BG, help me pick out a bike!

[Odesseiron]

Okay long story short.

I never learned how to ride a bike. Grew up in an apartment, and guess I never got into the whole bike riding thing as a kid.

So now as a result, I don't know how to ride a bike. Weird, I guess but hey, it is what it is. I know a lot of people that don't know how to swim, which I think is even stranger.

Anyways, I want to get a bike and start going. Only thing is I don't know what kind of bike and or brand/model to get. Not looking to spend an extraordinary amount. Maybe $300? Would that buy me something halfway decent?

I see bike while running outside locally that have thin tires. Some have thicker ones. I assume these are meant for different kinds of surfaces. Mostly I'd ride on the road and paths. What best suits me? I have a local Sports Authority that has tons of bikes, so specific suggestions are worthwhile.

Decent/comfortable helmet recommendations are also welcome. Thanks for your help!

[Cream Soda]

You're basically going to want a Hybrid(Mountain/Roadbike Hybrid) or a Road Bike. Road bikes are the most efficient in terms of speed and getting from point A and B but are a bit more difficult. Hybrids are pretty much mountain bikes with less shock absorbers (These kill speed) and thin tiers smaller than that of a mountain bike but bigger than that of a road bike. The frames are structure differently so you'll be in a different position when you're sitting on it than when you're sitting on a Road bike. Of the two, I like Road bikes better, but a Hybrid may be easier to learn on.


Hybrid
http://images.craigslist.org/5N75K35...cc7aea1582.jpg

Road Bike:
http://www.bikingbis.com/_photos/07517.jpg

If you can pick up a 10-20 dollar mountain bike at a garage sale, something beat up and wouldn't matter if you crashed on it a bunch till you learn, that's also something you could consider to help you learn. Look at Craigslist and look put a max of 40-50 bucks see if you can find something running for you to learn on. Then worry about spending the $300ish on a good bike after you learn. Wouldn't want to risk wrecking a nice $300 bike though when you're trying to learn.

Also, when you're ready for a real bike, craigslist is also going to be better than a bike store (Sooooooo overpriced)


Edit:
If you an tell me your area (which one craigslist uses for you so city/county), I can help you pick something out that looks decent to learn to ride on and something to upgrade to afterward.

[Guyverarmor]

If anyone would know about bikes, it would be Cream Soda.

[bluefan]

If you want to save money, check out police auctions. They always have tons of great bikes for dirt cheap and lot of stations touch up the bike for you too.

[Cream Soda]

If you want to save money, check out police auctions. They always have tons of great bikes for dirt cheap and lot of stations touch up the bike for you too.

oh neat, I'll have to look into this.

[Odesseiron]

Edit:
If you an tell me your area (which one craigslist uses for you so city/county), I can help you pick something out that looks decent to learn to ride on and something to upgrade to afterward.

Westchester County, New York. And thanks!

[RandomJoe]

New entry level road bikes will cost you $700-800 at minimum for last year's models. That will get you a good bike with an aluminum frame and good brand components. I can't speak for hybrids, but I don't think a new one is much less expensive.

As the previous posters said get on craigslist. For $300 you're looking at a steel frame wide tired, soft-seated bike that (and I don't mean this demeaningly) that you would find at wal-mart.

Are you out to bike for fun, exercise (both?), transportation?

As far as helmets are concerned... just try them on an find one that suits your price range that is comfortable.

[BadKarma]

Cream just gave you his recommendation because he wants a nicer bike to steal.

Spoiler: show

It had to be done

[Abandon]

i was gonna light the Cream signal, but I didn't need to.

[djzombie]

Westchester County, New York. And thanks!

no shit man, i live/work there as well, lake peekskill, where you at?

[Cream Soda]

Just to learn, this piece of shit should suffice. Not sure how far queens is from you, but Westchester to queens w/o specific locations showed up about 35 miles on google maps

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/3155430531.html
http://images.craigslist.org/5K95Hd5...892eee1155.jpg

Also, it's always good to have a piece of shit bike around so if your primary bike goes down, you have something to hold you over if necessary. I always like to have 2 working bikes at a time.

[Cream Soda]

As for looking or a main bike, found plenty of fine bikes setting a cap at $150(both hybrid and road bikes). What exactly are you looking to do with your bike though. If you're not looking to do anything like competitions/triathlons etc., I honestly don't think you'll need to drop $300 though the higher price ones will be a nice upgrade.

For travel/recreational riding though, I've found plenty of decent choices in the $100-$150 range.

The one thing I will say is stay away from GMC. It's a Walmart brand, made with shit components etc. There are plenty of variations, this is the one you'll see most often.
http://images.craigslist.org/5Id5Ff5...147c2d10e9.jpg
It's called GMC DENALI for a reason. Remember the people who used to TP in Deanli bonnet? That'd be you on a bike. (and most of the time people will try to sell used ones for more than you could a new one at walmart anyways)

Once you let me know what you're looking to do after learning how to ride the bike, we can go over what'd be the best price range for you really.

Honestly, for $100 I found this one to be a steal, provided everything works on it (always check the bike before you buy by the way, test drive, etc.). If they were selling this in FL, I'd pick this up and use it as my secondary.
http://images.craigslist.org/5I95Hc5...cab1a01f11.jpg
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/3147822798.html