Ductunder2020

Hello all!
I am new here and also new to cycling. Me and the wife want to get into bike riding. We are interested in using it for exercise as well as trail riding(camping), off road, and around town occasionally. We were told to not get a bike from local department store such as Walmart.
We have looked online at some reputable bike shops and noticed they are very expensive.
So I was hoping to get advice on what to get.
How to get a good fit bike, what type of bike to get, and recommended 2nd hand places to buy.
Some quick info about me. I am 5'10 185lbs, she is 5'6 and 160lbs.
If more info is needed I am happy to supply.

Thanks all.

Gconan

Surly all road touring

Outrider1

Craigslist. Perhaps a hybrid, which is an all arounder, for your first bike.

rmnrapido

get an electric bike, its fun....

blakcloud

You need to go to a bike shop. Don't buy second hand, you don't have the experience or knowledge at this point. Unfortunately like most of the world bikes are becoming hot commodities so when you see something buy it. Someone suggested a hybrid and I agree with that. The go to brands are Trek, Specialized, Giant and Cannondale but also look at the lesser known brands, like Fuji, Norco, Kona etc.

I know you think they are expensive but look at them as long term investments. When I worked at a bike shop I sold my brother and his soon to be wife bikes and they still own them today. Those bikes are over 30 years old and they still ride them. They have no intention of buying something new. They certainly got their money's worth. As a side note they also took good care of them.

Good luck and happy bike hunting.

hillyman

As soon as someone says bikes are expensive I think they deserve a Walmart bike

VegasTriker

You are trying to buy bikes at a time many other people have the same idea. That's why your local bike shop is likely out of stock for most bikes that are in the lower price entry level range. They simply can't keep them in stock. That's life.

fietsbob

Pac Rim issues..containers full of bikes are delayed shipping, due to CV 19 so shops are not well stocked now..

My local is taking deposits on the July anticipated shipments..

mrv 

- Walmart does a poor job assembling heavy, cheap bikes that are not very durable.
- Yes, $400 at a bike is a stretch if you are comparing it to Walmart. But you get a well built bike that will be more durable and weigh 10lbs less (at least). Yes, your local bike shop is sold out because the gyms are closed, lots of parks close, movie theaters closed, etc.
- Second hand: Facebook Marketplace, or search for local user groups that focus on bikes; Craigs List
-- Craigs List - buyer be ware. There's a someone local to me in Detroit, also on these boards, who is selling really nice old bikes that he's put time and money into. So it's possible to get a really nice older bike from CL. You can also spend $40 on crap.
- "Trails" - paved multi use paths (MUPs)? Or dirt single track with roots and rocks? Those are very different bikes for enjoyable riding. If your tolerance for having things suck is high, you can use any bike for either. That's what I do.

- Size: measure your inseam and read up on "stand over height"...... don't make me google that for you.... doh! too late... Let Me Google That
https://www.google.com/search?q=bicy...height%20chart
roughly: 5' 10" : maybe like a 54cm seat tube. you also have to look at top tube and reach (medium size)
5'6' (female); maybe 48 ~ 50cm seat tube. (small size)

Sounds like since you're just getting started, maybe just a couple of decently maintained Schwinn 10 speeds from CL. They are kind of heavy. They are robust. Easy to maintain. Cheap. A nice entry drug to cycling, my opinion.
- Like this: https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/b...141867504.html
- The seller should have the handle bars level, the seat level, matching tires, at least one picture where you can see the cranks and the whole bike.

OK. That's it. I should get back to work now......
ciao

2old

Do you have a friend who is a cyclist? If so, that would be an invaluable asset is selecting a used, good quality mountain bike. If not consider a Nishiki from Dick's; these would normally be low quality bikes, but are assembled (including having the wheels built) by the Detroit Bicycle Co in the US AFAIK) Some may denigrate the China-made frames, but I've had good success with those from Bikes Direct which would be another good source, but seem to be depleted of many styles.

Ductunder2020

Thanks for all the replies. I am fine with spending $600 on a bike. I was referring to th $1000+ bikes.
in any case I am allowed to decide how much a bike is worth to me. I came here to get help from knowledgeable people. I am a reasonable person that can take advice and change my opinion.
With that I will be sure to check out all of your recommendations.
thank you all for your help.

ofajen

I was just thinking of this while on a ride yesterday. I was riding my old road bike from the mid 80s and realizing that it’s barely old enough to mention as a vintage bike, while if it were a car, I could license it here as an “antique” if it were ten years younger.

Bikes can last a long time!

Otto

icemilkcoffee 

As one newbie to another: it will take some trial and error before you figure out what your preferences are. You should buy a succession of used Craigslist bikes, learn your likes and dislikes and what is important to you. Then you can buy that shiny expensive bike.

jay4usc

wait a few months you will see a ton of barely used bikes for sale.

