Calling all bikers!

I'm 5'4'' female, 18-years old and looking to get my first bike in about, oh... a decade!

What kind of bicycle do you have?

(Sidebar question: There's a woman on Craigslist who's posted a Huffy 24'' mountain bike for dirt cheap. I called her this morning to see if it was still available (it is!) but, she said it might be too short for me, that I might need a 26''. What do you think)

Oh, BICYCLES...hmmm, not what I thought...my bike is 2005 Harley Davidson Sportster Custom... Heehee...

Not exactly what I meant... but it still flipping awesome!

Things to do before I die:
1) Visit Morocco
2) Go on a archeological excavation
3) Learn to ride a motorcycle

^_^

I think the motorcycle thing should be at the top...it's cheapest and you can go ride the motorcycle in Morocco and out to the archeological excavation!!  Cheap transportation and GREAT for sight-seeing on!!! 

Have you had any training in archeology?  I think that would be very interesting, also!

I have a Trek hybrid (can't remember the model # at the moment.)  A hybrid bike is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike, made mostly for going long distances on pavement.  I love it.  I am 5'2 - 5'3 with short legs and a long body, and my frame size is 14.5"!

There are two ways to determine what frame size you might need.  The best one is to head to a cycle shop and have someone there help you get "fitted."  There are a lot of variables when it comes to frame sizes.

If that's not possible, then this website can help you get at least a general idea --- http://www.ehow.com/how_14104_determine-corre ct-frame.html

Good luck!  I absolutely LOVE my bike!  It's great exercise, it's fun, and it burns a lot of calories! :)

I think you should go to the bike shop and see what you like.

Thanks for the input, guys!

Smp, love that idea! The package deal is perfect, haha! I haven't had any actual training aside from digging up the front yard in grade school in the hopes of making some amazing discovery to rock the world of paleontology -- it didn't happen. Boo.

There is a crew that goes scuba diving every May, I believe, to excavate The Queen Anne's Revenge, Black Beard's pirate ship. I was all set to go about two years ago, up until realizing that you had to be a certified diver. One more thing to add to the list!

JustLaura, I'm looking at that link you gave me. I stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods on the way to class tonight and hopped on one of the 24" display bikes when none of the customer service people were looking. It was just a smidge too small. I'll definitely work out the formula from that site though; thanks for the link!

Gmule, I wish I had the money to! It was bad enough going to the Schwinn website and falling in love with every single bike there, none of which I can afford. It's second hand for me, this time around at least.

Hahaaa - I was thinking of the "other" bikers as well...  mine's an '85 Nighthawk 450...

However, when it comes to exercise, I have a 17.5" frame Trek.  I'm a little taller, about 5'5" with average length legs.  The geometry of the bike frame is very important to how it fits each person.  My advice would be to try a bunch to see what's comfortable for you before you buy! 

I too was looking for that other group of bikers!  2006 Electra Glide Classic.

My other bike is a Mongoose w/ full suspension and disc brakes (Wal-Mart special, not one of the "good" ones).  I have a friend I ride with on some awesome trails we have in Ohio.  The problem is that they're in Ohio and not an option until summer hits!  I still really enjoy going out for a ride when I can.

Just to add/repeat some of the suggestions, try to go to a bike shop if at all possible.  They may have very decent used bikes in the $100-$150 price range that will be substantially better than the $100+ Wal-Mart bikes in my opinion (no offense to doomie - your bike may be great, but just saying in general). 

Also, at an actual bike shop, they will be able to make sure that the bike fits you well.  You should be able to *almost* straighten your leg out at the bottom of your pedal stroke.  Of course, this can be adjusted by raising/lowering the seat heighth, but you may then be altering the way that you're on your bike (i.e. too hunched over).  Without testing a bike out for proper fit, you're asking for various knee problems not to mention an uncomfortable ride.

