so in the interest of saving gas, a need a bicycle expert...

[pat fan]

No stones, please.

What is a good bike (not expensive) that an adult female can learn to ride on? and can you get training wheels for adult bikes? Que the laughter....now answer the question....

Seriously, I never learned and would like to, but don't relish landing on my butt a million times. Would a Walmart bike suffice? How do you know what size? Or is it pretty general/generic? Thanks.

 

[mrodgers]

A bike is a bike unless you are using for a specific purpose (exercise, commuting, sport, etc.) Since you mention gas prices, you wouldn't want a cheap store bike. I have a cheap Walmart bike, but my biking is with the kids of whom one is still on training wheels, thus I ride a max of about 5 mph (drives the older one crazy because she wants to go!) I certainly wouldn't use it for anything heavy duty like exercise or commuting.

You can get training wheels, but my brother-in-law's mother almost killed herself because of trying to learn on training wheels (she tumbled down a 20 foot embankment almost into the Allegheny River.)

I would think as long as you are not afraid, it shouldn't be too bad to learn how to ride a bike. She above went with training wheels and wrecked because she was deathly afraid of riding a bike.

 

[indimom]

(Disclaimer, all my advice is based on training children to ride a bike.)

I've found that the best way to learn to ride a bike is by using a slightly smaller bike (one where the rider can still touch the ground while seated or with the bike only slightly tipped to one side) rather than with training wheels. This allows you to put one or both feet down quickly if you are starting to lose your balance. Then it's just a matter of first learning to coast (maybe without even touching the pedals). Then, easing into peddling.

I "think" the average adult size bike is about 26 inches, so if you could borrow a smaller bike (24" or lower), one where you could both push off and stop while seated, that would be the safest and easiest way to learn without wrecking.

Then once you have a handle on the balance issue, you could go out and buy a nicer bike in the correct size (when seated, you should be able to have the peddle at the bottom of it's reach and still have a little bend to your knee). You will have to train yourself how to start and stop on the bigger bike, but it shouldn't be too difficult once you've mastered balancing the bike.

We have a Trex bike we got at a bike shop for about $400 and it has held up very well. The $100 (or less) Walmart/Target bikes haven't held up nearly as well. Just my two cents.

Hope this helps!

 

[mjkacmom]

(Disclaimer, all my advice is based on training children to ride a bike.)

I've found that the best way to learn to ride a bike is by using a slightly smaller bike (one where the rider can still touch the ground while seated or with the bike only slightly tipped to one side) rather than with training wheels. This allows you to put one or both feet down quickly if you are starting to lose your balance. Then it's just a matter of first learning to coast (maybe without even touching the pedals). Then, easing into peddling.

I "think" the average adult size bike is about 26 inches, so if you could borrow a smaller bike (24" or lower), one where you could both push off and stop while seated, that would be the safest and easiest way to learn without wrecking.

Then once you have a handle on the balance issue, you could go out and buy a nicer bike in the correct size (when seated, you should be able to have the peddle at the bottom of it's reach and still have a little bend to your knee). You will have to train yourself how to start and stop on the bigger bike, but it shouldn't be too difficult once you've mastered balancing the bike.

We have a Trex bike we got at a bike shop for about $400 and it has held up very well. The $100 (or less) Walmart/Target bikes haven't held up nearly as well. Just my two cents.

Hope this helps!

This, exactly!

 

[lakelandgal70]

Do you have a local bike shop that you can go to and ask them to show you the different types of bikes? We just got some Townie bikes last month and the salesperson even took us outside with them for us to test them out. Now mind you I haven't been on a bike since the 80s and I was petrified. But once I got the hang of it I wasn't too wobbly haha. But the bike shop person was so wonderful and really cared that we got the right bike for us. They have been around since the 70s so hopefully you have something like that in your area. And they probably wouldn't mind letting you practice until you feel comfortable to ride. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Do you have a local bike shop that you can go to and ask them to show you the different types of bikes? We just got some Townie bikes last month and the salesperson even took us outside with them for us to test them out. Now mind you I haven't been on a bike since the 80s and I was petrified. But once I got the hang of it I wasn't too wobbly haha. But the bike shop person was so wonderful and really cared that we got the right bike for us. They have been around since the 70s so hopefully you have something like that in your area. And they probably wouldn't mind letting you practice until you feel comfortable to ride. Good luck!