Phil_gretz

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ke-tourist.htm

Perfect for what you describe, these bikes are versatile and can support longer trips, and carry gear.

Because you'd be camping, you'll also need to be able to make minor repairs while out on the road. What better way to begin to learn about your bike than to complete the fairly simple steps to accomplish final assembly of your "in the box" bikes after they arrive at your door. Highly recommend.

Ductunder2020

I just wanted to report back.

I went to 3 local bike shops and even REI. They were just out of everything. They said they can't keep up with the demand.
I was recommended to fit a men's medium bike and she was a women's medium or men's small.
We asked where we should look online and was given different suggestions but the most affordable place we were suggested was bikesdirect.
So with that we were looking at this Gravity FSX 1.0 Full Suspension Mountain Bikes from Bike's Direct. I think I would need to pre-order it but I havent gotten that far with it yet.

Any insight on this bike? Or should we just not go riding this year and wait until there is snow on the ground.(We live in Alaska at the moment.)

I will say while doing some research I came across the YT bikes. They are very nice looking and I wish I could afford them.

jay4usc

living in Alaska will definitely limit your options and will be forced to buy online. Sounds like bikesdirect will be your best option. I myself have been searching for a while and finally decided to go with a Wabi. I was considering a few bikes on bikesdirect but decided to spend a few more dollars and buy a quality bike. Hopefully will be my last

saukander

Hello! here is another newb with same problem.

I am going to buy Kona Hahanna Race light Mountain Bike 26".

Bike is in pretty goof shape, brakes, tires, paint etc. but I or the seller man dont know when this bike was built.

So thats way I registered here so maybe you can give a hint what is good price for it and how old it is.
So here you go! plz help. I cant

btw.. I really dont get it how to upload pics here but if you use google picture rearch: Kona Hahanna Race light Mountain Bike 26 it will be the red bike leaning against white wall.

VegasTriker

One of the big mistakes buyers of entry level bikes make is buying one with suspension. The Gravity FSX 1.0 Full Suspension Mountain Bike sells for $369. That puts it firmly in the middle of the price for entry level bikes and the components verify that. Do you really expect suspensions on a $369 bike to be worth anything? You can read numerous posts on Bike Forums warning newbies to avoid entry level bikes with cheap suspensions. It is a gimmick designed to get the unsuspecting buyer to think they are getting a premium product. What it does mostly is add weight to the bike and subtract from the manufacturer being able to spend a little more on better components elsewhere on the bike. I own two older mountain bikes. One has front suspension but that particular component alone would probably cost as much to replace as your whole bike. The other bike has no suspension but weights 23 pounds. They work just fine as is.

mrv 

did you get the KONA? looks like you did not hit 10 posts yet. then you can up load pics.
1998 Kona Mountain Bike Info Center - the image below says it's a '96. Classic Kona's catalog does not go back that far. But maybe you're looking at a mid-90s $400 MTB new.

Should you get it at what price? FIRST: Is it the right size? Figure that out first.

My thoughts: I like fully rigid MTBs. I'm OK with 26in wheels. Last year I picked up an early '90s BIANCHI that only (barely) fits 26 x 2in tires. $55. Then I spent about $250 on tires & cables & grips & pedals (used) & seat (used). (no comment on the spray paint....) The size is fine for me, like a 50cm seat tube and 58cm top tube. It's just impossible to go as fast as the fatter tire and suspended modern bikes. To go as fast as people on those bikes, you will have to be a better / fitter rider. That's the advantage of the old MTBs. To get faster, you actually have to develop more / better skills. I'd very much like to get a VELO ORANGE Piolet - but that's a new bike that'll take 27.5 x 3in tires, has disk brakes and cost $2k. Not gonna happen for a while..... But the Bianchi, I'm riding it now. Having a blast.

So if you're getting a pretty good MTB (like anything from KONA) that doesn't need any work, $200. $300 probably OK. If it needs new bits & parts, try to keep all your spending under $300 or so. I think. It's just an internet-opinion from someone who can't get a $2k bike he really wants.

Toespeas

most bike shops are just dealers or distributors of name brands , like trek or cannondale , and will sell you up the creek with no paddle , you basically answered your own question , you just look for the bike that suits your needs , based on your opinion of your own skill and drive to use the machine more ot less than what you think its capable of , look for a set of features that would benefit your objective , bike fit is easy , make sure you have a comfortable peddle spin , and your knees and hips stay in line , you have a good range of motion in your reach area , after that you pick the bike , easy peasy !

yashinon

You can often find gems on Craigslist but know what you want before you go in. Do the research at local bike shops, talk to folks on here, talk to friends, etc. Check the bicycle blue book for values and don't be afraid to bargain.

stoheaven21

In the same shoes you are, best of luck!