Which bike should i buy for going on bike rides for fitness and fun?

Question

Well here's the scenario; i have a bmx which i use to take my dog for walks, get to and from places nearby and go to college. I have decided i would like to start going on bike rides in the evenings by myself just for something to do and also fitness (i enjoy keeping fit very much).

I have a job and work often so money isn't a big issue, but this bike is just for personal use, not for competitions etc so i'm not looking to spend anything over £200 or so, but if there would be any BIG differences to my enjoyment or comfort when cycling that may cost abit more, then i'm 'all ears'! :)

Thanks.

Answer 1

I'd definitely ramp up your budget a bit, and look to spend about double your current budget in order to get a bike that you will actually enjoy riding, and that won't wear out too quickly.

As for type of bike, take a look at the various "fitness" bikes, like the Trek FX series, the Specialized Sirrus line, Giant's FCR collection, Felt's Speed line, etc.  These bikes have a more relaxed frame style with a flat handle bar like a mountain bike, tires slightly wider than a road bike, and gearing somewhere in between the two.  

Since you are outside the US, I don't know all the brands that are available to you, but take a look at the one's I mentioned to get a general idea.

Answer 2

The best thing to do here is to go to a bike shop and ask to test ride some of the different configuration. Or ask friends to test ride their bikes. Also make sure they fir the bike well before you test ride as the wrong fit can make the right bike painful. As a general rule you'll want either a road bike or a hybrid. Hybrid will offer more comfort but will be slower. Hybrids are also low/mid end bikes and will usually cost less than a road bike. Absolutely avoid rear  suspension and only consider the front one if you will be riding on rough terrain or have serious wrists problems. But most of all, you want a bike that *you* will find comfortable riding. There are lots of factors to take in account such as the speeds you will be traveling at (and the induced wind resistance), the terrain (lots of hills ? you'll want a lighter bike) as well as your height and weight. Again, the best thing to do is go to the LBS (Local Bike Shop) near you and ask around. You may also want to shop for your favourite LBS at the same time as you'll most likely want to go to the same place after for repairs and adjustments. What I can tell you from experience is this: I originally bought a hybrid, but a couple of years later (which is nothing for a bike) my riding style changed drastically. I became more of a racer/aggressive commuter. By now, the bike has been modified much and now looks more like a road bike. That is, apart from the straight handlebars which is my next mod. Now it's better suited, but modding your bike is definitely more expensive in the long run than getting the right type of bike in the first place.

Bottom line is, take your time and choose wisely, because a well cared for bike will probably outlive you!