I am a new cyclist here. I don't know if I plan on plain exercise or actually doing a 100k, I haven't gotten that far yet.
I'll set it up for you, even though this is probably more long winded than needed for a place such as this. I'm 35 and never owned a bike in my life (that's a lie, had a couple bmx types when I was like 13, I was a skater, never wanted a bike). Fast forward to current day and I had been wanting to get a bike. #1 for exercise, and #2, I just felt like I wanted to just, like, peddle around the place...if that makes any sense.
So I goes to the local Walmart (USA here) and pick me up a Next bike for $96 about 2 weeks ago or so. I started with just a few miles the first day and progressed to 14 miles yesterday. (I was rather proud of myself) Halfway through this ride, thereabouts, I decided I don't like my bike. I bought a mountain bike: Walmart.com: 26" Mens' NEXT PowerX Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike: Bikes, Scooters & Skates and decided that maybe I needed a different kind of bike. I felt my bike was too cumbersome even thought I have only ridden for about 2 weeks, felt it was heavy and can't turn very well....PLUS, I just ride on the sidewalks of town then to the trails that we have, which are paved. My final thought on this, was that, I felt I wasn't going as fast as I'd like to be going. Especially after watching the real cyclists zoom by. (I realize they train much more than I have been, but still, it's one of my thoughts)
I started thinking that a different kind of bike was necessary for my needs but I don't know what to do. I looked on the internets of course and quickly found that I REALLY don't know what I should be looking for!
On to the particulars: I bought a mountain bike, but quickly realized that I won't be offroading. In looking this kind of thing up, hybrid? But then, I won't be offroading. Should I just get a road bike? Price is a factor here. I originally wanted an american made bike, but that's not in the budget. I'm HOPING that I can get away with no more than $300 for an entry level bike, but cheaper is better...
I'm 5'5" so fitting myself on a bike has so far been impossible. When I stand on with most bikes in the big box stores, I have found them to be just too large for me. I am assuming a 'compact' frame would work. I haven't been to the local bike shops yet because #1 I'd like to know SOMETHING about what I'm looking at and #2, don't want to be 'taken for a ride.'
In short:
Am 5'5"
Want more than a leisurely stroll
Want to go fast
Budget of $300
Am in way over my head
EDIT: I just reread and realized this is much more long winded than I thought it would be and I apologize for that. I wanted to add that I have a suspect back (sometimes a bad back, sometimes not) and that does weigh in with my decision. Maybe a road bike, with the bending wouldn't be a good choice?
I'll set it up for you, even though this is probably more long winded than needed for a place such as this. I'm 35 and never owned a bike in my life (that's a lie, had a couple bmx types when I was like 13, I was a skater, never wanted a bike). Fast forward to current day and I had been wanting to get a bike. #1 for exercise, and #2, I just felt like I wanted to just, like, peddle around the place...if that makes any sense.
So I goes to the local Walmart (USA here) and pick me up a Next bike for $96 about 2 weeks ago or so. I started with just a few miles the first day and progressed to 14 miles yesterday. (I was rather proud of myself) Halfway through this ride, thereabouts, I decided I don't like my bike. I bought a mountain bike: Walmart.com: 26" Mens' NEXT PowerX Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike: Bikes, Scooters & Skates and decided that maybe I needed a different kind of bike. I felt my bike was too cumbersome even thought I have only ridden for about 2 weeks, felt it was heavy and can't turn very well....PLUS, I just ride on the sidewalks of town then to the trails that we have, which are paved. My final thought on this, was that, I felt I wasn't going as fast as I'd like to be going. Especially after watching the real cyclists zoom by. (I realize they train much more than I have been, but still, it's one of my thoughts)
I started thinking that a different kind of bike was necessary for my needs but I don't know what to do. I looked on the internets of course and quickly found that I REALLY don't know what I should be looking for!
On to the particulars: I bought a mountain bike, but quickly realized that I won't be offroading. In looking this kind of thing up, hybrid? But then, I won't be offroading. Should I just get a road bike? Price is a factor here. I originally wanted an american made bike, but that's not in the budget. I'm HOPING that I can get away with no more than $300 for an entry level bike, but cheaper is better...
I'm 5'5" so fitting myself on a bike has so far been impossible. When I stand on with most bikes in the big box stores, I have found them to be just too large for me. I am assuming a 'compact' frame would work. I haven't been to the local bike shops yet because #1 I'd like to know SOMETHING about what I'm looking at and #2, don't want to be 'taken for a ride.'
In short:
Am 5'5"
Want more than a leisurely stroll
Want to go fast
Budget of $300
Am in way over my head
EDIT: I just reread and realized this is much more long winded than I thought it would be and I apologize for that. I wanted to add that I have a suspect back (sometimes a bad back, sometimes not) and that does weigh in with my decision. Maybe a road bike, with the bending wouldn't be a good choice?