scr4 beat me to it. I can’t believe someone didn’t mention the recumbent bike option right away.
Askia, find a local bicycle shop and ask to try out a couple of bikes in their parking lot. For an upright, I’d highly recommend the Trek brand. I don’t have any real experience with a recumbent, but I see them a lot. They are very popular with people who are not athletic enough or comfortable enough physically with an upright. You should note that recumbent bikes are generally more expensive than uprights though.
By the way, you said you are in Columbus, OH. You should be able to test ride recumbent bikes at Bicycle One. They also sell upright (non-recumbent) bikes.
I own a bikeshop, and I second what Bosda said along with those talking recumbent…
The key things are fit, fit, fit, comfort and quality, with a keen eye toward fit.
There are several brands to avoid, but rather than naming them, let’s just say if you can buy them in a discount store…don’t. The reasons for this are simple:
The companies producing these bikes have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ mentality…nothing could be further from the truth.
The companies producing these bikes often see their product as ‘disposable’… i.e. so cheap that rather than repair or maintain them, you just throw them away. Parts are not easy to come by for these bikes, and often they are so shoddily made that maintenance is nearly impossible.
Hi Opal (I always wanted to do that!)
The bike you buy at a discount house was most likely assembled by whoever couldn’t find a place to hide or look otherwise busy. If he/she isn’t smart enough to avoid this task, do you really want them assembling your bike?
Look for, or ask some cycling friends for an established independent bicycle shop. Avoid the bike boutiques…all they are really interested in is pushing the high end status bikes. Look for the ‘I’m all about the bike’ attitude. Ask to test ride several models/styles. Let your body tell you what it likes the best. This will ensure that you get the greatest satisfaction out of your bike.
Don’t be brand conscious among bikes sold at bike shops. Most quality bikes these days are manufactured by one of two huge Asian firms and then branded by the bike company. In terms of quality, there is virtually no difference.
“Don’t be brand conscious among bikes sold at bike shops. Most quality bikes these days are manufactured by one of two huge Asian firms and then branded by the bike company. In terms of quality, there is virtually no difference.”
I’ve often wondered about this, and also thought ‘how much difference does the frame make, anyways’? Any decent bike has Shimano components, which are the most important aspect of a long riding life. So is there in reality any reason to buy a Trek or Bianchi over a, say, Fuji or Marin?
Algernon - Thanks…I borrowed (stole) it from some blog I read…so I guess I can only take credit for appreciating it…
toque - There are sometimes design issues that will affect fit/performance, but I have found that usually these will make a difference only to those riders that have the body form which that particular design element is intended for… e.g. different head tube angles/ top tube length etc. etc. I have yet to see much in the frame world which can be remotely regarded as universally superior. It all comes down to ‘how does the bike feel under you?’
But as I am contstantly reminded by a pro racer friend of mine, for some people, brand has meaning, and regardless of the physics, if they * think* it is better, it is
Of course each bike shop has its brand, or brands. These are selected for many different reasons, but they will have more to do with the relationship of the dealer to the company than the quality of the bike.
The rule of thumb for the off brands is that they generally use older ‘stock’ designs which may be shared between several brands. In some cases, cheaper materials or components are used. Still, if you are an average recreational rider, many of these things will not matter to you and you can save some $$$ (and make a personal statement) by selecting a not-so-trendy name.
For my money, the best thing you can do is test ride. If a shop won’t let you test ride, find another shop. Let your body tell you when you’ve found the right bike, not some ad campaign or marketing driven review in a magazine.
My short-legged, larger-than-average wife has been trying to find a bike but we’ve been having trouble with the length of the cranks.
If we set the seat so the leg is fully extended at the downstroke, she has trouble getting her leg sufficiently bent through the upstroke to allow the pedal to swing smoothly through. What’s to be done about this?
