Pictures of your bike

[DoodleJump!]

My town has this thing where you pay $25/year for a bike pass, so you can go by specific places in town where they have bike stations and you can take one from dawn to dusk.
I take advantage of that, but I have been looking to buy one.
I am saving my money so I  can get a nice one that will last a while. I don't really know what the bike market looks like. What kind should I look at?
Here is where I ride:
Downtown
a paved trail by the river
a gravel trail
And all of this is quite hilly, as my town is pretty much built on hills.
Feedback would be much appreciated!

[DoodleJump!]

I thought maybe there would be some FOT who knew a little about bikes....maybe not?

[colonel panic]

(sorry, just saw this post)

brand:
I would go to your local bike shop and take a few out for a ride. Typically, the local bike shop will stock better brands (as opposed to big box stores) and be able to fit the bike to your size. A decent bike is fairly affordable but the price can skyrocket if you want it to. Also, new bikes typically come with a service plan where you can bring it in next year for a free tune-up so that might save you a little cash down the road. I'll leave it to your local bike experts to advise you on their particular brands (but they will probably carry something like Giant, Trek, Specialized, etc. and these bikes are great for commuter level; just be wary of Magna, NeXT and anything with a large, useless clear plastic disc (pie plate) near the chain).

style:
This is subjective but I like commuter style bikes. So, a bike that is not as large and burly as a mountain bike but a little beefier then a 10-speed. http://trekstoremadison.com/itemlist.cfm?category=120&catalogId=39 That link shows the style I'm talking about that would probably work for you area. I would think that you could get one of these at your local shop for $250 for something on sale. I haven't bought a new bike in a long time so I could be off on the numbers.

Also, you can always do what I do and watch craigslist for $20 '80s ten speeds. Buy one, bring it in for a tune up and away you go. Older Schwinn's were made fairly well and are fun to ride. If you go this route, I'll gladly help out w/ advice if you need it. I'm no expert but I've rescued a few bikes.

Good luck. Let us know if you make a bike purchase.

[colonel panic]

Here's a Le Tour I just bought for my brother. A craigslist $80 special. This one was basically ready to ride but I'm encouraging him to replace the wheels to modernize it (makes it a lot lighter). Treated properly, this bike will probably outlast my brother. I believe it is in '88.

When buying bikes like this, just make sure the height is correct. Here's a how-to http://www.ehow.com/how_14104_determine-correct-frame.html. My method is slightly more medieval as I ride the bike and see if it feels right. Or, ask the person who is selling the bike how tall they are; this can be a helpful red flag or green light.

[colonel panic]

Here I am, toolin' around. You guys wanna ride together sometime?

This post makes sense now. And it is hilarious.

[colonel panic]

I bought it in 1993. I once rode it from Boston to NYC in the Aids Ride.  It has been down the streets of Manhattan, dirt paths in Vermont, and quiet seaside roads on Martha's Vineyard.  I love it, but it is getting old and falling apart now because I have not had the time to take care of it.  She is mostly my "station bike" now that I've moved to the suburbs, and that makes me sad.

Nice.

Is that bike rusty because of your salty sweat from the station?

[DoodleJump!]

Okay- thanks todbot for the nice advice!

When fall rolls around (too many summer trips to pay for) I'll start seriously looking at buying a bike.

The Craiglist mention sounds like a great idea! I may message you about that. Maybe we could come up with something to go on the FOT Barter thread: Bonnie sends todbot cookies via mail if todbot finds a good bike on Craiglist for her to buy.

haha.

[DoodleJump!]

Here's a pic I pulled off the "interweb" of the kind of bike I rent from my town. That is not me. I don't know who that is.
Let me tell you, I was hating that bike this afternoon. I was riding it to the school art studio in 97 degree weather, at a pace that fell between leisurely and clocking it, and the chain popped off. I popped it back on and continued on my way with no problem.
Then, on the way back, it popped off again, this time as I was mid-hill. I wrecked in the grass/sidewalk next to the road and banged up my shins and ankles pretty nastily. So I walked it up the hill (staying on the sidewalk) and popped the chain back on and thought to myself, "Hey, maybe it will be fine if I just kinda sit on it and kinda just roll along" Nope!
The stupid chain wouldn't stay on. I was so mad, my hands were covered in bike grease, and I had sweat pouring down my face. It was yucky. (added grossness- my clothes were covered w/ clay from the pottery studio)
And when I returned it to the bike station, I told the lady in charge about it and she said "Ok." and took the bike to the back. And that was it. I have to admit, I kind of expected a free candy bar or something.

