B
BikeNewbie
Guest
I'm a 36-year-old woman, and I'm thinking of buying a bike for the sake of exercise and recreation. I haven't been on a bike since I was 11, so as you can imagine, I'm a little overwhelmed by all the different options available today.
The only bike I ever had as a kid was a fixed-gear bike with coaster brakes, so I'm especially nervous about buying a bike with multiple speeds. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know how to change gears. Is it hard to learn?
I've read about the differences between mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, and cruisers, and right now I'm thinking of getting a fixed-gear cruiser because it seems like it would be easy to ride and because I don't anticipate long commutes or rough terrain. The other possibility is a hybrid, just in case it turns out that I really enjoy biking and I decide to try some rougher terrain for a more intense workout.
Any advice? I'm not looking for advice on particular brands on models, just your thoughts on whether a fixed-gear bike would suit my needs or whether I should buy a hybrid with multiple speeds and ask someone to teach me how to ride it.
I'm pretty sure I'll be a casual and occasional rider, not a hard-core athlete, and there are no hills in my neighborhood to worry about.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have. : )
The only bike I ever had as a kid was a fixed-gear bike with coaster brakes, so I'm especially nervous about buying a bike with multiple speeds. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know how to change gears. Is it hard to learn?
I've read about the differences between mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, and cruisers, and right now I'm thinking of getting a fixed-gear cruiser because it seems like it would be easy to ride and because I don't anticipate long commutes or rough terrain. The other possibility is a hybrid, just in case it turns out that I really enjoy biking and I decide to try some rougher terrain for a more intense workout.
Any advice? I'm not looking for advice on particular brands on models, just your thoughts on whether a fixed-gear bike would suit my needs or whether I should buy a hybrid with multiple speeds and ask someone to teach me how to ride it.
I'm pretty sure I'll be a casual and occasional rider, not a hard-core athlete, and there are no hills in my neighborhood to worry about.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have. : )