Ok OB, confession time. I am 40 and never learned to ride a bicycle. It's time to learn but I know nothing about road vs mountain bikes, sizing, brands, etc. What do you recommend for a beginner bike? Not wanting to break the bank, just want something for around the neighborhood with the kiddos. I am male, 5'6 if that helps on sizing. Thanks!

I think this falls in the beginner category.

Fair enough! I might be a little heavy for it though.

I Like Mike said:

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Ok OB, confession time. I am 40 and never learned to ride a bicycle. It's time to learn but I know nothing about road vs mountain bikes, sizing, brands, etc. What do you recommend for a beginner bike? Not wanting to break the bank, just want something for around the neighborhood with the kiddos. I am male, 5'6 if that helps on sizing. Thanks!

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Go to Trek's website and they have a size finder based on your height and your inseam. Then find something like a used Trek FX1 on facebook marketplace or ebay in your size. Take it to a bike shop for a tuneup and to get it fitted to you.

I have a Trek Verve 3 that I got during the covidiot crap but hardly rode that I'd let go for $400.

It is a large though so might be slightly too tall for you.

I'd get a beach cruiser of some kind.

The kids learn by using the balance bike. Try the same with whatever bike you get. Just sit on the seat and use your feet to kind of walk around. Once you get enough speed, pick your feet up and coast for a bit. Once you feel comfortable using your core to keep from tumping over, then use the pedals.

Or, chug a sixer of talls and just go for it cold. Please film this though.

Just get on one and go full send.

The Sun said:

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I have a Trek Verve 3 that I got during the covidiot crap but hardly rode that I'd let go for $400.

It is a large though so might be slightly too tall for you.

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Steal.

20.5" top tube bmx with integrated head seat and chrome moly frame and forks.

Cheap, arrives 85% assembled, and easy to fix.

Canyon Aeroroad w/SRAM RED size M

Sell to me when you decide to bail on bike riding

Recumbent trike and you still won't have to learn

The Sun said:

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I have a Trek Verve 3 that I got during the covidiot crap but hardly rode that I'd let go for $400.

It is a large though so might be slightly too tall for you.

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Interested. How tall are you? (I'm 6 foot) Location?

You don't need an expensive bike, but don't cheap out, either.

A Walmart brand will be adequate, but you really ought to upgrade if you are going to ride at all. The difference in a good bike and the Walmart ones is astounding, and you'll feel it on the first ride. And you'll be much more likely to stay with it.

I have the bike linked below. I think it's called a "comfort bike". It has a fatter seat, upright handlebars, and fatter tires. Not as capable as a mountain bike, but great for rough streets and flat dirt trails. I've ridden as far as 30 miles on pavement. Mone was $600, these are listed at $700. You can also get a step through, which would make it easier to "walk" as mentioned above.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/roll

I also have recumbent trikes, which are a blast to ride, and get a lot of attention. The drawback is they won't fit on mountain bike trails, and they are generally expensive. I've bought a Terratrike Rover for $500 used, when new price was $1500. Also found a better TT for $500 that was $2500 new.

The best brand is Catrike, which run $4000 and up, I haven't found one used for a price I wanted yet.

CanyonAg77: Howdy, Glad you brought up recumbents, we are older (much older) than OP, however we LOVE our recumbents. Mid 70's we ride 6 days a week, weather permitting, Marsha goes 15 miles a day, me not as much. Having had two knee replacements and a hip we find the safety advantages of not falling, and all in all a safer ride to be a distinct advantage to regular bikes. You can get a recumbent for in the 1200-1500 dollar range, a link to ours is below, total drive away some 3 years ago was $1,300 each. Be sure and keep the tires inflated, much easier ride! https://sunseeker.bike/products/ez-triclassic-sx-5897

I'm 69, trike is much easier on the butt. I think they are a ton of fun, It's really funny how much attention I get while on one. We use flags to increase visibility.

I also have bad knees, any bike is much easier than walking

If you watch facebook marketplace you can find a good used one for a good price. I am still considering buying a nice Cateike

Howdy Again CanyonAg77: We have the orange safety flag and an Aggie Pinnate on ours. Tried taking a picture but when hold the Aggie Flag out, am too close to the flag, but you get the picture (pun intended). And like you they draw a lot af attention. We have meet all of our neighbors around us, we ride the same path everyday, would like to vary it but streets here in Rockport can be narrow and unsafe with a lot of traffic. Nice thing is you can stop and visit with our walking friends and just stay seated.

Also, the Delta Trikes, like ours, are much less expensive, and no, no mountain trails for us, but it spares the vast increase in price over those type trikes.

malenurse said:

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The Sun said:

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I have a Trek Verve 3 that I got during the covidiot crap but hardly rode that I'd let go for $400.

It is a large though so might be slightly too tall for you.

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Interested. How tall are you? (I'm 6 foot) Location?

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Hey there. I'm 5 11 3/4 - 6 foot depending on the day. I am in Spring east of the Woodlands.

Email is

Hey malenurse, still interested?

I'm interested.

Sorry, Sun, got distracted by work, Unable to purchase the bicycle. Thanks anyway.

Just because I didn't see any mention of a helmet in here, don't forget to lead by example and wear one. Especially as a new rider, the last thing you want to do is bonk your head on the pavement.

I personally would hop on CL or Marketplace and just pick up something nice looking that's used, either a hybrid, city bike, or mountain bike. I wouldn't worry at all about fit as long as you get a frame size that's close enough (should be able to stand flat footed over the top tube).