I have started working out again, though I absolutely hate cardio- I cannot run far because of bad shins from soccer, and the elliptical machines bore me.

Does anyone here cycle? I would like some suggestions on starter bikes, routes, etc. I used to do a great deal of mountain biking in college, but really don't want to drive an hour to a good trail.

I am an avid cyclist , During warm months and longer daylight I ride more than I drive. Check out the southern bycyle league for cycling info around atl There are a few group rides during the winter and quite a lot starting in spring. As far as starter bikes It depends on how much you want to spend?

I am an avid cyclist , During warm months and longer daylight I ride more than I drive. Check out the southern bycyle league for cycling info around atl There are a few group rides during the winter and quite a lot starting in spring. As far as starter bikes It depends on how much you want to spend?

Thanks for the response. In terms of budget, I would like something that can allow me to test out whether or not cycling is for me- anything in particular I should look for used?

I do some mountain biking and ride a Specialized Hard-Rock. I bought a used one for a cheap price ($220 I think) at Adventure Cycles in Oakwood. It is a great bike for the money. I ride the trails at Gainesville College and Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, but I don't know of any near ATL.

for a starter road bike I wouldn't worry about who made the frame , I would concentrate on finding good component's like shamino, campy, sram, a good tune up,and geting fit for the bike. If you get crappy components, out of tune, or bad fit you will have a bad experience and less likely to ride more.

Are you looking for a road bike or mountain bike? I love the quality of my Specialized. Nice tig welds, aluminum frame, and good brakes and gears. I'm not sure about their road bikes. I would just go to a local bike shop and pick up a trade-in. You'll also be able to check out the fitment and features and see if they are what you want.

for a starter road bike I wouldn't worry about who made the frame , I would concentrate on finding good component's like shamino, campy, sram, a good tune up,and geting fit for the bike. If you get crappy components, out of tune, or bad fit you will have a bad experience and less likely to ride more.
A good lightweight and strong frame is important. I could notice a HUGE difference in my old steel frame and aluminum frame for hitting the trails. Road biking the frame weight might not matter as much.

I have started working out again, though I absolutely hate cardio- I cannot run far because of bad shins from soccer, and the elliptical machines bore me.

Does anyone here cycle? I would like some suggestions on starter bikes, routes, etc. I used to do a great deal of mountain biking in college, but really don't want to drive an hour to a good trail.

Where you located where it takes an hour to get to a mtb trail? I am on the south side and can get to most good trails in 30+ min. This might help you out.
Kevin
http://trails.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Georgia/PLS_4541crx.aspx

specialized make killer road bikes! but are very $$$,Cervelo,are my favorite , carbon frames and from what i'm told are made by an x f1 carbon panel maker. ultra pricey, I actually would reccomend a some old cromo frame for a starter due to price and the fact that cromo will ride nicer , it what beat yuo up like a carbon or aluminun frame will, I am currently ride cannondale's, stiff frame and great for climbing,

Silver Comet is real nice for road biking esp farther out where it is less crowded.

http://silvercomet.tripod.com/

I would recommend a Bianchi for a top of the line "starter bike". They are fairly inexpensive and reliable. If you do decide you like it, sell the Bianchi and buy a Scott CR-1. Trust me, you will love it.

You know if you want another inexpensive option and want to get in shape, make yourself a single speed and ride in it your neighborhood. It really makes you work your legs especially on hills, here is mine.
Just found these, depends how tall your are. Good single speed candidates. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/496474337.html
Will need spacers
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/495873760.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/495874138.html
Kevin
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/konakid67/Konasinglespeed.jpg
My main mtb is a Kona Lavadome 1x9 and I have an older Lavadome backup.

Bianchi's are nice bikes but I can't get over the gay ass blue color they come in, A bad ass bike should look the part ,not like some lame duck 70's econo box.

Bianchi's are nice bikes but I can't get over the gay ass blue color they come in, A bad ass bike should look the part ,not like some lame duck 70's econo box.

...please tell me you aren't referring to Celeste...:shifty

Bianchi's are nice bikes but I can't get over the gay ass blue color they come in, A bad ass bike should look the part ,not like some lame duck 70's econo box.
Bianchi's come in just about any color...:confused

http://www.bianchiusa.com/racing.html
the color most assoiated with bianchi !
still a badd ass bike though

^^ That Kona is SWEET!

I'm riding on the Silver Comet twice a week with a couple buddies. We usually start at the Hiram lot and head west, fewer road crossings out that way.

I <3 Konas. I have two of 'em.

Buy a Target special to see if you like riding.

Buy a Target special to see if you like riding.

Oy vey, that could end badly.

Borrow a friend's decent bike for the day (make sure it fits you) and see if you like riding.

Discount store bikes, while cheap, usually have very low-level components, and are quite hefty (around 40 lbs) and can make recreational riding much less enjoyable than it should be. Also, some of the assembly jobs I have seen on those bikes make me fear for the safety of the rider.

http://www.bikeforums.net/

This place is as active as bimmerfourms with equally good info.

I would suggest a used bike to start. Get in shape and see and how much you enjoy riding. I bought a used Trek 1100 for less than $300 in the summer of '06 and have ridden it about 5000 miles so far. Like with BMW's the mod bug will bite you soon. After a year or so you will have a good idea what you want in your next bike.

^^ That Kona is SWEET!

I'm riding on the Silver Comet twice a week with a couple buddies. We usually start at the Hiram lot and head west, fewer road crossings out that way.

