foreverana
I would really love to start cycling this summer, but I honestly don't even know where to start. I'm female and 5' 4.5" and I need to know what kind of bike would suit me best. A specific bike or brand would help a lot or a website to go to. Thank you so much!
Answer
If you are going to really ride any miles, you want a dedicated road bike. You should invest in a good quality, aluminum-frame road bike if you want efficient transportation on pavement. I found that switching from a hybrid comfort bike to a low-end road bike increased my commuting speed 30% over my sixteen-mile daily ride.
I found a Trek 1500 that weighs about 20 pounds with narrow tires. I travel downhill at 42 MPH, level at 25 MPH, with an uphill speed of about 8 MPH. Total terrain average is 12 MPH.
I shopped around year-old models at 20% discount, but found a Trek 1500 demo model at a 40% discount in a 60 cm frame size. I am 6'2" at 195 pounds, a perfect fit. With accessories, I spent $800 with a tire repair kit, pump, and lock.
Within the first 1,000 miles, I had five flat tires. I replaced the tires with a Schwalbe Marathon Plus on the rear and a Continental Gator on the front. I had no flat tires over the second 1,000 miles. The tires cost about $100.
I spent more than $100 on Night Rider 15 watt headlight and rechargeable battery pack. I bought a back-up Cat Eye lamp with four rechargeable AA batteries. I also bought red flashers for the seat post and helmet, with a duct tape loop on the helmet to hold the LED lamp. Since I ride in below-zero windchills, I paid $160 for Hotronic electric footbed heaters in leather shoes that cost $100. I also wear layers of fleece with North Face waterproof pants and Spyder backpack cover, figure another $200.
So, I spent about $1,600 on everything that I needed for 2,000 miles of riding in the past year. Spread over five years, bicycle commuting will cost me less than $0.15 per mile, which is cheaper than driving a car and provides great fitness.
If you are going to really ride any miles, you want a dedicated road bike. You should invest in a good quality, aluminum-frame road bike if you want efficient transportation on pavement. I found that switching from a hybrid comfort bike to a low-end road bike increased my commuting speed 30% over my sixteen-mile daily ride.
I found a Trek 1500 that weighs about 20 pounds with narrow tires. I travel downhill at 42 MPH, level at 25 MPH, with an uphill speed of about 8 MPH. Total terrain average is 12 MPH.
I shopped around year-old models at 20% discount, but found a Trek 1500 demo model at a 40% discount in a 60 cm frame size. I am 6'2" at 195 pounds, a perfect fit. With accessories, I spent $800 with a tire repair kit, pump, and lock.
Within the first 1,000 miles, I had five flat tires. I replaced the tires with a Schwalbe Marathon Plus on the rear and a Continental Gator on the front. I had no flat tires over the second 1,000 miles. The tires cost about $100.
I spent more than $100 on Night Rider 15 watt headlight and rechargeable battery pack. I bought a back-up Cat Eye lamp with four rechargeable AA batteries. I also bought red flashers for the seat post and helmet, with a duct tape loop on the helmet to hold the LED lamp. Since I ride in below-zero windchills, I paid $160 for Hotronic electric footbed heaters in leather shoes that cost $100. I also wear layers of fleece with North Face waterproof pants and Spyder backpack cover, figure another $200.
So, I spent about $1,600 on everything that I needed for 2,000 miles of riding in the past year. Spread over five years, bicycle commuting will cost me less than $0.15 per mile, which is cheaper than driving a car and provides great fitness.
What Sport Bike Should A Beginner, Like Me, Purchase?
Mark M
I have been looking at some sport bikes for a while and have found a lot a people saying the Ninja 250 is a perfect bike to start out on, its small, light weight, easy to handle, and most importantly not too much power to run yourself of the road.
Even though I am a beginner and have no experience, I feel that I have a stronger learner curve and am on a much higher maturity level then most first time riders. I also understand the risks and responsibilities of a faster bike. But I am no Dare Devil, I just want something with a little more power.
It took me only an hour to drive a manual car, and I had no instructions on how to do so, except for a 2 minute video on youtube.
This might not even compare in any way to a sport bike, but I am just mentioning my "feel" for motor vehicles .
ALSO: I'm 6'3 and 150 pounds, but space is not a big comfort issue for me (I drive a small civic right now without being feeling crammed)
Maybe a 600cc bike would be good for me? I would not go crazy with it and would start out slow.
