Cycling dopers: I need to buy a bike and don't have a clue. Help!

In My Humble Opinion
1

So yesterday I discovered I’m caught in the vicious cycle of obstructive sleep apnea and weight gain. I have gained about 30 pounds in the past year alone. Right now I am 5’10" and tipping the scales at 227 lbs.

My solution will be a combination of Provent, diet, and exercise. My exercise program will be comprised of weight training and riding a bicycle to work at least three times a week. The problem is, I have no idea how to buy a bike.

Based on some quick research on the intarwebs, I think a hybrid bike would be the best fit for me. It would allow me to ride fairly easily in the city, but I can take it out on a few trails if I want.

But now I’m stuck on features and brand. My dad was pretty loyal to Trek, but he only used road bikes. I am willing to spend anywhere from $500-700, but I could justify more if the bike is a perfect fit for me. I am also not above purchasing a “pre-loved” bike.

Bonus question for those of you who ride to work: How do you prevent from getting all sweaty and nasty during your ride to work, especially during hot days?

Thanks for the advice.

2

There’s a ton of threads on buying bikes, do a search. But they mostly come down to this:

  • Buy one from a real bike shop, not WalMart or a department store
  • Make sure they fit it to you, which is a given at a real bike shop.

$500-$700 is more than enough cash to get a good bike.

Also consider the following accessories: bike shorts, gloves to prevent hand/wrist numbness, basic repair kit, water bottle cage, water bottles.

As far as biking to work, a few things help:

  • bring a change of clothes. Maybe consider paniers on your bike to facilitate this.
  • Is there a shower at or near work? Might be worth looking into. If there’s a gym or YMCA nearby, it might be worth getting a basic membership just to use the showers.
  • If no shower, a change of clothes + a quick rinse in the bathroom is usually fine.
3

Very much this. You have a very good budget. A reputable bike shop should be able to help you out as well as make sure the bike and seat are properly fitted to you. If the bike is a bad fit, it won’t be comfortable and you won’t ride it.

4

When you’re at the bike shop, look into last year’s models (if they’re available). It’s rather like the year-end car sales: bike shops are looking to get the new stuff in, and so will discount last year’s models to do so, meaning that you can pick up some good deals.

I doubt that it’s anywhere near top-of-the-line, but I picked up a brand new Mongoose hybrid bike that way for (I think) $160. (At the time - this was several years ago, maybe 11ish? Anyway…) It’s a great bike that’s served me well.

5

Yep, plenty of good quality hybrid bikes in that price range. A good bike shop will have several choices in that price range, and will help kit you out. You might save $50 ordering something online, but you then risk getting a bike that doesn’t fit you well.

For recommendations, I’ve got a Kona Smoke that I used for commuting in Boston. It’s sort of a tank of a bike, with a steel frame and big fat slick tires on big wheels. Practically indestructable, but not very light. Kona also makes lighter hybrid bikes with aluminum frames though.

Be aware that some “good bike shops” are staffed entirely by people who only ride fixies and sneer at customers that want something as pedestrian as a hybrid bike.

6

Sounds like you’re on the right track. You’ve got a good budget and the right idea. I’ve bought most of my bikes used, you can get great deals that way.

Find a good local bike shop and try bikes until you find one you like. I love my little Trek, but any of the brands they’ll have will be good. A lot of it just depends on what geometry is comfortable for you - only way to find that out is to do some test rides. They should be willing to let you take bikes out for a good spin.

Don’t let them talk you into suspension. Suspension is heavy and really unnecessary for commuter riding. Not to mention the maintenance, and hassle when it breaks.

You definitely want a helmet. Gloves are nice. I wouldn’t bother with bike shorts for a work commute, unless it’s really long. How far will you be riding?

A multi-tool for basic repairs is a good idea, plus a spare tube, and a little pack to carry them on the bike. Don’t forget to get a pump for the tires and some lube for the chain. Ask about dry lubes, they’re not as messy if you accidentally brush the chain. Oh yeah, a chain guard is nice, too!

You’ll need water, either cage + bottle, or a hydration pack. We just picked up a double-wall bottle with cage at Walmart for the SO, in hopes of keeping water cool for his commute in the 110 temps here. I dunno if he’s tried it yet, so I can’t report on the effectiveness. Get something with a mouth big enough for regular ice cubes.

You’ll probably end up wanting fenders at some point, so make sure those can be added later. Also a rack and panniers/baskets, you may want those someday too.

The SO keeps shoes, socks, and a set of clothes at work for unexpected rain events. He also has a rain suit, for expected rain events.

For heat, he just rides slow and takes it easy on the way in, to keep from getting too sweated up. Baby wipes are good for cleanup. But he gets to wear shorts and Hawaiian shirts to work, so that may not work so well for you. :stuck_out_tongue:

It also depends on your local temps, many locations you see people riding to work in suits. I don’t think that would work well here at the moment; our lows are in the 80s.

If you don’t want to carry clothes on the bike every day, maybe take in/pick up a week’s worth of clothes on Monday, and ride the rest of the week?

7

Visibility: Hi-Viz shirt, either a bicycle jersey(back pockets to carry stuff) or a plain T-shirt style.(AlertShirts)

Night:reflective vest, AlertShirts has vests and shirts with lots of reflective material.

Lights:Have at least a set even if you’re not planning to ride at night.
What I use:
Headlight-Planet Bike Blaze 2W
Low/High/Flashing light levels.

Taillight-Radbot 1000 1W
Steady/Pulse/Fast Flash

These are good for in town and caught after dark.
If you plan to ride after dark or dark roads on a regular basis, you’ll need a better headlight.
I use:Cygolite Expilion 250 USB
Low /Med./High/Flashing light levels plus two special modes

I would say this is good for up to 20mph on dark roads.

8

Working out the fine details of the commute like clothing, showering etc really depends on what you do and where you live. I live in Scotland, am reasonably fit on the bike, and currently have a short commute. So there’s no hassle at all with getting hot and bothered, and I don’t need to think particularly carefully about clothing or accessories on the bike. If I lived in Arizona, wasn’t that fit and had a 10 mile commute it would be a different story.

Times when I’ve done a longer commute I’ve always found that a shower at home, taking it relatively easy on the bike, bit of a pat down on arrival then change of clothes was sufficient. Depends on your physiology I guess. If I want to put a decent session in on the commute then I’ve always had a shower available at places I’ve worked.

Mudguards are a difficult one, especially in Scotland where it rains a bit. What’s more important, staying dry (they do make a massive difference), or preserving the aesthetic integrity of your bicycle? For me it’s the latter, so I don’t tend to use them. I’m riding a modern cross bike to work at the moment though, which looks truly bad with the guards on. They don’t look too bad on old school steel road bikes. Hybrids tend to be ugly as a rule, so mudguards will be less of an issue.

9

It all depends on what you want. Temperatures, distance you’re going to ride, how fit you are, ad infinitum. But four words to live by: cheap bike, expensive lock.

10

Good advice above, but I would strongly recommend trying to shower at or near work.

  1. If you aren’t going to shower, there’s a strong incentive to ‘take it easy’ and not get the workout you’re looking for
  2. If you wear your work clothes on the bike, you have to be worried about puddles, dust, rain showers, heat, etc. You’ll always have an excuse not to bike
  3. Looking smart at work (wrinkle free, good hair, etc) is not very compatible with bike riding.
  4. You’re not going to be as comfortable as you would be with proper bike shorts/pants, breathable shirt, etc.