Do you have a bike?

[lcarlson90]

I have been thinking about asking for a bike for Mother's Day but I don't really know anything about women's bikes. I love the look of beach cruisers but I don't think that's really practical since I live in an area that has hills. I don't see myself doing serious biking mainly just around the neighborhood and camping, etc.

Do you have a bike? Which brand is it and do you like it. Any specifics I should look for?

TIA

[lhafer]

Sounds like you would do best with a hybrid bike (http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/a/hybrids.htm). I got mine last year and I really like it. It's a Specialized brand woman's 26" bike I got at a bike shop.

Here are some Trek hybrids: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/hybrid

Hybrid bikes are nice because they are a mix between road bikes/cruiser/mountain bikes. Mine has the more curviness of a cruiser, but I can take it on dirth paths, etc without a problem. It sits a bit more upright like a cruiser instead of hunched over like a mountain bike. It has a nice cushy seat and great shocks. It has gears that are very easy to switch as needed.

[elliput]

I have a Specialized Crossroads Sport (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62226&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use). I do like it a lot and find it perfect for the paved trail/street riding that I do. I pull a trailer with it too.

My suggestion is to go to a bike store and talk with them about your needs.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Yes, I have a cannondale Jekyll mountain bike with front and rear suspension and a cute little butterfly in the seat. It's too much bike for a mom, unless she's heading out into the bumpy rocky trails near our house with a friend.

[Simon]

I have had a Gary Fisher hybrid bike since 1999. I also considered a Cannondale at the time. I know Trek is good but they didn't fit me well. I test drove lots of bikes over about 4 hours one afternoon and liked this bike best. Then I had it customized to put a shock under the seat (these absorb bumps and make the ride a bit smoother), shocks are commonly put under handlebars.

This bike has taken a beating: long periods of rest where I don't ride, then months where I ride 60-150 miles/week. I ride on rails-to-trails so dirt/mud/gravel and sometimes a little snow. Ive taken it on two week long bike trips and I haven't had so much as a flat tire. Seriously good quality!

[infocrazy]

FWIW, I bought a plain old cheap Huffy. My thought process was that I would see how much I used it and if it was a lot, I'd get a nicer bike... Seven years later I am riding my perfectly good Huffy. I will say that I ONLY use it on my paved neighborhood with the kids.

[wellyes]

I have a Trek hybrid. I got it for less than $200 off craigslist. But do go to a bike shop if you or your DH don't know the mechanics of a bike well enough to make adjustments.

Or, you can buy a used bike, and any good bike shop will tune it up for you for $50ish. Just be sure to get the right size. http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions.php?questionid=63

DH & I go about once a month in to a rail trail - we have a trailer for the kids. We also take 1-2 biking camping trips per year. I also go around the neighborhood a bit, but the most fun I have is going with a partner.

Don't get a beach cruiser. Get something with 21 speeds. It really really helps with hills. I have no idea what I was doing at first, and I can't really describe how gears work now. But when you're riding, having lots of gears to work with is intuitive and really helpful.

[sunshine873]

Another Gary Fisher Hybrid owner here! Love it!

You definitely want more than a beach cruiser if you have hills around you. A hybrid probably is the way to go. Like others have said, go to a bike shop, tell them what you're looking for, be realistic about what you want to spend, & they'll help guide you. & then test drive them! Ride different brands & sizes until you find one that "feels right."

[GvilleGirl]

We are a big bike family. I have 2. I have a Gary Fisher mountain (they are now owned by Trek) and a tri bike. I would definitely go to a bike store for a proper fitting. It can make a huge difference.

[rlu]

Another with a simple bike used on mostly flat paved roads. Mine came from Walmart so nothing fancy or everlasting about mine, but it's cute and gets me where I need to go.

[sntm]

I have an Electra and I love it. I think it's technically a cruiser, but has enough gears that I get by with hills in Seattle. Honestly, there isn't a gear in the world that could get me up some of the hills, and I only bike on roads, sidewalks, or flat dirt paths like at parks. But, I've taken it into grass, etc. with no problem.

I recommend going to a good bike store. They let me testdrive a bunch, which was integral. I learned that I hate the ones that make you lean forward.

[MontrealMum]

I have a Cannondale mountain bike and a Schwinn road bike (that needs to be replaced). I used to do a ton of cycling pre-DS but I"m having a hard time getting back into it. Mostly I use the Cannondale to pick him up from daycare in the trailer and then I take him for a quick spin along the river on the bike path. DH and I are hoping to do a lot more cycling this summer and get back into the shape we were before DS was born...5 years ago. Gah!

You'd probably do best with a hybrid for the type of riding that you want to do. My advice is to get yourself a nice, comfy, women's specific saddle. I also agree with pp that you should go to a local bike shop, not a big box type store. The right fit for your body type is important. I'm tall with long legs, for example, and I'm much more comfortable on a men's frame than a women's. Back when I was using a bike to commute around campus I had a great Specialized hybrid and it was more than enough for the type of riding that you want to do.

[mackmama]

I don't have one, and I'm really wanting something like this http://mikesbikes.com/product/11electra-hawaii-3i-51964-1.htm They are so cute!

[Binkandabee]

I have a trek hybrid. It's the 7300 WSD I believe. I absolutely love my bike. I honestly cannot say enough good things about it. There isn't anything about this bike I don't like. Not a thing!

