Basic buying advice for someone who knows nothing

carress

I have put on weight over the last 6 years, and am trying to take it off now. I've lost about 25 lbs, but I still weigh 200. I'm also on the tall side (5'8") w/ really long arms.

I want a basic bike that I can ride for up to 15 mile rides in slightly bumpy conditions. The riding will be almost all road and paved trails. I prefer the mountain bike style just because. I don't care about the weight of the bike or a big selection of gears or any superficial things. I just need something that will fit my body (heavy, tall long arms).

I'm *very* budget constrained, so I'll be looking to buy something used and take it to a shop to get it 'tuned', as you call it. I'd like to have the bike yesterday, but I know I'll have to be patient in order to find the right thing. In the meantime, I can save up a few hundred dollars.

I don't think anyone here would suggest it, but I'm not trying to get a cheapo bike from a big box store b/c I tried that this summer and nearly killed myself when it broke while I was riding it.

I tried looking at craigslist, but I don't know a good bike from a belt buckle, so the names mean nothing to me. If people could give me names of affordable good quality bikes, that would be helpful. Or I could post the names of bikes I have found and people can tell me if they're horrid or fabulous. Hopefully, this isn't 'offensive', I know I could do the research, but there are so many bikes out there that it's overwhelming- it would take months of time I don't have. (I'm teaching and in grad school- barely have time to ride the fiture bike.)

I also need to know what the reasonable maintenance and its charges are.

Any help or direction is appreciated.

fujibike

First, congratulations on your weight loss. Buying a decent bike requires you invest time in research and test riding. First and foremost you want a bike that fits. In terms of what type, I would expect you would be interested in a hybrid. Not an ATB and not a road bike. Usually equipped with heavier duty wheels and tires, as well as an 18 or 21 speed drive train. You may want to check a bike shop in your area, sometimes they have used bikes and they've been tuned. Tune up costs run $60 to $80 and include truing wheels, adjusting brakes/derailleurs, overall cleaning and lubricating moving parts. Replacing cables, brake pads and the like may cost additional for parts.

If you're serious about doing some cycling you have to be serious about making the purchase and that means you have to get involved with the purchase. If you can't do that then you should postpone it, get a Pilates DVD and work with that until you can spend some time investigating a bicycle.

rparedes

check this message thread:
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t33794.html

celia123

Riding can really take off some weight????

rparedes

I've lost 10 lbs in two years. That's without any dieting or special menus. Bike riding is my "intake offset" activity. I ride at least 3 times a week (average 20-30 miles each time) I also mix in-between a combination of short runs (about 2-3 miles, and 20 to 30 minutes on my nordic track, twice/week) and rest/stretch the other two days. I am beginning to add some strength training but my main objective is to have an activity to burn calories, be outside for along time and have fun. Biking fits the bill perfectly...

jackson123

oh yeah, riding is really a great way to take off some weight, and it's a kind of entertainment, too.

This July I weighed 150, I am really sad about it and afraid of going out with my bf. My friend advice me to take off some weight, so many sports, I chose riding, because it's really a quick way. I chose a 26" mountain bike online. Its lightweight durable aluminum frame can handle the most rugged terrain, factory racing ATB suspension forks and a dual-surface padded saddle make it so that you don't have to suffer for it. Knobby tires give you extra control dowm the mountain, and factory-racing ATB suspension forks smooth out the ride. I bought it for $80 instead of $100. It's suitable for me. Now I have lost about 25. I think you can do it so long as you insist on it. Here is the link I used, I am sure you'll like it, click it to check out

http://www.dealstudio.com/viewtopic.php?t=31158

Hope you like it, good luck