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| Thanks so much! That is really helpful information. I can't wait to buy my stuff. I have to hurry cause it's already getting warm here. I just have to wait for my tax refund which should be coming soon. I'm planning on getting the Dahon Jack. I'll start looking at bike helmets now that I know what to look for. Thanks again.
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| About helmets, I'm glad you ask! My mom calls cyclists who don't wear helmets "cabbage heads"! All helmets sold in the US must meet the government's CPSC standard and most major manufacturers comply with the tougher Snell standars as well (with the notable exception of Bell), so the cheapie from wal-mart will probably be just as safe as many of the more expensive, sleeker helmets on the market. Look for the Snell sticker on the inside of the helmet. As they get more expensive, they do tend to get lighter in weight and more comfortable, allowing more airflow so you don't get as hot headed. I use a Giro Indicator, which I like just fine for commuting and casual riding. http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=91&subcategory=1045&brand=&sku=18830&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Adult%20Helmets Here's a pic from BikeNashbar.
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Thanks again for the suggestions, and I'm glad the thread is helping others! 
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| Does anyone know if there's a difference between the really expensive bike helmets and the cheaper ones, like from Walmart? I don't want to skimp on safety but I also don't want to fork out more money than I have to.
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Yay! Another bike commuter! Good for you, welcome to the club. 
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| Thanks for this thread. I've been wanting to get a bike but have been overwhelmed with all the info out there. I'm probably going to get a Dahon since I live in a little townhouse and don't have much storage area. Thanks to everyone again for sharing how much they like their bikes. Now I won't be afraid to buy one. I live 2 miles from work and have been wanting to commute by bike. The only time I might not is july/aug. I'm in Arizona and it gets too hot for me during those months.
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I like my Polar Heart Rate Monitor. They have a website and you can see all the different models and pick one that suits your needs. I think mine is the A1 model. It tracked my heart rate, calories and exercise time and if I remember correctly I paid about $150.00 for it. It was worth it. I used it for cycling and for running.
http://www.polarusa.com/default.asp
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I know...I just love my little computer on my bike. 2 summers ago I rode over 1000 miles. It was fun tracking the miles. And you are right it does motivate you to ride a little faster or longer.
Another helpful tool is a heartrate monitor. I was able to see if I was working hard enough. The monitor I had also tracked calories. I hope to get back into all that this summer. I miss it.
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| Yeah, we got cheap cateye computers for our bikes a while ago, and they're the best. It's like a little rabbit to chase. I find myself going a little faster just to maintain a certain average and such. Totally makes it more fun!
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I have a Trek hybrid (not sure of the model) and I LOVE it!! I've had it for 3 years now with no trouble whatsoever. I bought a little spedometer/odometer that tracks how many miles/minutes and how fast I'm going. It makes riding even more fun than it already is.
I would love a road bike now but I can't afford it right now....
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JUSTMEANDB
2/2/07 11:58 A
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| Thanks for all of the suggestions. I had just a cheap huffy for rides with my much younger sister, but it's a piece! :) Thanks again!
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Terri - the Dahon full-size folders are excellent. My SO bought the Espresso last summer. We bought it from LLBean - he was after that killer warranty because he was nervous about the folding bike and was concerned that it would have troubles and such. He loves that bike! It folds really easily (even the pedals fold in!) and is easy to carry. I rode it to the store once just because I didn't feel like bothering with a lock for mine, and while I got some funny looks walking in with a folded in half bike, it was great. That said, you have to be VERY careful where you put them when they are folded. They travel well in the back seat of the car, for example, but it is very easy to throw the brakes out of whack by putting it on it's side in the trunk. I'm always jealous when we take the subway with our bikes though - I'm the jerk blocking three seats with my bike and he's just sitting in the corner with his folded up!
Regarding recommendations for bikes in general, I have a Trek 7300 and highly recommend the 7000 series for someone who wants to get into light cycling and doesn't want to go the whole serious road bike route. The upright geometry of the hybrid style bikes is very comfortable for riding in the city or around the greenways (we live in NYC) and handles uneven terrain better than a road bike but is much easier to move than a mountain bike on the street. Mine, the 7300, comes with front shocks, and if I had it to do again, I would buy the 7200 instead. I find that the shocks, though they may provide a slightly softer ride, are not at all worth it for the cost and the added weight - I dislike the degree to which I am insulated from the road. That sort of thing really isn't needed on a bike that is predominantly ridden on paths or streets. In general, whatever sort of bike you're after, I highly recommend Trek - this is my third from them, and the previous two are still alive and well and living with friends of mine.
When I reach goal, in a few years, I'm treating myself to a serious cyclist's bike, probably a Bianchi, but that's a ways off, and the hybrid is fantastic for exercise riding and commuting.
-Sarah
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My SO just got a new job, and has been looking at folding bikes that he could ride to the train, and take it on board with him. I never realized that they make bikes with full size wheels that fold too.
I'm seriously considering a standard size folding bike so that I don't have to fool with a bike rack if I want to take it somewhere away from home to ride. Dahon is a company that makes full size folding bikes in several styles.
I'm considring this one:
http://www.dahon.com/us/jack.htm
I wish you all the best, Terri
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| Trek and Giant make good bikes and have decent models that sell for a reasonable price. You should go to a bike store where they will help you find the right sort of bike and size bike for you and let you test ride a few so you can see what you like and don't like.
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| I know that last summer. My dad bought one of the Next bikes from Wal-mart and he absolutly loves it. Says that the extra shocks actually make for a smoother ride!
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| I love to be outdoors and would love to buy a bike for spring. Anyone have any suggestions of good ones?
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