Ride a few before you decide. If at all possible, borrow a bike from an experienced rider who will make sure it fits you decently and go with you on a short fun ride or two. Most people new to the sport, prefer a pretty upright stance on a bike, not all stretched out like you would be on a race bike. The bigger you are (not saying your fat - I'm saying you are a MANLY man) the more comfortable an upright position will be for your arms especially when you are starting out.

My husband is about your height. He has a bike he stopped riding years ago. I had a shop put a "riser" handlebar on it to raise his hand position (put him more upright). He loves it. it made a world of difference in his comfort. I wish you were a bit closer. I'd fit you to the bike and take you on a few short fun rides!

angela

if i lived in portland or somewhere super bike friendly..and could commute to work.

i would buy a Rivendell Atlantis. i would get the full fender treatment. i love this company! the philosophy is pretty grassroots..(pretty sure the "real" philosophy is to free $2000 from me)

this is how i would roll.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340290698.jpg

shifter..you live in portland!! drop by VANILLA, and see what the cool kids ride!!

i bet the pricetag for this thing is a photograph of a kidney!

i LOVE THIS THING!!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340290884.jpg

Thanks for all the info!

I do have to confess, I do own a bike. I have mountain bike that is about seven years old. I absolutely hate riding the thing, and am very temped to find a creative way to rid myself of it. I bought it on a whim, and I think the reason I don't like is that it doesn't fit me well, and is poorly constructed.

I like the idea of City Bikes, I am going to have to check it out. Question though, for those who know, do they have a tattoo minimum to get in the door? Another local shop I stopped by weren't too intested in me due to my lack of tats and desire for more than one speed.

Not knowing exactly how to fit myself to a bike, I really didn't want to walk into a shop and waste everyone's time figuring out I wasn't buying from them. I actually think that is how I ended up with the last bike...

Do I care about the types of brakes? Or is that something I could change later if I wanted? What are the differences on the shifters?

And Vanilla, five year wait as of last year? Ack!

TIA

Quickie bike fit. Wear whatever shoes you bike in. Stand w/ back to wall. Stick a hardcover book between your legs, press one edge of the book against the wall, jam it up until the book's spine hits your public bone. Measure distance from the spine to the floor. That is your "bike inseam". Will be a couple/few inches longer than your standard pants inseam. Traditionally a road bike frame would have a seatpost length, measured from center of bottom bracket to middle of top tube, about 0.67 x bike inseam. As a second check, straddle the bike and see if you can lift it a couple inches before the top tube hits your public bone. Today with sloping top tubes, mountain bike influences, etc, people are riding smaller frames. But that's a reasonable rough start.

I know certain parts of Portland can be "trendy" and if the bike shop you visit gave you tude because of your appearance.

I'm a chubby middle age balding dude with no tats... at the Washington Mall bike shop they were very friendly and helpful, and had a wide selection of city, cruiser, and mountain bikes.

When I'm in the area I hang around Beaverton/Tigard... there is another nice/friendly bike shop down around Canyon drive, near Fred Myer.

my next bike, i am buying in oregon to avoid taxes..

you cant swing a dead cat without hitting a great bike shop up there!

Place by the Washington mall, I guarantee they are friendly:

Home - santiambicycle.com

The other place we went, also friendly and helpful, I see they rent bikes... maybe you could try before you buy?

Bike Gallery | Your local, family-owned bike store since 1974

Do you have a Performance bike up where you are? I think this is a great deal. Scattante R-330 Road Bike - DoorBusters! Up to 70 Percent Off

I don't like big chain stores, but this is a great deal. This is their brand, but their quality is about the same as any other name brands. I am almost sure the frame came out of the same factories as all the others.

They do look good! I now have some more places to check out.

Now I see you can put 50cc engines on some of these. Hmm....

I think there is a performance bike at Mall 205.

You're welcome to come to my place and try some bikes on for size. I'm 5' 11". You may not get much riding done since my bikes all have clipless pedals. But wear rubber soled shoes and you can slip around on clipless pedals good enough to see if the bike fits. Sending you a PM.