Yes, these! They use "flat foot technology" and I lust after one. They're not cheap, though. On the other hand, with gas prices you can easily rationalize the cost if you utilize it enough.

http://www.electrabike.com/Bikes/townie-bikes-electra

They have some awesome bikes, but I'm not sure if all have the flat foot thing or just the Townie ones.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Yes, these! They use "flat foot technology" and I lust after one. They're not cheap, though. On the other hand, with gas prices you can easily rationalize the cost if you utilize it enough.

http://www.electrabike.com/Bikes/townie-bikes-electra

They have some awesome bikes, but I'm not sure if all have the flat foot thing or just the Townie ones.

Yeah I would really recommend them. We got the cruiser type ones. I almost pooped myself when I saw the prices but I feel that we made the right decision. They have tons of really cute options for baskets and such.

 

[pat fan]

Thanks!

There is a bike shop a couple towns over, so I could go there and see what they say and have. No WAY am I getting on one there though! That will wait til I am at home in my own backyard! LOL!! Myabe they will have a used one cheaper than brand new. Do they do that kind of thing? I looked on Craigslist, but didn't really see anything. I will also check with my DN to see what size her bike is for me to borrow to learn on.

And thanks for not laughing too much Most people have a cow when I say I never learned to ride!

 

[lakelandgal70]

Thanks!

There is a bike shop a couple towns over, so I could go there and see what they say and have. No WAY am I getting on one there though! That will wait til I am at home in my own backyard! LOL!! Myabe they will have a used one cheaper than brand new. Do they do that kind of thing? I looked on Craigslist, but didn't really see anything. I will also check with my DN to see what size her bike is for me to borrow to learn on.

And thanks for not laughing too much Most people have a cow when I say I never learned to ride!

Awww I don't think that anyone would laugh at you. If you think about it I bet everyone on this board has something they have never learned or done so we all in same boat. And if you had seen me testing out my bike you would have laughed. I was petrified driving on a road with cars for one thing and not having ridden since the 80s. I am laughing actually now about it thinking about it in my mind. hehe. I am not sure if they would have used one but you can definatley ask them. Good luck and good for you trying something new and out of your comfort zone. Keep us updated!

 

[crazyme5kids]

No stones, please.

What is a good bike (not expensive) that an adult female can learn to ride on? and can you get training wheels for adult bikes? Que the laughter....now answer the question....

Seriously, I never learned and would like to, but don't relish landing on my butt a million times. Would a Walmart bike suffice? How do you know what size? Or is it pretty general/generic? Thanks.

You know, there are adult "trikes". Very cool because you can get big side read baskets for the back, great for groceries or whatever you need to carry. I'm starting to see them more often.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I second (third, fourth?) the advice to NOT go with a really cheap bike if you're planning on using for any serious riding (trips to the store, etc.). I had a cheap Target bike a few years ago and that thing was seriously HEAVY and the gears didn't work at all. I bought it for a short commute (less than 2 miles) but I ended up walking because it was easier than dealing with the bike. DH bought me a relatively inexpensive Cannondale hybrid bike from REI (it was about $400 on sale) and the difference was amazing. I could actually pedal up hills!

 

[englishteacha]

As someone who owns a Walmart bike: don't. They're not worth the $100 you pay for them. Mine doesn't shift right and it's heavy.

Go to a bike shop or a real sporting goods store (I live in Maine and would totally trust the bike shop folks at LL Bean, for example, or a local bike shop), get some recommendations. If you can't afford what they're selling, look for a used bike of the kind they recommend, but be aware it will probably need a tune up from a bike shop. After baby's born, I'll be looking for a new-to-me bike with working gears and good brakes!

