Check out the thread "Ignorance is bliss?" on the Passion site. I want to make some recommendations for beginning bike riders and I'll bet there are a few others around here with some good suggestions. Until you know a lot of technical information about bicycle products you would be advised not to spend a whole truckload of cash for your first bike. It takes a lot of time to learn all this crap tires rims hubs brakes suspension frames cranks bars chains. The list seems endless. And until you know what you want don't go out and break the bank. We've ALL made this mistake by the way.
Hit pawn shops thrift stores bike auctions used sporting goods stores craigslist. Anyplace that has used bicycles. Buy a Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Kona, Haro, Diamondback, Marin, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz, North American, it's a long list of good quality bikes and these are NOT in order of importance. Pick a mountain bike for a good low price. Suspension is complicated and expensive to maintain. Take the bike to a local bike shop and have them put on a set of new Panaracer, Kenda, Continental Schwalbe tires, new tubes, check spokes, new grips, new seat? pedals? lubricate cables new brake pads or disc pads, full tuneup set brakes derailer.
Then just ride the holy crap out of it. Run it into the ground. Ride the freakin wheels off that bike. Use it or lose it. The best bikes are ones that are expended, ridden, used. That's my two bits worth for noobs looking for their first bike. Usually you don't even have to take them to the shop. Get an air pump, lube, and a multi tool. Okay enough ranting.
Hit pawn shops thrift stores bike auctions used sporting goods stores craigslist. Anyplace that has used bicycles. Buy a Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Kona, Haro, Diamondback, Marin, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz, North American, it's a long list of good quality bikes and these are NOT in order of importance. Pick a mountain bike for a good low price. Suspension is complicated and expensive to maintain. Take the bike to a local bike shop and have them put on a set of new Panaracer, Kenda, Continental Schwalbe tires, new tubes, check spokes, new grips, new seat? pedals? lubricate cables new brake pads or disc pads, full tuneup set brakes derailer.
Then just ride the holy crap out of it. Run it into the ground. Ride the freakin wheels off that bike. Use it or lose it. The best bikes are ones that are expended, ridden, used. That's my two bits worth for noobs looking for their first bike. Usually you don't even have to take them to the shop. Get an air pump, lube, and a multi tool. Okay enough ranting.
