Just starting, bike purchase info

[SandiA]

I am really happy to have found this site. I want to purchase bikes for my husband and myself so we can start riding again. It has been many years. We don't do mountain riding, just road or trail. I would like any input on what type of bikes I should look for with over all quality and versitile use. We are in our late 50's so racing is certainly out of the question. But long leisure rides are what I have in mind. Thanks for any help. You can email me at RNORNURSE@AOL.COM if you want to discuss at length.

[FredHiltz]

Hi Sandi,

An excellent place to start is the page of How To articles, accessible by a link from the Adventure Cycling home page. They cover the ground more thoroughly than we ever could here.

Do come back with specific questions. You can browse this group to see what gets good answers.

Welcome back to cycling!

Fred

[SandiA]

Thanks so much for the help! I will keep reading!

[TCS]

SandiA,

For long leisurely road and trail rides, I'd think you'd want bikes that were comfortable and efficient (yes - there are comfortable bikes that aren't efficient and efficient bikes that aren't comfortable!)

What's your budget per bike/total?

TCS

[CNC2006]

SandiA,
What a fun place to be!  I know it's a bit overwhelming, but a couple pieces of advice.

1) Think about how you will be using it. Are you planning on riding day rides (long/short), lightly loaded, self-contained touring, credit card touring, etc.  Though you can use one bike to do many things, there is something to be said for the right tool for the right job.

2) Hook up with your local bike club.  Everyone has an opinion, and love to share it!

3) If you have several Local Bike Shops (better known as LBS), go kick a few tires and see where you are most comfortable.  For the most part you will get what you pay for.  Bike shops actually make very little markup on bikes.  They hope that by giving you great service you will return for shop services and accesories.

4) Most important, don't agonize too much about it, get out and ride!  A prime example is my girlfriend, who agonized over spending $350 on a nice Trek hybrid.  A year and a half later, she loves cycling and decided that a lighter, higher quality road bike was worth shelling out $1500.
Point is she got EXACTLY the right bike for that time in her biking evolution.

Good luck!
Cameron