[fonpr]

Here I am, toolin' around. You guys wanna ride together sometime?

This post makes sense now. And it is hilarious.

I saw one of these in "Port Richey" yesterday.

[Big Plastic Head]

Here's a pic I pulled off the "interweb" of the kind of bike I rent from my town. That is not me. I don't know who that is.
Let me tell you, I was hating that bike this afternoon. I was riding it to the school art studio in 97 degree weather, at a pace that fell between leisurely and clocking it, and the chain popped off. I popped it back on and continued on my way with no problem.
Then, on the way back, it popped off again, this time as I was mid-hill. I wrecked in the grass/sidewalk next to the road and banged up my shins and ankles pretty nastily. So I walked it up the hill (staying on the sidewalk) and popped the chain back on and thought to myself, "Hey, maybe it will be fine if I just kinda sit on it and kinda just roll along" Nope!
The stupid chain wouldn't stay on. I was so mad, my hands were covered in bike grease, and I had sweat pouring down my face. It was yucky. (added grossness- my clothes were covered w/ clay from the pottery studio)
And when I returned it to the bike station, I told the lady in charge about it and she said "Ok." and took the bike to the back. And that was it. I have to admit, I kind of expected a free candy bar or something.

Wow. those are HORRIBLE bikes for efficient city rentals. Single speed with knobby tires!? Damn, girl, I feel for you. Was this a clever ploy from the city to get people to lose weight and hate cycling at the same time? Mission accomplished.

I missed your request earlier too but todbot's advice is sound (IMO). Go to the shop and ride a bunch of bikes. It really is the only way to find that perfect fit and style of bike for you. Any bike shop denizen worth his salt will do their best to find a bike for you that you love. They LIVE to create more bike enthusiasts. If you try enough, you'll find the bike that is waiting for you that makes you want to ride your bike all the time.

And if you live where there are hills, don't let the bike shop talk you into a single speed. They are fun but not if you are really going to rely on it for regular transportation. Especially when the temperature gets into the 90's.

GOOD LUCK!

[yesno]

Bonnie, my preference is for what are called "city bikes" if you are, indeed, riding less than 5 miles or so.  Defining characteristics:  You have an upright, not leaning forward position when riding, and 3 speeds.  Caliper or coaster brakes.  The upright riding position is really what's key; it makes it feel as though you're commuting and not exercising.

I also recommend a rear-mounted basket, or at least a properly worn messenger bag, over a backpack.  Unless you like having a sweaty back.

The bike I have, posted above, is an American company's Chinese-made version of a European city bike, but the category doesn't only encompass bikes that are self-consciously aping a style.

Failing all that, get yourself a nice, practical Bau Bike:

[DoodleJump!]

I  can only imagine how much fun mounting and dismounting that Bau bike would be.

[colonel panic]

g-stampgirl: I'm up for any bike-related conquests, barters etc.

Sounds like you'll have plenty of support for the FOT's, too, if you need some help at bike-purchasing time.

[JonFromMaplewood]

I bought it in 1993. I once rode it from Boston to NYC in the Aids Ride.  It has been down the streets of Manhattan, dirt paths in Vermont, and quiet seaside roads on Martha's Vineyard.  I love it, but it is getting old and falling apart now because I have not had the time to take care of it.  She is mostly my "station bike" now that I've moved to the suburbs, and that makes me sad.

Nice.

Is that bike rusty because of your salty sweat from the station?

Yes.

[colonel panic]

I bought it in 1993. I once rode it from Boston to NYC in the Aids Ride.  It has been down the streets of Manhattan, dirt paths in Vermont, and quiet seaside roads on Martha's Vineyard.  I love it, but it is getting old and falling apart now because I have not had the time to take care of it.  She is mostly my "station bike" now that I've moved to the suburbs, and that makes me sad.

Nice.

Is that bike rusty because of your salty sweat from the station?

Yes.

Awesome. Can you recommend an entry point to get into stationary riding? I guess I'm thinking rollers vs. the standing type. I know absolutely nothing about it but would like to get a setup before winter.