Advice needed on first bike please

[Wubi30]

Hi i have a budget of around 220. Buying my first bike to get in shape and mainly ride it on road and hopefully in future on paved dirt road. Was looking at hybrid bikes and comfort bikes. Any suggestions??

Also what frame size do i need?? Im 6 ft and weigh around 180

i was told your not suppose to touch ground with feet when sittin on bike which is weird used to doing that as kid. Is this true? Seems unsafe

i was looking at walmart bikes but i know they are looked down upon since they arent put together well.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Avalon-Men-s-Cruiser-Bike/21635130

https://www.walmart.com/ip/700c-Hyper-SpinFit-Men-s-Hybrid-Bike-Red/37370373

https://www.walmart.com/ip/700c-Roadmaster-Adventures-Men-s-Cruiser-Bike/48520142

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Third-Avenue-700C-Men-s-Bike-Blue/34931888

Walmart gives 2 year and 4 year warranty on some

also was looking at giant sedona and roam 3 but too much out of price range please help thanks

 

[Cycleops]

I guess you're in the US. You're really not asking the best people here as I should think we are 90% UK here so the majority won't be be familiar with the models., but some things are common.

I'd say straight off don't buy from a mail order site or a shop that doesn't have cycle specific staff. If you have a problem you might not get the best resolution to your problem if you have one. Although the Giant might be a bit pricey it would be better than a cheap chinese chain store bike and serve you better in the long run, especially if bought from a proper cycle shop.

You're correct you shouldn't be able to put your feet on the floor while seated. You should rather be able to straddle the crossbar with your feet flat on the ground with about an inch to spare.

I'm sure some of our US cousins will have some more specific advise for you.

 

[mjr]

Check local small ads to see if there's a secondhand giant you could afford, but check that it hasn't been stolen (are there serial number lookup sites in the USA? Ask for the purchase invoice, too)

Check whether you've a local bike co-op that could help with buying secondhand and maintaining whatever you buy.

Frame size used to be inner leg length less 11" (for MTB and hybrids - 9" for road) but now it's usually looking up your leg length and height on a manufacturer's chart.

Whether you can put a foot on the floor while seated depends on the bike design but it's pretty rare these days.

Hybrids are OK but I'm unsure about "comfort" bikes. I've not seen nice words about them but maybe I'm reading the wrong people.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

None of those models stand out; in general I'd avoid Wal-Mart. The UK Version (ASDA) is notorious for bikes with back-to-front forks

the Giant Sedona makes sense, given the Wal-Mart examples : What I'd say is IF that style of bike is what you are looking for, go for the Giant if you can as it *WILL* be better quality than any Wal*Mart stuff - and you will have at least some manufacturer backup

If you're set on a shopping mall bike, then the SpinFit looks like it could be OK but maybe have it set up by a proper bike shop

 

[Reynard]

Another +1 for avoiding Wal-mart type Bike Shaped Objects and looking for something on the used market. No shame in having a used bike, besides, you'll get more bang-for-buck and have a nicer bike to ride.

I would suggest reading this before buying anything: http://www.whycycle.co.uk/buying-a-bike/beware-the-bicycle-shaped-object/

 

[Doug.]

Do avoid Wall -mart "cycles".
A decent used cycle will give you better service and ride.