# Help me choose a bicycle

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-bicycle/353036>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [April 17, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-bicycle/353036 "2006-04-17T18:16:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-bicycle/353036/1 "2006-04-17T18:16:45Z")

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Having recently lost a lot of weight, and now that the interminable winter/spring rainy season seems about to come to an end, I am considering buying a bicycle, which I haven’t had for maybe 15 years or more.

Stats about me that are a factor:  
Age: 56  
Height: 6’2"  
Weight: 185  
Use of bike: city (San Francisco, but I stay away from steep hills), recreational, possibility of commuting if I can find a good route.

I don’t like shifting much, so I don’t need or want a lot of speeds, I think 5 speeds is plenty. I prefer to sit more in the upright direction than leaning way over the handlebars. I like a comfortable seat rather than one that feels like it’s trying to insinuate itself inside my nether regions while simultaneously causing my 'nads to feel like they fell off 2 miles ago. Tires - one case where fat is better than thin, IMHO.

Price: I have no idea what adult bikes go for these days, so let’s say middle of the road. I’m willing to pay for good quality that will last, but let’s not get ridiculous.

So, if you have suggestions about particular models, or if you are familiar with bike stores in SF and would care to recommend one, I’m all ears.

Bonus points for suggestions about how to keep the bike from being stolen - i.e. locks and chains or whatever that really work. The last three bikes I had were stolen, the last one from inside my apartment garage where it was locked to a standpipe.

Thanks in advance,

Roddy

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**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-bicycle/353036/2 "2006-04-17T18:41:29Z")

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Get thee hence to your local friendly neighbourhood bicycle merchant.

The good guys there (and they typically are - good guys, that is) will steer you in the right direction if you provide them with your requirements. Test drive a few models to compare and pick the one that feels right for you.

Your requirements don’t seem particularly picky so recommending a specific brand/model is not going to be of much help to you. As for type, sounds like you’ll be best off with a hybrid of some sort with little or no suspension.