 

[North of Mouse]

I guess my advice will be different than most, but because you can't be sure how much you will like biking, etc. I would not buy an expensive bike first. My DH & I have Specialized Bikes which were not cheap, but we ride a LOT We knew what we wanted and knew we would put a lot of miles on them, so were willing to pay a lot for them. We've also both passed the 60 mark, so we are not newbies at staying fit. I would buy from craigs list, yard sale, "beg or borrow" one to learn on for two reasons. One, I stated above, and two, you DO NOT want to spend a lot of money on something to learn on because (not to discourage or scare you) but your bike will surely have a few - shall we say - mishaps, and we take VERY good care of our bikes, and do not bump them into anything. They're 29gears and worth each one as we do hills,etc. But, the best of luck to you - you CAN do it, just don't start out too expensive!! We also do not do the "road bike - tiny tires" but we have mountain bikes with large Mitchlin tires and special handle bars to let you sit upright - no laying down on the handle bars for this girl

 

[North of Mouse]

As someone who owns a Walmart bike: don't. They're not worth the $100 you pay for them. Mine doesn't shift right and it's heavy.

Go to a bike shop or a real sporting goods store (I live in Maine and would totally trust the bike shop folks at LL Bean, for example, or a local bike shop), get some recommendations. If you can't afford what they're selling, look for a used bike of the kind they recommend, but be aware it will probably need a tune up from a bike shop. After baby's born, I'll be looking for a new-to-me bike with working gears and good brakes!

Wow, just noticed you live in Maine! The carriage trails at Acadia National Park are our favorite places to take our bikes and ride - what a gorgeous place and the CT's are fabulous to ride on.

 

[pat fan]

and special handle bars to let you sit upright - no laying down on the handle bars for this girl

I do not want to lay down either! I think I will talk to the bike shop and see what they say. Thanks!

 

[LJSquishy]

You can get a good starter bike for about $500-$750. Definitely go to a bike shop as they will teach you about different types of bikes and also fit you for one. Even if you dont buy a bike from there you will be able to figure out your size and learn about basic features you need/want. You will either want a road bike or a "commuter" bike which is sort of a hybrid. If $500 is too steep for you, you can start looking for a used bike on Craigslist or at bike shops but it may take some time.

 

[3boymthr]

Just a thought, but I see you live in MA. One of the things that can make learning to ride a bike here very hard is the fact that the roads are rarely if ever flat or straight. This can make learning very hard as not only do you have to learn to balance but you have to learn to put strength into your pedaling and turn at the same time. I strongly recommend heading to buzzard's bay and the cape cod canal (right under the railroad bridge - there's free public access) to learn. We did this with all of our kids. We started them out on the flat grassy spot near the rotunda then once they had their balance down moved over to the canal bike path. Take a day off and go in the middle of the week as there is a lot of traffic there on the weekends (or go now as there's not as many people in February).

 

[ibob52]

Good Luck ...

 

[Firefly09]

Agree with above posters regarding going to a local bike shop. Yes, it will be more expensive than Walmart or Target, but it's worth the personalized attention a small shop can provide. I would even say that a place like REI or LLBean may NOT be the place to go unless they have an area for you to test ride.

And I would definitely get on the bike at the place you're buying it for the simple reason of you'll want to know you can handle the bike and to have the seat and handle bars positioned correctly for you. I would buy the appropriate size bike for yourself and simply ask the tech to lower the seat so that you can place your feet more comfortably on the ground.

I do not recommend training wheels as they really are a hindrance. Your own feet will do just as well and will help you learn to find your balance. I've always recommended just sitting on the seat and pushing yourself by using your feet on the ground. Don't try to put your feet on the pedals at all in the beginning. Slowly you'll find yourself taking your feet off the ground more and more. Somewhere flat with grass preferably on both sides would also be optimal.

I would look into hybrid bikes or even ones designated as "commuter". They have thicker wheels than a road bike which make them easier to balance, tend to have larger wheels than mountain bikes so they less power to push around but still have a little bit of tread for light trails/uneven roads.

 

[seashoreCM]

(For all of the many interests other than saving gas) Just personally I don't like the idea that I have to stand up on the bike when going up hills. Unfortunately you have to spend a little more money to get one with enough gear settings to get up hills without too much of a sweat. Also "plus one" to all of the preceding replies.

I don't think that any training wheels made these days are suitable for an adult or an adult sized bike. They don't extend far enough to the sides to actually keep an adult from falling. Psst! You'll probably get some ridicule for using training wheels.

If you shop around for a secondhand bike, try it out and be sure it works perfectly (notably the grears). Don't accept a seller's statement that "it needs a little adjustment."

(In the interest of saving gas) Don't switch to a bike. The chances of getting injured in an accident (and the attendant costs) are far greater than the gasoline you will ever save.