buying a beginner bike?

Question

I have finally convinced a good friend of mine to get a bike!!! This will be her first bike (since she was 10 or something) and she's a little nervous going into a shop so I agreed to go shopping with her. Then I got to thinking I don't really know much about hybrid type $300-$500 dollar beginner bikes? I know much more about expensive racing road bikes and honestly don't know where to begin to help her with this. Any suggestions or things to ask/look for.

Answer 1

Get a regular production bike, not a hybrid! Diamond Back or Cannondale ... among others ... make good entry level bikes with nice features and good quality manufacturing standards. Those companies let you choose gearing, frame size, frame alloys and bike type (cruiser, mountain, racing etc.) Don't buy a steel frame bike ... they're heavy!

No matter what she buys, she's probably going to spend about $300.00. I wouldn't invest any more until your friend decides she's going to ride regularly. She can always get a better bike later, but if she over spends at the beginning, she might be spending a lot of money on a great bike that just sits! Don't forget the helmet!!!!!

Answer 2

Like everyone said, it would depend on what you want the bike for. Probably a mountain bike might be a good idea since they're confortable, and she might decide later on that she wants to go offroad. But if not, hybrids can be a good idea too.

Don't worry that the bike will have good components, with 300-500 bucks you won't get XT drivetrain and Mavic Crossmax wheels. Just try to make sure that the frame is for XC, and a hardtail will be a better bike for the money. A full suspension bike will only be good if she would be riding mostly on dirt and on the rough, other than that, a hardtail will be better and lighter.

There are a lot of brands out there, so you should see different shops to see what they have, and probably they could let her test the ride in the parking lot. Okay, it won't be a very exact test, but she can see if the bike fits her, or she feels weirdly on it.

Also, be sure to ask the bike shop any question you have, even if you think it's a dumb question. There aren't dumb questions, just dumb answers... well, mostly ;)

Answer 3

First thing you need to know is -
1. "How will she use the bike - road, trail, mountain, etc?"
2. "What is your budget?"
3. "Are there any components she must have - like disc brakes, etc.?"
4. "Is she willing to buy used?" - you get a LOT for your money typically
5. "Is she willing to upgrade components later (and buy a decent frame now), or does she want the biggest bang for the buck now?" - these are often two very different things
6. If you buy new, definitely go with name brand at a bike shop - no walmart crap.
7. At this point begin to look at the prices and component lists for the type of bike that she wants. Compare your info with what the bike gurus at the shop will teach you, but just don't stop at one shop - make sure you check around to make sure the info is consistent.
FYI - most likely you will be buying shimano or sram components - search the web on them and know what levels there are before you go to the shop. DO NOT FORGET to get her properly fitted (should be free with the bike) and a helmet.

Hope this helps

Answer 4

You first have to decide what type of riding you are going to be doing. If you are going to go on dirt trails, you should look at getting a mountian bike. If you want to cruise around a paved city path and never go on anything bumpier than a sidewalk, you could look at city bikes (also known as hybrid or comfort bikes). If you are going on long rides (20+ miles) on paved roads, you should look at a road bike. For 300-500 dollars you can get yourself a decent entry-level mountain/city bike. An entry level road bike will start out around 500-600 dollars.

Go to your local bike shops and shop around. Find a place that treats her well and doesn't talk down to her. Above all, make sure she fits the bike well.

Answer 5

Go to your local bike shop. They can tell you everything you need to know. I own a bikeshop, and don't worry about being nervous, i have had some dumbnuts that come into my shop. I wouldn't go with a hybrid, just a standard hardtail. Make sure it fits right and is comfortable. Does she know a lot about bikes and want to upgrade later, or get the best bike right now? The main components will probably be either SRAM and Shimano. Don't do that cheap Wal-Mart bike crap, get a real brand name bike from your local bike shop. They dont give you crap. 300-500 dollars is good, you can get a good beginners bike with that, good luck :)

Answer 6

Visit several local bike shops and compare what they have to offer. Hybrid bikes would usually have a triple crank, and varied setups from full-suspension to rigid. At the price, there are many compromises. Parts, wheels and frames are juggled to meet price points. I would suggest a touring type road bike instead of a hybrid because it is fairly upright, comfortable and allows more hand positions than a hybrid. Have her try a hybrid and a similarly priced road bike. She might like how a road bike rides and works. Raleighs and Giants are good starters; Bianchi and Specialized might offer bikes at a slightly higher price and the Mongooses and Diamondbacks tend to hover at the lower prices but at dangerously suspect quality level. Resist the urge to get "more bike" for the money at Walmarts, Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting stores. Good luck and enjoy.

Answer 7

Same manufacturers that make the expensive road nikes make hybrids. The key is the frame structure that makes a great bike is the same manufacturing philosophy with less expensive products, that make a less expensive bike. You have the answer. Advise her on what you know just lookf or the lesser priced version. The difference will products used.

Answer 8

go to a shop and look for the hybrid style bikes in your price range. let her pick one out that she likes and fits well. people dont race hybrids so as long as shes comfortable then its all good. thats how i picked out my first mountain bike from target. it was originally $200 and i have had it for over a year and now its my $2000 XC race bike. what im sayin is that you dont need alot of professional opinion for buying a first timer a new bike. if shes happy, then your mission was a success

Answer 9

u should consider getting companys like haro,kona,norco,specialized,tr... and gt. start with kona, specialized and giant they make good bikes and they are cheap for bikes within the same range. for kona look for stuff, lavadom or scrap
norco:shore series
haro:v series
specialized:any thing they are all good and cheap
ironhorse:make almost unbreakable bikes but they are heavy
banshee:morphine series


before buying the bike make sure that the dimonds of the frame should be small and points upwards the tyres should be wide and with lots of rubber studs. the fork should have atleast 100mm of travel better if beond 130mm. the suspention brand that you should look for is marzochii or rock shock they are the most common ones. if you dont like the suspention then you might consider spending an other 500$ on bomber shocks they are good qualityed stuff. i recomand a hard tail because they are easier to ride up hill and gives lots of air. and is cheaper and lighter. you should look for disk breaks but if the bike dont come with them v breaks are good too exept over time they dig into your rim and shorten the rim's life.

Answer 10

Try looking for a women's specific sized bike for her. There are makers like Cannondale and Specialized that make them. You can go online and get a feel on the type and style she might want.They should list the retail prices and have a section on bike sizing. She needs to decide on what her goals are in riding and what type of bike to get for the $$$ she going to pay. Other brands to consider are Trek and Giant. Good luck!