It's this one:

http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2010&Brand=Trek&Model=7300+WSD&Type=bike

[niccig]

I have an Electra and I love it. I think it's technically a cruiser, but has enough gears that I get by with hills in Seattle. Honestly, there isn't a gear in the world that could get me up some of the hills, and I only bike on roads, sidewalks, or flat dirt paths like at parks. But, I've taken it into grass, etc. with no problem.

I recommend going to a good bike store. They let me testdrive a bunch, which was integral. I learned that I hate the ones that make you lean forward.

I have an Elektra too. I like it a lot.

[elephantmeg]

I have a giant that I've had for 11 years or so now. It has gears and shocks. Good enough for me! I used it a lot for a while and then not when the kids were tiny and then last weekend DS and I went ridding at the campground! It felt so good!

[ahisma]

I have a Cannondale Quick, which is a hybrid. http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/recreation-urban/recreation/quick

I spent a lot of time at local bike stores riding different styles to determine what I would get - this was a great fit for me. I use it around the city, on rail trails and have done unpaved trails with it too. I pull a trailer with it at times too, you *really* want gears for that.

By getting it at a bike store, I have free annual tune-ups for the (long) life of the bike. Saving $50+ / year adds up quick!

I'd love an Electra someday, but for me it will definitely be a second bike.

[katydid1971]

I have a Specialized Crossroads Sport (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62226&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use). I do like it a lot and find it perfect for the paved trail/street riding that I do. I pull a trailer with it too.


I have this same bike in blue. I love it!! I've had it for 6 years now.

[baymom]

I have a Trek hybrid and love it. Originally, I was looking for a bike to use for my triathlons and probably should have got a regular road bike. But, after using a friend's for a few months, realized I hated the stance and went with a hybrid...and am so glad I did! Mine has very narrow wheels and is light weight...but with flat handle bars. Since I use it mainly to ride around town, with the kids and for exercise (not primarily a tri bike), it's been perfect.

[pinay]

Another vote for a hybrid! When I first considered getting a bike I thought I'd want a beach cruiser type (they're so cute, plus I had one when I was a teen so I was familiar with them) but then I actually tried riding one and I HATED it! So definitely go try out a few and make sure the one you choose fits you. I've used my Giant hybrid for 3-4 years on a variety of surfaces and it's served me pretty well. I'm not such an avid biker that it gets regular use, but I do enjoy the ability to change gears depending on riding conditions.

[wellyes]

Yes - aside from have too few gears, the big squishy wheels of a beach cruiser make them harder to ride in most every day circumstances. Road bikes require that hunched stance, mountain bike tires are too rugged for pavement. Hybrids are a nice in-between for people who want to sit up when they ride and want to be able to go on on only slightly rough surfaces, like the occasional grass or gravel path.

[alexsmommy]

Same time of year, same question :)

http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=395928&highlight=bike

I would up with this:

http://www.raleighusa.com/archive/2011-hybrid/route-30-11/

It's a hybrid. I love it. I use it all of the time. Works great for my purposes, simple rides for exercise, some longish ones, but mostly in my paved neighborhood or on a trail that has crushed rocks.

[hellokitty]

I agree with the others, that a hybrid sounds like it would best suit your needs. However, with that said, I :heartbeat: my electra. I don't like riding hunched over (I have an old road bike that I never use, due to the hunched back issue), so a cruiser is the only option for me. I fell in love with how fun the electra bikes are, here's the one I got...

http://blog.cleveland.com/style/2008/01/itlist_jan_30.html

It totally makes up for not having a cool bike as a kid!

[sntm]

I agree with the others, that a hybrid sounds like it would best suit your needs. However, with that said, I :heartbeat: my electra. I don't like riding hunched over (I have an old road bike that I never use, due to the hunched back issue), so a cruiser is the only option for me. I fell in love with how fun the electra bikes are, here's the one I got...

http://blog.cleveland.com/style/2008/01/itlist_jan_30.html

It totally makes up for not having a cool bike as a kid!

Ooh, pretty. Mine is a metallic ice blue. It makes me happy just to look at it.

[american_mama]

I see your youngest is heading towards 4. If there is any chance you will be riding with him, make sure you ask about options when choosing a bike, how they will best fit your DS AND you. I am 5'3" and bought my first bike a year or two ago, so I am by no means an expert. Many small framed bikes have some trouble fitting a bike seat, and one bike shop person told me some small bikes even have trouble fitting a rack on the back (to strap a bag to, for instance). That has certainly proven true for me.

Also, my youngest is 4 and in my very limited experience, it seems to be a bit of an in-between age for riding with them. A bike trailer seems to be the only option, since the child is often too big or heavy for a bike seat and too young for a tagalong bike like this http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-96455-Co-Pilot-Bike-Trailer/dp/B000I4255G.

If I am wrong about that, someone please correct me.

[Twins2000]

I have the Specialized Ariel bike: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62258&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use, which is similar to the Specialized Crossroads bike. I love it! I haven't ridden it much recently, but now that my youngest is riding a two-wheeler and my twins are getting new bikes, we'll be doing a lot more riding together! Btw, my twins will be getting the Trek Neko, which is a full size women's bike. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/gary_fisher/mountain/dual_sport/neko/neko/#