Please feel free to give me as much insight as possible.
Thanks in advance.
Answer
If your looking for a good starter bike with some decent power try to find yourself an 2001 -2006 honda cbr f4i. Honda started making the fuel injected bike first so those are great bikes. If your not looking to spend much or are afraid you might tip over on accident than i wouldn't be looking for a perfectly minty one. The values of the bikes greatly drop if its just barely been tipped over. which is great if the damage isn't very much and you wont mind it. That would be your best bet for getting a bike that still looks tight and is in style.
If your a really novice driver and don't think you can handle a 600cc bike you can look at getting a 250, a 500 or a 650. kawasaki makes all of these but they will be slower because the engines in them are a parallel twin. Don't get me wrong these bikes are still good, it just depends what your all trying to get out of your bike.
The engines in the 600's are 4 cylinder engines. So if you are thinking that a 650 will be a little bit faster than the 600's that's a huge mistake, or thinking that the 500 would be just a little bit slower this is a big mistake also. The ninja 650r is pushing around 71 HP where the ninja 500r is pushing around 60 HP. The 600's or for kawasaki are 636cc engines actually are pushing around 113 hp which is pretty close to the suzuki gsxr 600, the honda cbr600rr's, and the yamaha r6's. From there it just goes to which brand you prefer or which style you like more. These are all also great 600cc bikes.
The honda cbr f4i's are also putting down a little bit over 100 hp. And are very good bikes.
And in all honestly my first rocket was a 2006 honda cbr600rr and i loved it.. it took like a week for me to really get it all down really well but i ride alot. Just don't be an idiot on it and you'll do just fine. If you've never used a clutch at all before than i highly recommend learning about it because clutch and gas are the main things to learn and than there is also turning a leaning so i wouldn't hit up the busiest streets in the cite on your first day out. Motorcycle safety courses are awesome for helping new riders learn about the friction point and how to ride safely. They are a great idea and they help lower insurance a little bit(usually). Your a bigger guy and i think you'd easily be able to handle a 600 just don't take the bike for granted. But make sure your making the right decision and try to get a good deal! last of all good luck and Ride safe! Hopefully i see ya around sometime! and always wear your gear! a helmet at the bare minimum!
If your looking for a good starter bike with some decent power try to find yourself an 2001 -2006 honda cbr f4i. Honda started making the fuel injected bike first so those are great bikes. If your not looking to spend much or are afraid you might tip over on accident than i wouldn't be looking for a perfectly minty one. The values of the bikes greatly drop if its just barely been tipped over. which is great if the damage isn't very much and you wont mind it. That would be your best bet for getting a bike that still looks tight and is in style.
If your a really novice driver and don't think you can handle a 600cc bike you can look at getting a 250, a 500 or a 650. kawasaki makes all of these but they will be slower because the engines in them are a parallel twin. Don't get me wrong these bikes are still good, it just depends what your all trying to get out of your bike.
The engines in the 600's are 4 cylinder engines. So if you are thinking that a 650 will be a little bit faster than the 600's that's a huge mistake, or thinking that the 500 would be just a little bit slower this is a big mistake also. The ninja 650r is pushing around 71 HP where the ninja 500r is pushing around 60 HP. The 600's or for kawasaki are 636cc engines actually are pushing around 113 hp which is pretty close to the suzuki gsxr 600, the honda cbr600rr's, and the yamaha r6's. From there it just goes to which brand you prefer or which style you like more. These are all also great 600cc bikes.
The honda cbr f4i's are also putting down a little bit over 100 hp. And are very good bikes.
And in all honestly my first rocket was a 2006 honda cbr600rr and i loved it.. it took like a week for me to really get it all down really well but i ride alot. Just don't be an idiot on it and you'll do just fine. If you've never used a clutch at all before than i highly recommend learning about it because clutch and gas are the main things to learn and than there is also turning a leaning so i wouldn't hit up the busiest streets in the cite on your first day out. Motorcycle safety courses are awesome for helping new riders learn about the friction point and how to ride safely. They are a great idea and they help lower insurance a little bit(usually). Your a bigger guy and i think you'd easily be able to handle a 600 just don't take the bike for granted. But make sure your making the right decision and try to get a good deal! last of all good luck and Ride safe! Hopefully i see ya around sometime! and always wear your gear! a helmet at the bare minimum!
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