Have to ride defensively and anticipate dangers. Then you can avoid most problems on the street. E.g. the right hook - don't enter an intersection with a car on your left, don't overtake a car on the right if you're coming up on an intersection, driveway, open parking place. Left hook - don't go bombing through intersections too fast to stop/avoid a turning car. Accordion - don't stop and wait right behind a stopped car, stop by the lines between the lanes. The thing that every new rider worries about - that you're riding along and a car suddenly plows you over from behind - is really rare. Even then, the answer is to use a helmet mirror and get in the habit of scanning it, just like you scan your mirrors when driving.

Pedestrians are completely unpredictable, they stop and turn and reverse with no warning and on a whim, kids and dogs are the worst, if you ride around pedestrians you have to crawl (10 mph) and are always braking and swerving. Cars are fairly predictable, and you can ride as fast as you like (for the most part).

I have a set of these near identical (without the clamp end) marketed by Schwinn. I have them on a folding bike and I love them. Cost $7.00 from Target, a bit heavy for those gram counting freaks. The upper body weight is distributed better on the palm and well worth it on a non-suspension fork bike.

I found the best thing for comfort is a pair of biking shorts. They come with well fitted cushions built into the buns. Win!

Ok - after going to sports authority, I realized I'm too big boned for a medium size frame. I am 6'2" so I'm now looking for hybrid bikes - 700c wheels, and an XML (21") frame. Saw a Trayl & K2 hybrid bike at sports authority for $250 to $300. Anyone have experience with those? Kinda like the Trayl a little better...

Thanks,
-Z

Sports authority???? You need to go to a real bike shop, even if it is for a quality used bike.

Z, if you point us to your local CL, maybe we can find you a good used bike. A $200 used bike with a $80 service can be a better quality bike than a $500 new bike, and certainly a $300 new bike.

and make sure you go commando.

For the OP, I might suggest checking out a few model years back of a Gary Fisher 'Dual Sport'. While on vacation I was offered from the host, use of one. I also pulling a Burley trailer with two kids and day trip stuff. Beautiful, effortless cruiser. I was hauling a load yet flying past jocks on fat tire bikes while on a dedicated asphalt bike trails! On another excursion without kids and a trailer, solo ride I had a chance to ride some single track off-road. Impressed.

Here's the secret.... sort of a mountain bike but you can set the stem or bars to rise if needed but primarily it rides on 700C wheel / tires. With the larger diameter but medium width, it has a much nicer ride with far less rolling resistance. The model I was riding was fat tubed, stiff aluminum frame hard tail with a front suspension fork. I think these bikes used can be found with better to mid grade Shimano components for $300. I was really surprised how terrific these better 'dual sports' are. Good luck

But why?

Sounds like a great way to soil your shorts...

+1... Mr Z, I know money may be tight but if you get a quality bike you won't regret it.

I have a fully rigid Trek. (Standard rigid front fork) Alloy frame and Made in Taiwan but the components are all Shimano. It's about 8 years old now and still rides great.
It's called a pavement cycle. I use Slick tyres that grip better in the wet than conventional street tyres IMO.

I bought it new but I'm betting you could find something similar for not a lot of money.

No green so I am assume you really don't know. The padding or chamois protect sensitive skin against constant rubbing from pedaling action. Underwear will get in the way and accelerate the problem and ride up. A major wedgie.

TMI right there -- TMI. :eek:

Guys - also don't forget -- I'm NOT getting a bike:
1. To ride once, hang on my wall, and brag to my friends about my expensive bike
2. To go hardcore on the trails
3. To ride coast to coast
4. To go on 50 mile trips at a time
5. To ride everyday

Primary use of the bike will be:
1. To ride to the tennis courts two miles away weely
2. To ride around town occasionally
3. To take to local parks and ride on paved and dirt trails.

IF I should get into biking more, I would certainly upgrade my bike. To put it into perpective -- it's like the Porsche enthusiast who is looking to get a Cayman for autocrossing and DE's, and winds up getting a 991 Cup car.

Its not necessarily about the price -- I can afford a more expensive bike -- but just like I don't need a 991 Cup car to drive the 2 miles to the tennis courts, I also don't necessarily need a fancy brand-name wizz-bang bike...

I know I need a larger frame. Skinnier wheels are good - as long as they aren't the skinny wheels I had on my old 12 speed racer. Decent components are helpful - like good Shimano gears. I thought a hybrid (no shocks front or rear), for around $300 is a good place to start.

