I bought a new bike

[East Bay Rider]

I needed a new bike to putt around town and generally goof off with my boy so I just bought one of these:
Leftover 2007 Giant Yukon.





and a new one for my wife too:
Leftover 2007 Giant Sedona DX W




Clearance prices

We both need to get more active so it made sense to ride a round a bit and get off the couch. This will be fun.

[Ashley]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

We both need to get more active so it made sense to ride a round a bit and get off the couch. This will be fun.

That's awesome! Biking is such a great way to get outdoors and get in shape, and you can get everywhere you want faster and easier Enjoy!

[gtbike72]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I needed a new bike to putt around town and generally goof off with my boy so I just bought one of these:
Leftover 2007 Giant Yukon.





and a new one for my wife too:
Leftover 2007 Giant Sedona DX W




Clearance prices

We both need to get more active so it made sense to ride a round a bit and get off the couch. This will be fun.

is that a 29er?

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by gtbike72

is that a 29er?

No, both have 26 inch wheels

[redshirt1957]

I assume the pedals are some sort of kick starter for the motor? Where is the motor? Ashley, it would take more than a bike for me to get back into shape. Maybe a miracle. Enjoy and have fun ridding with you son.

[Lol-x]

Bicycle riding is the coolest, most enjoyable, healthy way to go except when you need a motorcycle

So I'm guessing your new Giant is a kind of enduro bicycle or is it a mountain bike?
The seats look a little low too.

Bubba I guarantee you 100% a bicycle, if you approach it properly, would get you not just back into shape, but get you in the best shape you have ever been in your life

[roadcarver]

My first expensive bike was the Giant Yukon with rigid fork back in 1995. I have recently retired it for taking my son for bike rides. Giants offer the best bang for the buck.

[oneillba]

Bill, what a good way to save gas, enjoy time with the family and get some excercise to boot. Don't overdo it on your first long ride. Enjoy!

[unclesallie]

Steve: that's a standard 'cross-trainer': good for off the road, but not too heavy to ride on the road as well...not as nimble as a road bike(thinner tires, lighter frame)...see Terry Newton's 'garage' photos in prior links as a good example of the latter.
best,
dan

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Bicycle riding is the coolest, most enjoyable, healthy way to go except when you need a motorcycle

So I'm guessing your new Giant is a kind of enduro bicycle or is it a mountain bike?
The seats look a little low too.

Bubba I guarantee you 100% a bicycle, if you approach it properly, would get you not just back into shape, but get you in the best shape you have ever been in your life

Well said, Steve.

Nice ride, Bill. Riding is the cheapest therapy there is.
dP

[Terry Newton]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Well said, Steve.

Nice ride, Bill. Riding is the cheapest therapy there is.
dP

X 1,000. I concur; bicycling is the cheapest and best form of therapy out there but don't tell my clients that. I'll be put out of business. That will never happen as most people are looking for the easier, softer way all of the time.

Terry Newton

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Bicycle riding is the coolest, most enjoyable, healthy way to go except when you need a motorcycle

So I'm guessing your new Giant is a kind of enduro bicycle or is it a mountain bike?
The seats look a little low too.

Bubba I guarantee you 100% a bicycle, if you approach it properly, would get you not just back into shape, but get you in the best shape you have ever been in your life

Originally Posted by Terry Newton

X 1,000. I concur; bicycling is the cheapest and best form of therapy out there but don't tell my clients that. I'll be put out of business. That will never happen as most people are looking for the easier, softer way all of the time.

Terry Newton

Couple of questions?

I will only ride around the neighborhood which has a 10 degree grade of about 300 yards then mostly flat.

I have not owned a bike since I was 10, some sort of Schwinn 10 speed.

The bike must be comfortable.

The type of motorcycles I drive all have flat seats and wide handlebars and I sit straight up. I think the term is Standard. Just for reference only.

What type of bike?

Up until 50 I was able to run 5 minute miles. Now would be around 10. I am 6' 2" and weight 180lbs. Due to some health issues I have not lifted weights in five years. Body fat is 12%. I do have high blood pressure.

How should I start out?

I trust you guys more than my doctor or the old people, I mean those my age, that work at Wal-Mart.

