My husband and I went riding this weekend and decided we wanted to buy some bikes of our own. Since we know very little about bicycle types and things to look for, I was wondering if any Pixie experts could offer some advice.

1. Any good reference materials to learn about bikes (good brands, functionality, etc)?
2. Any recommendations on mountain bikes and/or road bike brands or types? (I am seeking aroad bike, husband wants a mountain bike)
3. Anything to watch out for?

Words of advice greatly appreciated.

We're looking for something under $500 a person -- likely more in the $200 range. I don't want to get ye old basic bike at Target (these haven't worked out well for us in the past). And I need something that will help me do a hill! (Berkeley has a LOT of hills)

Thanks for the help.

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

I had a GIANT mountain bike in college that never went up a hill or off road. It was a very basic bike and I loved it. It's sitting in my parents basement and I'm convinced someday I will get it back.

I would recommend finding a local bike shop and talking to them. They generally are very helpful and will find the right bike for you. Be honest with them and tell them you are just starting out and that you don't want a premier bike but a good solid basic bike.

As a gauge, I paid about $300 for mine at the time. I think you will be able to find something in your price range that is a good beginner bike without much problem.

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When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and swing.

Very good advice Maddy... I said almost the exact same thing, but via PM.

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Put me on wheels and I'll turn tricks.

Clever? Nah, I ran out of that years ago. But if you find this, let me know, k?
"The road goes ever on..." ~ Tolkien

In memory of my friend skip...
Go then, there are other worlds than these

Thank you both! I will do -- and a little birdie advised me of some places to go!

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

My wife and I have Raleighs. They are a year or 2 behind the technology of Treks or Canondales but are the best buy for the money. In my humble opinion.

I just bought a new bike a few months ago, as my regular bike is still in NO.

If you don't know what type (mountain or road) try a "comfort bike", sort of a midway bike, with a nice wide saddle for us with soft bottoms, and a more upright riding position.

I bought a "Specialized" because they still make small frame bikes for small framed women.

(I am only 4'10" so a regular adult bike doesn't work well for me)

WW

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"I wondered, am I a lesbian, am I straight, or bisexual? Then I realized that I am just a slut.
So where's MY parade?"

---Margaret Cho

That's from the tectonic plate activity. If they didn't tell you about that, don't worry, you'll learn about it soon.

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"going back to childhood roots can be fun".

Yes, she was.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

[QUOTE=PantyFanatic]That's from the tectonic plate activity.

So thats why we have speed bumps!

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The mind never forgets what the hands have learned

Don't try and eat your bicycle.

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On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

I'm not that hungry....yet.

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

Hey guys just thought i'd contribute my 2 cents given that I ride every other day road and mountain

For the girl I'd definitely recommend looking into 2 brands that specifically focus on women's design since women's bodies are anatomically different from males Specialized and TREK both have WSD (Women Specific Designs) and they have some good road bikes. There are a few other brands out there but I think everyone out there will agree that the best entry level road bike is the Specialized Allez. Trek makes some good WSD bikes too but dealers around where I live price'em a little higher.

As for the mountain...There's a bunch of good MTB bikes out there, but not much for $500 range. I think the best bang for the buck is probably the hardtail Specialized Rockhopper (good frame) or the Norco Charger/Storm.

It really all depends on what you ride...if you ride together, there's no way I'd take that road bike on a trail ride...you'll end up destroying your bike. And if you're S/O rides the road with his MTB you'll blow by him in no time because of your road bike design. You could get a tandem bike Those are always fun

I hear most tandem bikes get issued with divorce papers

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

^^ wouldn't know about that lol...

but I will say one thing is that if you're looking at buying a road bike just fork over the extra $$$ for decent components and you'll be set for 10 yrs AT LEAST if you just clean your chain and oil it (that's all!). You might need to get it serviced every 2-3 yrs depending on how much you ride but seriously...if I were a bike salesperson I'd recommend both of you to pick up Specialized Allez Entry level bikes. It is one SOLID bike for the money

Here's a link...http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=21893

Click on bikes > road > Allez and select the Allez Triple for $710 MSRP (You can probably find'em for 500 easy) and if you buy two of'em the bike shop might swing you a deal

You could also look at the Dolche which is a specific women's only bike for the same price. Both are decent and you can always upgrade later if need be.

You don't need something like what I ride which is the Roubaix Pro.

But goto the LBS (local bike shop) and take a seat on'em and have them set you up with the proper geometry and see how you like it. Take it for a test ride and voila

If a specialized dealer isn't close to you check out Trek bikes too...I'd recommend Pilot 1.2 WSD for the lady and a 1.2 for the guy. Decent bike but I still prefer an Allez over it (just personal preference).

Just butting in again.

First, don't forget to get a good seat! (I will NOT make a joke about how much fun it is to ride a bike with a just post sticking up, but I do find the right seat "stimulating")

Shop around at the actual bike shops. There are great sales, and I bought my Specialized Woman's Comfort bike for much less than 500!
(about 375, I think)

The web site is, or was a tad too complicated for a neophyte like me, the salesperson was very helpful, (and VERY cute) and she let me take several different bikes out for trial rides until I picked one.

It has all the high end components that I need, and as a moderately obsesive type about clenaing my things, it still looks like like new several hundred miles later, (my typical ride is 22 miles) in a VERY humid, salty climate.

WW

__________________
"I wondered, am I a lesbian, am I straight, or bisexual? Then I realized that I am just a slut.
So where's MY parade?"

---Margaret Cho