Nosh22

Hi everyone,
I'm looking at purchasing a bike and am overwhelmed by the options out there!
I haven't owned a bike since I was 13 (I'm 34 now). I wanted to get one mainly to ride with the kids and so we can explore a bit further than we can when I'm the only one on foot.
Point to keep in mind that I had saddle soreness from a 45 min spinning class that lasted a few days. And I started feeling it just a few mins into the class.
Can I just go and pick one up front Costco/Canadian tire? Also, does it matter if u get an aluminum or steel bike? And what bike should I get? We would also like to eventually take the kids on a easy trial so would want something that would work there too.
Thanks!

SkyDog75

It sounds like you know what you want to do with it, so that ought to help you narrow down your options. I'd suggest looking at hybrids as a starting point. They're reasonably sporty, can handle some mild stuff off-pavement if your kids want to wander off down a trail or across a park, and they tend to offer a reasonably upright position that lends itself to comfort (and keeping an eye on kids). A good, inexpensive example would be a Trek 7.0 FX.

Some hybrids have a suspension fork, which might come in handy for some light trail riding. If you're going to be riding on pavement and just light trails, I'd personally stick with a rigid fork. They're zero-maintenance, cheaper, and lighter. If you don't need it, don't spend money and add weight. On the other hand, if you do opt for a bike with a suspension fork, at least make sure it's a halfway decent one. You'd be better off with no suspension than a bad suspension fork, on pavement or off.

That could be attributable to a number of things, including chafing from clothing (cyclists wear special shorts for a reason), a saddle that doesn't agree with your backside, or poor saddle/pedal/handlebar positioning. Any of those can turn a fun activity into something miserable.

I don't know what kinds of offerings they have at Canadian Tire. Sometimes there are decent buys at Costco, but you'd really have to do some homework to spot the good bikes and avoid the bad ones. In general, stay away from big box stores like Walmart or Target. (Well, never mind Target in Canada, but you know what I mean.)

I'd suggest stopping by some bike shops, getting some opinions there, and taking a look at their offerings. Yes, they may be a bit more expensive, but their entry-level bikes shouldn't be ridiculously expensive compared to big box stores and will generally be much better in quality. And a good shop will have knowledgeable people to help you pick out an appropriate bike so you're not throwing your money away on something that's not practical or doesn't fit. Try a few shops if you have to, to find someone you like and trust. Also, bike shops tend to include some post-sale support like tuneups and maintenance with the purchase of a bike.

There are good bikes made from both, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck picking out a bike, and have run riding with the kids! (Mine are 11 and 12 and I love getting out for rides with them!)

VegasTriker

You will definitely pay more if you buy a bike from a bike shop compared to a mass merchandiser. You will also get a bike that has been assembled by a mechanic, not somebody who stocks the shelves in the morning and assembles bikes in the afternoon. Either that or they will give you the bike in a box and you assemble it yourself. The bike shop will know how to sell you one that actually fits your size, not one that is "one size fits all". I have the personal experience of dealing with a kid who showed up for a 10 mile ride with a brand new WalMart bike that fell apart (pedals were never tightened by the assembler) within 3 miles. Two weeks later he had his 3rd WalMart bike. This one stayed together but it was one of those fancy aluminum frame monstrosities with dual suspension. Only problem was it weighed about half of his weight. It was a series of 7 rides culminating in a 50 mile ride. He never made it beyond 15 miles. Get one with a decent number of gears as that will allow you to find a gear suitable for most any terrain. Lighter is always better too.

SpikedLemon

I went the Canadian Tire route quite some time ago.
I rode it quite a bit. Not knowing what else is out there: I just wanted a bike that I could ride - and was cheap. It did the trick and has lasted.

If you intend or, rather, commit to riding a lot: you'll want to make sure that you have a bike that fits you, is light and uses decent components.

My Supercycle is not light (tank-like), the suspension is budget but the derailleur/shifters are solid and the wheels have taken a lot of abuse without much sign of it. It let me go exploring trails when I was younger and is my mule when I tow both kids in the trailer (now that I've fixed it up). I've even replaced the bearings and bottom bracket with some used components to keep it going.

MRT2

Go with a decent bike. Stay away from big box stores. Obvious choice if you can afford it is your local bike shop. You can't go far wrong buying from a bike shop. Used is another option, if you know what to look for.

Keep in mind that when it comes to entry level bikes (retail of $400 to $600), less is more. Look for a bike with a lightweight frame and solid fork, and quality components. Stay away from suspension seatposts and forks, because they add weight and complexity and at the lower price points, they suck.

Nosh22

Thank you for your input. There's a couple of bike stores in my area so will go visit them and see how it goes. Thank you again!

Nosh22

Just thought of another question - is there a difference between bikes for men and women?

WinNT

Yes there is.

First of all women bikes usually have low frame for easy mount. Also geometry is a bit different and saddle can be different.
But I tried female bike and it was ok for me. And I know many girls who ride male bikes. So the difference is not too much if you are not a professional racer.