a road bike is pretty hard core for a beginner like me I need to figure out for my commute what would be a smarter buy? I am a bit on the husky side, 6 foot, about 230. I just need some advice on if I should get a road bike or a mountain bike?! My cousin said to check this site out earlier so I thought I'd post. Thanks for looking any help is appreciated!
 
What do you plan on doing with it other than commuting to work? What's your budget? Do you need a bike that has provisions for racks and such so you can carry things to/from work?

You don't have to just choose between mountain and road; there are lots of bikes that bridge the gap and would make much better commuters.
 
Thanks for the speedy response! My guess is I will start out just using it for a commute bike, but I have friends who cycle and I imagine I will get more into it in time. As far as racks goes, nothing like that, I'll most likely have a back pack and change at work or something. I used to ride mountain bikes a few years ago and loved it I just didn't know because of my size if there was a certain bike I would have better luck on...
 
Also, as for price range somewhere in the 250-500 range. Sorry forgot to put that
 
You're going to be on the high side of that price range if you're looking for anything decent. Personally, I'd get a bike that's oriented towards whatever type of riding my friends do, because that's the type of riding you'll end up doing.



Here's some good general use bikes that will be very comfortable for relaxed rides to work:

http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/recreation-urban/recreation/quick-sl/quick-6

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/fitness/fx/7_1_fx/#

http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/234130009/SCOTT-Metrix-40-Men-Bike/


If you're leaning towards a mountain bike, Trek has some unbelievably cheap ones.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sport/3_series/3500/#

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sport/820/820/#



If you want something more road oriented, you're going to have to push your budget up a little. Here's a couple entry level road bikes:

http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/234125023/SCOTT-Speedster-60-Bike/

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014/Bikes/Road/Z-Series/z100.aspx



There's some off-brand stuff you can get cheaper online, but as someone that knows nothing about bikes, you need to go down to a local shop and have them help you out with some test rides before you lay money down. Ride as many different style bikes as possible. Then go home and think about it, come back here and tell us your thoughts, then go out and buy something.
 
For a first bike don't rule out used bikes. Go test ride a ton of bikes at a couple different shops (not just in the parking lot). I know in salt lake there are a few good used bike shops around and assume the same in any larger city and used will get you more bike for your money. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Wow, I was not expecting such a detailed response. Just in that post you've given me a ton to research and look at. Thank you so much. I'll be on here periodically to see what's happened while I'm doing my research. Thank you kind person.