So, you decided you don’t like walking. Well, If you’re going to ride, you will need a bike. How hard can find a bike be?
“It’s as easy as riding a bike.”
The intent behind that quote is basically, once you have learned to ride a bike, you never forget. An article in the New York Times stated once we learn to ride a bicycle, we never forget. It explained we use one part of the brain for learning skills and another for learning knowledge. Since the skill learning portion of the brain isn’t used as heavily, it is easier to recall the skill.
After reintroducing my body to bicycle riding at 71.5 years of age, I would amend that statement. I think it is easier to relearn the basics of the skill but takes slightly longer to regain the confidence earned from the experience of riding a bike. Yes, it takes time to regain the confidence you need to ride. But I will get to that shortly.
If you haven’t ridden or owned a bike for over 45 years, there are a few things to know before heading down to the big box store and just buying a pre-assembled one off the rack.
Growing up in the 1960s, we had single speed bikes from companies like Schwinn, Huffy, Murray and Western Flyer, etc. These ranged from “full” size bikes with fat tires to what we called 10-speed bikes or “English Racing Bikes”. Kids also had short bikes with banana seats and high handlebars like the Schwinn Stingrays. Some of the Stingray styled bikes even came with multiple gears. I remember a friend who had a bike with the shifter mounted on the top bar of the frame instead of the handlebars. Basic, single speed bikes were the big sellers. We now called them cruisers – one speed, with coaster brakes (the kind you backpedal to stop).
Things to consider when buying a bike
- Don’t expect to find “10-speed” when you go shopping. They pretty much don’t make bikes with just 10 gears now. And they don’t call them “10-speeds” anymore. “Road bikes” have the same skinny wheels and drop handlebars but with a minimum of 21-speed gearing.
- Understand the different types of bicycles built for different usages.
- Cruisers – Usually single speed bike with comfortable seats, old style handlebars designed to easily add a basket and “fat” tires. Also available with up to 7-gears. These are bikes for leisurely rides.
- Road Bikes – as described in #2. I call these bicycles for the serious professional bike rider. The ones who wear the fancy riding kit that includes gel pads in their riding bibs (those thinks that look like what college wrestlers wear.). When I see these bikes on the bike trail I ride, I move as far to the right as I can so they can pass me riding at 40 mph (even though there is a 15-mph speed limit).
- Mountain Bikes – These are sturdier, more heavy-duty bikes with straight handlebars and 2-inch-wide tires. Think motorcross for bicycles instead of motorcycles.
- Hybrid bikes – Sort of a cross between a Mountain Bike and a Road Bike. They have multiple gears and good for paved roads, bike trails or some nature trails.
- Step Through Bikes – These are the most common bicycles in Europe according to some information. Designed so the rider can easily “step through” the frame to mount the bike instead of swinging your leg over the seat. Growing up in the 1960s, these were referred to as “girl’s bikes” because they could ride them while wearing a skirt or dress. That is outdated terminology and now these bikes are marketed for seniors and for people who want an easier way to get on the bike. They are available in different gearing but the most I’ve seen is 7-speed.
How much can you afford?
Let’s talk buying a bicycle. With all due respect to bicycle shop owners, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on a “starter” quality bicycle. I bought a used one for under $75 when I restarted bike riding. Why? I wasn’t sure if I was going to stick to riding. I decided to try it out and if I found I liked it and wanted to continue, then I would shop for something newer.
While I found that I did like riding, I didn’t necessarily like the used bike I had purchased from a good, reputable bike shop. As I rode the used hybrid bike, I found I just wasn’t as comfortable as I wanted to be. Now, part of this was because I was just restarting and had yet to regain my confidence and balance. In fact, after I bought my current bicycle, I gave the used one to one of my grandsons and he uses it to ride around his college campus.
What I did learn from the used bike was that I wanted a good hybrid bike that I fit on and that wasn’t above my budget. Sorry, bike shops, but spending over $300 for basically a beginner bicycle is not something I endorse. My logic is, “Don’t buy a really expensive bike until you know for sure you are going to like riding a bike.”
A Mercedes and a Kia will both get you from Point A to Point B in relative comfort. The difference being that high-end cars should provide a more comfortable ride for a longer time. I think high-end bikes will be more durable and hold up better to heavy usage. That’s not saying big box brand bikes aren’t worth the money. You can still buy a good Schwinn or Huffy for less money. You just need to trust the store to assemble it correctly.
What I bought
I now own an Ozone 500 Black Canyon 7-Speed hybrid I purchased at Academy Sports. I paid under $200 and have been riding it since mid-September. In six months (I didn’t ride in December), I have put 470 miles on this bike. My average speed has increased from 7.4 mph for a five-mile ride to 9.4 mph for a 6.6-mile ride. The only alteration to the bike has been a slightly wider gel-filled saddle and a mirror mounted at the end of the handlebar.
Regaining your confidence takes time
At the beginning I mentioned regaining the confidence to ride a bicycle. Let me explain my experience back in September. I was able to get on the bicycle and ride, but it wasn’t exactly a stable, steady ride. My balance was shaky at first and I had to get used to being on the bike, riding in a straight line and maneuvering around people on the biking/walking path while also staying out of the way of speed-demon professional bike riders. I fell four times in the first two weeks of bike riding.
The first time was me oversteering while taking a turn faster than I was comfortable with while trying to get out of the way of another bike rider.
The second time was when the front wheel was attacked by a rabbit jumped out of a bush and surprised me.
The third time was missing a turn while coming down a 7-foot incline.
The fourth time was emergency breaking to keep from getting hit by a pick-up that refused to stop at a stop sign. He had the stop sign, I didn’t.
I have managed to not fall off my bike since then.
Upgrading my ride.
There is nothing mechanically wrong with my Ozone 500, but I have bought a new bike. While the fit was “comfortable” when I sat on the seat, just my toes touch the ground. I have had a couple of near falls because of this. The aftermath of back surgery 25 years ago, leaning the bike over to swing my leg across is also an occasional problem. That slight difficulty in getting on the bike and not being able to put my feet solidly on the ground was the deciding factor in buying a new bike recently.
Next: Going Cruising instead of “off roading” bike riding.
© J. Gibson Creative Services. April 30, 2025
