I wanna get a road bike (Never had a bike before)

[sofaking9000]

I'm 18 and I've lost some weight and I want to lose more weight and gym cardio is painfully boring.
When I was 5 or 6, I fractured my left leg in 3-4 places, I've rolled both ankles, have flat feet and have torn my meniscus. Running is out of the question, I've tried running shoes. In shoes I'm a heel striker and within minutes I suffer from shin splints. I've tried forefoot running and that causes a plantar-fascitis like pain not in my heel but in the middle of the foot, I don't want another injury.

Many people have told me to look into biking/swimming. I do not know how to swim and I still do not have 6 pack abs so swimming is a no-go. I would love to bike throughout my community and my nearby city.

The only bike I've ever had before was a crappy walmart next bike and lets not beat around the bush, this is not a REAL bike; it's a toy.
If i was to take up biking, what are the things I would need to ride safely (clothing/reflective gear/proper equipment/cost of replacements/parts availability/etc).

I'm a broke college student and my parents promised me they'd get me something after letting me down on my college admissions...my budget is around 400-600.

 

[Taxler]

If you don't have access to roads with minimal traffic, consider off-road instead; it's less boring and more challenging. At a minimum, get a hybrid bike.

Don't reject swimming because you don't have a 6-pack; the people you're likely to be swimming with won't notice or care.

 

[sofaking9000]

Originally Posted by Taxler

If you don't have access to roads with minimal traffic, consider off-road instead; it's less boring and more challenging. At a minimum, get a hybrid bike. Don't reject swimming because you don't have a 6-pack; the people you're likely to be swimming with won't notice or care.
The other problem is...I don't have access to a pool and when I was a kid I saw Deep Blue Sea and ever since then Shark Phobia so no beaches!

 

[Biscotti]

Mountain biking gets dull - you end up riding the same trails over and over and over again.

Get a rig with decent enough clearance to put a fatter tire on, and hit up gravel and fire roads - I suggest invest in something like this:

URL="http://surlybikes.com/bikes/pacer_complete/"]http://surlybikes.com/bikes/pacer_complete/[/url]

Even if you live in a suburban area, that shouldn't hold you back - I sometimes catch the bus, throw my rig on there and then ride where there is less traffic.

 

[sofaking9000]

Originally Posted by Biscotti

Mountain biking gets dull - you end up riding the same trails over and over and over again. Get a rig with decent enough clearance to put a fatter tire on, and hit up gravel and fire roads - I suggest invest in something like this: URL="http://surlybikes.com/bikes/pacer_complete/"]http://surlybikes.com/bikes/pacer_complete/[/url] Even if you live in a suburban area, that shouldn't hold you back - I sometimes catch the bus, throw my rig on there and then ride where there is less traffic.
Dude I have no intentions on testing my inner strength on roads of fire

Also, guys if I do get a bike can I take my dog with me?

 

[Mark from Plano]

Trek 7.2 FX MSRP $550. You can probably find on sale for <$500, used on Craigslist even cheaper. Buy some road pedals, helmet, padded shorts, gloves and fairly cheap bike shoes and you're set. Might not quite get under $600, for the whole set up but you'll be close. If the $600 is solid, start with just the bike and helmet and add the other stuff as you go. Proper pedals and shoes will make longer distance rides much more tolerable.

 

[sofaking9000]

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

Trek 7.2 FX

MSRP $550. You can probably find on sale for <$500, used on Craigslist even cheaper. Buy some road pedals, helmet, padded shorts, gloves and fairly cheap bike shoes and you're set. Might not quite get under $600, for the whole set up but you'll be close. If the $600 is solid, start with just the bike and helmet and add the other stuff as you go. Proper pedals and shoes will make longer distance rides much more tolerable.

Can you say anything about seats...my biggest gripe with cheap bikes is the seat is either not padded, or too small, or too angular and it tends to creep up near my crotch

Also, by what your saying, it seems like I can't ride in regular clothes?

 

[fungz0r]

You could ride in regular clothes, but it'd be less comfortable. Since you want to ride as a cardio exercise you'd probably be biking long distances so being comfortable is quite important. I'd say I can't really bike without bike shorts since I get chafing

 

[Althis]

Craigslist is a great place for an entry level bike. For 500-600$ you can get previous year model bikes at deeeep discounts used. Cycling shorts are extremely recommended for longer rides because you will get sore. Clipless pedals or toe straps also increase your efficiency dramatically, although it takes some practice getting in and out of them. Decent helmets can be had for around 50$ and sunglasses are a good idea too. Cycling jerseys are nice but aren't totally a necessity (although the pockets in back are nice for mp3 players, etc) but you can just get a saddlebag to hold most of your stuff. If you do decide to go brand new, Specialized, Trek, Giant, Cannondale and several other brands have good entry level bikes. Make sure you buy them from an authorized dealer and get a decent fitting. Most stores will give you 10-15% discounts if it's your first time buying a complete bike from them. I also have extremely flat feet, but cycling doesn't have any effect on me in terms of shin splints and leg pain. I used to run track and had horrible shin splints, then I switched to swimming and it was great. I picked up cycling about 4 months ago and I love it. It's so much more fun than swimming endless laps back and forth (but you do get a great tan). You can read more here and ask for advice and recommendations http://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=98

 

[sofaking9000]

what are some guidelines I should be using?
I've done some reading and apparently leg length/height is a big factor in choosing a bike?

 

[Althis]

The general rule of thumb is that if you straddle the top tube of the bike, it should be just below touching your crotch. Go talk to some guys at a bike shop and they'll figure out what size you are. I'm 5'11" with a 31ish inseam and I ride a 55/56 size frame

 

[sofaking9000]

dood, that's a nice bike

So I just wanna verify one thing with you guys, apparently one does not wear underwear when biking

?

 

[Althis]

No underwear with cycling shorts. That can only lead to more pain and suffering.

 

[Pilot]

Unless you're looking on Craigslist and find a helluva deal, you aren't going to get any bike worth two ***** that costs 4-600.

 

[sofaking9000]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Unless you're looking on Craigslist and find a helluva deal, you aren't going to get any bike worth two ***** that costs 4-600.

I found a trek 1000 on Cl for 100 buckaroos.
I've heard the 300 usd GMC denali is pretty good.