I <3 Konas. I have two of 'em.
Thanks I bought my first Kona in 93 and have had several since. I thought I would try out the TI but actually liked the steel better. Now I have a TI single speed.:buttrock
Kevin
btw,did you see this
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/497207755.html

Thanks I bought my first Kona in 93 and have had several since. I thought I would try out the TI but actually liked the steel better. Now I have a TI single speed.:buttrock
Kevin
btw,did you see this
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/497207755.html

Oh yes, that was noted. :wave

I haven't been on my MTB in a while ('94 Lava Dome :buttrock), been mostly racking up the road miles. Speaking of, I need to take some pics of my 2 Kona steeds now that the roadie ('98/'99 Kapu) is finished.

Oh yes, that was noted. :wave

I haven't been on my MTB in a while ('94 Lava Dome :buttrock), been mostly racking up the road miles. Speaking of, I need to take some pics of my 2 Kona steeds now that the roadie ('98/'99 Kapu) is finished.
Cool would love to see them my first one was a green Lavadome, we probably had the same bike. Your 94 did not have blue anodized coda brakes on it by chance? mine was stolen 9 years ago? Check out this cool HOT
Kevin
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/euro3/original/1998%20Kona%20Hot%204.JPG

I was a roadie for quite some time, but I haven't seriously ridden in almost two years.

:(

well, apparently there are a few "roadie's " here on bimmer forums, I propose a "winter trianing ride" Starting a week from this sunday( I have a race this weekend @ RRR)
starting from my house on N. Decatur. Any takers? First ride we will have a no drop policy and route will depend on group.

Buy a Target special to see if you like riding.
They are usually heavy with horrible gearing. I rode a walmart bike on a trail before. It was an experience that might make him hate biking. The gears slipped constantly, it was really hard to get up a hill because of the bad gearing ratios. I would borrow a bike, or buy a used one.

Don't know if you found one yet but you should check out fixed gears. It's almost like getting that feeling again of when you first learned to ride and you get at least twice the workout in the same amount of time. They are also the most dependable/maintenance-free/inexpensive bike out there. Just to warn you tho if you do take this route, you might be called a hipster by the neighborhood/university kids but it's worth the negative association.

Heres a good site to learn about the technical related aspects or how to build one (if that's the route you wanna take) http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

This is a great site for inspiration as to what to build/buy (they also have a pretty active forum there) http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/

I have to agree with CVGTURBO86 - I have a Scott CR-1 full carbon bike, it is awesome. I love it and have put quite a few miles on it. Before that one I was just using my Trek 820 with road tires on it to do street rides. It was a huge difference going to the Scott CR-1! 28lb mountain bike to a 17lb carbon.
Good luck with whatever your choice - Addictive Cycles in Braselton is a good place too.

They are usually heavy with horrible gearing. I rode a walmart bike on a trail before. It was an experience that might make him hate biking. The gears slipped constantly, it was really hard to get up a hill because of the bad gearing ratios. I would borrow a bike, or buy a used one.

Nothing wrong with walmart bikes. Good ole GMC, it's actually a good training bike. It makes me appreciate the trek.

I would recommend a Bianchi for a top of the line "starter bike". They are fairly inexpensive and reliable. If you do decide you like it, sell the Bianchi and buy a Scott CR-1. Trust me, you will love it.

They also sponsor a womens BMW team. I have cool shirts and socks from them.

Cool would love to see them my first one was a green Lavadome, we probably had the same bike. Your 94 did not have blue anodized coda brakes on it by chance? mine was stolen 9 years ago? Check out this cool HOT
Kevin

No CODA brakes, mine was the last Kona my local shop back in LA ever sold. I remember drooling over the HOT frame they made with the Stars & Stripes paint scheme. Gorgeous bike.

William, you really need to get back on your bike. Same goes for the tennis court. I still owe you a beating. :devillook

Cool, great old school bike. Here are some pics I found, also our frames were the same
Kevin
http://www.stewartpratt.co.uk/image.php?img=articles/mountainbiking/mybikes/hot/hot.jpg&url=http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php%3ft=235613
http://www.ohiomotocross.com/My%20Pics/Kona%20Hot.JPG
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/ameybrook/Bikes/Lava%20Dome%20Rebuild/frame.jpg

I might kill a man for the Hot or the Hei Hei...:evil2

^^Yup, that's my Lava Dome, with fewer scratches, of course.;)

William, you really need to get back on your bike. Same goes for the tennis court. I still owe you a beating. :devillook

I know. Between the track and work, I have cut back way too far on tennis, biking and rock climbing. :(

I might kill a man for the Hei Hei...:evil2

I got have a Hei Hei and a Glock 9 come on..........lol
Kevin

:rofl

Oy vey, that could end badly.

Borrow a friend's decent bike for the day (make sure it fits you) and see if you like riding.

Discount store bikes, while cheap, usually have very low-level components, and are quite hefty (around 40 lbs) and can make recreational riding much less enjoyable than it should be. Also, some of the assembly jobs I have seen on those bikes make me fear for the safety of the rider.

True, but if you can't wear out a Target bike, then you're not a cyclist. Thus, little money blown on something you won't use. :rolleyes

:rofl
Kidding aside I was tweaking my discs today. Here is my 07 Lavadome. Man they are coming out of the woodworks
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/498638058.html
You can always buy this
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/498289722.html
Kevin
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/euro3/original/konalava071x9.jpg

I would hop on one of those if I wasn't already half-in-the-bag converting my old GT road frame into an SS.

I thought I was Kona-obsessed...:eyecrazy

I would hop on one of those if I wasn't already half-in-the-bag converting my old GT road frame into an SS.

I thought I was Kona-obsessed...:eyecrazy
I am a Kona nut I have no idea really. On bike forums I am TheKonakid.......lol
Kevin