As far as my semi-recent bike purchase. I got a Trek Navigator and love the upright riding position. It comes in smaller frame versions, too. If you’re worried about the wheels warping there is double-walled wheels intended for high punishment. With street & trail riding, though, the stock wheels have been working fine for me and I weight 100lbs more than you.
Just a note, watch out for springs in the frames. They’re designed for lighter people than me. I can compress a standard spring almost fully. Replacable springs seem to found only the more expensive bikes. Aluminum frames ride stiffer than steel frames, too. I can feel the difference in my tailbone.
I don’t know if you were asking me, but I’ll try to be as helpful as I can…
Take a look at the position of the saddle as well. Although typically we like to position the center of the rider’s knee directly over the axle of the pedal when the foot being positioned is at its furthest point forward, this doesn’t work for all riders. Perhaps moving her either forward or back via saddle adjustment will provide enough room for her knee to swing through.
It would be difficult to offer further suggestions without actually seeing what is happening. Talk to your local bike shop. The folks there know how to fit a bike, and can work with you to find an optimal solution.
Guess this means I’m up to $0.06… pretty heavy posting day for me!
Earl Snake-Hips Tucker I am by design the same Askia that used to live in Orangeburg. I’ve been teaching up here for two years. S’up, Earl. Good to talk to another Carolinanian.
Phew–!! Lotsa good advice on this thread – precisely the kind of thing I needed. I don’t have time now to respond to everybody but I am printing out your advice and suggestions to take with me when go to the bike shops. I’ll keep you posted. THANKS.
Sounds like you vaue fun in a bike ride, that’s why I went for a comfort bike. I’ve not noticed a lot of butt pain with my wide saddle, but most of my rides run under an hour. I rode a narrow saddle for years and you know … I don’t like them.
I’d look hard at a recumbent bike if I was in the market – they look like fun.
Garage sales. My bro just bought a very rideable old street race bike for $30… I rode it up to 32 mph on flat ground! Take the extra $770 and buy a cool MP3 player to listen to while you ride around (hopefully away from cars!). Then buy several DVD’s and maybe take a plane trip to see your cousin… you get the idea.
I like my Peugeot mixed frame touring bike. Nice light frame, strong, easy to get on and off, upright handlebars, handles extra weight. Cost a little more (though less than a good mountain bike), and I’ve had it since at least '86.
As others have said, find a bike that fits you best. Visit a few local bike shops and test ride a few different brands and styles, it makes a huge difference. Even on bikes that are basically the same quality wise frame geomtry can greatly impact how comfy the bike is to ride. Last time I was bike shopping I discovered that Trek frames don’t work well for me (5’6" 145lbs, 29" inseam, ftr) nor do a number of other mountian bike frames, but Specialized frames just “feel right” the moment I get on, it’s wierd.
I’ve seen a lot people speak up for mountain bikes and recumbants but I honestly wouldn’t suggest either one for your situation, instead I’d take a look at some of the new hybrid/comfort/ergo styles bikes coming out. here is a link to Specialized’s line and here is the link to Trek’s offerings, take a look at the Navigator especially.
I’ve been doing a little research on this lately in an attempt to help a few non-biking friends who have been making noise recently about getting bikes make a good decision when they do take the leap. This type of bike is designed to be comfortable for the casual city/bike path rider. Most come with front suspenions, springy seat posts and easilly adjustable handle bars so you can ride as comfortably as possible. They are also built a little more rugged than a pure road bike, but more lightly than a true mountian bike. They’re good for paved or gravel bike paths and city streets. IMO they are the perfect style for riders in your situation. Also brand new ones from a good bike shop can be had for around $300.
My daughter has a $65 Walmart Huffy with front suspension, quick-adjust seat, and very good center-pull brakes. I just watched her stop short and she was able to lock both tires. She wants her sister’s gel seat cover, though.
I plan bicycle purchases around their getting stolen. If it lasts long enough for me to feel sorry for anybody who would need to steal THAT bike then it was a successful purchase.