[Terry Newton]

Joe:

Since it sounds like you will not be doing that much riding I would suggest a cross-bike. That is a bike that can be used for street and light trail use. A straight hard-core mountain bike would be very expensive and have a lot of grip and tread on the tires to go through various terrain. A racing bike will have the drop handlebars and will be uncomfortable for you and the tires are so narrow that you will only be able to be on the road with it. A cross-bike has you sitting more upright and is more comfortable. You can spend 400 plus on a cross-bike and have it for the rest of your life as a good investment. I would suggest you go to a good bicycle store in your area. Explain the type of riding you want to do and let them know that you don't want more of a bike than what your needs dictate. They will accommodate your request. Cannondale, Bianchi, Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc. all have good cross-bikes or hybrids as they are called.

Good-Luck and let us know what you decided on. If you want any further advice also I'll give you my phone # and help you out all I can.

Terry Newton

[unclesallie]

Joe: do the bike deal, and terry can help you pick one out. but, get a physical and stress test first, IMHO.
best,
dan

[Lol-x]

Bubba there is as much about bicycles (or more) as there is about Rolex watches.
However, to you and anyone in a similar position I would suggest the following:
1. Get a Cannondale Bad Boy without front suspension forks but you can get with or without disc brakes(I have no commercial or other direct or indirect association with Cannondale) I just reckon these bikes are the business in terms of quality, options and value for money.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8BRD.html
2. The fit of the bike to your size is very important. i.e you do not want to be bent over so that your knees are hitting you in the chest when you pedal. Cannondale make a range of sizes.
3. Don't worry about the seat too much, almost any bicycle seat is going to feel uncomfortable until you start to ride more often, but after a few week, it will start to feel fine.
4. Don't do long rides to start with, but build up over time, the easiest way to get demotivated is to ride too much too soon. 15 minutes per day or if that is not possible then do at least 3 time a week for the first week, and build up slowly from there.
5. Don't worry about going fast, the gears are there to allow you to pedel with comfort no matter what the nature of the road/terrain, aim at pedalling at a cadency of around 80 revolutions per minute.
I could go on endlessly but these are a few suggestions.
Good Luck on whatever you decide.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Terry Newton

Joe:

Since it sounds like you will not be doing that much riding I would suggest a cross-bike. That is a bike that can be used for street and light trail use. A straight hard-core mountain bike would be very expensive and have a lot of grip and tread on the tires to go through various terrain. A racing bike will have the drop handlebars and will be uncomfortable for you and the tires are so narrow that you will only be able to be on the road with it. A cross-bike has you sitting more upright and is more comfortable. You can spend 400 plus on a cross-bike and have it for the rest of your life as a good investment. I would suggest you go to a good bicycle store in your area. Explain the type of riding you want to do and let them know that you don't want more of a bike than what your needs dictate. They will accommodate your request. Cannondale, Bianchi, Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc. all have good cross-bikes or hybrids as they are called.

Good-Luck and let us know what you decided on. If you want any further advice also I'll give you my phone # and help you out all I can.

Terry Newton

My pop-in-law bought a Trek cross bike a few years ago. He's 78 and still rides. And looks right sporting with his cranberry red bike and matching helmet. He finds it very comfortable, too.

[East Bay Rider]

Ouch.
Woke up sore today but feeling good because of it.
Took two short bike rides yesterday along the East Bay bike path. One with my wife, one with my son. We saw lots of folks out enjoying the day. I wonder if they're as sore as I am?

The bike is better than I had hoped, although the seat is hard and narrow and it's going to take some getting used to. Back in the early 90's I used to ride a lot. Most days after work and weekends around town and nearby trails. Bikes sure have changed a lot since then. The aluminum frame is so much stiffer than my old 1990 chromoly bike. The handling is so responsive, even with the suspension fork. The brakes are, well, awesome.
I can already tell, for what I'm going to do with it this bike will suit me well.
Now where's the ibuprofen?

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Lisa

My pop-in-law bought a Trek cross bike a few years ago. He's 78 and still rides. And looks right sporting with his cranberry red bike and matching helmet. He finds it very comfortable, too.

Right now I have a cranberry arse from the wire brush and comet trying to remove our special Tatoo. Seems it will stay around a good bit longer. My five year old is driving me nuts to see the homemade tatoo.