Again, these are just my opinions.  After owning several Wal-Mart bikes, I ended up throwing down $500 (which I used to think was a stupid crazy amount for a bicycle) to buy a Trek SU200 two years ago.  After 2000+ miles on it, it looks and rides as new as the day that I got it.  Now, I'm wanting bikes that cost more than my car's worth.

It is better to have a bike than no bike at all, but saving an extra $50-$100 for your purchase will yield substantial benefits and make your biking a lot more fun.

Like jjelden 1 said- you need to visit a bike shop.  I worked part time a couple of summers at a bike shop and the amount of wal-mart bikes that came in was unreal... there was always something breaking on them.  They may be cheaper but it will cost you in the end.  Plus they the cheaper bikes tend to weigh a  ton compared to nicer bikes.  When I got into road biking I went to the local shop and they had a section of good used bikes from quality companies.  After I decided that I loved cycling I upgraded and traded that bike back in for a discount.  Good luck!!

Original Post by jjelden1:

 Now, I'm wanting bikes that cost more than my car's worth.

 

LOL!  Whew!  I'm not the only one!    My current bike was also around $500 and at the time I throught I was nuts.  The bike I was replacing had been a $99 special from Walmart.  And it was a really nice bike, but it was a cruiser and I needed something that was a little more "open roadworthy."  After a few months with the Trek, I already found myself looking at the higher-end bikes and thinking, "Ya know, I bet that one's totally sweet." 

i came in here thinking motorcycles as well.  i don't have a bike right now, but i've had my license for 18 years and have owned several street bikes (maxim 400, two V45 magnas).  will be looking for one as soon as i'm finished grad school, and i'm already planning a trip for the summer of '09.

bahamamama, it's not hard at all.  if you can drive stick and ride a bicycle, you can ride a motorcycle.

the bike i do have right now is a Norco Kokanee.  it's a middle-of-the-road front-suspension mountain bike.  it was about $800.  very pretty, but i've hardly ridden it.  i'm actually excited about getting it out when the snow melts...in about three months.

My husband and I ride recumbents. They are great for long distance rides and no sore rear end!  Not so good for turning sharply.  I have a Trek upright bike that I ride back and forth to work.....when there isn't snow:) 

I would suggest going to a bike shop and get fitted for a bike, then when you are looking on craigslist or elsewhere you will have an idea of what you want/need.  Good luck on your bike hunt.

I'm an avid cyclist and I highly recommend looking at a bike shop. I know they can be more expensive, but you'll get better service, better help and a better bike.

What are you looking to do on the bike?

If you want to just ride on the paved bike paths I recommend getting a hybrid bike. mountain bikes are really only good off road. The knobby and wider tires make it slower on any paved surfaces. Hybrids come with tires half way between mountain bikes and road bikes.

I started riding almost 2 years ago and got a Trek 1000 road bike (about $600 bucks) but it was the single greatest investment of my life. I feel in love with riding. I had bought a cheap bike at Dick's Sporting Goods and never really enjoyed riding it. Within a month of having the Trek I was doing 50 mile rides like nothing. It helped me lose the 40 extra pounds I've been carrying around with me since college. A better bike helps you ride better and feel better on the bike. It's not always about the cost. At a shop you can tell them your price limit and they can work with you.

LOL, I thought we were talking about DIRTBIKES!   I have a KTM400 4 stroke. 

I too am an avid cyclist, and by avid I mean I love biking so much I do it in the winter as well.

 I completely agree with "bikeshoes" if you plan on being serious, heck, even semi-serious, invest in the best bike possible.

I'm not going to reiterate what he said, but invest in the best. Cheap bikes (from the big box stores, sporting stores etc) are junk, their frames and components are horrendous.  Welds always break, and they are just not fun to ride.  Also they contain cheap steel that in 8-10 years emit amounts of radiation (anyone wants clarification on that...I will explain)

 Anyways just make sure to go to a bike shop, they'll help you pick the right size bike, they'll have tonnes of selection, and you may just be able to haggle a deal out of them..most of them will give you a percentage off or a helmet or something.

Anyways Best of Luck.

- Scott