NeeCee- question about bikes

So I've been thinking about buying a bike for a while now but i had a few questions, and I know that you are into it. First, do you think I should go for a road bike or a mountain bike? I am in college right now, and I would use it for riding around our  slightly hilly campus. For this summer though, I would be riding around my neighborhood, and I would possibly go on some trails around here, so that makes me think I should get a mountain bike. In the future, I might think about doing one of those bike races for charity or whatever. But I'm just not sure. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the two? Thanks

I would say go to the local bike shop and talk with them! They will fit you on the right bike for your body.  They let you try them out in the parking lot, and may even let you take one home for a while.  A bike shop is better than say, wallymart, because, in general, the gears are more heavy duty, better body integrity. plus again, the personalized service and guarantees. To me, a bike shop bike is better for people who will use the bike as transportation and serious riding.   I was told that to ride a mountain bike 'round the hood is like taking a biggo 4 wheel drive to the store for milk. Then again, my friend adores her mountain bike, takes hers on the road, all over. A road bike in the hood is like taking a maserati to the store!  LOL. Just depends on what you want and what you will use it for.neighborhood rider, no problem...go on over to wallymart. I have a hybrid - a cross between a road and mountain bike! The tires are not slick, not thick, not thin, just a little knobby on the edges, so I can take it on dirt trails. For my big ride, i traded out and got the semi-slicks for more efficiency.  Comfort is a big thing for me.  I loved my bike from the first time I sat on it. I don't find the road bike positioning (head nearly over the bars, body pointed downward) that comfy. My position on my bike is somehwere between a cruiser stance and the road bikes. I can sit straight up and still brake/shift. I have a boys bike, too. No reason, just felt better to me. Cost was another thing for me.  i spent $300 nearly 15 years ago.  i found a Giant on sale. There is another hybrid bike I have my eye on right now for about $450, i think I will get it.  My back gears are needing replaced, so i may fix it and give it to my DD! Then I will have a tuf bike pardner to ride with!  My bottom line:  you pick...either a mountain bike or a hybrid.  Cruisers are back in style, and if you just want neighborhood riding, no problem, go get it. They have 3 gears, so you can do sum fun low key riding without too much burnout. Hope that helps! I love my bike..can u tell!

Awesome, thanks for the help. I'm going to a bike shop tomorrow to check it out more.

A cautionary bike tale- My BF, who has little in the way of cash, saved up and bought a bicycle that would support his frame (370, 5'10".) What he didn't figure in was that it's almost impossible for him to ride the damn thing-- his health just isn't there yet. So he has this useless but very pretty $350 heavy duty bike! This weekend, he's posting it on Craigslist to try to trade for a recumbent exercise bike! :)

may I ask? what is it that "barks" on him when he tries to ride? My nephew rides...he is 400#, if not 450 - a very big boy.

 

On my big ride, there were at least three people I saw doing the 30 mile ride that had to be WELL over 300#.

I am gonna go out on a limb here and venture a guess that your nephew is not a 40 year old father of 8 with high blood pressure. He's just not well enough to do it at this time.  I know it's hard to understand, but MANY supersized people cannot tolerate some kinds of exercise-- I for instance can swim for miles, but cannot walk long distances without searing pain. Your body breaks down with age and misuse. It isn't the weight, but a combination of weight and ill fitness.

I agree totally with Neecee.  I think you will love bike riding whether it is for fitness or leisure.  I love it and try to do it at least twice a week for fitness.  Good Luck!   Katy I also bought a bike rack so I could take my bike out to some great trails.  I live in the heart of Chicago and I'm a little leery about city street biking (but plenty of people do it), but there are some awesome trials around.