As for used bikes - honestly, I know there are killer deals out there -- but I really don't have the time to go hunting for one, to be honest...

-Z

If you can deal with single speed, check out this $150 sweet 29" rig from Wally World.


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An REI near you? Okay w/ mail order? Get this, while it is on sale for $480 - I'd mail order it, then when it arrives, take to the nearest REI for setup.

Novara Transfer Bike - 2013 at REI.com

Novara/REI stuff is solid, decent quality, fairly priced. This bike would be perfect for your needs and comes w/ every accessory already (except a spare tube/tire levers/pump). Bought separately, fenders cost $65, generator hub and headlights $200+, taillight $40, rack $50, and so on, plus installation labor. The internal gear hub and covered chain are great for a hop-on-and-go bike.

Our Novara Transfer bike offers a sturdy, versatile ride for everyday transportation, from commuting to errands and more, and is fully outfitted to ensure your ride is a smooth, smile-worthy affair.

The Transfer is all about getting from Point A to Point B, comfortably, confidently, quickly, with everything you need to get the job done right
Frame offers an easy-mount design with a smooth ride quality; 4130 chromoly steel delivers plenty of strength to support heavy loads and withstand rough roads
Shimano internally geared rear hub is low-maintenance compared to conventional cassette systems and provides 7 smooth-shifting, wide-ranging gears
Using the Shimano Revo twist shifter is intuitively simple, letting you adjust to meet the demands of your ride
Basta headlight is powered by a generator in the front hub and remains on for 4 min. after stopping to ensure your path is lit, even when stopping for lights
Battery-powered taillight provides rear visibility and is motion- and photo-sensitive; battery indicator lets you know when its time to replace the battery
Tektro linear-pull brakes provide comfortable braking and reliable stopping power
Transfer bike rack is ready for cargo, quickly accepting panniers or trunk bag (sold separately)—great for carrying groceries or work essentials
Puncture-resistant Vittoria Randonneur tires feature reflective sidewalls, sure grip and a fast, smooth ride
Designed for a comfortable, upright ride, our Transfer featuers a plush Velo Transfer saddle, mustache-style handlebar, cork grips and height-adjustable quill stem
Fenders and full-length chain guard keep you and your clothes protected; kickstand makes storage/parking easy and the included bell lets you alert others to your presence
Just get on and ride, no fancy shoes required—platform pedals accommodate a variety of shoes
Specs on our Novara Transfer bike are subject to change
All bicycles sold at REI include a free warranty tune-up. New bikes go through a normal break-in period, after which readjustment is important for longevity and performance. Bring your new bike in to your local REI for its free tune-up within 20 hours of use or 6 months from purchase, whichever comes first. Contact your nearest REI bike shop to schedule this important service.

Z, another analogy would be the 'ginner who buys a chinese guitar that won't stay in tune and soon gets burned out on learning how to play, because no matter how long he practices, that 'instrument' never sounds good.

You are making a choice to do some cycling, (an optional activity in your life, at least the way I interpret your description of why you want a bike). If the shifting is funky or the brakes are less than optimal or the cockpit position just never feels good, you'll soon park that bike in the garage, and eventually in the dumpster.

My advice, free, is to find a close-by bike shop that sells Trek, tell them what you have in mind and let them help you. You might pay a little more, but you're more likely to ride the bike and if there is a problem, you can take the bike back and they will help you solve it. Then, if you decide it's not for you, then at least the bike has some resale value, unlike the department store stuff.

(And, you may find a bike you love at the bike shop and then go home and see the same exact thing on craigslist for a few bucks less. No matter, you'll end up with a quality mount that the bike shop will work on.)

Personally, I'd go with the Novara John posted. I've had a Novara mountain bike before and it was very well built. I now have an Electra Tocino that is similar to the Novara in style and is a breeze to ride around town and at the beach with the thinner tires and upright seating position.

buy a decent used bike. craigslist.
doesn't have to be fancy. Old shimano components. Steel frame.
forget about these cheap bikes. they will ruin the experience.

A bit of searching but find one of these used large frame for under $300. Has on the fly front suspension lock-out, wide range of gearing and 700C rubber. The later the model year slightly better but here's specs on the '08.

2008 Gary Fisher Zebrano - BikePedia



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Is The Walmart Fatbike Really That Bad? | FAT-BIKE.COM

I'd do this. $199.00 Mongoose @ Walmart.